I attended an alumni event hosted by my school at this venue, and it was a great experience overall. The venue itself is very large, but thankfully there was plenty of signage directing guests to the correct event. Since there are multiple entrances and parking areas, the signs made it easy to find where we needed to go. There was also plenty of parking available near our event. Once we arrived, there were several staff members greeting guests and directing everyone where to go, which made check in easy. Outside, they had several games set up for families, making it a very kid friendly event. Walking inside, I was impressed by how spacious the venue was. There were tables set up throughout the room, designated food areas, and numerous booths representing different parts of the school. The event was well attended, but there was plenty of space for everyone. They also had a DJ with a lit up dance floor that created a fun, energetic atmosphere. One of my favorite parts was the outdoor area overlooking the horse racing track. They had graduation signs to sign, several photo opportunities, and stations where they printed your pictures on the spot, which made for a fun keepsake. The food consisted mostly of finger foods. Some items were good, while others were just average, but there was enough variety for everyone. The staff worked hard throughout the event to keep everything running smoothly and make sure guests were taken care of. Some employees were very friendly, while others seemed like they were bothered and overwhelmed. The bar was also a nice addition. I ordered a Woodford Reserve Whiskey Sour, and it came with a souvenir cup, which was a nice touch. This was a well organized event in a spacious venue with plenty of activities for guests of all ages. I'm glad I had the opportunity to attend and experience everything my school put together. read more

Churchill Downs - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Service... 5/10 Food... 7/10 Experience... 10/10 Downs After Dark was a thrilling event, and was a very beginner friendly event. For my first time horse racing, the handy guides provided clear directions on the steps to place a bet with a human or one of the electronic machines. If you worry about the heat or the noise of the crowd, millionaires row tickets are worth the price. Reserved seats and a dinner buffet were well worth the $100 per person. The homestyle dinner buffet featured green beans, Mac and cheese, potato salad, salad, baked beans, BBQ pork, BBQ chicken, cookies, and brownies. The food was on the bland side but good quality, and there was plenty of everything. The service of Churchill Downs was the low part of my experience. Sitting in Millionaire's Row, we were assigned a server who did not frequently appear, and other servers had to track her down for us. I was also not thrilled with how IDs under 30 were handled. When you approach the ID tent, workers were dismissive and not helpful as people under 30 had to have their ID scanned in a separate location. When I arrived at the second ID location, we found a lengthy line and only one scanner in use. Plus that scanner was having difficulties with certain IDs. read more

This place is huge! Came for the Oaks and Derby (Oaks was my favorite of the two). I had the all inclusive tickets, which had unlimited food and drink. Some of the options were great like the strawberries and cheesecake on a stick. I was hoping for more local options, like hot brown items. I would skip the concessions with the regular chicken fingers and hamburgers and head straight towards the food court outside of the paddock. It was quite the experience- all the people, the outfits. The parking can be a little tricky, so know that you'll probably wait awhile to get out. 2026 #43 read more

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Churchill Downs y'all! Lots of horses, lots of people, too much chaos. Good food. Great service. Great drinks. Clean restrooms. More horses. Hats. read more

Churchill Downs - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Do you need to love or even like horse racing to have a good time on the Churchill Downs tour? Neigh. I couldn't care less about the ponies, but I thought the tour was interesting, and it was especially so because of the old-timer tour guide that our group was assigned to. He didn't just work at Churchill Downs, but lived and breathed horse racing, and had been involved since he was young. It's this type of passion that permeates everything here. The tour starts indoors at the Kentucky Derby Museum, where you watch a 360-degree movie about the venue and some of the more popular races. The movie is about 15 minutes. Then you go outside and walk around the hallowed halls of the joint, up to the actual race track. It's really cool to see all of the history and tradition of the sport right in front of your face. Like I said, I am not a horse racing girlie, but I can respect the fact that it's an important and historic place. And to be honest, I would love to attend the Kentucky Derby at some point. Before or after the tour, you're welcome to check out the museum. It is two stories of interactive exhibits detailing everything from jockeys to famous horses to the business of horse racing. It's a fascinating museum on a topic that I had previously known very little about, but the museum makes the information accessible for everyone. read more

