Find out what to expect when we return to “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports.”
The Kentucky Derby is known for its grandeur and tradition. While it’s likely that the 2022 event will look different from past years due to COVID-19 safety precautions, you still have the opportunity to experience the “Run for the Roses” in Superior style.
We’re offering a limited number of tailored travel packages to ensure your time in Louisville is not only safe, but spectacular, with unrivaled accommodations, transportations, and pre-race festivities.
In this Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks travel guide, we’ll provide information on how you can prepare for this exclusive event, and relish everything Derby has to offer.
Upgrade your experience
We’re offering a very limited number of customizable first-rate Kentucky Derby travel packages to make your Derby visit unforgettable. While exact seating options and arrangements for the 2022 event have yet to be finalized, rest assured that our Superior team will help you secure tickets to the premium seating location that best fits your tastes.
We also offer the opportunity to book private air travel to Kentucky, and we’ll arrange roundtrip transportation between your hotel and Churchill Downs. We handpicked Louisville’s top hotels as partners so that you can enjoy convenient and superb accommodations, such as the luxurious and historic Brown Hotel. We will customize your entire itinerary, including tickets to Derby’s most exclusive and elegant events.
Prepare for your Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks travel experience
Regardless of how different the events may look, no Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks travel guide would be complete without a few tips on how to prepare for your trip:
- When packing, consider both style and comfort. Bring your most spectacular outfits and hats, as well as comfortable shoes, as there could be considerable walking while you explore the grounds.
- Check the weather forecast ahead of time, so you’ll know whether to bring sunscreen or a light rain jacket.
- Umbrellas, purses larger than 12”, and certain kinds of cameras are prohibited. Be prepared for a short wait, as security may search your bag or wand you as you enter.
- It’s also possible that COVID-19-related safety precautions, such as temperature checks, will add to the wait time as you enter the event.
- ATM lines can be long, so bring as much cash as you think you’ll need. Kentucky state law prohibits placing bets with a credit card.
- Learn your lingo. For example: did you know the correct nickname for the race is simply “Derby,” not “The Derby”? It’s a good bet to get up to speed on your wagering vocabulary, too.
The best of Louisville
Looking to extend your stay or explore what else Louisville has to offer? Here are just a few suggestions to discover Derby City in style:
- Savor New Southern Cuisine in the city named “one of the best foodie small towns in America” by Bon Appetit Magazine. Choose from more than 2,500 restaurants, where award-winning chefs are ready to serve you new twists on southern classics.
- Travel the Urban Bourbon Trail, featuring 46 bars and restaurants that serve some of the finest bourbon flights, cocktails, and food in the world. Establishments along the trail vary from historic hotels that once served Al Capone to trendy new hot spots.
- Celebrate Mint Julep Month in April—the official cocktail of Derby! More than 120,000 glasses of this classic cocktail are served at Churchill Downs just over a typical Derby weekend alone.
- There are several places to shop in Louisville, from the eclectic downtown to some of America’s largest and most unique antique stores. Or, check out the city’s most exquisite art museums and galleries, including the famous Speed Art Museum.
Whatever Derby looks like, we’re ready
In a typical year, the Kentucky Derby weekend is packed with elite parties, as well as a festival that stretches for weeks and features fireworks shows, hot-air balloons, concerts, and more. In response to COVID-19, it’s possible that many of these gatherings will not take place or will be reimagined to keep attendees safe.
We’re excited for the opportunity to help our customers start traveling again, but we’re also aware that the pandemic situation – and how the Kentucky Derby is held – could change between now and May. No matter your preferences, you can count on the Superior team to help you experience the Kentucky Derby in style and create the best travel experience possible.
We’re offering an extremely limited number of packages to the 2021 Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks – secure yours and start planning your unforgettable trip today by calling us at 608.665.9070 or contacting us online.
