Trip Planner 2018-19 Trip Planner for Student Travel | Page 40

Curriculum RECESS Compiled by Gabe Webb Louisville’s Kentucky Derby Museum Thrills, history and Broadway tunes in Louisville For all the intensity that a prize fight evokes, the Muhammad Ali Center is a peaceful, inviting and thought- provoking space in downtown Louisville. After watching “If You Can Dream,” a 14-minute introductory film about the life of Ali, school groups can explore the permanent exhibits. The Core Principles galleries details the guiding philosophy of Ali’s life: confidence, conviction, dedication, giving, respect and spirituality. At video booths, guests can sit and record messages about what these principles mean to them. Other galleries contain memorabilia from Ali’s career, and interactive displays supplement biographical information with historical context. Together, these pieces form a fascinating look at Ali’s youth, athleticism, conversion to Islam and growth as an activist for peace against the backdrop of the civil rights era and the Vietnam War. Groups should make reservations at least three weeks in advance, and special pricing is available. The museum Sweet! TOURS DAILY 9AM - 4PM • Fun, Interactive and Sensory Exhibits • Retail Store and Free Samples Jelly Belly Visitor Centers FACTORY TOURS One Jelly Belly Lane Fairfield, CA 800-953-5592 TRAIN TOURS 10100 Jelly Belly Lane Pleasant Prairie, WI JellyBelly.com 866-868-7522 © 2018 Jelly Belly Candy Company 38 NTA Trip Planner for Student Travel offers easy motorcoach drop off, and free bus parking is available close by. Another top Louisville destination is the Kentucky Derby Museum. The museum entrance is adjacent to the gates of Churchill Downs, where the famous horse race is held each May. “In the spring and fall, we focus on live racing,” says Jennifer Riddell, the attraction’s group tour manager. “In the winter, we have options throughout the year. “In the winter, we have beautiful Christmas decor and activities like creating ornaments from horseshoes. Groups can visit in the spring and again during the holidays for a completely different experience.” After photo ops on the backstretch and from the stands below the famous twin spires, students can go inside the museum and watch its 360-degree film, “The Greatest Race,” followed by a walk through the exhibits. Artifacts cover every aspect of the Kentucky Derby, from the fashions of its famous attendees to the history of horse racing. “With 143 years under our belts, the Kentucky Derby is the most well-known event in horse racing, and there is nowhere else in the country guests can visit and celebrate it,” says Riddell. “Most guests have at least one Derby story, and many have an emotional connection.” Groups touring Louisville can also cross the Ohio River to Clarksville, Indiana, for a meal and show at the Derby Dinner Playhouse. An evening includes a buffet dinner of comfort food staples and a performance by the theater’s professional acting troupe. The stage is a theater-in-the-round setup, allowing for surprises and audience participation during plays or musicals. Special pricing is available for groups of 20 or more, and tickets range from $39 for a weeknight to $44 for a Saturday evening performance. The 2017–18 season is underway, and upcoming shows include “Rapunzel,” “The Little Mermaid” and “Holiday Inn.” To learn more about group visits to the Derby Dinner Playhouse, contact group travel director Cindy Nevitt at [email protected] or go to derbydinner.com. For more about the Kentucky Derby Museum, contact Riddell at [email protected] or go to derbymuseum.org.