Wow, what an amazing experience.. Oaks and Derby... we had club seats--box J.... it's the area near the finish line... great spot to watch the races... I can't describe the outfits.... not just the women..., but the men...crazy but soooo fun!!! We met a lot of great people... of course they were serving lot's of mint juleps, the famous Lilly drink and all the men were smoking Kentucky cigars... 150,000 people came out to see history .... Golden tempo for the win and the first female trainer... read more

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Attended Thurby at Churchill Downs. Churchill downs is Louisville. Derby week is such a fun festival time in Louisville. We were in the new updated Jockey Suites. I love that they have the all inclusive tickets now. Horses, fascinators/hats, mint juleps and lillies what more could a girl ask for! Oh and the fashion. The city showed out! I also enjoy taking pictures/videos with all of the fun vendors! I love that they offer free parking and shuttles to Churchill downs during the week. read more

Churchill Downs - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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Kentucky Oaks & Kentucky Derby! Overview of the infield: if you like to people watch, the infield is the place to be! The Kentucky Oaks will be filled with high school/college students since all the surrounding areas will have the day off from school. They treat it like a holiday in the state. The Kentucky Derby will be filled with so many more people. Be prepared to stay much longer after the Derby race occurred. It took roughly 45 mins to leave the infield after the 12th race. Highly recommend bringing your own lawn chair since there is not seating. read more

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We came to Churchill downs for the Kentucky derby. The system and shuttle buses that transported us to and from the downs was very organized. There was a nice area to sit in by all of the food vendors. This area was nicely decorated. There were also some vendors in other areas of the downs. Churchill Downs is very spacious so we asked for assistance in finding our seats. Many individuals that we came across had no idea where our seats were. From what we were told many of the people on staff weren't regular employees. That was frustrating when trying to find our seats and which food vendors we had access to and having to ask multiple people. Some workers were very helpful and nice. We finally found our turf bleacher seats. They were comfortable but far away from the main vendors. We did have a good view of the races. There were many bathrooms throughout the venue. read more

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Attended on a Saturday in late May with my husband and our 4- and 3-year-old. Parking was free, and tickets were available for purchase at the gate. We did have to park a decent distance away, but both kids were able to walk without any complaints. We did not bring a stroller. There was a good crowd, but it never felt overly busy or difficult to navigate. I grew up going to Churchill Downs, and in my experience, weekdays tend to be the least crowded. Most race days outside of Derby Week and other major events are manageable with young children. We were able to walk right up to the fence to watch the races, watched one race from a box, and another from the paddock area. My kids especially enjoyed seeing the horses up close. When we arrived, there was a booth with stickers, coloring books, and crayons, which was a nice surprise and immediately got my kids excited about the visit. We stayed for about two hours, watched three races, and spent time looking at the horses. For our family, that felt like the perfect amount of time before the kids started losing interest. Overall, Churchill Downs was a fun and surprisingly family-friendly outing. I wouldn't necessarily make a special trip with toddlers every week, but it's a unique experience and a great option if you're looking for something different to do with young kids. read more

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I recently attended the Delta Day event at Churchill Downs, and overall the experience was absolutely amazing. The facility itself is huge, but despite there being what felt like hundreds of people there, it surprisingly never felt overly congested. Everything was very organized and well staffed, and I appreciated how employees were constantly walking around picking up dirty plates and keeping the environment clean and inviting. There was plenty of room to move around, socialize, and even space for dancing without feeling crowded. I also really appreciated some of the accessibility accommodations throughout the venue. Luckily, there were no steps required to get into the building, which made entering much easier. I was also pleasantly surprised when I went outside to the patio area to look at the horses and saw accessibility ramps available because I honestly expected there to only be stairs. As someone with mobility challenges, those details truly matter and made the experience much more enjoyable. However, I did have to take off a couple stars because the parking situation was frustrating from an accessibility standpoint. When I arrived, there were no handicapped parking spots available near the first turn area, so someone I knew actually had to take my cart and park it for me while I got out in my wheelchair and made my way into the building. That part definitely could have been handled better for guests with mobility needs. The food was also pretty good overall. I had chicken and potatoes along with a few other items, and the potatoes especially were really good. My only other complaint was the price of the Oaks Lily. Oh my gosh! $18 for such a small cup was honestly kind of shocking. I could only justify getting one because the price felt a little ridiculous for the size. read more

