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Mine That Bird Visiting KDM Stable

The word is out...the 2009 Derby Champion Mine That Bird is at the Kentucky Derby Museum Stable!

March 27 through April 19

Kentucky Derby Museum Ball

Join us as we toast to 150 years of the Kentucky Derby®!

Friday, April 26

The exhibit underwent a $1 million upgrade to include cutting-edge technology for the immersive jockey simulator, allowing guests to experience what it's like to ride in the Derby.

Biscuits & Bourbon

Enjoy a southern-inspired brunch along with live music, unlimited Kentucky Bourbon, mimosas and Bloody Marys! Top off your brunch with a day at the races at Churchill Downs® Racetrack during Derby Week.

Wednesday, May 1

Barn and Backside Tour

Only on the Backside of the track can you experience breathtaking views of the Twin Spires and see the iconic horse barns up close!

Review of the Week

One of the Highlights of our travels. We got a tour of the grounds, walked through the paddock to the edge of the track and got to stand in the Winner's Circle. The museum itself is wonderful and between it and the tour guide it was very informative. Plus my wife got to enjoy a mint julep in the bar afterwards.

Plan Your Visit

Our Supporters

Kentucky Derby® Tours

Experience why Kentucky is world-famous! The beauty of Churchill Downs®, Louisville, legendary distilleries and rolling horse farms of Kentucky are yours to treasure with our guided tour options.

Private Horse Farm Tour

Wed, Thurs, Fri or Sun

Go behind the scenes at a working horse farm visit with famous stallions and tour the ivy-covered grounds of the Keeneland Racecourse – former Breeders' Cup® host.

Backstretch Tour at Dawn at Churchill Downs

Thurs or Fri

This tour offers the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Churchill Downs as well as getting up-close-and-personal with horses, owners, trainers and jockeys.

The Best of Kentucky

Explore the heart and soul of Kentucky’s Bluegrass horse country – see a world-class private farm and a master distillery that crafts Kentucky’s finest bourbon.

Bourbon Distillery Tour

Enjoy this time-honored tradition with a full-day tour of a legendary Kentucky bourbon distillery such as Maker’s Mark and Heaven Hill, complete with a bourbon tasting.

Mint Julep Sunset Social

Learn from an expert how to run a top-notch farm, build your own Mint Julep cocktail and enjoy a family-style farm to table Southern dinner at a stunning 19th century farm estate.

Track Experience

Classic Venue

Kick off your Derby weekend with a cocktail reception in the Derby Museum and take a stroll on the Churchill Downs track while capturing your experience with a photo taken in the Winner's Circle.

This tour offers the opportunity to go behind the scenes at Churchill Downs and get up close and personal with horses, owners, trainers and jockeys.

Enjoy this time-honored tradition with a full-day tour of a legendary Kentucky bourbon distillery, such as Maker’s Mark and Heaven Hill, complete with a bourbon tasting.

Add a Tour to Your Ticket Package Today

Elevate your Derby weekend by adding any one of our available tours to your Official Ticket Package!

Experience why Kentucky is world-famous! This fun and informative tour takes you through the heart and soul of Kentucky's Bluegrass horse country. See a world-class private farm that is home to current and future Derby stars and studs. Tour the ivy-covered grounds of Keeneland Racecourse, also home to the planet's most expensive horse auction. Take a peek at the horse farm lifestyle as we take you behind the scenes to explore a working horse farm and visit with famous stallions.

Package Inclusions

• Visit a Stallion Barn
• Tour of Keeneland Racecourse, a National Historic Landmark
• Sit-down Lunch at a Local Restaurant with Kentucky Fare & excludes alcohol

Exclusive to Derby Experiences' clients, you will begin your walking tour at Stable Gate off S. 4th Street next to Churchill Downs, where you will be met by your tour guide and get a chance to see the horses out on the track for their morning training.

• Backstretch Tour of Churchill Downs Racetrack During Morning Training
• Visit the Stables at Churchill Downs
• Historical Recount of Churchill Downs with Expert Tour Guide
• Breakfast in the Horseman's Kitchen

This fun and informative tour takes you through the heart and soul of Kentucky's Bluegrass horse country. See a world-class private farm that is home to current and future Derby stars and studs.

• Tour of a World-Class Private Horse Farm
• Tour of a Legendary Kentucky Bourbon Distillery
• Bourbon Tasting

Discover the art and science of the Master Distiller… savor the distinct, mellow flavor… and see how Kentucky’s perfect natural mix of weather and pure limestone water produces the classic taste and deep amber color.

