A Kentucky Derby Weekend, Louisville, Kentucky

I’ve always wanted to go to the Kentucky Derby, but have never been able to talk anyone into going with me. Either they’ve been once, and that was enough, or they weren’t interested due to the exorbitant price of a seat. Finally, I decided to go on my own through my vacation club Dreamtrips, who offered a package that included three nights at a hotel in Lexington (not Louisville), transportation, a reserved seat in the Grandstand for the Derby, a horse farm tour, and a bourbon tasting for only $1,860 after I applied 630 points. Given a package from the Kentucky Derby for the same seating with the addition of a concert, food and beverage cost $1,799 not including lodging which was $1,600, I thought I got a pretty sweet deal. 

I arrived in Lexington on Thursday evening. The hotel, Hyatt Regency Lexington, offers a free shuttle, but due to landing at the airport during rush hour, I was going to have to wait 20 minutes just for the ride. Anxious to check in and get situated before our welcome reception, I opted for the $15 Lyft ride. ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).