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An excellent day at the track mid Derby week, Winsday. The crowd is festive, fun and lively without being overwhelming. We were in the First Turn Club with 2200 other folks but there were plently of bathrooms, betting machines and windows to accommodate the crowd. Getting in the yellow parking lot was easy from Longfield Ave gate and right into the track from the First Turn gate. The buffet was open for at least 3 hours and was well stocked the entire time. They served a couple of differnt kinds of chicken and some short ribs, carrots, potatoes, a few salads, rolls and several desserts (cookies, derby pie, lemon bars, brownies). There was a cash bar and also never long lines to get a drink. Inside seating at tables for 12 and easy access to go outside on the pario area to be in the sun and to watch the races. Great day at the track. read more

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Must visit my friends! Live the atmosphere. First class accommodations To general admission. Every thing you need to enjoy One of Louisville's gems. Great place to entertain friends and family as well as out of town friends read more

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Wow!! What an experience!! Definitely recommend going to the derby and visiting Churchill Downs as a bucket list item!! So much fun and great energy and people watching. It would be even better if they had more healthy food options! read more

Churchill Downs - A delicious mint julep in a beautiful derby glass!! - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We came in for a tour in March and were really blown away! The tour itself was not super long, but our guide was really knowledgeable, funny and entertaining. The museum portion was amazing - truly 5 stars. There was SO much to learn, read and gawk at through the multiple levels. Take the time and enjoy it all, I promise it's worth it. The stables didn't have horses at this time of year, but we did get to see one newly retired racehorse and a cute little emotional support pony for him (yes, you read that right). The video that they play in the center of a big rectangular room was AWESOME. A great experience and definitely worth taking the 15-20 minutes to watch. I'm coming back again to see some horses! read more

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It just doesn't get much better than the first Saturday in May watching the Kentucky Derby races at Churchill Downs. On this Saturday you'll find southern hospitality at its best, Kentucky bourbon flowing via the slightly sweet, minty bourbon cocktail, "The Mint Julep", and women and gents dressed up to the nines! This horse racing track since 1875 is a U.S. National Historic Landmark and on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places. Churchill Downs serves as the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Oaks, Kentucky Derby and on numerous occasions the Breeders Cup. Perhaps most Derby guest are unaware that the pre race picked winner isn't usually the victor. Today was no exception! What an unbelievable run by number 19, Golden Tempo, who came from last place out of the gate, passing all the horses on the outside, to win the Kentucky Derby!! Kudos to Golden Tempo, Jose Ortiz (his trainer), and Cherie DeVaux (his trainer)!! We certainly hope to return! What a blast! read more

Churchill Downs - The Oaks races at Churchill Downs. - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

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We had tickets to millionaire row which came with food. The food was very underwhelming. They only had weird bbq chicken and fatty pulled pork for their protein, over cooked veggies and potatoes. Salad and watermelon salad on the buffet. I was so not impressed. It's kind of fun betting on the horses but I lost most of the races. The cocktails are $17 and beer is $10. I didn't want to spend that much just because. For being in millionaire row I expected better all around. read more