• Full Day Tour of a Legendary Kentucky Bourbon Distillery

Understand why the Mint Julep is the drink of choice at the Kentucky Derby! Travel back in time to a 19th century farm estate for a hands-on culinary experience. With an expert farm manager as a guide, understand the effort it takes to run a farm with a visit to the stud barn. Following the tour, learn how to build your own Mint Julep cocktail to enjoy alongside a family-style, Southern dinner featuring fresh ingredients from the farm to table.

• Safe Transportation to/from the Mint Julep Experiences Hub in Falls City Market at the Omni Hotel
• Welcome Cocktail
• Sunset Horse Farm Tour with Expert Insight
• Q&A in the Stud Barn with Farm Manager
• Build Your Own Julep Bar
• Family-Style Dinner with Farm to table ingredients
• Cash Bar Available for Additional Drinks

Get Event Info

Churchill Downs

Top ways to experience Churchill Downs and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Churchill Downs - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• (1.88 mi) Louisville Bourbon Inn
• (0.35 mi) Garland House - Louisville KY Beautifully Furnished, Extended Stay. Fenced Yard.
• (0.35 mi) Open for Derby Weekend - inquire for details, min stay Churchill Downs adjacent
• (1.82 mi) Central Park Bed and Breakfast
• (1.92 mi) Dupont Mansion B&B
• (0.03 mi) Derby Cafe
• (0.21 mi) Millionaires Row & Skye Terrace
• (0.24 mi) Tim Pages corner store
• (0.26 mi) Matt Winn's Steakhouse
• (0.34 mi) Wagner's Pharmacy
• (0.03 mi) Kentucky Derby Museum
• (3.68 mi) Louisville Mega Cavern
• (0.39 mi) AA Clay Studio
• (1.68 mi) Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad's Castle)
• (1.01 mi) The Speed Art Museum

Here’s What You’ll See Visiting Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum

The just-completed Kentucky Derby is the one time every year that people who aren’t even into horse racing stop and pay attention.

Visiting Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum was a cool experience. I got to learn about the history of the event and the sport of horse racing in general, and even try on some jockey fashion accessories.

I remember when I was a teen and had a Sports Illustrated subscription, I would always get mad whenever they would put a Derby-winning horse on the cover. “Horse racing isn’t a real sport!,” I’d exclaim.

The Derby Museum taught me otherwise, with detailed displays showing how much work and effort goes in to bringing a horse to the championship race.

For the basic admission fee of $16, you can wander through the museum, then head out to the Churchill Downs grounds to see the race track and stands.

Churchill Downs is often considered the top tourist spot in Kentucky. What’s the most interesting attraction in your state? Find out on this list of 50 attractions in 50 states .

What You’ll See While Visiting Churchill Downs

Wannabe jockeys can hop on a horse and compete in virtual Derby races.

I love jockey fashion. Look at these amazing shirts!

You can even try on some of the outfits and pretend to be a jockey yourself. I made the bold fashion decision to mix brown with pink. Probably not such a great choice. But no regrets!

A small portion of the museum is devoted to the International Horseshoeing Hall of Fame. Talk about a niche sport!

That reminds me, it’s been a while since I’ve thrown horseshoes around. I should make that happen soon.

After the museum, it’s on to the outside portion of the tour, in which a guide explains the history of the venue and its races while standing in front of a long wall displaying the names of every Derby winner in history.

I had to take the time to find the most famous horse on the list.

In the summer months, you can sit in the stands and watch (and bet on!) live horse races.

The races hadn’t started yet when I visited, so I settled for checking out the empty grandstand and seeing the track where the famous race takes place.

The track is a great place to take some selfies and soak in the 140-year history of the Kentucky Derby, which began in 1875.

After our track visit, the guide offered the opportunity to head over to the horse barn and see a couple of horses up close. I’m not sure if this is always part of the tour – I got the impression that this was a bonus for our group.

While heading to the barn, we encountered the Kentucky Derby Walk of Champions, a small cemetery of sorts featuring the remains of a few celebrated horses.

This small patch of land serves as the final resting place for a handful of Derby-winning animals.

Churchill Downs and the Kentucky Derby Museum are both interesting places to visit, even if you’re not at all into horse racing, which is about the highest compliment I can offer an attraction.

When you’re in Louisville, don’t forget to check out the Muhammad Ali Center and the world’s largest bats . And folks from Chicago should consider Louisville as a road trip destination .

Would you visit Churchill Downs?

About The Author

Scott Shetler

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Travel | As the Kentucky Derby turns 150, Black heritage…

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Travel | as the kentucky derby turns 150, black heritage in racing is in the louisville spotlight.

Chicago Tribune historical photo

The 1933 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs was won by Brokers Tip and jockey Don Meade. The finish of the 1933 race is known as the "Fighting Finish" because Meade and jockey Herb Fisher, riding rival Head Play, fought one another down the home stretch. Brokers Tip won by a nose.

