kentucky derby One of the most popular horse races of the year, and it kicks off the Triple Crown series before the Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes.
Thousands of tourists flock to the city of Louisville, Kentucky each year to celebrate the event, the first major horse racing held at Churchill Downs.
There is so much to see and do in this picturesque city located at the intersection of the South and the Midwest.
If you’re heading to town for Derby Day, the spring Kentucky Derby Festival or are eyeing a trip to the River City in the near future, here are some things worth seeing while you’re in town.
Kentucky Derby Quiz! How well do you know historical American horse racing?
The month-long celebration leading up to the Kentucky Derby (Kentucky Derby Festival) features a whole host of amazing events like the Pegasus Parade, the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks show, and the Great Steamboat Race.
Keep this in mind for next year, as it’s worth attending.
The Kentucky Derby is one of the most important events for the city of Louisville, Kentucky, and a major attraction for tourists. (Michael Reeves/Getty Images)
restaurants in louisville
For a small city, Louisville is filled with a wide variety of restaurants, ranging from busy Cuban joints to classic barbecue joints. The city has various culinary delights that will help enhance your dining experience during your visit to Derby.
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Consider stopping by these restaurants to discover the best the city has to offer during your stay with family and friends.
1. Volare Italian Restaurant
Volare Italian Restaurant opened in 2004 and is located on Frankfort Avenue.
Executive chef and managing partner, Joshua Moore, won Food Network’s “Chopped” in 2019.
The menu includes bar bites like veal meatballs and typical Italian snacks including bruschetta and antipasto. The dinner menu features an assortment of authentic Italian foods, including homemade pasta, osso bucco, Marsala dishes, veal and more. The restaurant offers fine dining experiences to locals and tourists from across the country and guests can also find a range of steaks on the menu.
2. Cancel Oak Fired Steakhouse
For a luxurious, fine dining steakhouse experience, Louisville locals recommend Repeal Oak Fired Steakhouse.
Menu options include weekend brunch, breakfast, lunch and dinner options. Guests can start their morning with something lighter like the Smoked Salmon Toast or the Bacon, Egg and Cheddar Breakfast Sandwich.
Historic and memorable Kentucky Derby races from 1875 and later
For lunch, visitors are offered a variety of hefty menu items such as truffle bucatini and prime rib French dip sandwiches.
The dinner menu at Repeal is filled with meat options, including appetizers like bone marrow and steak tartar and entree options including the 32-ounce Tomahawk Ribeye and Japanese A5 Wagyu.
3. Proof on Main
For American food, Louisville tourists may want to try Proof on Main.
The restaurant opened in 2006 and is a favorite among Louisville residents. The executive chef, Cody Stone, was the first assistant chef when the restaurant opened.
Now, he creates menus based on what’s in season and sources fresh ingredients from the Ohio Valley River.
The dinner menu offers guests seafood options including charred octopus, tuna crudo and swordfish, in addition to meat options and vegetarian options such as sour cavatelli and mushroom risotto.
4. Louisville Ale Trail
The Louisville Ale Trail is for outdoorsmen looking for a good time and local drinks. Tourists can purchase a passport book for $10 and have it shipped straight to their door. Inside, guests will have a way to collect tickets from the different brewhouses they visit. Once 16 local breweries have stamped the book, tourists can enter to win prizes and beer money.
Years of fun and unique Kentucky Derby hats
Local taps include Against the Grain, Country Boy Brewing, Hometown Brewing Company, Old Louisville Brewery, Public House and more.
Bourbon and Whiskey in Louisville
Kentucky is known for its Bourbon heritage. Here are three options for where to pick up the glass.
If you really love your bourbon, check out the Urban Bourbon Trail, where each restaurant on the trail offers at least 60 types of bourbon.
1. Angel’s jealousy
Enjoy a Distillery Tour in the Center of Bourbon District of Louisville At this beloved distiller. Don’t miss the gift shop to pick up some spirits and gifts to take home for those at home.
2. North of Bourbon
Opened in 2021 in Louisville’s historic Germantown neighborhood, this Bourbon bar is a great source of links between New Orleans and Louisville. If you want to enjoy your drinks with some of the best spirits, grab a bourbon-barrel shaped booth and enjoy Louisiana and Mississippi cuisine.
