T H E B E S T O F
KENTUCKY
Springtime , particularly the first Saturday in May , is buzzing about in the state of Kentucky .
There is one main event that everyone here has been waiting for : The Kentucky Derby . Since 1875 , Churchill Downs has been a legendary racetrack known for everything from the Twin Spires to the classic Mint Julep .
The Kentucky Derby is the first race , and usually dubbed the most important of the Triple Crown , where it is followed by the Preakness Stakes and the Belmont Stakes races . The winning purse of the Kentucky Derby is 2 million dollars . The crowds are massive , as the race annually draws in nearly 200,000 people . Crowned as “ The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports ,” the race is known for being “ the longest continually held sporting event in the United States .”
If you can ’ t make it to Kentucky for the Derby , head to the Kentucky Derby Museum , where “ Every Day is Derby Day .” The Kentucky Derby Museum is constantly planning events to keep both visitors and locals satisfied . Interactive exhibits , lunches , historic walking tours , guided tours , media experiences , and up-close interactions and meetings with horses are all only a part of what the museum has to offer . Adult admission is around $ 15 . Plan your visit to the museum to experience a behind-the-scenes look at the races , as well as a more in-depth lesson of how the Kentucky Derby came to be .