Hardy race fans stand in the rain at the Kentucky Derby in this undated photo.

On May 2, 1936, Bold Venture, ridden by Ira "Babe" Hanford, won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Hanford was an 18-year-old apprentice jockey who had never competed in the Kentucky Derby.

Burgoo King in the winner's circle at the 1932 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. King was ridden by jockey Eugene James on May 7, 1932, to win the historic race. King went on to win the Preakness Stakes in 1932 but didn't compete in the Belmont Stakes , and therefore missed winning the Triple Crown.

Crowds gather near the track at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby on May 2, 1936. Bold Venture was the winning horse.

Jockey Ira Hanford, 18, center, and Bold Venture won the 1936 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

The 1929 Kentucky Derby was raced in a downpour, making for a very sloppy track. Crowds stand in the rain at Churchill Downs on May 18, 1929, to watch the race. Clyde Van Dusen was the winning horse, ridden by jockey Linus McAtee.

The crowd at the May 13, 1922, Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Ky. Morvich, an American Thoroughbred, was the winning horse, ridden by jockey Albert Johnson.

An undated photo of the gardens at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby held in Louisville, Ky.

Traveling from Chicago to the Kentucky Derby on the "Gray Goose" airplane were Evelyn Wheeler, from left, Miles E. Varneek and Hazel Ericson on May 18, 1929.

A large crowd watches the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 19, 1928. Reigh Count, an American Hall of Fame Thoroughbred, was the winning horse, ridden by jockey Chick Lang.

The racehorses are led down the track during the May 4, 1935, Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Omaha, ridden by jockey Willie Saunders, won the race and went on to win the Triple Crown in 1935. Omaha was only the third race horse in history to win the Triple Crown.

The May 4, 1940, Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs was won by Gallahadion and ridden by jockey Carroll Bierman of Centralia, Ill.

The 1934 Kentucky Derby winner is Cavalcade ridden by jockey Mack Garner, shown here in the winner's circle at Churchill Downs.

Horses break out of the starting gate during the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs on May 4, 1935. The horse Omaha, who went on to win the Triple Crown in 1935, won the derby.

The winner's circle at the 1937 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs shows War Admiral, ridden by jockey Charles Kurtsinger. War Admiral would go on to win the Triple Crown in 1937.

Many Chicagoans took off by plane May 18, 1929, for Churchill Downs to witness the 55th annual Kentucky Derby. The Nekoosa Edwards Paper Co. party, guests of the Edgewater Beach Hotel, included Mrs. Cyrus L. Garnett, Mrs. B. Potter, Mrs. Viola Bender, Mrs. Dora O'Brien, Mrs. Kenneth Kelly, Mrs. J.U. McLachlan, Mrs. Charles McDonald and Mrs. M. Nichols.

A view of the track and grandstand at Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby on May 14, 1927. Whiskery was the winner of the race, ridden by Linus McAtee.

An undated photo of Churchill Downs during the Kentucky Derby held in Louisville, Ky.

The Illinois Athletic Club boards the Derby Special the night before the Kentucky Derby held on May 18, 1929, in Louisville, Ky.

Bold Venture, with jockey Ira "Babe" Hanford, in the winner's circle at the 1936 Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. Hanford was just 18 years old and an apprentice jockey when he won the race.

Railbirds watch the Kentucky Derby from the front fence at Churchill Downs, circa 1936-37.

The crowd at the May 17, 1924, Kentucky Derby fills the grandstand at Churchill Downs. Black Gold was the winning horse, ridden by J.D. Mooney.

Whiskery was the winner of the Kentucky Derby on May 14, 1927, at Churchill Downs. The American Thoroughbred was ridden by jockey Linus McAtee, who went on to win the 1929 Kentucky Derby.

Traveling from Chicago to the Kentucky Derby on Universal Airlines are Larry Roche, from left, Tom Koehler, C.J. Ryan, W.J. Buhler, H.F. Condon, E.A. Stephan, E.J. Bell, J. Billings, H. Whitener, J.C. Kelly and R. Armstrong on May 18, 1929.

The Chicago Athletic Association is on board the Derby Special train the night before the big race, bound for the May 19, 1928, Kentucky Derby in Louisville, Ky.

Ten thousand cheering horse racing fans at Kentucky’s Louisville Jockey Club, now called Churchill Downs, marveled as African American jockey Oliver Lewis brought his chestnut colt Aristides neck-and-neck with Volcano on the homestretch, and the pair surged ahead of the pack of lightning-fast thoroughbreds racing on May 17, 1875. They thundered in tandem at such breakneck speed it seemed as if they could take flight, and in the last few seconds Aristides broke away and bolted to victory in the inaugural Kentucky Derby.

