The real Southern experience isn’t all sweet tea and bluegrass, and a trip to Kentucky will give you a taste of traditions that have brought life to the state for hundreds of years. Two of the state’s most famous experiences are the Kentucky Derby tours Bourbon Trail tours. These renowned destinations go far beyond indicating a sense of the culture of the Bluegrass State, drawing thousands of visitors to these well-preserved locations each year in search of a genuine Kentucky welcome. Whether on the track or the rocks, learning about these staples as a local will give you a deeper, more memorable experience.

The Kentucky Derby, nicknamed “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” takes place each year at Churchill Downs in Louisville since 1875. It is the premier horse racing event of the year, and the first leg of the Triple Crown, and is a mix of Pageantry and tradition. Townspeople begin preparing weeks in advance, hat shops bustle and restaurants tailor Derby-themed menus. For those riding on the tour, the grandstand seat is something more than a waiting game. Such tours may include historical perspectives on Churchill Downs, trips to the Kentucky Derby Museum and sometimes even trips behind the scenes where horses train, and jockeys prepare to race. The level of detail in these curated experiences makes visitors feel like they’ve seen the Derby from an insider’s point of view.

Marrying the Derby with the Bourbon Trail makes perfect sense. Ninety-five percent of the world’s bourbon is made in Kentucky, which is how the state got its nickname as the bourbon capital of the world; the hot summers and cold winters that are a product of its climate are perfect for bourbon aging. The Kentucky Bourbon Trail is made up of over 40 distilleries, including names you’ve heard of (like Maker’s Mark and Jim Beam) as well as tiny craft producers (Willett, Rabbit Hole). There, these distilleries offer tastings, production tours, and workshops exploring the chemistry and aging of bourbon production.

When embarking on Kentucky Derby tours Bourbon Trail combo, it’s a matter of course that you’ll want to know a little about the technical side of bourbon. By law, bourbon must be produced in the U.S., have at least 51% corn in the mash, age in new charred oak barrels and be distilled to no more than 160 proof. In Kentucky, the water is rich in limestone, the type that is particularly common around Bardstown and Frankfort, where the limestone-rich water source provides naturally filtered and perfect-for-bourbon smoothness to the spirit. Now, distilleries throughout the state have capitalized on this unique distinction, blending age-old methods with modern distillery practices.

What really sets a local-style experience apart, is the slower pace and deeper connection. Instead of the frantic dash from distillery to distillery or the frantic Derby Day decision, the locals like to make a whole week of it. They travel scenic drives in Central Kentucky, visit small towns with deep histories and eat at local favorites where the recipes have been handed down for generations. Plenty of them will visit the prep races and smaller festivities surrounding the Derby like the Pegasus Parade or Thunder Over Louisville.

There are lots of benefits to traveling Kentucky like a local. You eschew the top layer and instead you go for the raw, true essence of the place. You’ll be able to have conversations with master distillers, listen to personal tales about Derby winners of the past, and maybe even see a sunrise as it creeps over a peaceful, fog-covered horse farm. There’s an educational component, too — such tours often offer a fascinating education on both the sport of horse racing and the science of bourbon production. For example, understanding how aging in various rickhouse positions or mash bills can impact flavor profiles can expose you to nuances of bourbon that go far beyond a casual tasting.

When visiting the central part of the trip what a full and memorable tour combining beautiful rural countryside, tasting and cultural pitstops?! Heritage, hospitality, and sensory adventure co-exist in Kentucky for visitors from throughout the USA. Whether you are watching the horses break from the gate at Churchill Downs or sipping a single-barrel bourbon in a quiet tasting room, the history of Steeplechase City is all around you.

In summary, the best way to enjoy Kentucky is by participating in the Kentucky Derby tours Bourbon Trail experiences like a native. You do that and everything you’re tasting is also reflecting the soul of the state.” Dive into the pageantry of the Derby and the precision of whiskey-making, in other words, and you’ve got a window onto the soul of the state. Take it slow, enjoy the ride and let Kentucky charm you with its culture.