9 tips for Kentucky Derby first timers
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I attended the 149th Kentucky Derby in May 2023 and found some good preparation resources ahead of time. However, I still felt that a good amount of information was missing online. We bought general admission tickets for Thurby and grandstand seats for the Kentucky Oaks and the Kentucky Derby. I put together this list of nine tips to help you prepare for your trip to Churchill Downs! Be sure to check the Kentucky Derby website for the most up-to-date race day information. If you’re a Derby newbie, this list is for you!
1. Get TSA PreCheck
This is not a drill and is so important that it’s number one on this list. Get PreCheck or fly out on a Monday. We left on the Sunday after Derby and the regular security line was over 2.5 hours. Several credit cards have it as a benefit, including Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and the Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business credit card. You can also opt for Global Entry, which is for international travel and will include PreCheck for domestic flights.
We heard passengers in shock over the lines. One traveler shared that they closed the PreCheck lane and reallocated the TSA agents to a new lane when she had been in line for over an hour at that point. Another man arrived at 4:30 p.m., and at 6 p.m., his wife was not yet through security. He had PreCheck and had been waiting on the other side of security for her. It took us maybe 20 minutes to go through security.
2. Bring a clear stadium tote bag
Bags no larger that 12x12x6 inches are approved for entry into the Derby, however backpacks are not allowed. It should be fine to bring a Derby-themed bag within that size! I chose to bring a clear stadium tote because I could use it for other events and wanted the biggest size. You can pick up souvenirs and a daily program while at the races.
3. Pack sunscreen and bathroom toiletries
The races are outside, and unless you’re in a box or have a well-covered seat, the only real enclosed area is concessions right next to the track. There is a secondary concessions area outside the track with photo opportunities. The better food is out here, but the shade is limited. Pack your sunscreen if you plan to be at the races all day. Use a solid sunscreen, and you won’t have to worry about a tube exploding in your bag.
Also put in your bag some bathroom toiletries. Despite best efforts, the bathrooms run out of soap and toilet paper. These kits are great and have what you need. You can also stock up on travel soap sheets that lather with water.
4. Wear a fancy hat
It’s Derby Week! Of course, you need a hat! Everyone who attends is encouraged to get their festive gear on for a day at the races. Yoni wore a fedora, while I opted for a fascinator. I ordered the same style in two colors from Amazon and opted for the headband clip to ensure the hat stayed in place all day.
5. Wear comfortable closed-toe shoes
There can be a lot of walking during Derby Week. Each race is about two minutes, and there are at least 30 minutes between each race. This gives you plenty of time to walk Churchill Downs and the concessions areas. There can also be a significant distance between your drop-off or pickup point when arriving or departing. I wore white platform leather sneakers like these and was comfortable all day! Women, if you choose to wear a heel, consider bringing a change of shoes. Several women commented to me at the end of the day that I made a good shoe choice. Note: If you sit on the infield, you will be on grass and dirt. If you’re in the grandstand, there can be broken glass from the various drink cups. See tip 9 below.
6. Bring koozies and a bag for glasses
This tip actually came from a Kentucky Derby Facebook group, and I’m so happy I followed it! The drinks come in glass souvenir cups. If you want to take them home with you, you can! Unlike theme parks, it’s not an extra cost for the pretty cup. These glasses are very delicate, so bring koozies if you want to take them with you. We brought back a couple of sets of glasses, and none broke in transit. There’s no limit on how many you can take home. We saw people scouting for cups left behind at the end of each day. This is where your 12x12x6 bag will come in handy!
7. Stay in Indiana
I like all the tips in this article, but this one is probably the most impactful. We stayed in Indiana for the Kentucky Derby. It was still under 20 minutes from Churchill Downs (and maybe even faster without downtown Louisville traffic) and a quick drive over the bridge to Louisville. Flying in on a Wednesday night and leaving Sunday afternoon, we found the best value for Derby Week was at an extended-stay hotel. We stayed in Clarksville, Indiana, and booked well in advance. By staying in a different area, we saved ourselves at least $300/night during Derby Week.
8. Bring in your own food and water (with restrictions)
Per the Kentucky Derby website at the time of writing:
THURBY, OAKS & DERBY DAYS ONLY: Boxed lunches or food items in clear plastic bags or containers that do not exceed the maximum size (12″ X 6″ X 12″). Boxed lunches or food items must fit in the guest's bag or one-gallon clear Ziploc-style storage bag (no trash bags). Guests are restricted to one bag only – additional bags for food will not be permitted.
THURBY, OAKS & DERBY DAYS ONLY: Bottled water that is in a sealed, clear and unopened plastic bottle- limit of two 24 oz. bottles per person.
There will be long lines for food. Even if you’re not very hungry, I recommend you pick up the good food early and save it at your seats. You can likely pick up a cardboard case tray from the bar and use that to carry your food. When we attended, the stations ran out of food, and most concessions were done before the end of the day, which shouldn’t have been the case per the website.
9. Seat selection
Sign up for the waitlist to be notified when Derby Week tickets are released. If selecting grandstand seats, don’t pick the first row under an overhang. If you do, be mindful of falling drinks and items. We were in the second row under an overhang (as I wanted to be covered in case of rain) and I wasn’t concerned with that as much as I was drunk patrons kicking glass accidentally to the lower levels. The row in front of us had beverages spilled on them a few times. Also, consult the seat view option, so you’re not in front of a pole. If your budget allows, the covered seats were a great choice for staying at the races all day for three days! We arrived early and stayed until the end of the day. With all the food and drink included, it allowed us to get the most out of our trip. We sat in section 226 and, for newbies, picked very well!
How else are you preparing for Derby Week? Let me know in the comments!