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Kentucky Derby Now Scheduled for September 5th
Coming to Louisville for the Kentucky Derby in 2020? Add a bourbon distillery or horse farm tour to your Derby weekend.
Mint Julep Experiences has been Kentucky’s leading experiential tour provider for more than 11 years. As a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame inductee, the family-owned tour operator has created immersive and fun Derby adventures for more than a decade incorporating Kentucky’s best destinations. See historic Derby landmarks, iconic horse farms, Kentucky’s best bourbon distilleries, Louisville’s finest restaurants and more on your Derby 2020 tour.
All experiences listed below depart from the Mint Julep Experiences Hub in Falls City Market at the Omni Louisville Hotel.
2020 Kentucky Derby Tours
Best of Kentucky Tour
Two of our favorite industries in one awesome tour! Visit a charming Kentucky horse farm in the morning to see future Derby stars and learn about Kentucky’s rich history with horse and horse racing. Enjoy a Southern specialty during lunch at a local restaurant and then travel in safe transportation with an expert guide to your next destination – Bourbon Country! You’ll tour a world-renown bourbon distillery plus get a bourbon tasting. The Best of Kentucky tour includes guided transportation, admissions for horse farm and distillery tours, lunch and bottled water. Available Sept. 2nd Sept. 3rd, Sept. 4th, Sept. 5th and Sept. 7th. Departure time and pricing varies by date.
Horse Country Tour
You’re in Kentucky for a horse race, so let’s dive into the Bluegrass State’s horse traditions! On the Horse Country tour, you’ll visit two Kentucky horse farms of our choice. You’ll get up-close access to foals and see world-class mares while learning about how Kentucky Derby contenders are born, raised and trained. Historic and charming horse farms have allowed Mint Julep Experiences guests to get in insider look at the thoroughbred industry in Kentucky. The Horse Country tour includes guided transportation, admissions for two horse farm tours, lunch and bottled water. Available Sept. 2nd, Sept. 3rd, Sept. 4th, and Sept. 6th. Departs at 9:15 AM and returns at 5:00 PM.
Bourbon Country Tour
Taste Kentucky bourbon and enjoy the beautiful Bluegrass landscape on the Bourbon Country tour. We’ll travel to two well-known bourbon distilleries for guided tours with bourbon tastings. Learn the history and traditions of bourbon in Kentucky and sip of our favorites along the way. The Bourbon Country tour includes guided transportation, admissions for two distillery tours with tastings, lunch and bottled water. Available Sept. 2nd, Sept. 3rd, Sept. 4th, and Sept. 6th. Departure time and pricing varies by date.
Special Derby Events & Parties
Mint Julep Sunset Social at Hermitage Farm
Mint Julep Experiences’ newest Derby party offering is an exclusive culinary and equine experience at Hermitage Farm. The Mint Julep Sunset Social is a elevated Derby 2020 experience visiting charming and history-filled Hermitage Farm just outside Louisville. Sip a welcome cocktail upon arrival and take a sunset tour of the Hermitage thoroughbred operation. Then build your own mint julep while hearing about stallions and mares in the stud barn from Hermitage’s stallion manager. Your experience continues with a family-style Southern meal created by locals chefs with farm-fresh Kentucky ingredients. The Mint Julep Sunset Social includes guided transportation from the Omni Louisville Hotel, welcome cocktail, sunset farm tour and Q&A, mint julep cocktail and family-style meal. Available the Thursday, September 3rd, the night before Derby (after Thurby) for $355 per person. Departs at 6:15 PM and returns at 10 PM.
Derby Eve Bourbon & BBQ Throwdown at Jim Beam Distillery
Ditch the high heels and black ties for a Derby Eve Throwdown at the world-famous Jim Beam Distillery. Travel to the world-renowned Jim Beam Distillery for Mint Julep’s newest Derby Eve event! This Derby experience includes guided transportation, after-hours tour and tasting at Jim Beam, two cocktails, a Southern-style BBQ feast and live music. The Mint Julep Derb Eve event will be Friday, September 4th. Transportation to the event will depart from the Omni Hotel in downtown Louisville at 5:15 p.m. and return at 10 p.m.
Custom Derby Tours & Churchill Downs Transportation
Customized Derby Itineraries
Design your day with the help of our team of Derby experts! We can build customized itineraries to Kentucky bourbon distilleries, horse farms, restaurants, cocktail bars and more on your private experience. Groups of all sizes enjoy our exclusive partnerships of at distilleries and other destinations on custom tours.
Derby Day Shuttle: Churchill Downs Transportation
Skip the lines, beat the traffic and save your feet by taking a Derby Day Shuttle to Churchill Downs from Downtown Louisville, powered by Mint Julep Experiences. Vehicles have preferred onsite access and parking at Churchill Downs, so you’ll be dropped off steps away from the entrance.
The shuttle will depart from the Mint Julep Hub in Falls City Market at the Omni Louisville Hotel. Along with guaranteed departure times, there will be a Mint Julep host on board as well as bottled water, ice and air-conditioning. Departing at 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., returning to the Omni at 8:30 p.m.
