![\"Derby](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vweisfeld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Derby-Hat.jpg?resize=294%2C392\")
The first question everyone asked when they learned we were going to the Kentucky Derby this year was\u2014\u201cDo you have a hat?!\u201d Yes, I did, and here\u2019s the photo to prove it! It was like wearing a dinner plate on the side of my head.<\/p>\n
Unlike the unlucky folks who didn\u2019t spring for under-cover seating, we were nice and dry, even though the May 5 race was the wettest Derby on record, by far. Our seats were great\u2014right across from the winner\u2019s circle and in full view of the finish line.<\/p>\n
Given the television coverage, which we watch year after year, mint julep in hand, we were prepared for the elegant hats, the snazzy men\u2019s suits, even Johnny Weir. But we were surprised Churchill Downs\u2019s food options aren\u2019t any better than those at our local AAA baseball team. Our Derby package came with a tent buffet (only so-so), and I pitied the patrons who had to depend on the track\u2019s concession stands. Though we\u2019d been warned off the premade mint juleps readily available, the one the bartender in the tent made from scratch was delicious.<\/p>\n
The Derby itself\u2014\u201cthe most exciting two minutes in sports\u201d\u2014was of course the pinnacle of the Louisville portion of our trip, but we saw lots of other sights in town, notably:<\/p>\n
![\"21C](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vweisfeld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/21C-Hotel-Art.jpg?resize=317%2C423\")
Art at the 21C Museum Hotel; photo: Vicki Weisfeld<\/p><\/div>\n
The Louisville Slugger<\/a> museum and a tour of the factory, which makes millions of baseball bats every year. Down Louisville\u2019s Main Street are plaques in the sidewalk commemorating key ball players, along with life-sized replicas of the bats they used. And here I thought if you\u2019ve seen one baseball bat, you\u2019ve seen them all.<\/li>\n Lexington horse farm; photo: Vicki Weisfeld<\/p><\/div>\n Where we fell short was on the Urban Bourbon Trail. We visited only three of the 40 or so bourbontastic watering holes included in our passport, and even forgot have it stamped in one of them. On a five-day visit, that performance would have to be judged weak.<\/p>\n Reading on the Go<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n When you travel to Kentucky, here are some books you might take along<\/a>.<\/p>\n Churchill Downs’s iconic twin spires; photo: Vicki Weisfeld<\/p><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The first question everyone asked when they learned we were going to the Kentucky Derby this year was\u2014\u201cDo you have a hat?!\u201d Yes, I did, and here\u2019s the photo to prove it! It was like wearing a dinner plate on … Continue reading ![\"Lexington](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vweisfeld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Lexington-horse-farm.jpg?resize=246%2C294\")
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![\"Churchill](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/vweisfeld.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Churchill-Downs.jpg?resize=584%2C438\")