There are some events that just have to go on your bucket list. You don’t have to be a football fan to attend the Super Bowl. You don’t need to be a soccer fan to attend the World Cup final. And you certainly don’t need to be a horse racing aficionado to attend the Kentucky Derby. Some 150,000 people visit the Churchill Downs each year, all to see “the most exciting two minutes in sport,” and once you’re there, you’ll understand why. But you’ll need to know a thing or two before you get to enjoy all the fun of the Kentucky Derby. In this blog, we’ll run through some handy tips, including where to stay, how to use an introductory betting offer to brush up on your horse-racing knowledge, and how to select the right outfit. What is for sure is you’ll be happy that you went!
Get Your Tickets Early
There may be some 150,000 tickets on sale for the Kentucky Derby, but that doesn’t mean that you should wait until the last minute to get one. Once you know that you’ll be attending, it’s best to buy your tickets as soon as possible. They can be highly affordable for this event, but only if you book them early — as the races draw closer, only the most expensive seats remain for sale. And when we say “most expensive,” we mean thousands of dollars.
General admission tickets will set you back around $65.
Where to Stay
It’s always advisable to book your accommodation at the same time you book your tickets. The best hotels will fill up early, as will the affordable ones. If you leave it too late, then you may find that you have to drop some serious dollars just to lay your head at night. There’s no shortage of places to stay, with everything from cute B&Bs, to boutique hotels and major chains all available in the area.
Pro tip: Prioritize the location of the hotel. It’s best to be somewhere within easy reaching distance of Churchill Downs and the most lively areas of Louisville.
What to Wear
The Kentucky Derby isn’t just a horse racing event. It’s also a major social event — one of America’s largest, in fact. This is a place to see and be seen, with attendees wearing some outrageously gorgeous outfits. So be sure to dress the part! This is a chance to really push the boat out and wear an eye-catching dress or suit. If you’re not sure exactly what the dress code is, just think: wedding.
Understanding the Sport
There’s so much to see and enjoy at the Kentucky Derby that it’s easy to forget that, well, this is primarily a horse racing event. You’ll enjoy the action even if it’s your first ever time watching a live race, but you’ll like it even more if you have a solid sense of what’s going on.
In the weeks and months leading up to the Kentucky Derby, be sure to check out other, smaller races. Since you’ll likely be betting at the Derby, newcomers can also benefit from placing a few wagers to understand how it works — there are sites that provide free bets, which will allow you to get to grips with it without using your own money.
Check Out Kentucky
The Kentucky Derby isn’t located solely at Churchill Downs. It takes over the whole region for a period of around 4 – 6 weeks. As such, there will be plenty of activities and fun taking place in Louisville. It’s worthwhile extending your trip so you have enough time to enjoy all that the festival has to offer.
And don’t forget that Louisville is an awesome destination in its own right, so be sure to do some non-Derby activities, such as sampling the local dishes, paddling at Parklands, and hitting the limestone wonder known as Mega Cavern.
