KENTUCKY THUNDER

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 14 - TUESDAY, APRIL 20, 2027

HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: 2 Kickback Receptions • Hermitage Farm • Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin • Kentucky Derby Museum • Guided Tour of Churchill Downs • Mock Racing Activity • Starlight Distillery • VIP Winery and Distillery Production Tour with Signature Tasting • Waterfront Park • Thunder Over Louisville Air Show • Guided Driving Tour of Louisville • The DOT Experience • Stoneware & Co for a Paint-Your-Own Experience • Village Market Food Hall

EXCURSION INCLUDES: Luxury Motorcoach transportation • Six Nights Accommodations • 11 Meals Included (6 Breakfasts, 3 Lunches, 2 Dinners) • All Taxes & Gratuities • Scenic Excursions Tour Host/Hostess

PRICE PER PERSON:

$2,969.00 - Double - $2,919.00

$2,684.00 - Triple - $2,634.00

$3,829.00 - Single - $3,779.00

BOOK BEFORE DECEMBER 31, 2026 AND SAVE $50 PER PERSON. 

FINAL PAYMENT DUE 75 DAYS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE - 1/29/2027

TRAVEL PROTECTION & TERMS AND CONDITIONS:

Travel protection is available to help protect your investment, your belongings and most importantly, you. The full plan details can be viewed under About / Travel Protection Plan. Rates are per person and based on the excursion price. To purchase travel protection click here.

Use Tour Operator Location #326296 - this is needed to link protection to the tour package. Complete basic information, review and choose what plan is best for you. After reviewing, you may choose the plan that suits your needs. 

Basic plan can be purchased at any time. Enhanced plan covers pre-existing conditions and must be purchased within 14 days of deposit of your tour.  Pricing subject to change based on insurance company premiums / costs.

Terms & Conditions: We encourage you to review our Terms & Conditions for important information regarding reservations, payments, cancellations, refunds, travel protection, and more. 

Click here to view Scenic Excursions' Terms & Conditions

TENTATIVE ITINERARY:

Day One – Depart Rochester, NY. Check into Drury Inn & Suites Columbus Grove City and enjoy a kickback reception.

Day Two – Enjoy included breakfast at the hotel and check out. Board and depart for Hermitage Farm for included lunch bourbon tasting. Tour the farm! Experience a closer look at the inner workings of an operational Thoroughbred Nursery. Their tours guide you through Hermitage Farm’s illustrious history in the equine industry. Check into Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu. Receive your Kentucky Derby Festival Pegasus Pin at check in. Your Pegasus Pin will grant you free access to the Waterfront Park on 4/17 & its festivities. Explore Nulu and have dinner on your own this evening. Louisville's NuLu (East Market District) was named a top 10 winner in the USA Today 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards for Best Arts District in 2026, ranking at No. 7. Known for its vibrant murals, art galleries, local boutiques, and acclaimed restaurants, the district moved up from its No. 8 spot in 2025, highlighting its growing national reputation.

Day Three – Enjoy included breakfast at the hotel. Board and depart. Arrive at the Kentucky Derby Museum one of Louisville's top attractions and experience the thrill of the Kentucky Derby year-round at Kentucky Derby Museum. Arrive at the iconic Kentucky Derby Museum, where your visit begins with a 25-minute guided tour of historic Churchill Downs. Because your group will be visiting in the morning, you'll have an excellent chance to see thoroughbred racehorses during their morning workouts—a memorable glimpse into the daily routine of these incredible athletes. Following the track tour, return to the Kentucky Derby Museum to explore two floors of engaging, self-guided interactive exhibits. Your visit also includes The Greatest Race, an immersive 360-degree media experience that brings the excitement, history, and tradition of the Kentucky Derby to life. Continue the fun with the museum's interactive Hatitude activity, where you'll design and create your own Kentucky Derby hat to wear and take home as a unique souvenir. Wrap up your visit with a lively Mock Racing Activity. Experience the thrill of Derby Day wagering in a fun, risk-free environment as you learn how to read a racing program, understand handicapping, and place mock bets using $5,000 in "horsey bucks." Complete with live tellers, betting windows, and prizes, this interactive experience is sure to spark friendly competition and leave everyone feeling like a Derby insider. Enjoy an included Kentucky-style lunch at the museum. Tonight, arrive at Starlight Distillery for a VIP Winery and Distillery Production Tour with Signature Tasting. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the family-farmed, -operated, and -led distillery that has handcrafted exceptional spirits for seven generations. Enjoy included dinner at the distillery.

