Another early start, and after packing up, we hit the road toward Louisville, Kentucky—about an hour and a half away. The drive was scenic for the first stretch before giving way to bigger motorways as we approached the city.
Our first stop was Churchill Downs, where we had a “Barn and Backside” tour booked. Our guide was fantastic—friendly, knowledgeable, and clearly passionate about the horses. It was an intimate tour, just us and a mother-daughter duo, which made the whole experience feel very personal. We were driven around the barns, each trainer having their own set of stables, and often a buddy or companion animal such as a goat or cat to provide companionship and help keep the horses calm and relaxed. We had an up-close look at the starting gates, the grandstands, and the legendary track itself. Everyone walked away having learned something new.
After the tour, we made our way into the Kentucky Derby Museum to catch the immersive movie about Derby Day called “The Greatest Race”. This 18-minute film is presented in a 360° theater and offers a comprehensive experience of the Kentucky Derby, from the birth of a foal to the excitement of race day. We followed this by exploring the various exhibits and wrapped it up with a bite to eat and, of course, an obligatory mint julep—possibly my new favourite drink!
From there, we did a quick detour to pick up some replacement sunglasses (someone had misplaced theirs!) before heading into town. We parked by our Airbnb and caught an Uber to the Muhammad Ali Center. The museum included an insightful film and plenty of exhibits, though with its heavy focus on reading and history, it was a bit of a slog for the kids—especially the girls, who were noticeably less enthused. Still, it was a worthwhile visit.
Next on the itinerary was a tour of the Evan Williams distillery. The kids came along, although they’d have preferred to skip it. Our guide, Grace, was… an experience. She introduced it as an informal tour, but didn’t seem too fond of questions or side conversations. That said, there were some fascinating tidbits along the way, and the tour wrapped with a bourbon tasting—including a toast to Harry, the resident ghost.
We wandered the streets a bit afterward before landing at Mussels and Burgers for dinner, which hit the spot. Then it was back to our Airbnb to settle in and spin some vinyl. Mark decided the brewery at the end of the street was calling his name, so he snuck back out for a cheeky drink (or two).