That was the first of many history-making moments that have transpired in the past 150 years at this venerated racetrack, home to what is called “the most exciting two minutes in sports.”

The derby’s sesquicentennial celebrates the oldest continuously held sporting event in the United States. And whether you attend the race or plan your visit when the ponies aren’t running, a Louisville getaway will inspire reverence for the Bluegrass State’s thoroughbred racing industry and the generations of equestrians, especially the overlooked African American participants, who shaped its most famous event.

You can kick things off with the 69th annual Kentucky Derby Festival , held during the two weeks preceding the May 4 race. It features more than 70 events around Louisville, including the Thunder Over Louisville fireworks display.  

The derby itself is more than just the country’s most prestigious horse race. You’ll see its magic emanate from the pageantry that plays out in the shadow of the track’s regal twin spires. The enduring legacy of the derby includes everything from the fashionable crowd singing “My Old Kentucky Home” to the red-coated bugler playing “Call to the Post” to the winning horse being blanketed with red roses.

The Churchill Downs venue, a National Historic Landmark, has many long-standing traditions, but it’s not frozen in time. The biggest change in decades will be unveiled at this year’s Run for the Roses: a $200 million redesign to the saddling paddock, where the feisty 3-year-old thoroughbreds are held before the race, that has been underway for more than a year. It’s like a locker room for horses because this is where the equestrian athletes get their game face on before the biggest race of their career. Now, it will be one of the first things fans see when they pass through the gate.

This area of the track will more than double in size, expanding from 5,000 to 12,000 square feet. The stalls will be moved beneath the twin spires for what will likely become an iconic view.

Guided tours of Churchill Downs showcase the new paddock and more. A 90-minute Superstars and Spires Tour provides a peek at areas of the racetrack that are inaccessible to most visitors. Millionaires Row, a prime vantage point overlooking the finish line, is where celebs and dignitaries in extravagant hats sip mint juleps. It’s where Queen Elizabeth II, a lifelong equestrian, watched the race when she attended the derby in 2007.

On the second floor of the clubhouse are the eye-catching Peb murals, named for Pierre Peb Bellocq, the cartoonist who created them.

A 36-foot mural features humorous caricatures of every derby-winning jockey from 1875 to 2004, including the late Bill Shoemaker, a 4-foot-11-inch force of nature who won the derby four times and is widely regarded as one of the greatest jockeys of the 20th century. The weight limit for Kentucky Derby jockeys is 126 pounds, and that includes the saddle. Shoemaker weighed in at only 98 pounds.

After the tour, you can check out the adjacent Kentucky Derby Museum; admission is included with the Churchill Downs ticket. The museum’s “Black Heritage in Racing” exhibit documents the legacy of Kentucky’s Black equestrians who dominated the sport in the latter half of the 19th century. When Lewis won the first Kentucky Derby, he was one of 12 Black jockeys on the 15-strong field. In the race’s first 28 runnings, African Americans won 15 times.

The rise of Jim Crow laws that enforced racial segregation in the Post-Reconstruction South forced them off the track, and for decades, their contributions to the sport were forgotten.

There are few Black equestrians remaining in the American horse racing industry today, but Greg Harbut is a noteworthy one. The owner of Harbut Bloodstock racehorse management company in nearby Lexington is a leader in the equine business.

Harbut is tremendously proud of an exhibit at the museum that tells the story of three generations of his family’s horsemen: Greg; his grandfather Tom, who was denied entry to the 1962 derby despite being co-owner of a horse in the race; and his great-grandfather Will, groom to Man o’ War, one of the greatest racehorses of all time.

“The Kentucky Derby started with the direct contributions of African American horsemen,” said Greg Harbut, who appears in interviews that can be viewed on interactive screens.

Artifacts include the purse that held celebrity jockey Isaac Burns Murphy’s 1891 derby winnings. Murphy, the son of a former slave, was the first jockey to win the derby three times.

Next, head upstairs to peruse the museum’s newest permanent exhibit that highlights one of the greatest moments in racing history. “Secretariat: America’s Horse” chronicles the racing career of the powerful colt nicknamed “Big Red” because of the color of his coat.

On May 5, 1973, the legendary thoroughbred became the first to run the 1.25-mile race in under two minutes, the first victory in his Triple Crown sweep.

The Triple Crown is a series of horse races that includes the Kentucky Derby, the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes, in that order, and is the ultimate prize in horse racing.

Each of the Triple Crown races Secretariat won are shown on a 10-foot screen, allowing fans to time travel back more than 50 years to cheer on the fastest racehorse in history. At the Belmont Stakes in New York, Secretariat won by a phenomenal 31 lengths, the pinnacle of his record-breaking career. Watching his videos is thrilling even though you know the outcome, making a visit to the museum a sure bet.

