Our last morning in Louisville, and we were going out big! We had tickets to see the races at Churchill Downs before we hit the road for home.
This last adventure was my favorite and it was Billy’s favorite as well. We went to something called the Road to the Kentucky Derby, which was really affordable honestly, which is how we ended up going. When I was researching places to go, I thought we would just go see it but then I looked at ticket prices and lo and behold, they were $20 a ticket for reserved seating prices. I think tickets for a little better area were in the fifty dollar range, and then on up. They also had general admission tickets as well, which were $10 a person. I bought the $20 tickets, and got my guys up to the track casual dress code, which involved dress shorts, shirts with a collar, and fashion forward sneakers or loafers. I bought a linen dress from Amazon in an olive green and it was honestly a fantastic dress. I somehow did not get a full length photo of myself taken but I will say, it was extremely comfortable and flattering at the same time which for me is difficult. LOL. I was hoping the linen would keep me cooler in the mega humidity.
We got there early, and just walked around, taking it all in. There were people dressed like you see at the Kentucky Derby, and then people in jeans. And of course my little family looking like little prepsters. It was also so humid that I ended up pulling my hair up. Wyatt and I also were red faced because that is how we roll in the heat.
This was seriously so much fun. Billy placed $5 bets on three horses for us; we each picked a name we liked. Billy chose Excel Calculator, I picked Saltwater Cowboy, and Wyatt chose Dr. Storm. Billy and I also treated ourselves to an adult beverage each – a Mint Julep for him, and the “filly” version for me, an Oak Lily. We got to keep our glasses which made us super excited tourists.
We didn’t stay for the whole shebang. We couldn’t, between the humidity which is a negative for Wyatt and his epilepsy, and the five and a half hour drive ahead of us. But we stayed long enough, and we had so much fun. Just being there was really cool.
As an accessible place, it gets the lowest grade. Our seats were wheelchair accessible, and I purchased them for that reason. However, the staff working (who were all fabulous!) had a difficult time reaching the staff member who had the key to unlock the ADA lift for the stairs. I will say that the employees we encountered were all super helpful and extremely upset that the person who had the key was not answering the walkie talkie. It was not their fault, and they went out of their way a few times to help us, rubes that we were. My only suggestion to Churchill Downs is to maybe have more than one person available to do the wheelchair lift, and perhaps have them stationed near them? Billy ended up carrying Wyatt up the stairs, while the employees carried the wheelchair on our way to the seats since it was just taking too long and things were about to begin, and we couldn’t wait any longer especially since we were only staying for a race or two.
We had so much fun regardless, and we want to go back again one day, and stay for the whole event.
And that is a wrap! We left after two races and made the loooooooooonnnnngg drive home. I was so happy to see my cats and flop into my bed. Does anyone else miss their cats while they are gone?
I hope that whatever you guys do today, you do something that makes you smile!
That does sound like a fun and “must see” activity while in Louisville (and yet another one we did not do– but I was there the weekend before the Kentucky Derby so even the airport was a bit packed and all geared up for the derby).
I just felt so iconic because of the Derby. The whole city must have felt like it was preparing itself for it when you were there!
I’ve been folowing your trip posts and it looks like a great time. Making memories, fun ones too!
It has been years since we were able to take a vacation! We really needed this for many reasons. We had a lot of fun!
So fun! 🙌
We really needed this trip! We had a great time!
I have always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby and wear one of those fabulous hats! I don’t know a thing about betting on a horse, though! Did any of you win anything, or did you have to be there in order to collect? I do hope you were able to graciously leave a comment about having more than one person manning the life. I’m glad they at least carried the wheelchair…that may have been enough for the staff to make sure there are more people! Thanks for sharing this adventure (even though I would have loved to see a full length shot of you in that dress)!
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Wouldn’t that be awesome!! We knew absolutely nothing about betting. They sell scratch sheets, whatever that is, and you can pay extra for a tip sheet (I think that is what it was). I do know the minimum bet is $2, and you can only start betting a few minutes before the race. Billy put $5 on each of our picks, and none of us won. LOL. We obviously do not know how to pick them. You bet to win, place, or show, and I think place means 1st or 2nd, and show is 1st, 2nd, or 3rd. Two horses we bet to show, and one to win. So out of 6 horses and those bets, we didn’t win a single thing. It was hilarious.
I can’t believe I didn’t have Billy take one! Probably because he takes terrible photos of me. Lolol.
The wheelchair situation was a bit frustrating. I realize they had to make accommodations based on the structure of the older historic building, but the lifts would be adequate had they not had to call all over on walkie talkies that didn’t always work to find that one employee. And the fact that Wyatt is a child makes it easier. An adult would have had to wait, which is crappy.
I always miss my cat! What a grand day. I didn’t know you could do this — it makes me think maybe Louisville would be a fun weekend for us!
It really was a lot of fun! I was pleasantly surprised by how much there was to do and see. I wouldn’t mind going back for another visit one day.
That sounds like the coolest experience! Might have to add it to the potentials list, as a lifelong horse girl 🙂
And yes: missing the cats is real. Or was. Now it’s missing the chickens, LOL! No lie: when we’ve been away for a long weekend or etc, I’ve been known to have my mother-in-law facetime from outside the fence so I can check on the chickens 😉
It was really cool! It was a last minute addition to our trip and I am glad that we did it. We definitely want to go back so we can spend more time there.
LOL!! I love that!! We miss our little furry and feathery babies. 🙁
Of course I always missed my cats when I still traveled! And the rest of the zoo.
It really sounds like you had a fun weekend, I’m just sorry about the frustration about the wheelchair. I bet that staff member got an earful from their co-workers.
I know, we really missed all of our babies. Wyatt kept asking me what I thought they were all doing. Lol.
We had a great time. That was the only hiccup the whole time. I bet they did!!! You could tell they all felt really bad about it.
I enjoyed reading about your trip, thank you! I went to the races once, at Wincanton on Boxing Day. My friend and I placed one bet and somehow we placed it on a race that was NOT at the racecourse we were at. Still not sure how we did that …
We had so much fun and had no clue what we were doing. It was hilarious. And hysterical Liz!
I’ve gone to dog races, but never had a chance to do horse races. Other than the heat and some issues with getting to your seats for Wyatt, sounds like a good day.
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