Churchill Downs, Kentucky

Churchill Downs is known as one of the most famous horse racing tracks in the world. The reason for its world wide fame is because it is the annual host to the Kentecky Derby Thoroughbred horse races. The Kentucky Derby is deep rooted in tradition and has been going on for over 100 years. Whether you"re visiting Louisville for business or pleasure, take a trip to the Kentucky Churchill Downs Race track for a fun family outing.

Churchill Downs has two racing seasons per year, during the spring and the fall. The famous Kentucky derby takes place during the spring meet, on the first Saturday in May. If you"d like to obtain Churchill Downs tickets that will guarantee you a reserved seat, be sure to allow yourself plenty of time, as tickets are hard to come by because of the international popularity of the event. Guests must apply for seats an entire year in advance, and even if that is done, there are no guarantees on securing Churchill downs tickets.

If you"re new to horse racing, betting on a horse is easier than ever thanks to optional tip sheets that will help you determine which horses to bet on. Attendants are standing by at the wagering windows to help you place your bets, otherwise self-service betting machines are available if you know what you are doing.

Once you purchase your Churchill Downs tickets, be sure to check out the events and festivals going on during the two weeks prior to the Kentucky Derby. Thousands of people gather at the banks of the Ohio River, enjoying the vibrant scene of Louisville by listening to live music and sampling the offerings of street vendors.

The Great Balloon Glow and the Great Balloon race are two events taking place a week before the Derby that visitors to Churchill downs will not want to miss. "The Glow" refers to the magnificent glow that can be seen in the sky the night before the hot air balloon race, when hot air balloon owners take their balloons out for a test run in preparation for the race the next morning. The next day, the balloon owners compete in the balloon race where the goal is to race to a location and then retrieve a bag from a marker on the ground without tipping their balloons.

Visitors should be aware that hotels are very hard to find in the Louisville area during the meets, so booking a hotel far in advance is recommended. Look for Louisville hotel deals online or call around for the best options. Sometimes staying in the outskirts of Louisville will be your best option if you plan to visit Louisville for the Kentucky Derby.

Dazzling fireworks displays, an active bar and restaurant scene, as well as wine tasting are just some of the other reasons to visit Churchill Downs prior to the big event at the Kentucky Churchill Downs race track.

read more...

Things to do in Louisville

Louisville is Kentucky's largest city and one of the most popular destinations for tourists arriving in Kentucky. Known as the Gateway to the South or Derby City, there are many attractions in Louisville, not least of which is the Kentucky Derby Festival in May every year, one of the most popular things to do if you arrive at this time. In addition to the Kentucky Derby, however, there are numerous Louisville activities available for the visitor, with a variety of museums, sports and recreational activities, shopping, and historical architecture.

Kentucky Derby Festival

The Kentucky Derby, one of the most famous horse-racing events in the country and the most popular of all the attractions in Louisville, is held on the first Saturday in May, and for the two weeks preceding the event, Louisville is aglow with the Kentucky Derby Festival and all its activities. Thunder Over Louisville, a spectacular fireworks display, and the Great Balloon Race, a hot-air balloon race over the city, are two of the most famous events during the festival. Other popular Louisville activities during the Festival include marathons, parades, a steamboat race, and art shows.

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby itself is one of the most exciting events of the year, and is one of the oldest horse races in the US. Also called the Run for the Roses in reference to the blanket of roses draped over the winner, attending the Kentucky Derby is one of the most interesting things to do in Louisville. Sip a mint julep and chow down on some burgoo, a popular Kentucky meat stew, while watching the race and listening to the band play "My Old Kentucky Home." One of the other popular attractions in Louisville is the Kentucky Derby Museum at Churchill Downs

Louisville Slugger Museum

There is a wealth of things to do in Louisville, and for the sports fan, the Louisville Slugger Museum is a must-see. Not only does the museum display the largest baseball bat in the world, but fans of baseball can watch as the factory produces the Louisville Slugger baseball bats, the official bat of Major League baseball.