Churchill Downs - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

Churchill Downs is an iconic Louisville locale. In addition to the Oaks and the Derby they have many other events to draw you in to catch some races. We've done many of these but today was a repeat trip for Mother's Day. We did it previously on Millionaires Row which was nice, but this year we did it at the Stakes Room which seemed even better. The food is nice quality for a buffet and it is advertised to stay open for 3 hours after the gate opens, which is 11:30, but today the buffet was available until 3:30. The whole family got to cash in some tickets today which is always a good thing when you're at Churchill. read more

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Such a fun experience, even in the rain!! I am a huge Kentucky derby fan so we thought it would be fun to stop on our way through Louisville. The Museum is very interactive for kids and the history was fun to read about. They have a new section for secretariat which I thought was awesome with his races on repeat upstairs. There is a movie that plays every 20 minutes on the downs and the race day which was great to watch and learn more about. We were lucky enough to catch a race during our tour which made the experience even more memorable! Even in the rain it was a fun experience. Highly recommend to everyone who has any interest in the derby and the history around the races! read more

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It was everything I expected and more. To see it on tv is one thing, but to experience it live and in living color is memorable. From the horses to the people to the food and drinks (lots of bourbon) Churchill Downs does not disappoint. Derby weekend has been on my to do list since I was a kid and having the chance to go was priceless. The atmosphere is electric from the first race to the last main event, each is a thriller. The tickets for seating in the homestretch area entailed snacks, non/alcoholic drinks, lunch and dinner meals as racing was from 11a - 8p so it is a day if you want to take it all in. Outside of the track was an open air party with music, food and more drinks which was also part of the package. Everything from empanadas to steak sliders was available. The longest line was for cheese cake on a stick. I will definitely make a return trip! read more

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I am so glad we did this tour! It was so neat to walk around and see everything in real life that you view on television every year. I did not know what to expect and did not research anything prior to visiting because I wanted to be surprised. There was not a lot to see but a lot to learn! There are plaques for each winner, every year, that is placed along the awnings inside. I thought that was pretty neat! We were brought out to the track! I was so excited and also so happy I did not make the mistake of stepping on to the actual track. Someone in our tour made that mistake and was scolded by the tour guide. Still very cool to be standing next to it! After the tour, we ventured to the museum part. Our tour guide was informative and helpful in answering questions anyone had. It would have been cool if they had a bar that sold Mint Juleps during tours, since many of us will not be able to have the real thing for the real event. The tour was not super long and a good length to keep you interested. read more

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The most exciting two minutes in sports [Louisville KY] It's been so long but my only recollection of a horse racing experience was in Bay Meadows in San Mateo CA which closed in 2008. After watching the heart-pounding thrill of Derby Day in "The Greatest Race" film at the Kentucky Derby Museum I was excited to see where it all happens. Seeing Churchill Downs was an exciting experience for me. The tour guide was well-informed and knowledgeable of the thoroughbreds and the process in qualifying. He described the culture during the annual Derby Days... he asked our group if any of us got emotional watching the film. I said, yes!! He pointed to us sections of the racetrack, the best seats, the iconic Kentucky Derby starting gate, Finish Line suites, Winners Circle Suites, Paddock seating... and, of course, the General Admission section. There were many options for all types of budget. The greatest horses in history from Aristrides to Secretariat have been crowned champions here at Churchill Downs. This is where the world's most prestigious horse race and the crown jewel of thoroughbred racing continues to keep 150 years of pageantry and tradition alive. There typically isn't the need to dress up like Derby, there are some instances and areas that have dress codes or where themed attire is encouraged. I just want to be able to attend my first Derby Day in a fancy dress and hat ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Review #3910 read more

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Went on a Tour of the the greatest horse racing track in America. It was amazing just sitting there and looking around the track and listening to the tour guide about the horses and the history of the track. What they do to make it ready for racing such amazing place and the history that goes with it. read more

