Kentucky Derby 2026

[DMurphy]

Taking a break from planning hunting and fishing trips to look into going with the wife and a small group to the Kentucky Derby. Any suggestions on do's and don'ts, ticket packages, or anything else would be appreciated. We will also likely be hitting a distillery or two while in the area, so any insider info on the best distillery tours would also be appreciated.

 

[bayou0509]

Subscribed. I've been interested in this as well

 

[cbat]

Following

 

[CMF]

We've been to Churchhill downs, but not the Derby. They had a family day the weekend we were there, and stuff for kids.
I know one weekend a year at Fairgrounds in NOLA, they do exotic racing like ostrich and zebra races, which was entertaining.
Not exactly the topic, but related...

 

[jek5224]

Don't get tickets for the infield unless you want to be shoulder to shoulder with 50,000 other people and wade through mud and beer cans. Fun if you are in college. Not fun if you aren't.

Most distillery experiences in Ky are worth it. I like going to some of the more historic ones, but the newer ones are always competing to be bigger and better. While not necessary in Louisville, the best ones IMO are Buffalo Trace, Wild Turkey, Maker's Mark, Four Roses, Jim Beam, and Bardstown Bourbon Co. It's been a while since I have done any of the Louisville ones, but my recollection is that Stitzel Weller was our favorite. If you have a car they are close enough to make the drive.

 

[Laramie]

Be mindful of scams. My mom and aunt bought tickets about 10 years ago. It was a bucket list trip for them. They were both in the mid 60s at the time. Long story short, they made the trip, by vehicle,, from Wyoming only to find out the tickets were fakes. I offered to get them tickets for another one because I felt so bad but neither of them were willing to try again.

 

[Reburn]

@Steve O is the resident expert on distillery tours I'm sure he will have valuable insight.

 

[Abacist]

If you're looking for a great horse racing experience without the pageantry and incredible mass of humanity that attends the Derby, consider going to Keeneland in Lexington. If you are determined to have the Derby experience, look at the Kentucky Oaks race, which is held at Churchill Downs the day before the Derby.

 

[Donjuan]

If you’re into baseball the Louisville slugger museum is pretty cool

 

[Steve O]

@Steve O is the resident expert on distillery tours I'm sure he will have valuable insight.

Hah. I’ve been to a few. I think Bardstown is fantastic. They are ultra modern but give a lot of love to the history. Any tour there that includes their bourbon library will knock your socks off. So will the on site bar/restaurant; farm to table impressive.

Castle & Key has the most beautiful grounds I’ve seen; like you would be cool with your daughter having her wedding there. Makers Mark would be the place I would want to see during Christmas with a dusting of snow. Another beautiful place.

Old Forester is a cool little tour right on Whiskey Row; they have an awesome speak easy next door.

Woodford has a great tour where they teach you how to taste the flavors. Buffalo Trace is big but I’ve enjoyed every tour we’ve taken there and always learn something new.

You want to book your tours WAY in advance and there are times when you have to be on the phone the second certain ones become available.