The Kentucky Derby: Admission to the infield starts at $115. Reserved seats, sold as a two-day package for the Derby and Kentucky Oaks, start at $650. kentuckyderby.com

Churchill Downs: Superstars and Spires Tour starts at $20. 700 Central Ave., Louisville, 502-637-1111, churchilldowns.com

Kentucky Derby Museum: 704 Central Ave., Louisville, 502-637-1111, derbymuseum.org

The Kentucky Derby Festival: Ticket prices vary by event. kdf.org

Tracey Teo is a freelancer.

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Calendar Events

Home > Calendar Events

Opening Night: Derby Through the Decades Powered by LG&E and KU

Kick-off the celebration of the 150th Run of the Kentucky Derby in unparalleled style!

Embark on a journey through time as we kick off the Derby Week festivities. Join us for a unique experience, including the historic 150th Kentucky Oaks and 150th Kentucky Derby post position draw – now open to the general public on Opening Night for the first time. It's a night to set the stage for a week filled with excitement, tradition, and celebration!

Saturday, April 27 th

Learn more Buy Now

Dawn at the Downs

Everyone’s favorite behind-the-scenes tradition. Spend your morning at Churchill Downs to watch your favorite Derby and Oaks contenders warm up on the track while listening to expert commentary.

Thursday April 25th -- Wednesday May 1st Time: 7:00 a.m. ET to 10:00 a.m. ET

Dawn at the Downs Dining April 28th and 29th | 7 a.m. ET to 10 a.m ET

Sunday, April 28 th Monday, April 29 th

502'sDay: Celebrating 150 Years of Louisville Businesses

502'sDay returns for its second year, keeping the spotlight on what truly makes this city special – the community.

As we commemorate the 150th Kentucky Derby, our special focus this year is on recognizing the enduring contributions of Louisville businesses that have been at the heart of our community for over a century and a half.

Grab your $5 General Admission ticket and join us in celebrating these essential pillars of our community.

Tuesday, April 30 th

Champions Day: Celebrating Kentucky's Champions

Champions Day shines a spotlight on the rich history of the Kentucky Derby and the thrilling world of thoroughbred racing. This year, we're setting the stage for an even more expansive celebration, paying tribute to the extraordinary Kentucky champions who have excelled across a diverse spectrum of sports.

Wednesday, May 1 st

Thurby celebrates the heart of Kentucky's culture, bringing together the trifecta of bourbon, Bluegrass, and thoroughbred racing. Immerse yourself in the spirit of the Bluegrass State!

Thursday, May 2 nd

Kentucky Oaks

The Longines Kentucky Oaks is where the finest 3-year-old fillies take the stage in a quest for glory. It's a day filled with adrenaline, elegance, and a powerful message.

Friday, May 3 rd

Kentucky Derby

The 150TH Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve is the world’s Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports®.

Saturday, May 4 th

Twilight Thursdays

Twilight Thursdays – Spring Meet

Twilight Thursdays return with Thoroughbred racing, $2 select domestic beer, live music and an array of locally popular food trucks in The Grove each Thursday of the Spring Meet!

Every Thursday from Thursday, May 9 th to Thursday, June 27 th

Mother's Day

This Mother's Day, go beyond the ordinary and spoil Mom with a day full of thrills! Create cherished memories with Mom that will last a lifetime. It's a celebration fit for the queen she is!

Sunday, May 12 th

Downs After Dark

Get ready for an electrifying night of horse racing as the sun sets and the track comes alive with excitement! Downs After Dark is your ticket to an unforgettable evening filled with thrilling races under the dazzling lights.

Saturday, May 18 th Saturday, June 15 th

Come out to the track to watch exciting live thoroughbred racing. On Senior Day, Churchill Downs invites guests 60 and older to enjoy lunch on Millionaires' Row for only $45 and can be purchased by calling 502-636-4450.*

* Pricing based on what dining rooms are initially available for regular race days.

Friday, May 24 th Friday, June 7 th

Military Appreciation Day

It’s Military Appreciation Day at the track, a day filled with gratitude, remembrance, and thrilling horse racing action.

Monday, May 27 th Friday, June 14 th

Family Adventure Day

Family Adventure Day is the perfect event for the entire family to enjoy a day of fun under the Twin Spires. Thrilling racing, and over 20 activities that kids under 12 can enjoy.

Sunday, June 9 th

Father's Day

Join us for Father's Day at Churchill Downs, where tradition meets excitement, and dads are celebrated in true racing style!

