Need Thanksgiving plans? Here are five things to do in Louisville on Thanksgiving Day
Are you looking for plans on Thanksgiving Day?
While many families gather together for the holidays, that's not always possible with diverse work schedules, traveling issues or family dynamics. Maybe you'd rather just skip it all together this year, because you're mourning the loss of a loved one or fearing a politics-fueled fight with your family.
Regardless of your motivation, there are plenty of other ways to spend the fourth Thursday in November than gathering together with family or eating the traditional Thanksgiving meal.
Here are five non-traditional things to do in Louisville on Thanksgiving Day.
Churchill Downs
The storied track where the Kentucky Derby is held each year throws its doors open to the public on Thanksgiving Day and serves around 7,500 turkey dinners each year in premium dining areas at Churchill Down. Gates open at 10 a.m. and the first race starts at 11:30 a.m. The final race of the day is scheduled for 4:43 p.m.
General admission on Thanksgiving Day is $17.55 and dining packages start at $95. Menus will be announced at a later date, but dining options include:
- Sky Terrace: Enjoy a view of the finish line from a balcony or luxuriate in the comfort of your table while watching the action on TV monitors. Enjoy the Chef’s Table Buffet with unlimited soft drinks and cash. Plus, admission includes on-site parking access and covered track views.
- Turn Club: Witness the unique horse/connection walkover, with contenders parading before the Paddock. Indoor dining with communal seating options.
- Homestretch Club: Revel in key race moments with views of the Homestretch and Big Board. Enjoy the climate-controlled private club access to rails, terrace, and lounges. Dine at the Chef’s Table Buffet with all-inclusive alcoholic beverages, and Kentucky's longest bar.
Dave & Buster's
It may be Thanksgiving, but it’s also Game Day at Dave & Buster’s. Every Sunday, Monday and Thursday at the entertainment complex has $5 drink specials as well as 10 wings for $10.
Doors open at 11 a.m., which gives you plenty of time to get to St. Matthews before the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions kickoff at 1 p.m. The Kansas City Chiefs will play the Dallas Cowboys 4:30 p.m., and the Cincinnati Bengals will take on the Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 p.m.
If football isn’t your thing, this is a great opportunity to brush up on your ski ball and claw machine skills.
General Butler State Resort Park and Kentucky State Parks
Spend your Thanksgiving Day in the great outdoors. Thirteen Kentucky State Parks offer a Thanksgiving Day buffet for $25.99 for adults and $12.99 for children ages 6-12. Many of the parks are at least a two-hour haul from Louisville, but General Butler State Resort Park in Carrollton is only about 50 miles from downtown Louisville. The meal includes baked pit ham, turkey and dressing as well as a variety of sides and pie.
Natural Bridge is a a 51-foot cliff in Slade, Kentucky, at Natural Bridge State Park that’s been carved by a nearby creek into a perfect bridge
The hilltop park is a destination for people passionate about hiking, fishing, boating, and biking. There's also a miniature golf course onsite. Reservations are required. Call 502-732-4384 to reach General Butler State Park and make a reservation. Other participating parks can be found at parks.ky.gov/thanksgiving.
Louisville Hungry Turkey 5K
The Louisville Hungry Turkey is part of the Thankful Turkey 5K, which means your results will also entered into USA’s largest virtual Turkey Trot: The Thankful Turkey. Registration for adults is $60 and children ages 12-9 are $25. The Kids Dash is free for children 8 and under.
There are also Thanksgiving Day races at Iroquois Park 5216 New Cut Road as well as the Northeast Family YMCA, 9400 Mill Brook Road.
Main Event
Rather than fill your plate on Thanksgiving Day, you can pack your evening with action.
People play laser tag during the opening night at Main Event Tuesday at the Christiana Fashion Center.
Main Event opens at 4 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day. The entertainment complex has a full restaurant and bar as well as bowling, an array of arcade games, gravity ropes, laser tag, and pool tables.
Reach Courier Journal features columnist Maggie Menderski at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Need Thanksgiving plans? Here are five things to do in Louisville on Thanksgiving Day