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The perfect Thanksgiving outing! Spending Thanksgiving at Churchill Downs was such a fantastic experience. It was the perfect excuse to get all dolled up and go out for the day! The atmosphere was incredible, and it is surprisingly family-friendly. We were impressed by the food choices available, they have a full Thanksgiving dinner too. They also have a full mocktail station, they had dirty sodas and plenty of other creative non-alcoholic options, which was a nice touch. Wagering was super easy; you can place bets yourself at the kiosks or go to the wager desk if you need a hand. We also loved the seating situation; there was ample seating right up close to the action, so we didn't miss a beat of the races. Also lots of space inside. Overall, a high-energy, fun, and memorable way to spend the holiday. We definitely want to come back! read more

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The First Turn Club at Churchill Downs is a caverness space at the tracks first turn. The front side is all glass, and there is a sizable apron. There is stadium seating upstairs. Generally, you cannot see the start of races, nor the finish. You have a great view of the main Churchill and the infield, but all you see of the horses is a whoosh as they go by. You'd have to dash inside to watch the finish on a screen. Not for me. 85 read more

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Visited here to pickup race packets for KDF mini marathon 2026. Parking is always a wonderful treat. Not! read more

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I will always have love for Churchill Downs and that every visit creates a memory with family and friends. There's so many ways to experience it, from super casual to much fancier. The price tag and attire will follow your choice. Night racing is so fun! I love that each one is themed. They also have twilight Thursdays. It's rare to come across an associate that is anything less than helpful. As many times as I've been here, I always need help with directions. Their website is helpful. Read it before visiting so that you understand parking, seating options, costs, daily events, etc. The museum isn't connected to the track - but mentioning it as a place to visit when you're in Louisville. Another gem! read more

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Beautiful place, the museum is awesome. Tours are available Racing season starts later this month. Employees are very friendly. read more

Churchill Downs - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

It was so great to see Churchill Downs in person. The video in the museum was wonderful (tho it may make you dizzy if you have motion sickness issues). The tour was great. I really enjoyed it. I loved that we got to see a couple horses (an adult and a baby), too. The restaurant was too crowded (partly since they had the one large room set up for a wedding, I think). I'd like to try the cafe next trip. read more

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The experience was incredible. Service at the bar and when placing bets was fun and very helpful. We sat in reserved section 317 for Thursday twilight. The lady sitting inside the doors before you go up the stairs was miserable and not sure she did anything the entire night but just sit there with a long face. We had never been here before and although the sections were marked, the sears are not (they are when you reserve online). The usher was not helpful in the slightest and twice when we went to place bets, people obviously from GA took our seats. We asked them to move. The third time was the last race so we just sat elsewhere. So if you're considering attending, purchase GA and sit wherever you want because no one checked anything. read more

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Bought tickets for HOMESTRETCH ROOM...awesome experience...comes with seats outside ...middle of stretch as a great view of races finishing.. Also allows you into huge private room which has buffet...desserts ...drinks The seats ..food ..drinks are all FREE as one time cost ...unlimited !!! The room is has air conditioning as a little relief from sun outside. I recommend for a fun time with friends. read more

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Top class place to visit Met many super fans and visitors Nice gift shop Helpful staff Just a quick visit ad it to the museum but we were just a tad late for the tour but we got to roam around an and gift shop. Many were coming in by bus loads to events that were put on at Churchill. Everyone was friendly! read more

What a lovely day for a race! The race course is just beautiful. Decorated very nicely and flowers everywhere. They have plenty of places to get food and drink a good size souvenir shop, and lots of restrooms. Our seeds were at section 116 G right at the finish line. They were advertised as being covered siege, which they were, but the sun really came in strong there. I would highly recommend to get 116 H. Just going back one section of rows makes a big difference. Luckily it was not super crowded and we were able to move back a section. It could be fully covered from the sun. read more

Churchill Downs - View from Section 116 H - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

This place is now checked off my list of places to see! I couldn't believe how huge Churchill Downs was! Here you can attend horse raises but make sure you adhere to the strict dress code prior to making arrangements! There is ample parking here as well so if you don't have the luxury of parking near the front there is a large lot further back that has employees to direct traffic and some of them will even give you a lift to the front! If you're not here for a race, there's also the museum and cafe to check out of it's a beautiful location for a private event! read more

