Kentucky Derby Museum: Interactive Churchill Downs Experience
4.6
559 Ratings
Louisville
Experience the thrill of Churchill Downs Racetrack at the Kentucky Derby Museum. Take a historic tour, enjoy interactive exhibits, and immerse yourself in the excitement of the races.
Duration: 2 hours
Cancellation: 1 day learn more
Highlights
  • Kentucky Derby Museum - Located in Louisville, the Kentucky Derby is one of America’s most exciting horse racing events in the world and takes place at Churchill Downs Racetrack. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown and is known as ”The Most Exciting Two Minutes In Sports” because of the actual duration of the race.  Some like to call the race “The Run for the Roses” for the blanket of roses draped over the Derby winner.

When you visit, you will enjoy a self-guided tour of the Kentucky Derby Museum, which includes two levels of family-friendly interactive permanent & temporary exhibits.  Ten minutes past each hour, you will have the opportunity to see “The Greatest Race,” an 18-minute movie about the Kentucky Derby and its history, a story that puts you right in the heart of the first Saturday of May.  Immediately following “The Greatest Race” and at 30-minutes past every hour, you will experience an exhilarating 30-minute guided walking tour of historic Churchill Downs Racetrack and witness where some of the most famous teams of jockeys and Thoroughbreds competed such as Secretariat, Barbaro, Big Brown, California Chrome and the most recent Triple Crown winner in 2015- American Pharoah. 

What's Included
  • Expert-led tour
What's Not Included
  • Alcoholic drinks (available to purchase)
  • Lunch
  • Gratuities
Additional Information

Prepare to cross this off your checklist! Get immersive at Churchill Downs Racetrack, the world’s most recognized racetrack. The Kentucky Derby Museum is teeming with daily historical guided walks, two tiers of engaging permanent and temporary exhibits apt for family visits, “The Greatest Race,” a 360-degree audiovisual treat that will escalate your heartbeat and elevate your spirits, plus an opportunity to meet the Museum’s residing Thoroughbred and accompanying pony. Additional services include access to the Souvenir Store, Kentucky-themed delicacies at the Derby Cafe Express, and a whole lot more!

  • A small amount of walking is involved if you choose to enjoy the Guided Track Visit of Churchill Downs.
  • Wheelchair accessible: Free wheelchair rentals are available on a first-come, first-served basis upon request. You are welcome to bring your own manual wheelchair, motorized wheelchair or electric mobility scooter.
  • An induction loop is available for hearing impaired.
  • Tours are outdoors and will depart rain or shine. In the event of severe weather, the Museum will do its best to reschedule your tour experience.
  • Parking is available in front of the Museum. On race days during the Churchill Downs Racetrack events, there will be a charge for parking in this lot.
Location
Kentucky Derby Museum
704 Central Ave,
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.6
(559 Ratings)
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Williamb474
Mar 18, 2024
Great Party - There must have been close to two hundred people that attended a party for the opening of our National Land Conference. This conference is held annually for the top Realtors that specialize in land transitions. This location was perfect with its large main room that includes a surround visual screen film attraction. The museum was historic and the food and reception top notch. Many thanks for the people there that put it on.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Flyer01864776415
Mar 13, 2024
Amazing Tour - Amazing history and the tour out to the track was a huge bonus with our teens. Loved it and would recommend to anyone that loves horses.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Tracey_r
Mar 10, 2024
Fun tour at Churchill Downs - Our tour guide was awesome. He was super knowledgeable and very invested in the Kentucky Derby. We really enjoyed it.
Review provided by Viator
Brenda_l
Mar 8, 2024
Wonderful experience! - The ‘Surround’ movie was wonderful and exciting! It was great to learn the story of “Secretariat”…. Was miraculous and educational!!
Review provided by Viator
Julia_r
Mar 4, 2024
Great tour! - Loved being in the grandstand after watching the Derby on TV so many years! So much history and great information.
Review provided by Viator
Wrsksu
Mar 4, 2024
Great experience - The movie and track tour were awesome. Great experience for all ages. Learn a lot about the Kentucky Derby
Review provided by Viator
Karen_b
Feb 17, 2024
Great - This place was very interesting and neat. Definitely take the time to check it out, takes about an 90 minutes.
Review provided by Viator
626pamo
Feb 12, 2024
Worth the money and add on the barn and backside tour - We did the main admission, which includes a trackside talk. We also added on the barn tour. The main admission is to a museum and was excellent. The movie to start the tour was fabulous! There was a lot to see at the museum. The barn and backside tour was very worth it. It is the off-season so there was not much going on. However, to see what happens behind the scenes, where horses are, etc. was so so good. We also ate lunch at the cafe and the food was very good...especially the sweet tea!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Babette_r
Feb 8, 2024
Churchill Downs - Love seeing the great facilities and learning the history of Churchill Downs. The staff was friendly and the tour guide was very knowledgeable. Overall great experience.
Review provided by Viator
Elizabeth_t
Mar 5, 2024
Race information - The tour was very informative and the museum was definitely interesting! We had a good time at church hill downs.
Review provided by Viator
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up to 15 guests
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May 2024
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