Kentucky Before the Derby: Horses, Bourbon & Inclusive Travel

Tour Dates: April 21-26, 2027
Tour Arrival: Wednesday, April 21, 2027 – Arrive at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Tour Departure: Monday, April 26, 2027 – Depart from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport (SDF) for Global Media Marketplace in Bentonville, Arkansas
Cities/Towns Visited: Covington, Lexington and Louisville

Experience Kentucky just before the 153rd running of the Kentucky Derby through a unique combination of horses, bourbon, culture and inclusive travel. Beginning in Covington, the journey introduces travelers to Northern Kentucky before continuing to Lexington, where the state’s celebrated horse culture comes to life through Keeneland racing and a Kentucky horse farm experience.

The tour then continues to Louisville, pairing iconic Kentucky traditions with a forward-looking approach to accessibility. Visit the newly-opened Dot Experience, the world’s first fully inclusive museum, designed from the ground up to be completely accessible through , touch, sound, braille, and American Sign Language (ASL). Tour The Muhammad Ali Center, dedicated to the legendary athlete’s life, activism, and humanitarian legacy. Throughout the trip, experiences at distilleries along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail connect travelers with one of the state’s most recognized traditions. Together, the itinerary showcases a Kentucky that celebrates its icons while creating more welcoming and accessible experiences for everyone.

Destination Highlights:

Covington – “Gateway to Northern Kentucky”
Two nights in Covington begin the journey in Northern Kentucky, providing an introduction to the state before travelers continue south into Kentucky’s horse country and on to Louisville.

Lexington – “At the Heart of Horse Country”
Lexington puts Kentucky’s equestrian traditions at the center of the experience. A visit to Keeneland and a tour of a Kentucky horse farm offer hands-on opportunities to experience the people, places and traditions behind the state’s internationally recognized horse culture.

Louisville – “Icons & Inclusive Experiences”
Louisville brings together Kentucky culture and a new approach to accessible tourism. The Dot Experience highlights inclusive design through tactile exhibits, braille, ASL, visual descriptions and accessible pathways, while the Muhammad Ali Center, dedicated to one of Kentucky’s most globally recognized figures, details Ali’s legacy of creating change, pursuing justice and inspiring greatness.

Bourbon

Kentucky’s bourbon tradition provides one of the defining threads of the journey.

Kentucky Bourbon Trail
An experience along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail connects visitors with one of the state’s signature industries and offers an opportunity to explore the traditions and craftsmanship behind Kentucky bourbon.

Horses and Racing

Keeneland
Experience Kentucky racing at Keeneland, a premier Thoroughbred racing facility and the world’s largest horse auction house, while also learning about the venue’s accessibility initiatives, bringing together one of the state’s most iconic traditions with the tour’s broader focus on inclusive travel.

Kentucky Horse Farm
A horse farm experience provides a closer look at the equestrian culture that has helped make Kentucky famous around the world.

Arts, Culture and Inclusive Travel

The Dot Experience
The Dot Experience in Louisville is a central part of the itinerary’s inclusive travel story. Opened in Ocotber 2026, , the museum was designed with tactile exhibits, braille, ASL, visual descriptions and accessible pathways built into the experience from the beginning.

Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center adds another cultural dimension to the Louisville portion of the journey, connecting visitors with the legacy of one of Kentucky’s most internationally recognized figures.

Story Ideas

  1. Kentucky Before the Derby: Horses, Bourbon & a Warm Welcome for All
    Explore Kentucky just before Derby through racing, horse country, bourbon and experiences designed with accessibility in mind. This epicenter of American thoroughbred breeding and horse racing is a showcase of Southern society and sportsmanship.
  2. Beyond the Finish Line: Accessibility at Keeneland
    Look at how one of Kentucky’s signature racing experiences is incorporating accessibility initiatives alongside its celebrated equestrian traditions.
  3. Inside The Dot Experience: Rethinking the Museum Experience
     Sit beside a piano once played by Stevie Wonder, trace the dots of Louis Braille’s alphabet, and discover the stories of many others who may be lesser known but continue to shape our world. This one-of-kind museum is a tactile-first journey into the human experience—where no artifact is off limits and no discovery is out of reach.
  4. Horse Country Up Close: From Keeneland to the Farm
    Experience two sides of Kentucky’s equestrian culture through racing at Keeneland and a behind-the-scenes look at a Kentucky horse farm.
  5. Bourbon Before Derby: Tasting a Kentucky Tradition
    Follow the Kentucky Bourbon Trail and explore the craftsmanship and traditions behind one of the state’s most recognizable products.

Limited spots are available, and these global media fams are offered first-come, first-serve. Don’t delay – contact your recruiter today to begin your exploration of Kentucky.