Sunday, June 16 th

Stephen Foster Day

A day filled with excitement as the thoroughbreds compete in thrilling stakes races that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Feel the adrenaline, witness the skill, and be part of the racing action that promises to deliver unforgettable moments.

Saturday, June 29 th

Live Racing | Spring Meet June

Every week - Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Saturday, June 1 st to Sunday, June 30 th

Live Racing | Spring Meet May

Every week - Sunday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Thursday, May 9 th to Friday, May 31 st

Live Racing | September Meet

Every week - Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Thursday, September 12 th to Sunday, September 29 th

Live Racing | Fall Meet

Every week - Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Sunday, October 27 th to Sunday, December 1 st

Monday, January 1 st Monday, January 15 th

Learn more Simulcast

Closing Weekend

Daily from Friday, November 24 th to Sunday, November 26 th

Race & Sports Book

Every week - Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Wednesday, November 1 st to Sunday, April 21 st

Every week - Sunday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Wednesday, November 1 st to Thursday, February 29 th

Live Racing

Every week - Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday from Wednesday, November 1 st to Wednesday, November 22 nd

Churchill Downs Tours

Daily from Sunday, January 1 st to Tuesday, December 31 st

Thanksgiving

Celebrate Thanksgiving weekend at the track with 6 exciting Stakes races, including up and coming Kentucky Derby hopefuls.

Daily from Thursday, November 23 rd to Thursday, November 23 rd

Learn more BUY TICKETS

Trick or Treat at the Track

Trick or Treat at the Track at Family Adventure Day is the perfect event for the entire family to enjoy Halloween fun under the Twin Spires, a day of thrilling racing, and over 15 activities that kids under 12 can enjoy.

Sunday, October 29 th

Official Kentucky Derby Store

Shop the latest Kentucky Derby fashions, collectibles and more!

Visit the Derby Museum

The Kentucky Derby Museum is one of the region’s premier attractions, celebrating the tradition, history, hospitality, and pride of the world-renowned event that is the Kentucky Derby.

VISIT THE MUSEUM

Visiting Information

Learn more on what to expect during your visit to Churchill Downs.

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Missed something? Catch up on past Churchill Downs news

Stay up to date with the Churchill Downs Newsletter

Visit historic Churchill Downs home of the Kentucky Derby. Subscribe to our newsletter to get information about the live racing, expert picks and featured events at the racetrack.

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Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance Present At Churchill Downs For Kentucky Derby Week

T horoughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present at Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby Week for a variety of exciting events leading up to the running of the 150th Kentucky Derby presented by Woodford Reserve which takes place on Saturday, May 4, 2024.

Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be recognized with a named race on the undercard of Champions Day. Champions Day is a celebration of Thoroughbred racing history, and will be held during Kentucky Derby Week on Wednesday, May 1, 2024. Following the running of the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance race, a presentation will be made to the winning connections including a branded blanket and branded merchandise.

A representative from Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance will be present to host the winners of the “Off to the Races” VIP Experience online benefit auction. This exciting VIP experience was generously donated by Churchill Downs Incorporated and Second Stride. The winners will enjoy all-inclusive box seats, tickets to the Winner’s Party at the Kentucky Derby Museum and a tour of Second Stride, a Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance accredited organization.

“Churchill Downs is proud to continue the tradition of naming a race for the Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance on Champions Day during Derby Week,” said Cathy Shircliff, Director of Equine Industry Relations for Churchill Downs Incorporated. “We are grateful to TAA for the awareness and assistance it gives to organizations that support the many facets of life for our Thoroughbred athletes after their racing careers.”

“Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is thrilled to be a part of the 150 th running of the Kentucky Derby,” said Emily Dresen, Director of Funding & Events. “We appreciate the continued support from Churchill Downs in contributing to the cause of rehoming and retraining of retired racehorses.”

About Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance

Based in Lexington, KY, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that accredits, inspects, and awards grants to approved aftercare organizations to retrain, retire, and rehome Thoroughbreds using industry-wide funding. Along with continued funding from its original partners Breeders’ Cup, The Jockey Club, and Keeneland Association, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance is supported by owners, trainers, breeders, racetracks, aftercare professionals, and other industry members. Since inception in 2012, Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance has granted more than $31.9 million to accredited aftercare organizations. Currently 86 aftercare organizations comprised of approximately 180 facilities across North America have been granted accreditation. To learn more about Thoroughbred Aftercare Alliance, visit thoroughbredaftercare.org .