Day Four – Enjoy included breakfast. Waterfront Park opens—the heart of the Thunder festivities—is just a short four-block walk from the hotel. Guests are welcome to visit the festival grounds and return to the rooftop at their leisure using their wristbands. Your Pegasus Pin will grant you free access to the park & its festivities. Lunch on your own at the park or downtown near the hotel. Event check in & Rooftop access begins. Experience one of Louisville's most spectacular annual events from the rooftop of the High Stakes Rooftop Grill, located atop the Tempo by Hilton Louisville Downtown NuLu. Your Thunder Over Louisville experience begins at the High Stakes Rooftop Grill. Upon arrival, you'll receive a wristband providing unlimited in-and-out access to the rooftop throughout the event. Each guest will also receive one complimentary alcoholic beverage with a drink ticket. The Thunder Over Louisville Air Show is expected to begin around 3:00pm, offering an exciting afternoon of aerial performances over the Ohio River. An included buffet dinner will be served at the High Stakes Rooftop Grill and is included with your event access. Fireworks Conclusion & Event End. The spectacular Thunder Over Louisville fireworks display is expected to conclude around 10:00 PM, marking the end of the evening's festivities.

Day Five – Meet your local Louisville tour guide for a guided driving tour of the city. Discover the charm and history of Louisville, Kentucky, on a guided tour through one of the South's most vibrant cities. Explore iconic landmarks, beautiful waterfront views along the Ohio River, and historic neighborhoods filled with unique architecture and local culture. Along the way, learn about Louisville's rich heritage, from its famous horse racing traditions and bourbon legacy to its thriving arts, music, and culinary scenes. After our guide departs, arrive at The Brown Hotel (335 W Broadway, Louisville, KY 40202) for a Hot Brown Luncheon. An iconic destination inextricably woven into the fabric of the city, The Brown Hotel is opulent yet approachable – like a fine Kentucky bourbon that never overwhelms you with its history but instead entertains you with a lifetime of colorful stories. The Hot Brown is a hot open-faced sandwich originally created at the Brown Hotel in Louisville, Kentucky. Arrive at The DOT Experience at the American Printing House for the Blind a factory tour and museum admission. The Dot Experience in Louisville, Kentucky, is the first accessible museum and inclusive attraction in the world to make every exhibit, image, and artifact accessible to everyone—including people who may not be able to see them. This one-of-kind Louisville attraction invites visitors of all ages and abilities to experience interactive exhibits, sensory experiences, and groundbreaking accessibility innovations. Enjoy the last evening to explore downtown Louisville’s culinary scene with dinner on your own.

Day Six – Enjoy included breakfast at the hotel and check out. Arrive at Stoneware & Co for a Paint-Your-Own Experience. Guests will have the opportunity to explore their creativity by painting a piece of authentic Louisville Stoneware pottery to create a unique souvenir of their visit. This product will need to be fired in the kiln and will be shipped back to the guests approx. 1 week post tour. Shipping included. Enjoy lunch on your own at Paristown in the Village Market Food Hall. The Village Market is Louisville's first collective food hall with 5 restaurant concepts, Jeff's Donuts, and a full bar under one roof, bringing the best of Louisville’s nationally recognized culinary scene to heart of Paristown. Enjoy a tasting tour at Uncle Boojies. A favorite of F Scott Fitzgerald. Uncle Boojie's is bourbon you can't find anywhere but Uncle Boojie's in Paristown. Enter into a speakeasy/1920's space, hear the stories behind the bourbon, and enjoy the cozy atmosphere next to the fireplace. Check into Drury Inn & Suites Dayton North.

Day Seven – Enjoy included breakfast at the hotel and check out. Board and depart for home.