Confused by all the tour times? Let us help you plan your visit with a personalized itenerary. Check out the Plan A Visit section for suggestions.

Exclusive Tours of Churchill Downs

Historic Guided Walking Tour

(Approx 30 minutes)
FREE with Museum admission.

Take a guided walking tour of historic Churchill Downs. Learn about past Derby winners and the rich history of this location. Guests will first visit our resident Thoroughbred racehorse and his sidekick miniature horse, Winston. Located outside in the garden terrace are the gravesites of three famous Kentucky Derby winners, Carry Back (1961), Swaps (1955), Brokers Tip (1933), and Sunny’s Halo (1983). Visitors will walk through the property to the paddock and out to the grandstand learning trivia and fun facts along the way. Bring your camera!

Historic Walking Tours non available April 26, 2009 - May 5, 2009.

Barn and Backside Van Tour

(Approx 1 hour)
$10.00 no discounts apply, children 4 and under FREE, Museum admission is required.

The Kentucky Derby Museum provides wonderful tours that give visitors the opportunity to see areas that are closed off to the general public. Visit the ‘other side’ of Churchill Downs to see racehorses in their environment. More than 1400 stalls dot the back of the track and most are full during the peak seasons.

On any given day of training, visitors could see a 2-year-old in line to win next year’s Derby, a nine year-old nearing retirement or the Derby winner himself. The world-class thoroughbreds range from millions of dollars in value to runners in the cheapest race with a $5,000 purse (still an incredible looking animal--- can you spot the difference?). See the horses in training, catch them during a bath, and learn about life at the track. Stops will be made for picture taking at the track (time and weather permitting). This exclusive tour is offered only to guests of the Museum. This is a great tour for horse lovers, but please note: guests will not be able to touch the animals.

Seats are limited since the group is transported to the backside in a van. Reservations can be made for all tours. To make a reservation: 502-637-1111 ext 220. The Museum doors open promptly at 7 for tour guests only. The group will depart promptly for the tour.

Barn and Backside Van tours are not available beginning April 26, 2009 - May 5, 2009.

Behind the Scenes Walking Tour

(Approx 1 hour 30 minutes)
$10.00 no discounts apply, children 4 and under FREE, Museum admission is required.

Groups and individual guests may also be treated to the exclusive VIP areas of Churchill Downs with the Behind the Scenes Walking Tour. Museum tour guides take up to 15 guests on an hour and a half long tour for a behind-the-scenes tour of the Jockeys' Quarters, Millionaires' Row, the Press Box and other areas of Churchill Downs' newly renovated clubhouse. This is an exclusive tour only offered through the Museum.

Behind the Scenes Tours are not available April 23, 2009 - May 10, 2009.

Due to the exclusive nature of this tour, the Behind the Scenes Walking Tour will not be available during Derby week and during racing days of the Spring and Fall Meets. (The track is generally closed on Mondays and Tuesdays during the meets.)

Horses & Haunts Tour

(Approx 1 hour 30 minutes)
$15.00 per person.

Let this tour take you back in time to visit the spirits on the darker side of the track. Hear stories of legends and lore as you are guided from the Kentucky Derby Museum’s cemetery to the sixth floor of Churchill Downs. The tour runs every third Thursday of the month starting at 7:00pm and lasts for an hour and a half.

Reservations

Advanced booking for all Kentucky Derby Museum tours are available with a credit card to hold your reservation. We require 24 hours notice, prior to tour departure time, for any and all reservation cancellations. Any cancellations under the 24 hours notice will be charged for reservations in full. Call (502) 637-1111 ext 220.

Click here for Group Tour information.