• Preplanned tours
• Daytrips out of Moscow
• Themed tours
• Customized tours
• St. Petersburg

Moscow Metro

The Moscow Metro Tour is included in most guided tours’ itineraries. Opened in 1935, under Stalin’s regime, the metro was not only meant to solve transport problems, but also was hailed as “a people’s palace”. Every station you will see during your Moscow metro tour looks like a palace room. There are bright paintings, mosaics, stained glass, bronze statues… Our Moscow metro tour includes the most impressive stations best architects and designers worked at - Ploshchad Revolutsii, Mayakovskaya, Komsomolskaya, Kievskaya, Novoslobodskaya and some others.

What is the kremlin in russia?

The guide will not only help you navigate the metro, but will also provide you with fascinating background tales for the images you see and a history of each station.

And there some stories to be told during the Moscow metro tour! The deepest station - Park Pobedy - is 84 metres under the ground with the world longest escalator of 140 meters. Parts of the so-called Metro-2, a secret strategic system of underground tunnels, was used for its construction.

During the Second World War the metro itself became a strategic asset: it was turned into the city's biggest bomb-shelter and one of the stations even became a library. 217 children were born here in 1941-1942! The metro is the most effective means of transport in the capital.

There are almost 200 stations 196 at the moment and trains run every 90 seconds! The guide of your Moscow metro tour can explain to you how to buy tickets and find your way if you plan to get around by yourself.

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The Moscow Metro Museum of Art: 10 Must-See Stations

There are few times one can claim having been on the subway all afternoon and loving it, but the Moscow Metro provides just that opportunity.  While many cities boast famous public transport systems—New York’s subway, London’s underground, San Salvador’s chicken buses—few warrant hours of exploration.  Moscow is different: Take one ride on the Metro, and you’ll find out that this network of railways can be so much more than point A to B drudgery.

The Metro began operating in 1935 with just thirteen stations, covering less than seven miles, but it has since grown into the world’s third busiest transit system ( Tokyo is first ), spanning about 200 miles and offering over 180 stops along the way.  The construction of the Metro began under Joseph Stalin’s command, and being one of the USSR’s most ambitious building projects, the iron-fisted leader instructed designers to create a place full of svet (radiance) and svetloe budushchee (a radiant future), a palace for the people and a tribute to the Mother nation.

Consequently, the Metro is among the most memorable attractions in Moscow.  The stations provide a unique collection of public art, comparable to anything the city’s galleries have to offer and providing a sense of the Soviet era, which is absent from the State National History Museum.  Even better, touring the Metro delivers palpable, experiential moments, which many of us don’t get standing in front of painting or a case of coins.

Though tours are available , discovering the Moscow Metro on your own provides a much more comprehensive, truer experience, something much less sterile than following a guide.  What better place is there to see the “real” Moscow than on mass transit: A few hours will expose you to characters and caricatures you’ll be hard-pressed to find dining near the Bolshoi Theater.  You become part of the attraction, hear it in the screech of the train, feel it as hurried commuters brush by: The Metro sucks you beneath the city and churns you into the mix.

With the recommendations of our born-and-bred Muscovite students, my wife Emma and I have just taken a self-guided tour of what some locals consider the top ten stations of the Moscow Metro. What most satisfied me about our Metro tour was the sense of adventure .  I loved following our route on the maps of the wagon walls as we circled the city, plotting out the course to the subsequent stops; having the weird sensation of being underground for nearly four hours; and discovering the next cavern of treasures, playing Indiana Jones for the afternoon, piecing together fragments of Russia’s mysterious history.  It’s the ultimate interactive museum.

Top Ten Stations (In order of appearance)

Kievskaya station.

Kievskaya Station went public in March of 1937, the rails between it and Park Kultury Station being the first to cross the Moscow River.  Kievskaya is full of mosaics depicting aristocratic scenes of Russian life, with great cameo appearances by Lenin, Trotsky, and Stalin.  Each work has a Cyrillic title/explanation etched in the marble beneath it; however, if your Russian is rusty, you can just appreciate seeing familiar revolutionary dates like 1905 ( the Russian Revolution ) and 1917 ( the October Revolution ).

Mayakovskaya Station

Mayakovskaya Station ranks in my top three most notable Metro stations. Mayakovskaya just feels right, done Art Deco but no sense of gaudiness or pretention.  The arches are adorned with rounded chrome piping and create feeling of being in a jukebox, but the roof’s expansive mosaics of the sky are the real showstopper.  Subjects cleverly range from looking up at a high jumper, workers atop a building, spires of Orthodox cathedrals, to nimble aircraft humming by, a fleet of prop planes spelling out CCCP in the bluest of skies.

Novoslobodskaya Station

Novoslobodskaya is the Metro’s unique stained glass station.  Each column has its own distinctive panels of colorful glass, most of them with a floral theme, some of them capturing the odd sailor, musician, artist, gardener, or stenographer in action.  The glass is framed in Art Deco metalwork, and there is the lovely aspect of discovering panels in the less frequented haunches of the hall (on the trackside, between the incoming staircases).  Novosblod is, I’ve been told, the favorite amongst out-of-town visitors.

