USA Vacations

Kentucky

4 Days Championships: Kentucky Derby Tour Package

Duration: 4 Days / 3 Nights
Priced From: $4,995 pp Dbl. occ.
Dates: April

Experience the most electric two minutes in sport at the Kentucky Derby. Sip mint juleps in the privileged environs of the clubhouse, attend the hottest parties in town, enjoy behind-the-scenes access to Churchill Downs, dine at the best restaurants and watch the winner cross the finish line at the most famous horse race in the world.

Day 1 (Thursday) - Louisville

Welcome to Kentucky Fly into Louisville International Airport, and then transfer by private vehicle to the Hyatt Regency in downtown Louisville. Settle into your newly renovated contemporary hotel room with striking views of the Ohio river and the Louisville skyline.

Hotel: Hyatt Regency
Meals: None

Day 2 (Friday) - Louisville

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast on your own time (whether in bed or in the breakfast room), then transfer to Churchill Downs for our exclusive backside tour, where we will experience the unique atmosphere that makes Churchill Downs such an integral part of the equine industry. With over 1,500 thoroughbreds in the stables during Derby weekend, this tour is an incredible opportunity to get an insiders perspective of the preparations that take place prior to the race. Watch the thoroughbreds as they go through their morning work-outs, see the Oaks and Derby hopefuls up close, and visit with some of the trainers as they prepare for the most exciting two minutes in sports! The remainder of the afternoon will be at leisure so that you can explore the many delights of Louisville as it gears up for the races. For those who are interested in attending the 134th running of the Kentucky Oaks, we can arrange access to the Kentucky Derby Museum Oaks Day Lunch, which includes a delicious buffet, private betting windows and restrooms, and access to the track for the race itself.

Dinner tonight is on your own, but for anyone with a hankering to join the party scene, we can arrange tickets to the Mint Jubilee Party, a black tie event with red carpet entrance, exceptional cocktails and food, and a wide range of celebrities, including jockeys riding in the Derby. If your searching for something even more exclusive, we can arrange an invitation to the Barnstable Brown party (named one of the top 10 parties in the country by People magazine), where you might find Raquel Welch dancing with Nikcy Lahey while Tom Brady and half of the New England Patriots team hold court at the bar...

Hotel: Hyatt Regency
Meals: None

Day 3 (Saturday) - Louisville

The Run for the RosesAfter breakfast this morning we board our vehicle for a private transfer to Churchill Downs for the 134th running of the Kentucky Derby. We will arrive early to allow for plenty of time to enjoy the parade of hats on display. From the fantastic to the sublime the quirky to the extravagant, there are no rule or limits. The more refined and elegant ladies sport classy, fashionable styles in the clubhouse and paddock, while the eccentric and downright outrageous headgear is reserved for the infield. Sit back and watch the action from out VIP seats in the first floor clubhouse until the moment of the race, when an audience of over 150,000 suddenly falls silent in hushed anticipation of the starting bell. After the adrenaline-rush of watching the winner cross the finish line right before your eyes, take some time to enjoy the post-race scene before returning to our hotel by private transfer. Tonight we recommend drinks and dinner at Maker’s Mark Bourbon House & Lounge, which fuses a swanky environment with an innovative menu in a non-intimidating way. Taking cues from the hipster handbook, the lounge capitalizes on slick minimalism with its use of blond and dark-wood fixtures, flat-screen TV’s, a double-decker fireplace, sleek red-tiled pillars, and a back-lit bar that pays homage to all of Kentucky’s bourbons. The menu demonstrates a strong Asian influence paired with local ingredients, and dishes range from Black-skillet-seared scallops to “naked” lobster ravioli and grilled double-cut New Zealand lamb chops paired with a basil-mint pesto and polenta cake.

Hotel: Hyatt Regency
Meals: None

Day 4 (Sunday) - Louisville

Enjoy a relaxed morning at the hotel, playing tennis or taking a dip in the pool, and then check out and say your goodbyes as you head for home. A private transfer to the airport completes your journey with us until next year....

From our perspective, one of the main reasons for going to the Kentucky Derby is to soak up the social buzz and off-track energy, and there is no better home base for doing this than the Hyatt Regency, which stands out among Louisville hotels for its ideal downtown location. The recently renovated hotel is located in an 18-story tower in the heart of the city and boasts superb service and comfortable, contemporary guestrooms. Other facilities include an indoor pool, tennis courts, work-out facilities and numerous dining options.

4/09

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