BC/Churchill parking

[pba1817]

Anyone from the area or a frequent visitor during the big days have any suggestions for parking options?

Hotel is about 5 miles east of Churchill and would like to avoid as much traffic as possible, shuttle, taxi, etc are acceptable alternatives.

[slotdirt]

I always park at Papa John's and walk. It's like three minutes away.

[Gander]

Hows the Pizza there? I heard it sucks.

[pba1817]

Thanks for the advice.

[NoCarolinaTony]

Pappa Johns Stadium (Football Stadium for Louisville Cardninals) just in case it was not clear.

Shuttles will work too!!

NC Tony

[Gander]

Thanks for the clairification. As it was spelled, it implied the pizza place. Louisville is doing well in football this year.

[Danzig]

lol @ gander....gonna park at a pizza joint. 'hey, i thought it was only three minutes away!'...

[Sightseek]

Went to the Derby again this year and whatever you do, don't be a sucker and pay $20.00 to park! There are spots on the street about 1/2 a mile away, on the far side of the main entrance and it isn't a bad side of town plus it's a quick hop to the highway. I'd stay away from the Cardinal Stadium...traffic like crazy!

[pba1817]

Could you give me some street names? You are referring to streets north of Central and the main entrance of Chruchill Downs correct?

I am not too familiar with the area around Churchill, but I have google earth which will work wonders.

This is simple--stay at your hotel and take a taxi. It is that easy. I would not drive to Churchill at all on Breeders Cup day. Papa Johns Stadium will be a mess. If your hotel is 5 minutes away, then take a taxi.

[todko]

Taylor Road can be a good place to park. You can access Taylor either from I-264 (second exit marked Churchill Down as you are heading South or West). Turn right on Taylor after you exit. Or by going past CD coming from I-65 Crittenden Road to Central Avenue. There is a church where the parking is run by Boy Scouts. It's a gray stone church. I parked there for $5.00. It's a little bit of a walk to the track -- maybe 2 miles. You can get into the track at the back entrance near the starting point for the 1 mile chute and the stables.

On big days Churchill totally rocks. No racing experience like it anywhere.

[SniperSB23]

Originally Posted by pba1817

Could you give me some street names? You are referring to streets north of Central and the main entrance of Chruchill Downs correct?

I am not too familiar with the area around Churchill, but I have google earth which will work wonders.

We parked north of Central on M St on Oaks day but you wind up going through all the traffic so I wouldn't advise it.

I believe we parked around the corner of W Garrett St and Rankin St on Derby day. Just get off 264 and take a right and as soon as you get near any bad traffic take a right into that neighborhood. You'll find a million people trying to charge you for a spot but there are plenty of free, legal ones on the street if you don't mind a 10-15 minute walk. Only pain is that it is near the infield entrance which was a hassle to cut through on Derby Day.

How hard/easy is it to get a cab leaving the track on one of the big days? I'll be staying at the Holiday Inn on West Broadway, so a cab is certainly reasonable. My concern was to the availabiliy of cabs at the track once the racing was over.

[videogirl10]

i had problems getting a cab at the end of the race. they are so busy, and everyone is needing one. i had to wait four hours for mine, b/c they "said" they couldn't get in through the traffic. i do have a number for the guy who actually picked us up and he was great. very nice guy who is raising money for his basketball team...if you want it let me know.

[infield_line]

The best shot is park anywhere downtown and take the shuttle busses. They will publish pick-up locations. Verify that they are handling it like on Derby/Oaks. You can probably get a spot at Poppa Johns, but it's a bit of a hike, and the shuttles really work smoothly.... they get a massive amount of people in and out, and when it's over you will not end up in a traffic jam getting away from the Downs, busses have dedicated routes in and out.........

Have fun, I miss Louisville a lot.

Chris

Videogirl: If you could shoot me a PM with that guys number that would be great.

Originally Posted by infield_line

The best shot is park anywhere downtown and take the shuttle busses. They will publish pick-up locations. Verify that they are handling it like on Derby/Oaks. You can probably get a spot at Poppa Johns, but it's a bit of a hike, and the shuttles really work smoothly.... they get a massive amount of people in and out, and when it's over you will not end up in a traffic jam getting away from the Downs, busses have dedicated routes in and out.........

Have fun, I miss Louisville a lot.

Chris

Are these shuttles run by Churchill? I'm staying downtown which will make things easier. I think my hotel has a shuttle that would drop me off but not sure about picking me up.

[slotdirt]

Man, you guys are lazy as hell. I parked at Papa John's the last two Derbies, paid my $10, walked like four minutes to the Downs entrance, and didn't complain. Now, if you are in a wheelchair or can't walk the 300 yards or so between the two venues, don't park there or take one of the shuttlebuses from the stadium.

Otherwise, parking at Papa John's is the best bet. No chance I'd advise anybody to take a taxi.

[dellinger63]

5 miles is a long walk. Just a thought.... Leave an hour before you want to get there.

[slotdirt]

Five miles from where? It's about 1/4 mile - no more - from Papa John's Stadium parking lot to Churchill Downs.