Kentucky Derby Experience

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Easyriding

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Apr 27, 2011
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I am embarking on the Kentucky Derby next week and am looking for some advice from anyone who has been there before in an RV.  Mine is a 35ft Pace Arrow, and I have talked to two places, the Derby Expo Five for $400 for the two nights that looks like a party, and the Kentucky Expo/Fairgrounds that seems to be more of just a parking lot. 

any suggestions?

thx
 
Oooo I really hope someone has some experience here. My wife REALLY REALLY wants to see the Derby and I'd love to RV there!  If you get no responses please come back and post your experiences.
 
Easyriding said:
and the Kentucky Expo/Fairgrounds that seems to be more of just a parking lot.

Last summer during July we stayed at the  Kentucky Expo/Fairground parking lot as part of the  Good Sam rally.  It is level, it did  had a few places with electricity. We boon docked in record heat and humidity.  We ran  generator  24/7.  Good news is that the Kentucky Derby is VERY close by. $400 for two nights seems excessive until I thought about our stay in a parking lot next to the Las Vegas Motor Speedway during a Nascar Race in March.  Seems the  popular events can command  their price because we want to go there.  Find a way if it is your dream! 
 
The Fairgrounds is a parking lot but level and close to Churchill Downs.  In the past there have been shuttles from the fairgrounds to the Downs.

If you want to stay "where the action is" then that might be your best choice.  If you have a toad and want to commute there are some nice campgrounds within an hour of Louisville.  One is http://www.in.gov/dnr/parklake/2976.htm which has electric but no water hookups.  It's a nice campground but is about an hour away. 

Here are a couple in Clarksville, IN which is right across the Ohio River from L'ville.  I've not been to either of these so can't comment on them.

http://www.campindiana.com/Campgrounds/Add-More.html

http://www.campindiana.com/Campgrounds/Louisville.html

FYI:

The Ohio River is at flood stage so many of the events have been moved away from the water front but as far as I know the only casualty is the Steamboat Race which was to have been held on May 4th.  The long range weather forecasts are for showers on May 5 (Pegasus Parade), sunny & warm on May 6 (Oaks Day) and for the big day on May 7....cooler with showers late in the day. 

Have fun!!

 
I live in Louisville and work less than a mile from Churchill Downs.  You don't want to stay at the Expo Five.  That's nothing but a parking lot at an old flea market on the 7th Street Strip (which is strip club after strip club).  Not the best area of town and it's several miles from Churchill Downs.

The Fairgrounds are close and within walking distance, but there are few hookups.  It is level and safe.  You won't really have to worry about heat on the first Saturday of May as temps here are usually in the 70s at that point (it's been known to snow on Derby Day).

I'd recommend Grandma's RV Camp (if you can get a reservation).  It's about 20 miles south of downtown Louisville right off I-65.  It's maybe 20 minutes from the Downs.

http://www.grandmasrvcamping.net/

As mentioned earlier, there is a KOA across the bridge in Clarksville, Indiana, but it's a TINY cramped campground right next to the railroad tracks.  I wouldn't recommend it.  Be aware, on Derby Day they tend to shut down all roads so travel can be difficult.  The Fairgrounds might be your best bet.
 
Wow, that is GREAT information and you just helped me soooo much make a decision.  Thank you.  I will NOT stay at the Expo Five as they are the ones asking $400.  The Fairgrounds was only $30 a night with no hookups.  Seems like a easy decision i was leaning towards anyways.  The address i have for the Fairgrounds is 937 PHillips Lane Louisville, KY 40209. 

When i called, they didnt take reservations, and just said come down so i hope this is the right place.  if it isnt, please let me know. 

thanks again! 

 
The Kentucky Fair and Exposition Center (i.e. "Fairgrounds" to the locals) is a good bet.  They do charge $8 entry to the parking lot (in addition to the $30) each time you come and go.  It would be best to enter on Crittenden Drive (Gate 4) as there's probably less traffic there.  If you come in the main entrance from I-65/I-264 it will be a nightmare.  In fact, I'd even look at entering one of the gates on Preston Highway.  You'll probably be parked in area P:

http://www.kyfairexpo.org/images/Parking-Map-no-ADA-07-27-10.jpg

From there you can walk right out Gate 4, across to Central Avenue straight to Churchill Downs.  Do you have tickets for the Derby?  If not, you'll be stuck in the infield with a MOB of people (you may not see a horse but may see other interesting things).  After Derby is over, I'd recommend just staying put for the night as you won't be going anywhere for a while.  No coolers, chairs, umbrella's, basically nothing but yourself and what you're wearing is allowed inside.

I usually leave town on Derby Day ;D

Easyriding said:
Wow, that is GREAT information and you just helped me soooo much make a decision.  Thank you.  I will NOT stay at the Expo Five as they are the ones asking $400.  The Fairgrounds was only $30 a night with no hookups.  Seems like a easy decision i was leaning towards anyways.  The address i have for the Fairgrounds is 937 PHillips Lane Louisville, KY 40209. 

When i called, they didnt take reservations, and just said come down so i hope this is the right place.  if it isnt, please let me know. 

thanks again!
 
I'd recommend Grandma's RV Camp (if you can get a reservation).  It's about 20 miles south of downtown Louisville right off I-65.  It's maybe 20 minutes from the Downs.

We stayed at Grandma's a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the stay there. If you are going to be in the area for a while it is nicely located between Louisville and Frankfort (where you can sample the bourbon distilleries in the area 8) )
 
Hmm, not quite in between Louisville and Frankfort, more between Louisville and Elizabethtown. 

BernieD said:
We stayed at Grandma's a couple of years ago and really enjoyed the stay there. If you are going to be in the area for a while it is nicely located between Louisville and Frankfort (where you can sample the bourbon distilleries in the area 8) )
 
Mark

Thanks for the correction. I guess I was too busy sampling the products at the distilleries to remember the geography ;D
 
"I usually leave town on Derby Day ;D"

Love it ;D - That's usually what we do when there's a big event nearby!

That goes for most 3-day holidays, when we stay at home - too many 'amateur' drivers on the road!  ???
 
The highlight of our tour of Churchill Downs was lunch at Wagner's Pharmacy nearby.  It's a true horseman's hangout.

Margi
 
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