Discover the allure of Kentucky’s equine heritage at Churchill Downs, home of the prestigious Kentucky Derby, before delving into the rolling hills of Bourbon Country. Savor tastings at renowned distilleries, where the art of crafting Kentucky’s signature bourbon unfolds against a backdrop of scenic landscapes.
- Trolley Tour of Louisville
- Kentucky Derby Museum
- Watch the horses race at Churchill Downs
- Enjoy Bourbon tastings and learn about its history
- Visit a renowned thoroughbred horse farm
- Visit Warm Springs Ranch, one of the home facilities of the Budweiser Clydesdale Horses
DAY 1: WARM SPRINGS RANCH/ST. LOUIS
Visit the home of the famous Budweiser Clydesdales at Warm Springs Ranch, where over 70 horses from foals to stallions live in first class accommodations. Continue to St. Louis for an overnight stay. D
DAY 2: WELCOME TO KENTUCKY!
Visit the Bluegrass State, celebrated for its verdant scenery and rich cultural legacy. Begin your journey at the Frazier History Museum and Kentucky Bourbon Trail Welcome Center, known as “where the world meets Kentucky.” After immersing yourself in the Spirit of Kentucky, savor a sample taste of the drink this state is known for. Settle in for a leisurely stay, unpacking your bags for a comfortable three-night stay at the Embassy Suites, located in the heart of downtown Louisville. D
DAY 3: IT’S MY DERBY DAY!
This morning board a private narrated trolley tour of “Derby City.” At the Kentucky Derby Museum, take your time to peruse the exhibits that chronicle the fascinating story of how the Kentucky Derby began, reaching back to the first race in 1875. Ladies, don your hats and gentlemen, wear your blazers; it’s off to the races! As you hear the iconic “Call to the Post,” watch the jockeys and horses line up, and get ready for an exhilarating live racing experience at Churchill Downs. B, D
DAY 4: BOURBON COUNTRY
Enjoy a scenic drive through Kentucky’s countryside and explore one of the region’s renowned thoroughbred horse farms to see the inside story on how these animals live. Take a behind-the-scenes tour of how bourbon is made at an esteemed distillery and learn how “Kentucky Gold,” became one of America’s favorite spirits. B, L
DAY 5: HOME
As we journey home, we carry with us memories of the rich cultural heritage we explored in the Bluegrass State. B
ACCOMMODATIONS:
Night 1: Holiday Inn Route 66, St. Louis, MO
Nights 2-5: Embassy Suites, Louisville, KY
Dates
- Depart: June 9, 2025
- Return: June 13, 2025
AND
- Depart: September 22, 2025
- Return: September 26, 2025
Price Per Person
- Double $1,359
- Triple/Quad $1,249
- Single $1,729
Helpful Hints
After tasting a sample of bourbon at the Frazier History Museum, proceed to the gift shop, which sells over 90 different brands of Bourbon.
The Kentucky Derby Museum is a captivating destination for those passionate about horse racing, preserving the rich legacy of the Kentucky Derby and Thoroughbred racing. Among its most notable collections are items belonging to famed trainer D. Wayne Lukas and celebrated jockey Bill Shoemaker. The museum features an array of artifacts, such as trophies, awards, photographs, and artwork, tracing the sport’s history back to the 1840s. It also showcases memorabilia from the early days of Churchill Downs and the very first Kentucky Derby held in 1875, offering visitors a deep dive into this storied event.
Top off your experience at Churchill Downs by personally designing your very own hat or fascinator!
Here are a few fun facts about Churchill Downs:
- Meriwether Lewis Clark, Jr. was the founder of the Louisville Jockey Club and the builder of Churchill Downs. He was also the grandson of explorer, General William Clark of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
- The First ever Kentucky Derby, in 1875, had just 15 horses and purse of $2850.00. The winning horse was named Aristides.
- In 1986, Churchill Downs was designated as a National Historic Landmark due to its significance in American culture and horse racing history.
Weather
April - Average temps in the high 80s
December - Average temps in the mid 70s
Attire Note
Gentlemen, don your sportcoats and ladies, bring a special hat to dress up for Churchill Downs! (Not required, but highly encouraged)
Other General Information
We will send 3 key communications for your tour; “Get Ready” is your email confirmation and initial tour information sent upon registration, “Get Set” email will be sent about two months before departure, “Go” trip documentation mailing is sent via USPS 3-4 weeks before departure and will include your daily itinerary, luggage tags and final departure information.
Travel Protection is optional and highly recommended and can be purchased until the day before departure. We offer Travel Guard from AIG, which costs 8.5% of your tour, information about which will be sent with your Get Ready email.
Unless otherwise noted, your Sunrise Tour includes: Professional Sunrise Tour Director, meals as indicated, local step on guides including gratuity (international tour guide gratuity inclusion vary by tour), deluxe motorcoach transportation w/rest room, admission to activities and events as indicated, airfare from designated airports, transportation to/from designated airports from our convenient local pickup points*, luggage handling at hotels when available
We believe tipping is a personal and discretionary interaction between our guests and our staff. A typical gratuity for your Sunrise Tour Director and motorcoach driver may be $5-$7per person, per day on tour. Sunrise Shuttle drivers appreciate gratuities (suggest $5 per person) for excellent service as well. Our staff will not solicit gratuities or pass out envelopes.
We are happy to offer refreshments on most motorcoach travel days on tour. We recommend you bring a refillable water bottle to maintain healthy hydration.
If less than 4 people request a pickup point, we may ask that you choose another pickup point from which to join your Sunrise Tour.
If you would like to join a tour from a city not listed as a departure point, we would love to have you along! Please discuss arrangements with our friendly reservation team. From a departure city not listed, typical airfare will be +$100 higher than our published fare for domestic tours, and +$200 for international tours.
If you have a TSA precheck or Airline Rewards numbers, you MUST give those numbers to our reservations team at least 60 days before departure, otherwise they may not be applied.
Preferred seating may not be available on group air. In some cases, seats are not assigned until the airport. Your tour fare includes an economy seat on the flight; it does not include seat selection. Seat upgrades may be available at an additional cost.
To help make our tours the most comfortable in the business, we limit Sunrise Tours motorcoaches to 80% capacity, or 44 passengers on a coach built for 55. We reserve the right to amend this practice.
Your Tour Director will rotate seats on the motorcoach each day of your tour. A single fare does not guarantee two seats on coach; you may be seated next to another friendly Sunrise Tours guest.
Terms and Conditions
Please refer to our policies HERE for more information on our terms and conditions.