3. Black Jockey Lounge
Have dinner or drinks at this spot that pays tribute to the black jockeys who dominated the Kentucky Derby. It’s located on historic South 4th Street, so walk away from those wings and pair the blue cheese coleslaw with “first call” after dinner.
4. Wild Swan
This establishment “for the thirsty and the curious” is located in The Grady Hotel, one of Louisville’s most recently renovated buildings dating back to 1883. In its former life, the building was occupied by J.B. Wilder – owner of an apothecary and bourbon distillery located there. The building’s basement, where diners and drinkers can now enjoy delicious cocktails and Southern food.
5. Mocktail Project
If you’re not a big drinker but still want to take part in the city’s festivities, check out this local initiative for alcohol-free fun.
Culture and Attractions in Louisville
In addition to food and beverages, Louisville is also home to cultural and historical attractions that will help fill out your schedule before or after a trip to the Kentucky Derby. Read below to learn about the top historical and cultural attractions that will help expand your knowledge and appreciation of the city of Louisville.
- Kentucky Derby Museum
- Old Louisville Walking Tour
- Hermitage Farm
- TRF (Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation) at Chestnut Hall.
- Louisville Mega Cavern
1. Kentucky Derby Museum
Come to the races; Stick to history and tradition. take a tour Kentucky Derby Museum Unique venue, filled with memorabilia from the most famous horse racing events. You can also combine your ticket with a tour of Churchill Downs. The two-story museum displays information about some of the Derby’s greatest races and teaches visitors about the breeding and training of race horses.
2. Old Louisville Walking Tour
Talented tour guides will take you through Old Louisville with its amazingly preserved homes and some friendly ghosts. Fun fact is that this neighborhood is home to the largest collection of Victorian-era mansions in the country and is a real experience for history buffs as you learn about the area’s storied past.
3. Hermitage Farm
Located about a half-hour from downtown Louisville in Goshen, Kentucky, this working Thoroughbred farm offers horse tours, a locally-sourced and seasonally-focused restaurant, bourbon tastings with retired horses at Barn8 and Barn6.
4. TRF (Thoroughbred Retirement Foundation) at Chestnut Hall.
Head to East Louisville for a tour around the historic farmstead, where you’ll see many beautiful horses. It’s about 30 minutes from downtown Louisville, but you’ll feel ages away from city life.
Louisville, Kentucky hosts a month-long event prior to the Kentucky Derby on an annual basis, preparing horse racing fans everywhere for the Triple Crown race series.
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5. Louisville Mega Cavern
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, try underground zip-lining in this 100-acre former man-made mine turned tourist attraction beneath a section of the Louisville Zoo. The world’s only completely underground zip line course is a 2.5-hour adventure you won’t soon forget, taking you through a portion of the cave’s 17-mile underground passage via six zip lines and two challenge bridges.
Where to Stay in Louisville
Finding the most affordable, safe and quality place to stay during the holidays is essential to enjoying your time away from home. Take a look at these local Louisville hotel locations to see if they’re a good fit for you.
1. Hotel Distill
This autograph collection is inside the hotel wJust a short walk from the Big Four Bridge, a six-span former railroad truss turned bicycle and pedestrian bridge crosses the Ohio River, connecting Louisville to Jeffersonville, Indiana, and an adjacent waterfront park. There’s Slugger Field, the Muhammad Ali Center, and more. Located on Whiskey Row, the hotel pays homage to the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, including a complimentary Bourbon cocktail for guests each evening at 1933 military time (7:33 p.m.) and fine food and drinks on site. Is also provided.
2. The Brown Hotel
This luxury property first opened in 1923 and is hosting Derby Day People present since then. The gold and black Muhammad Ali Suite, complete with four-poster king bed and marble Jacuzzi tub, is perfect for a special occasion.
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3. Galt House Hotel
The city’s only riverfront hotel property is Churchill Downs and the official host hotel of the Kentucky Derby. To start your stay, head up to the bar at Jockey Silks for a celebratory drink and then relax in one of the rooms overlooking the river or city.
4. Sacred Goat
The post ups in the 1843 church are reimagined as four separate spaces. There’s also an outdoor courtyard to catch your breath between shows.
You can book each suite individually or combine them to create homes of up to 16.
Philip Nieto contributed reporting.
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