Do you live in Louisville, Kentucky and plan to visit the Blue Grass State Park this year? If so, you may be wondering whether or not to purchase a parking pass. After all, you’ll be driving there soon enough, and the price may seem a little much. Is it worth it? Let’s take a quick look.
Parking At The Speedway
Many people will try to give you suggestions on how to spend your time while visiting Kentucky Speedway. Most of them will suggest you drive to the top of the hill and pay for parking. While that may be a viable option, there is an even better one: drive all the way down to the tunnel and find some free spaces on the way in. When you exit the tunnel, you’ll be facing the parking lot. Instead of having to search for a space, look for the red spots on both sides of the lot. They’re open parking spots, and they’re usually near the entrance to the racetrack. If you’re staying overnight, the lot will be your best friend. It’ll be far more convenient to park and walk to your hotel than it is to search for a spot down the road.
Getting A Good Place To Stay
The other option is to stay in one of the hotels that line the route before the race. This is where the real bargains can be found. You’ll find hotels with discounted rates if you call them well in advance. Doing so may also land you some fantastic dining options too. Booking a room at the Kentucky Hotel & Casino could result in some amazing savings.
The Downsides
Even when you arrive at the track, you won’t be parking cost-free. As with most things, there are some downsides to parking at the racetrack. First off, the walk from the parking lot to the entrance is a rather short one. However, the better choice is to avoid the walk altogether. There is a free trolley that will take you right to the entrance of the track. Hop on and off as you please, reading all the billboards along the way. The last stop will be right by the exit. From there, you can find a cab or walk to your hotel. Second, the lots fill up rather quick. The faster you drive, the faster you’ll find another space. Third, some of the parked cars are rather old and may require some maintenance. Lastly, there isn’t a whole lot of room to move around. Unless you want to go someplace else entirely, finding a parking spot at Kentucky Speedway is rather difficult. Luckily, none of these problems seem to keep the regulars away. Every year, thousands of people show up and park in the same spots as you. It looks chaotic at times, but that’s probably because there are so many cars. Just drive slowly and don’t hit the gas until you absolutely need to.
Overhead
Along with the cost of gas, parking is one of the major expenses you’ll incur when driving to the Kentucky Speedway. The good thing is that you won’t be carrying this expense all by yourself. It’s very likely that you’ll be in a car with other people. When you arrive at your parking spot and begin searching for a place to park, find the red parking spots on both sides of the road. These are the spots open for parking. If you see any signs or parking meters, you’ll know you’ve reached a paid parking area. Many people will suggest you park on the top of the hill. While this may not be the most economical option, it does have its perks. You’ll get a great view of the entire stadium from the top. When you arrive at the lot, look for a space near the entrance. These are the best spots because they’re close to the trolley stop. Also, be sure not to park in these spaces when the trolleybus comes. Letting other people cut in front of you may be acceptable, but don’t block the bus stop when there are children or elderly people around.
Summary
Is parking free at Kentucky Speedway? Most definitely! If you choose to park at the bottom of the hill, you may pay for gas but it’ll be totally worth it. The walk to the top may seem like a hassle, but it’s totally safe and there is rarely any police patrol near this area. The downside to parking at the top of the hill is the lack of parking spaces. It’s not unusual to find a spot at the bottom, especially on Sundays. This is when thousands of motorcycles descend upon the area. It’s a beautiful sight to behold, but may not be for faint-hearted souls.
Where Do I Stay?
Regardless of whether or not you decide to park at the top of the hill, you need to make your way to the track. Most people will tell you to stay at the top of the hill, close to the entrance. From there, you’ll have access to everything within the complex. If you want to save money, the other option is to stay at the Kentucky Hotel & Casino. It’s close to the track as well, but it’s still within the complex. You won’t be far from the action, but you may sleep in peace knowing the slots are far away.
What Am I Going To Eat?
When you plan to visit a racetrack, one of the first things you’ll want to do is figure out what you’ll eat. This will heavily depend on the time of day and whether or not you’re going to the track early in the morning or late at night. Eating places near the track will probably be crowded during the day. This is when you may opt for a cheap and cheerful café. The farther you drive from the track, the more expensive and fancy the places become. After all, there is a difference between driving to the stadium and staying there. The food may not be that great at the bottom of the hill, but it’ll be way better than somewhere far from the stadium. If you’re not picky and just want to spend less money, your best bet is to eat what the locals eat.
How Do I Get Tickets?
If you want to attend a Kentucky Derby or a NASCAR race, you’ll need to purchase tickets. You can either do this from the venue itself or online. From the venue, you may find it easier to visit the website or call the telephone number listed on the website. After you make the purchase, it’ll take a couple of days to arrive in the mail. You can’t pick them up at the venue unless you’re planning to arrive early. If you want to avoid any unpleasantries, arrive early and pick them up from the Will Call window. Even when you arrive late, there will still be people there to greet you with your tickets. It’s better to arrive before the gates open, so you can find a good seat. If you’re going online, you may search for “buy tickets Kentucky Derby” or “buy tickets NASCAR” to find the best deals. You may find that the prices online are often cheaper than at the venue. This is especially so if you’ve got a coupon code or are aware of some special offer. Keep an eye out for these things as you prepare for a trip to the derby.