Churchill Downs, Derby Museum, Derby Cafe

Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby Museum

Churchill Downs Entrance

700 Central Ave

The Churchill Downs venue and a surprisingly beautiful facility as you progress through the heart of Louisville.  Plenty of free parking is available.

You are greeted by the statue and story of 2006 Derby Winner, Barbaro (2003-2007) whose remains are buried under the memorial.  Barbaro was the 2006 Kentucky Derby winner whose career was cut short after he broke his leg during the Preakness Stakes.  Multiple surgeries to repair the leg resulted in complications which reduced his life to four short years.

2006 Derby Winner Barbaro Memorial

The main entrance is straight ahead, the museum entrance is to the left. A $15.00 entry fee applies but value is worth the expense to learn about the history of the grounds, the horses, the jockeys and the history of the derby hat.  I'm not a horse racing fan and found the learning experience beneficial.  Enter through the starting gates to two floors containing a variety of interactive exhibits that will entertain visitors of all ages.  I enjoyed the Guinness Book of World Records certified world's largest horseshoe ranging 6 ft 9 inches wide by 6 ft 11 inches tall weighing 610 pounds. It's a replica of the shoe 1973 Triple Crown champion, Secretariat wore during his illustrious racing career.  His 1:59 2/5 is the fastest time for the derby track and he also holds the fastest speeds for the Preakness Stakes track (1:53) and Belmont (2:24).

The exhibits take you through every stage of a thoroughbreds life while teaching you about the history of Churchill Downs and 142 years of the Kentucky Derby.

At 10 minutes past each hour "The Greatest Race" is projected onto the world's only 360 degree, 4K theater.  The story is educational, informative, historic and emotional that gets your heart racing in both pulse and with emotion.

The Paddock where each horse is saddled

A 30 minute historic walk of the grounds is included with your price of admission and runs half past each hour.  The tour starts by showing the name and year of each winning horse along the facade of the facility. All 142 past winners are displayed and triple crown winner names are written in gold. You'll learn about the history of the location, see the paddock where horses are identified, weighed and saddled and visit the grandstands allowing you to get right next to the dirt track.  The tour ends at the Garden Terrace where you'll see the former finish line spire (the new ones have electronic cameras and timers installed), the headstones of five past derby winners; Brokers Tip (1933), Swaps (1955), Carry Back (1961), Dust Commander (1970), and Sunny's Halo (1983).  The stable is a few steps away where you can meet resident thoroughbred: Unreachable Star and resident Mini-thoroughbred: Winston.

The dirt track

Th Churchill Downs Finish Spire

Unreachable Star (left) and Winston

Hours: Monday - Saturday: 8 am - 5 pm, Sunday: 11 am - 5 pm
Cost: Factory Tour = $15.00
Time: 2-3 hours
Rating:  9

The Derby Cafe: 

Mint Julep

The Derby Cafe is a quaint restaurant attached to the museum.  Stop by the bar for a quick refreshment or fully experience what the grounds has to offer with lunch and a Mint Julep.  I wasn't a fan of the sweet drink or strong bourbon but the take home souvenir glass was a rewarding bonus. I ate the Chicken tenders appetizer with a side of fries.  They were average. Be sure to walk through the souvenir gift shop before you depart.

Hours: Monday - Friday: 11 am - 3 pm
Cost: $$$
Rating:  6