Starr Tours & Charters

Kentucky Derby: America's Greatest Race

Kentucky Derby; Photo Courtesy of Greater Louisville CVB
Kentucky Derby; Photo Courtesy of Greater Louisville CVB Kentucky Derby; Photo Credit Lee Burchfield Spirit of Jefferson; Credit Louisville, KY Pegasus Parade; Credit Louisville CVB

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800-782-7703

Mon – Fri, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM EST

Join us for America's Greatest Race and cross this lifelong dream off your bucket list! Experience Churchill Downs on Derby day and have the time of your life!

Duration:

6 Days/5 Nights

Meals Included:

5 Breakfasts, 1 Lunch, 2 Dinners

Rates:

$2,199.95 Per Person

NOTE: Itinerary subject to change

Day 1:
Travel to Dublin, OH
Lunch on own
One overnight at Drury Inn & Suites Northwest, Dublin, OH
Dinner on own

Note: First coach will stay at Drury Inn & Suites Northwest Dublin Ohio and Second coach will stay at Drury Inn Grove City Ohio

Day 2:
Breakfast at hotel
Check out
Travel to La Grange, KY
Lunch on own en route
Three overnights at Quality Suites, La Grange, KY
Visit the Jeptha Creed Distillery for an evening of Bourbon, Barbecue Dinner and Country Music

Day 3:
Breakfast at hotel
Travel to Louisville, KY
Admission to the Louisville Slugger Museum
Tour The Hermitage Thoroughbred Nursery
Lunch included at Claudia Sanders Dinner House
Visit Undulata Farms
Shop at the Derby Hat Boutique
Enjoy an "Off To The Races" Dinner featuring Kentucky favorites and evening entertainment

Day 4:
Breakfast at hotel
Travel to Louisville, KY
Derby Day Riverboat Race aboard the Mary M. Miller or Belle of Louisville
Admission to the 144th Kentucky Derby (Reserved seating/first floor Grandstand seats on the home stretch).
Lunch on own
Dinner on own

Day 5:
Breakfast at hotel
Check out
Travel to Pittsburgh, PA
Lunch on own en route
One overnight at Doubletree Green Tree Hotel
Dinner on own

Day 6:
Breakfast at hotel
Check out
Travel home
Lunch on own en route

Every Starr trip includes deluxe motorcoach transportation and overnight accommodations.
144th Kentucky Derby
Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack, has conducted thoroughbred racing and presented America's greatest race, the Kentucky Derby, continuously since 1875.

Don your sporty outfits and Derby hats! Walk between the twin spires of Churchill Downs and get ready for an action packed day at the 143rd Kentucky Derby.

Enjoy people watching, sample a mint julep, and place a few bets! This is one of the world's greatest and most celebrated sporting events and you are on hand to experience it all!

Reserved Seating - 1st floor Grandstand seats on the home stretch at the Derby. Bleacher seating/no backs.

Parking is in a remote lot and you must be capable of walking to enjoy this trip!
Check the weather before traveling to Louisville, so that you are prepared with climate-appropriate attire. Sunscreen & packable poncho is suggested (if calling for rain) as no umbrellas are permitted.

While ATM's are plentiful throughout our facility, lines can be long at peak wagering times. One "pro tip" our veteran Derby attendees have shared with us is to bring plenty of cash. It will save you time and allow you to place your bets more quickly. Please note: due to state law, bets may not be placed using a credit card.

At the Kentucky Derby Venue:

Permitted Items:
Food items in clear plastic bags (maximum size 18"x18", water and soft drinks - plastic bottles only (sealed, clear and unopened), purses no larger than 12" in any dimension (subject to search), small cameras - none equipped with detachable lenses or lenses of 6" or more, binoculars, sunscreen (non-glass containers only), small personal music systems, radios and televisions, cellular phones, smartphones and tablets, seat cushions smaller than 15"x15" that do not contain metal arms and/or backs, zippers, pockets, or flaps.

Prohibited Items:
Coolers (styrofoam coolers, ice available at infield purchase points), CANS (any size or type), glass bottles or containers, POP UP OR PATRON TENTS - no poles or stakes of any kind, laptop computers & camcorders, cameras with detachable lenses, or equipped with a lens that is 6" or longer, tripods, selfie sticks, purses larger than 12" in any dimension, alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, thermoses, backpacks, luggage (includes briefcases), duffel bags, umbrellas, weapons (including knives).

Undulata Farm, an American Saddlebred Horse Farm
Visit & Tour Undulata Farm, a private residence and horse training farm. Enjoy a tour of the first two floors of the family home, the horse training facility and actually see training in progress.