Komsomolskaya Station

Komsomolskaya Station is one of palatial grandeur.  It seems both magnificent and obligatory, like the presidential palace of a colonial city.  The yellow ceiling has leafy, white concrete garland and a series of golden military mosaics accenting the tile mosaics of glorified Russian life.  Switching lines here, the hallway has an Alice-in-Wonderland feel, impossibly long with decorative tile walls, culminating in a very old station left in a remarkable state of disrepair, offering a really tangible glimpse behind the palace walls.

Dostoevskaya Station

Dostoevskaya is a tribute to the late, great hero of Russian literature .  The station at first glance seems bare and unimpressive, a stark marble platform without a whiff of reassembled chips of tile.  However, two columns have eerie stone inlay collages of scenes from Dostoevsky’s work, including The Idiot , The Brothers Karamazov , and Crime and Punishment.   Then, standing at the center of the platform, the marble creates a kaleidoscope of reflections.  At the entrance, there is a large, inlay portrait of the author.

Chkalovskaya Station

Chkalovskaya does space Art Deco style (yet again).  Chrome borders all.  Passageways with curvy overhangs create the illusion of walking through the belly of a chic, new-age spacecraft.  There are two (kos)mosaics, one at each end, with planetary subjects.  Transferring here brings you above ground, where some rather elaborate metalwork is on display.  By name similarity only, I’d expected Komsolskaya Station to deliver some kosmonaut décor; instead, it was Chkalovskaya that took us up to the space station.

Elektrozavodskaya Station

Elektrozavodskaya is full of marble reliefs of workers, men and women, laboring through the different stages of industry.  The superhuman figures are round with muscles, Hollywood fit, and seemingly undeterred by each Herculean task they respectively perform.  The station is chocked with brass, from hammer and sickle light fixtures to beautiful, angular framework up the innards of the columns.  The station’s art pieces are less clever or extravagant than others, but identifying the different stages of industry is entertaining.

Baumanskaya Statio

Baumanskaya Station is the only stop that wasn’t suggested by the students.  Pulling in, the network of statues was just too enticing: Out of half-circle depressions in the platform’s columns, the USSR’s proud and powerful labor force again flaunts its success.  Pilots, blacksmiths, politicians, and artists have all congregated, posing amongst more Art Deco framing.  At the far end, a massive Soviet flag dons the face of Lenin and banners for ’05, ’17, and ‘45.  Standing in front of the flag, you can play with the echoing roof.

Ploshchad Revolutsii Station

Novokuznetskaya Station

Novokuznetskaya Station finishes off this tour, more or less, where it started: beautiful mosaics.  This station recalls the skyward-facing pieces from Mayakovskaya (Station #2), only with a little larger pictures in a more cramped, very trafficked area.  Due to a line of street lamps in the center of the platform, it has the atmosphere of a bustling market.  The more inventive sky scenes include a man on a ladder, women picking fruit, and a tank-dozer being craned in.  The station’s also has a handsome black-and-white stone mural.

Here is a map and a brief description of our route:

Start at (1)Kievskaya on the “ring line” (look for the squares at the bottom of the platform signs to help you navigate—the ring line is #5, brown line) and go north to Belorusskaya, make a quick switch to the Dark Green/#2 line, and go south one stop to (2)Mayakovskaya.  Backtrack to the ring line—Brown/#5—and continue north, getting off at (3)Novosblodskaya and (4)Komsolskaya.  At Komsolskaya Station, transfer to the Red/#1 line, go south for two stops to Chistye Prudy, and get on the Light Green/#10 line going north.  Take a look at (5)Dostoevskaya Station on the northern segment of Light Green/#10 line then change directions and head south to (6)Chkalovskaya, which offers a transfer to the Dark Blue/#3 line, going west, away from the city center.  Have a look (7)Elektroskaya Station before backtracking into the center of Moscow, stopping off at (8)Baumskaya, getting off the Dark Blue/#3 line at (9)Ploschad Revolyutsii.  Change to the Dark Green/#2 line and go south one stop to see (10)Novokuznetskaya Station.

Check out our new Moscow Indie Travel Guide , book a flight to Moscow and read 10 Bars with Views Worth Blowing the Budget For

Jonathon Engels, formerly a patron saint of misadventure, has been stumbling his way across cultural borders since 2005 and is currently volunteering in the mountains outside of Antigua, Guatemala.  For more of his work, visit his website and blog .

Photo credits:   SergeyRod , all others courtesy of the author and may not be used without permission

Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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