Louisville Parks

Other interesting Louisville activities include biking, rollerblading, or walking in the extensive Louisville park system. The three largest parks, Cherokee Park, Iroquois Park, and Shawnee Park have a scenic loop that visitors can explore. The Louisville park system is famous for its design, and the aforementioned three main parks join with numerous smaller parks to form an emerald chain, as it's called, in the city.

Old Louisville

Exploring Old Louisville is also one of the most interesting things to do in Louisville; its historical buildings form the third largest National Preservation District in the country. Many Victorian homes, as well as 1800s iron-façade buildings grace the streets, and local bars and restaurants make walking in Old Louisville a relaxing and fun activity. A diverse neighborhood, with residents from different cultures and backgrounds, adds to the charm.

Art Galleries

On Market Street in downtown Louisville, a free gallery hop is offered on the first Friday of every month, and visitors can explore glass studios, art museums, and art galleries for free. If you are visiting Louisville in October, make sure you visit the St. James Court Art Show located in historic Louisville. At this art fair, artisans and artists showcase their work against the background of lovely historical mansions and is just one of the many fun things to do in Louisville throughout the year.

read more...

Things to do in Kentucky

There are things to do in Kentucky for every type of traveler. Kentucky attractions range from outdoor activities such as hiking and camping, researching the Civil War, and participating in all of the Kentucky attractions that have to do with the Kentucky Derby. You could easily tour Kentucky for an entire summer and not run out of interesting things to see or do.

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby takes place every year in May in Louisville on one of the world’s most famous horse racing tracks, Churchill Downs. People often refer to the derby as the “most exciting two minutes in sports.” The derby is by far the most well-known of all Kentucky Attractions.

Kentucky Horse Park

If you are planning to tour Kentucky, start with the Kentucky Horse Museum located in Lexington KY. Lexington is commonly referred to as the horse capital of the world. The Horse Farm features dozens of breeds of horses living on acres of beautiful pastures and a museum that tells the story of horse racing in Kentucky. There are also several events that go on at the Horse Museum.

Corvette Museum

The Corvette Museum offers a glimpse into automobile making history. There are actual corvettes on display from decades past as well as Corvette memorabilia, films, and photographs. The GM assembly plant isn’t far from the Corvette Museum. Visitors can see a real corvette being assembled on a factory tour.

Louisville Slugger Museum

If you’re looking for things to do in Kentucky, head to the Louisville Slugger Museum. The museum provides a great opportunity to learn how Slugger bats are made and what makes them so popular with baseball players. Upon driving up to the Louisville Slugger Baseball Museum, visitors will immediately notice the “World’s Biggest Bat,” which is 120 feet tall and weighs nearly 68,000 pounds.

Lake Reba

Lake Reba is the perfect lake for swimming, fishing, or taking in some scenic Kentucky sights. Other recreational activities that are available include mini golf, horse shoes, and golf. The recreational complex at the lake is a very popular gathering spot for family reunions because of the abundance of picnic seating areas. If you plan to tour Kentucky, be sure to put this excellent recreational complex at the top of your list.

Louisville Zoo

The Louisville Zoo should be one of the Kentucky sights that everyone sees. The facility located right in the heart of Louisville and is home to a diverse range of animals. The habitats of the animals are what make the zoo so unique. Each animal lives in an environment that replicates their natural habitats. When you go to the zoo, be sure to stay for an educational talk by an experience zoo volunteer or a geologist.

Mammoth Cave

The Mammoth Cave is said to be the longest cave structure in the world and is one of the top Kentucky attractions. Visitors will marvel at rock formations and learn how the cave was formed millions of years ago. Bring your hiking shoes when you visit the cave, as the tours can be quite strenuous in nature.

Kentucky Center for the Arts

There are a variety of things to do in Kentucky that have to do with art. The Kentucky Center for the Arts is the state’s premier place to see a live musical performances and an array of art exhibits. The Center for the arts has been famous ever since the early 1980’s when the presidential debates between Ronald Reagan and Walter Mondale took place there.

Kentucky Rivers

If you enjoy fishing or white water rafting, head to the Cumberland River and the Big Sandy River for some outdoor fun and a chance to see some natural Kentucky sights. The Cumberland River is popular for fly fishing during the summer time, while the strong current of the Sandy River provides the ideal place to go whitewater rafting.

read more...