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Another Dream Come True!! Wowza!! I never wrote a review for our visit to Churchill Downs from a few years ago. I posted the photos a couple of years ago, but never posted a review. Based on my limited memory, here are some notes of what I remember. It was Time well spent! We got to the museum early, and we enjoyed every minute there. We purchased a tour of Churchill Downs. It was worth every penny!! Highly recommend doing the guided tour!! Make sure to check out the many informative and educational exhibits at the museum. So much to learn and appreciate! I remember that there was an interactive racing game which Wifey and I played. She beat me twice in that horse race!! We also enjoyed a really good lunch meal at the cafe which I will share more about on their Yelp page. All in all, we had an AMAZING time at the Kentucky Derby Museum and Churchill Downs!! It was so great to see the track where the magic of the Kentucky Derby takes place! I'd be more than happy to return here in the future Sovereignty won the 2025 Kentucky Derby!! Maybe one day I'll be able to attend the Kentucky Derby in person at Churchill Downs. Now that truly would be a Bucket List Dream Come True!! read more

Amazing place. We did the barn and backyard tour early in the morning (7:30). The horses were out warming up and training which was a super cool experience. Our tour guide Jessica was so incredibly knowledgeable, positive, and took her time to answer every and all questions. We were never rushed and got to see some future talent. Now the museum wow. So much information and cool interactive exhibits as well. The magnitude of this place is simply spectacular. read more

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Churchhill Downs! What can I say. I've always wanted to visit and attend the Kentucky Derby! Watching it on tv as a kid and even as an adult. I was taken aback when I first walked into the building because they had a horse's staging pen, as soon as you walked in, and my first thought was, "There's NO WAY they're gonna make me believe that they stuff a full blown Thoroughbred in that small space?!?" Nope. Not Gonna believe it, but it was true! I gasped. As I continued my tour, walking through the graveyards of the greatest to ever race....I became very sad. I was even sadder when I read one of the description plots that said they don't bury the full horse--only their heart, head, and hooves. But what did you did with the rest of the horse?!? IDK. This visit continues to make me think about what I see on tv versus what happens. And more and more horses have died since I've last visited. read more

Churchill Downs - What a Beautiful Day today!! 07-27-2024 - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

We were here in the off season so no horses on site and no racing but the tour and museum was definitely worth the stop and 30ish dollars. We did the Superstars and Spires tour, the museum, and movie. It was all great. The museum has interesting displays, many of them interactive. Watching the races to see the winners live on screen was a great way to enhance the exhibits. I loved the display on fashions, especially hats. Our tour guide was Steve. He relayed relevant and fun facts throughout the tour. I loved going into the Millionaires Club and the many other places I would never pay to see. Not being a horse racing fan, per se, I enjoyed this stop very much. Parking was super easy (right next to the entry). Staff was very helpful. read more

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Such a great experience! The place is beautiful in great shape. It was a beautiful day hot outside, but we were inside the turf club boxes and so we were in air-conditioning. The races were great great entertainment for the day. Even if you don't like to gamble. It's still a fun place to sit and watch. We ate the buffet inside and it was excellent food. Our server in our box was very friendly and always around. A great day. read more

Churchill Downs - Inside turf club - Horse Racing Near Me - Louisville, Kentucky

What an amazing experience at a historic venue. We were staying in the area so we decided to visit Churchill Downs just to take pictures outside. We didn't know they had live racing that day so we bought tickets in the 300 level and made a day of it. We had a lot of fun. We were able to watch 4 of the races before my daughter's nap time. It was fun and easy to make bets on the races. We also ended up eating lunch here. Outside our section there were about 6 options for food. We tried the chicken tenders at one place, just ok. The pulled pork Mac and Cheese at another place was excellent. I also tried a Woodford Spire. It came in a copper cup and had Woodford Reserve, cranberry and lemonade. Very refreshing. I can't wait to come back. read more

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