Family Activities:

Kentucky Derby Museum

Attraction

Kentucky Derby Museum

704 Central Avenue, Louisville, 40208, KY

Located at Gate 1 of Churchill Downs, this museum pays homage to the world’s most famous horse-race — the Kentucky Derby — as well as the thoroughbred horses that run it. Your kids will definitely want to try Riders Up, where they can mount a simulated horse and try to maintain a jockey’s stance for two minutes (the time it takes jockeys to run the Derby). It’s not as easy as it looks! They can even sit on a saddle in a real starting gate, step inside a soundproof booth and attempt to call a race, and watch footage of Derby races from as early as 1918.

Don’t miss the 360-degree, high-definition, multimedia documentary about the Derby, thundering hooves and all, called “The Greatest Race.” (It’s updated each June to show the latest Derby.) There’s even an exhibit of the best entries in the museum’s annual Derby hat contest. Admission to the museum includes a guided tour of Churchill Downs (including the barn, where you’ll see a few retired race horses).