7 Ways to Make The Most of Your Derby Weekend

Fillies and Lilies

When: Friday before Derby

Where: Kentucky Derby Museum

The official kickoff party of the Kentucky Derby®, Fillies and Lilies is a Derby Experiences exclusive event! It is considered the place to be before the race on Saturday.

Get exclusive access to the Kentucky Derby Museum and indulge in a premium open bar, gourmet food buffets, and a private bourbon lounge. At Fillies and Lilies, there is no shortage of entertainment with live music and interactive experiences, guaranteeing a thrilling Derby-eve is had!

Barnstable Brown Gala

When: Friday before Derby

Where: Barnstable Brown Mansion

A black-tie, celebrity-attended, party-of-a-lifetime hosted by Patricia Barnstable Brown! Experience an exciting and exclusive atmosphere with live music performances, premium food, and a top-shelf bar.

Have the chance to mix and mingle with celebrities like Usher, Kid Rock, Paris Hilton, Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Eli Manning, and Miranda Lambert, who are a few that have been sited before!

All proceeds of the Barnstable Brown Gala benefit Diabetes Research at the University of Kentucky.

Private Horse Farm Tour

Take in Kentucky’s bluegrass horse country at three different stops on the tour. The first stop is a world-class private farm, home to current and future Derby horses. Second, take a tour of the national historic landmark, the Keeneland Racecourse, which is also home to the most expensive horse auction.

Lastly, learn about what the lifestyle is like when living and working on the horse farm at Stallion Barn. Additionally, indulge in Kentucky cuisine at an all-inclusive sit-down lunch at a local restaurant!

Backstretch Tour at Dawn at Churchill Downs®

A Derby Experiences exclusive walking tour, starting at Stable Gate off South 4th Street next to Churchill Downs. Get behind-the-scenes access and have the chance to see horses on the track for morning training, visit the Churchill Downs stables and go through Churchill Downs’ history with an expert tour guide. Lastly, sit down for an all-inclusive breakfast in the Horseman’s kitchen.

The Best of Kentucky

Experience everything that Kentucky has to offer with The Best of Kentucky Tour. Take a tour of a world-class private horse farm and get a behind-the-scenes look at why some of the best horses in the world come from Kentucky. Then, take a tour of a legendary Kentucky bourbon distillery and have a bourbon tasting. Finish with an all-inclusive lunch at a local restaurant and indulge in Kentucky-famous cuisine!

Bourbon Distillery Tour

Take a full-day tour of a legendary Kentucky bourbon distillery! Learn the behind-the-scenes skills it takes to perfect the art and science of the Master Distiller. Have the chance to have a true-Kentucky bourbon tasting and an all-inclusive lunch at a local restaurant and indulge in the great Kentucky cuisine.

Mint Julep Sunset Social

Get another look at what the Kentucky Derby is all about. Get to experience what it takes to run a farm at Stud Barn with a sunset tour and live Q&A with a farm manager. Learn how to build your own mint julep cocktail during a hands-on experience at the build-you-own-julep bar and have an all-inclusive family-style dinner with farm to table ingredients. Tour ticket includes transportation to and from the Mint Julep Hub.