Off To The Races Dinner
This evening's "Off to the Races" dinner is a feature event as we partner with the Kentucky Derby Museum at a local banquet hall. The meal is a special "Taste of Kentucky" menu. A plated meal of renowned Kentucky favorites complimented with Derby Pie for dessert.

Your meal is accompanied by live music, suitable for a special evening. Then the Derby Museum's Master of Ceremonies takes over with Derby Racing fun. There will be three pre-recorded horse races that will be projected on the big screen. Each person will have a race program and a stack of play money with which to wager at the row of Betting Windows in the back of the room.

Consider this a warm up to the big race tomorrow. A practice session. It's a chance to make few bets, cheer for a favorite, and share a few laughs. You will be rolling in the aisles with fun. When each race is over, there's time to cash in winnings and make fresh bets while the music continues.

Derby Day Riverboat Cruise
Enjoy the Derby Day Riverboat Race. Climb aboard the Mary M. Miller or Belle of Louisville. It doesn't get any better than this!

While cruising the Ohio River, experts will provide a few insider tips on the Derby Race. Learn about the horses, how they run in different conditions, who has the post and what that means, plus information on the trainers, their Derby History and more. You'll also enjoy a seminar on how to place a real bet at Churchill Downs.

At the end of the "How to Bet" lesson, our two private Sternwheelers will turn downstream with those big red paddlewheels kicking up a feather trail of whitewater as they race each other back to Louisville. We encourage you to place a creative bet or two with your travel partners.

Fully heated and air conditioned, concession stand and bar, dance floor, stage, full on-board sound system, indoor & outdoor seating.

Jeptha Creed Distillery
Visit the Jeptha Creed Distillery, a new, craft farm distillery making bourbon, moonshine and vodka the old fashioned way from the ground to the glass.

Enjoy an evening on the patio with a Barbecue dinner and live Country Music.

Enjoy dancing and distillery tours as well as a bourbon tasting opportunity.

Louisville Slugger Museum
You don�t have to be a baseball fan to love Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. It�s iconic, it�s linked to legends and it is one of Louisville�s best known tourist attractions.
See the actual bats swung by legendary sluggers such as Ty Cobb, Lou Gehrig, Pete Rose, Joe Dimaggio & Henry Aaron at this interactive museum.

Baseball is such a big part of American history and culture even those who don�t think they�re fans will find a connection here.

The Hermitage Thoroughbred Nursery
Hermitage Farms is a world-class equine operation where champion thoroughbreds are born and nursed. Last January the broodmares here gave birth to 40 foals. You will see next year's babies at the age of 4 or 5 months. These soon to be racehorses will just be learning to run. Your guides will talk about them and about the Farm's past babies that grew into champions including winners of the Kentucky Derby, Kentucky Oaks, Breeders' Cup and more than 200 other stakes races.

Claudia Sanders Dinner House
Enjoy lunch at Claudia Sanders Dinner House, the first restaurant owned by the Colonel and his wife Claudia.
In addition to your meal, you will find the local ladies have opened a derby hat boutique with a wide selection of hats and accessories. If you forgot to bring a hat or you�re seeking to improve the one have, this will be an interesting lunch!

Derby Hat Boutique
Visit the Derby Hat Boutique where you can buy hats and accessories for both Men & Women. Having just the right Derby Hat, with the right accessories is a very important part of the Kentucky Derby Experience, you have to dress for the Win, Place and Show!

Accommodations Day 1: Drury Inn & Suites, Grove City, OH (For Coach #1)

The Drury Inn features an indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpool, and fitness center.
The hotel serves full hot breakfast each morning and a 5:30pm Kickback with complimentary hot food and cold beverages. Chicken strips, egg rolls, charbroiled meatballs, beer, wine and mixed drinks are just the beginning.

Guest Rooms feature hairdryer, iron/board, coffeemaker, microwave & refrigerator.

Bob Evans and Texas Roadhouse are adjacent to hotel. Several other restaurants are located across the street.

Coach #2 will stay at Drury Inn Grove City

The Drury Inn features an indoor/outdoor pool, whirlpool and fitness center, guest laundry and free Wi-Fi.

The hotel serves full hot breakfast each morning and the 5:30pm Kickback. A complimentary, rotating menu of fresh, hot food and beer, wine, mixed drinks and soft drinks are served every day.

Guest Rooms feature hairdryer, iron/board, coffeemaker, microwave & refrigerator.

