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.

 

[isla]

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.

Sounds like a great trip in the works — the Kentucky Derby is an experience, especially if it’s your first time. Here are some practical tips and suggestions based on how most people plan, enjoy, and get the most out of their time there:


Derby do’s and don’ts

• Do plan early — tickets and hotel rooms around Louisville sell out fast, and prices go up the closer you get.
• Don’t dress last minute — the Derby has a bit of a dress code vibe. You’ll see everything from seersucker suits and sun dresses to big hats and bold colors. Comfortable shoes are key because there’s a LOT of walking.
• Do think about where you want to sit — there are general admission tickets (cheapest, most flexible), reserved seating, and premium packages (including dining, shaded areas, better views). If it’s your first time, a reserved spot along the stretch might be worth it for the view.
• Don’t underestimate the weather — it can be hot and humid in May; bring sunscreen, a hat, and stay hydrated.

Ticket packages

• General Admission gets you onto the grounds and into the infield viewing areas — lively and fun, but crowded.
• Reserved Seating gives you a specific seat in the grandstands with a better view of the finish line.
• Premium/Club Packages often include food, drinks, shaded areas, and sometimes insider access like terrace views. These are more expensive but remove a lot of the “festival chaos” and give a more relaxed experience.

Derby Day logistics

• Arrive early — gates open several hours before the first race. You’ll want time to explore, place bets, and enjoy the atmosphere before the main event.
• If you’re betting for the first time, keep it simple — start with win/place/show or a small exacta box. You don’t have to bet big to enjoy the excitement.
• Have a plan for after the race; traffic can get heavy leaving Churchill Downs.

Distillery tours
You’re in the heart of bourbon country, so absolutely plan distillery visits. A few well‑liked options:

• Angel’s Envy (Louisville) — well‑reviewed tour and tasting with a bit of elegance to it.
• Old Forester (Louisville) — historic and educational, good for bourbon lovers who want real depth.
• Woodford Reserve — outside the city but a classic choice with scenic grounds and solid insights into the bourbon process.
• Maker’s Mark — a bit further away, but iconic and worth it if you have a free day.

Booking distillery tours in advance is smart because popular slots fill up, especially around big events like Derby week.


Final tips

• Have backup plans for meals and tours — reservations are helpful during peak times.
• Uber/Lyft and local limo services are easy ways to get around without worrying about parking or drinking.

 

[ColPenguin]

Makers Mark and Woodford Reserve are the most beautiful distillery locations. Makers Mark is kind of out of the way though, about 30 minutes from Bardstown. There are a lot of good tour options though. Willett, Jim Beam and Buffalo Trace are good tours. Limestone Branch, near Makers Mark, is a smaller craft bourbon run by a Beam family master distiller.

Heaven Hill is primarily a tasting, not a big tour. While I like Wild Turkey products, on the occasion that I did a tour it was the most bland corporate tour that I have done. Four Roses your was also not interesting to me.

Our strategy has been reserve one tour, and squeeze in another tour unscheduled. It's feasible to do 2 bourbon tours in one day. You also don't have to buy anything if you just want to walk in and get a stamp on your bourbon trail passport.

Pass on buying souvenir bottles of most gift shop offerings unless they are exclusive to the visitor center, or limited purchase or distribution. Local liquor stores usually have better prices on flagship offerings of bourbon.