Attending the Kentucky Derby: The Inside Scoop on What You Need to Know
My first time going to the Kentucky Derby was in college. My best friend/roomie was considering moving to Louisville so we decided on a whim to attend and let me tell you… it was a lot of standing but a lot of fun! If you like sports, if you like betting, if you just like having fun and partying, you’ll have a great time!
Before we get into all the detailed information, I want to start with tips for attending since it’s the most valuable piece of info.
A FIRST TIMER’S TIPS - FROM A LOCAL HERSELF
Lucky for you, my bestie, Shay McAlister, lives in Louisville - she’s also a local journalist who has been attending the Derby since 2016 (well, 2015 if you count our first debut in college) so you know she has the inside scoop!!
TIP #1: Comfortable shoes are a MUST!
There is so much walking, do not wear heels (I have unfortunately made this mistake before so trust us on this one). You can bring an extra pair of shoes in your bag if you can’t give up the heels but wear something comfy.
TIP #2: Derby/Oaks is a two-day deal
Gone are the days of buying a one-day ticket to cover all the events so prepare to dish out hundreds even for general admission if you want to attend both. General admission will only get you access to the infield meaning porta potty’s and bringing your own chair.
TIP #3: Have a transportation plan
It’s chaos getting home after the derby so expect to wait 45 min - 2 hours for an Uber/Lyft OR schedule a ride with a private service. Once you pay surge fees, it’ll probably even out.
WHAT IS THE KENTUCKY DERBY?
The Kentucky Derby is the first leg of the Triple Crown, a series of three prestigious races that also includes the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes. Founded in 1875, the Kentucky Derby has become now known as "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports." Each year, the nation's finest three-year-old thoroughbreds gather at Churchill Downs to compete for fame, fortune, and glory on the historic racetrack.
WHEN IS IT? AND WHAT TIME?
This year, the derby takes place on May 4th, 2024. And this year is special because it’s the 150th anniversary! Gates open at 8 AM and live racing starts at 10:30 AM. However, the main race isn’t until later in the evening around 6:45 PM.
DO YOU NEED TICKETS?
The short answer is yes.
The long answer is below because there are different levels of tickets you can purchase:
GENERAL ADMISSION
Infield General Admission: you can purchase Oaks Infield GA, Derby Infield GA, or a Two-Day package. Just know that you are not guaranteed a direct view of the racetrack and you need to bring your own blanket and chairs to sit down.
Infield Final Turn General Admission: the same deal applies here as it’s standing room only but you have a private area that includes the view of the Final Turn and Starting Gate.
RESERVED SEATING
This category of tickets are going to include all-inclusive food and beverage and are located at different points within the track. They are going to range starting from $650 to thousands depending on what kind of experience you want: bleachers, box, clubhouse. You can view all of your options here.
NEW PADDOCK SEATING
Some new seating is available this year with a new re-design. The goal was to provide additional seating and have improved views. There are several different options starting at $693 including suites, terrace, clubs, and outdoor seating. Details can be found here.
PRIVATE SUITES
Obviously this is the more luxurious option for the derby. They start at $135,000 and are equipped with everything that will give you the most upscale experience. Here is the info.
WHAT TO WEAR
This is the section everyone wants to know about! Let’s go over hats, outfit ideas, and trends (so you can have a fashionable outfit for the gram) and you better tag me in your pics!
TRENDS
Let’s talk about some of the trends for the Derby and for spring this year. Spring has sprung and florals are in. They are also an easy way to tie in the hat of your choice into a dress with multiple colors in the floral pattern.
HATS
Lucky for you, Amazon exists now. When I went 10 years ago, a hat was impossible to find unless you wanted to spend a fortune on it so I ended up getting a hat from the clearance section at Kohl’s haha. Anyways… hats. You should pick your hat first then pick your outfit.
OUTFITS
If you’re going to the Oaks, you will want to wear pink as that is tradition. For the derby, dresses are the typical trend. I think it’s fun to get dressed up in bright colors and pastels.
I made a board for some hat and dress inspo ideas below!
WHERE TO STAY
Churchill Downs is where the Kentucky Derby takes place so it’s more convenient to stay near there. But it’s also more expensive. So if you don’t mind being a little further to expand your options and save a little money, here are some other options.
THE HIGHLANDS
This neighborhood is so charming and historic - it’s where I always stay when I visit my friend. Anywhere around here is a good place to stay, not to mention, it is home to some of the best restaurants and bars. It’s good if you want to rent a home/apartment for the weekend and about 5 miles to the Derby.
DOWNTOWN
If you are wanting more of a city feel, then stay downtown. You’ll find all the hotels you can think of and it is nearby some of the distilleries. It’s about 4 miles from Churchill Downs.
NULU
This has been really up and coming in the past few years since I started visiting Louisville all those years ago and it’s such a cool spot. It’s walkable to bars and restaurants and has such a fun vibe. There are also some cute boutique hotels you can stay at and only about 5 miles away from the Derby.
Personally, my favorite part of the Derby were all the names of the horses! Don’t forget to try some bourbon while you’re there and obviously have a Mint Julep for me.
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