Hodie

I’m trying to plan an anniversary trip for my boyfriend and I to Louisville, KY either in early May or early June and need thoughts on itinerary. We’re both in late 30’s (but don’t feel like it!). Would love some thoughts & suggestions on my itinerary. Food wise I’m open to anything but he likes “regular” food, so no 610 Magnolia, etc. I’m afraid. Would love to try some regional food (hot brown is on the list of course), as well.

So far thinking:
Thursday – drive in. Should arrive 5:00 or 6:00, staying at Brown Hotel. Ideas for early afternoon or evening activity? Dinner?

Friday: Breakfast?
Churchill downs for racing (anyone know when tickets go on sale?) Where should we sit? Would like private seats or box, is that possible?
Dinner:

Saturday: Want to do some of the Bourbon Trail. For sure want to visit Makers and Old Rip Van Winkle, but totally open to suggestions on the others. I really do not want to do a group tour, but I’m worried it’s going to be too far to drive in one day? Should we plan on spending Saturday night in Bardstown (not loving that idea but I’ll do it)? I’m not opposed to hiring a driver, I’m just worried we’ll spend so much time driving and not hit many distilleries. Is it like wine tasting where you can get pretty buzzed, or are they spaced out enough one of us where only one of us could do the tasting so we could still drive?

Thank you in advance!

Connie

I might suggest driving around the west side of Lexington since that is where most of the horse farms are. Just beautiful seeing all the horse farms--one after another.

carolyn

If you want Churchill Downs tickets, don't come the first weekend in May--that's Derby and a full house. Otherwise, you should be able to get tickets easily.

The Brown is a splurge for dinner, but it would be a great one for your arrival night. Main and Market Streets (called NuLu) have lots of restaurants at varying price points. Bardstown Road is another foodie haven. It's hard to make suggestions, not knowing your preferences, but Louisville is fast becoming well known for good food. You might just Google Louisville food and see what looks good to you. I like the Uptown Cafe on Bardstown Road, but I'm not in your age group. A breakfast place we like (open til 2:00 pm) is Wild Eggs that has just opened a new restaurant downtown.

ChristieP

Here's the ticket part of CD's website: http://www.churchilldowns.com/tickets

I agree that driving around the farms in Lexigton is lovely. If you make an appointment, you can visit some of the farms' stallions. Does he have a favorite retired rachehorse that he'd like to see? Another farm option is Old Friends, which is a retirement farm. http://www.oldfriendsequine.org/

I've never heard of Old Rip Van Winkle distillery, but I have been to Woodford Reserve and was thoroughly impressed. It is a group tour, but it's very informative and their operation is said to be the most authentic on the Trail. No, it's not like wine tasting; each distillery just gives you one shot glass of bourbon to sample. so, you should be fine to drive yourselves.

BigRuss

Uh, early May is the Derby. Unless you have tickets in hand, good luck with visiting the track. If you have tickets, go get yourself a seriously big hat.

The Van Winkle production is at Buffalo Trace Distillery in Frankfort (which is the real answer to "how do you pronounce the capital of Kentucky?").
https://www.buffalotracedistillery.c...t-us/our-tours

lukehead

Bookmarking.