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Louisville 101

posted by Caroline Smith on April 07, 2008 Tags: , , , , , , , , ,
Derby HatDerby Hat

Louisville 101...

It is the course I should have taken prior to attending my first Churchill Downs experience! Therefore, I have a few clues to make your first, or annual, experience a phenomenal time!

You will need to know how to pack, where to eat, and what to do when you arrive at the Twin Spires.

First of all, for you ladies out there, packing can be interesting.

I have learned the most important factor: Buy the outfit/dress to match the hat, not the hat to match your dress. THE HAT IS WHERE IT'S AT!

For the ladies and the gentlemen, know ahead of time what the Weather Channel is calling for Opening week. This will determine most of your packing. There could be sunshine, rain, snow...you never know! Next thing, CHECK YOUR SEATS... if you are in the infield, this is an entirely different ballgame... wear a baseball cap and mud galoshes!

Secondly, after you check in at the hotel or friend's house... it's time to eat!

Do you ever get in the car with your family, friends, or significant other and go in circles about where to eat dinner? It is inevitable in my family. So when you arrive to Louisville, be sure you know where to go eat because your time is too precious to waste over indecisiveness.

In particular order, here are my favorite spots...

Brunch/lunch: Derby Café (go for the BLT&A!!!) , Toast on Main, Lynn's Paradise Café, Mark's Feed Store, and Stevens & Stevens Deli.

Dinner: Jeff Ruby's, The Bristol, Proof on Main, Raw, L&N Wine Bar, and Bourbon's Bistro.

Last, but certainly not least, catch up on your Horse Racing 101 homework...

Drive to the Twin Spires and walk through the Derby Museum. This should be the very first landmark you visit in Louisville. You will learn more about the history of the Run For The Roses and Quest For The Lilies than you could ever imagine.

This is the place.

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justindew

04/08/2008 3:24 pm

Hi Caroline.

dolarjak

04/08/2008 6:00 pm

Caroline,

Have attended every Derby since 1978, and have seen 40 and snow to 90 and heat strokes. Just bring everything you can and sort it out when the day arrives.

christmasinmay

04/09/2008 10:37 am

Nice article Caroline, but I think you are severely missing giving full credit to the heart and soul of Derby, the Infield (yes, it's capitalized because it is that special). Sure there are plenty of crazy hats in the infield too, but that is not what the infield is about. It is all about compassion and the willingness to push perfection on this, the most glorious of days. A day that starts with tailgating at the football stadium parking lot and ends with the greatest 2 minutes of the year. My first visit was just a buddy and I with no place to stay and sleeping in the car, to now almost 20 friends, multiple hotel rooms, and non-stop high-5's. We have never once even thought to get tickets to the grandstands and we never plan to. If you are back again this year, let me know. We'll show you how to experience Derby!!

lizziemac

04/09/2008 8:24 pm

Caroline,

Great advice on the BLT&A at the Derby Cafe!

TheCapper

04/10/2008 12:13 am

Ahhh, thanks for the advice on places to go eat... that will help make my trip more enjoyable.

This is who I'm using for picks, cuz last year they rocked it!

http://www.winningponies.com/results/picks/tips/Kentucky-Derby-2007.html

csmith7224

04/10/2008 3:23 pm

Thanks for all the comments... and oh, by the way, this is Caroline!

My comment above about the mud galoshes, please take with a grain of salt ;) I know some of the most entertaining moments of the Derby occur in the Infield and it is nonetheless one of the most traditional aspects of the weekend!

I will be interviewing from the infield on Derby Day and I will be writng more about what to look for in the Infield prior to Derby Day!

Be on the look out for more where this comes from!!

~Caroline