Bob Evans and Texas Roadhouse are adjacent to hotel. Several other restaurants are located across the street.

Accommodations Day 2, 3 & 4: Quality Suites, La Grange, KY

The Quality Inn La Grange offers an indoor pool, Free WiFi and Fitness center.

Guest rooms feature a refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, hair dryer, iron and ironing board

Accommodations Day 5: Doubletree Green Tree Hotel, Pittsburgh, PA

Experience the newly renovated DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Pittsburgh - Green Tree. Enjoy chocolate chip cookies and a warm welcome always. Set on the south side and only 3 miles from downtown hotel features indoor/outdoor pool and fitness center.

Visit Seasons Restaurant for breakfast, lunch or dinner and enjoy American dinner classics executed with local flair. Unwind with a cocktail at Champions Lounge or grab a bite and catch-up on entertainment and sports. The Marketplace Bistro offers a casual dining experience.

Guest rooms are well appointed and include a Sweet Dreams by Doubletree king size bed, cable television with premium channels, wireless internet, hair dryer, iron and ironing board, coffee maker, clock radio, and voice mail. All rooms feature a working desk and ergonomic office chair.

Rollaway beds are not allowed in rooms.

-This tour requires a great deal of walking.

Travel Protection is recommended through The National Tour Association's (NTA) Travel Protection Plan administered by AON Affinity.
For more information or to purchase, call 800-388-1470 or log onto: nta.aontravelprotect.com
Starr's Tour Operator location # is 306035.

Please note special policies for this tour:
Deposit: $400 per person
Special cancellation policies:
If you cancel 8/15/17-1/11/18; $150 per person penalty
If you cancel 1/12/18-2/11/18; $400 per person penalty.
-Final payment is due (and is non-refundable) on 2/11/18.

The size and energy of the crowd at the Kentucky Derby is a huge part of the event's appeal. With on track attendance of over 150,000 people, the Kentucky Derby is significantly larger than comparable sports events such as the Super Bowl, the World Series, or the NCAA Final Four.

Reserved Seating - 1st floor Grandstand seats on the home stretch at the Derby. These are bleacher seats/no backs.

Parking is in a remote lot and you must be capable of walking to enjoy this trip! Plan on walking at least 1 mile from the motorcoach to the venue.

Check the weather before traveling to Louisville, so that you are prepared with climate-appropriate attire. Sunscreen & packable poncho is suggested (if calling for rain) as no umbrellas are permitted.

While ATM's are plentiful throughout the facility, lines can be long at peak wagering times. One "pro tip" our veteran Derby attendees have shared with us is to bring plenty of cash. It will save you time and allow you to place your bets more quickly. Please note: due to state law, bets may not be placed using a credit card.

At the Kentucky Derby Venue:

Permitted Items:
Food items in clear plastic bags (maximum size 18"x18", water and soft drinks - plastic bottles only (sealed, clear and unopened), Purses, but none larger than 12" in any dimension (subject to search), small cameras - none equipped with detachable lenses or lenses of 6" or more, binoculars, sunscreen (non-glass containers only), small personal music systems, radios and televisions, cellular phones, smartphones and tablets, seat cushions smaller than 15"x15" that do not contain metal arms and/or backs, zippers, pockets, or flaps.

Prohibited Items:
Coolers (styrofoam coolers, ice available at infield purchase points), CANS (any size or type), glass bottles or containers, POP UP OR PATRON TENTS - no poles or stakes of any kind, laptop computers & camcorders, cameras with detachable lenses, or equipped with a lens that is 6" or longer, tripods, selfie sticks, Purses larger than 12" in any dimension, alcoholic beverages, illegal substances, thermoses, backpacks, luggage (includes briefcases), duffel bags, umbrellas, weapons (including knives).

-This tour requires a great deal of walking.

Parking is in a remote lot and you must be capable of walking to enjoy this trip. Plan on walking at least 1 mile from the motorcoach to the venue.

Please be aware that due to the size of the event and the historical nature of the facility, the track is not able to:
-Offer wheelchairs for rent
-Store wheelchairs of any kind due to limited space
-Offer wheelchair service in the Infield
-For safety and liability reasons, they cannot take wheelchairs off of property or into the parking lots

Starr has a select quantity of wheelchair accessible motorcoaches available; therefore, we suggest you contact a Travel Advisor to discuss any needs you may have before reserving your trip.

Important Tour Policies – Please review these important Starr policies prior to booking your trip:

Tour Protection   |   Cancellation Policy   |   General Tour Information