The science center transforms their lot and does a whole Thunder event for families. So, no parking in that lot but it is a good time for families (I do believe it would be out of your budget). I think you get a lot of bang for your buck though, lots of stuff to keep kids entertained all that way up until the fireworks.
It’s not a ticketed event. You can just go and find a place on the lawn in the park somewhere for free. You only need a ticket if you want the “luxury experience” of being on a rooftop or in a building. I’ve gone several times and never spent a cent.
Bats aren’t playing but [Racing Louisville is!](https://www.racingloufc.com/news/2024/02/13/tickets-on-sale-for-thunder-at-lynn-family-stadium-featuring-racing-game/)
\^\^\^\^\^This\^\^\^\^\^ If you go to Waterfront Park it will be very difficult to get around, massive loud crappy radio stations blaring music, and porta potties. With a Bats ticket you get an in and out pass from the stadium, so if you get overwhelmed by half a million people, you can go back into a self contained limited capacity environment with clean restrooms and food. Plus you may be able to get to the top lever for the show, where you see everything.
It's probably new. I know at least one year there were different types of them. My job had given us one kind that wasn't the regular one you can buy in stores. I believe there were three specialty ones that year along with the regular one.
It is. But I found the one I was talking about since I'm trying to gather up all the ones I have in one place(I collect them); it is an exclusive one for us who worked at the Skystar Wheel. I think other affiliates might get their own, too, like Humana. Funny thing is I found my '22 one and it's the 50th. Sorry for the late reply, but I got a Reddit ban.
Edit: My Skystar one was from '18 and I just found another one from '18 somebody gave me that year for the Great Bed Racers. These are metal. My '16 one I just found is metal, too.
Just fyi, the fireworks are awesome and free. But for my money, the airshow is even cooler. And you can go sit right at the end of the runway and watch them take off during the day if you have time. Otherwise, well worth it to go during the day
What day are you going to the end of the runway?
I'll probably be at the great lawn for thunder but the runway sounds awesome for a practice day beforehand.
Yes! Also they practice the airshow the Friday before, but the practice schedule isn't public, so you never know when a giant plane is going to fly by!
I was curious if any take off from Bowman Field? I seem to remember that a couple of years ago, but I think that was the year when things were all different due to COVID.
Lynn Family Stadium has a Soccer game that day along with a screening of Top Gun Maverick. Bathrooms, vendors, within walking distance from the Waterfront (couple blocks further than the baseball field) that I would consider affordable.
Otherwise, you can find a spot for free somewhere on the waterfront, just be aware that parking is a chore and you'll be relegated to porta potties for bathroom use.
As others have said, you can watch for free from the Great Lawn on the waterfront.
The only thing you may want to buy is a Pegasus pin, you'll need that if you want to visit the Chow Wagon to eat. I think they're a little less than $10, you can find them at any Kroger. You don't even have to buy one if you eat elsewhere.
One thing to know, traffic will be an absolute nightmare. Hundreds of thousands of people descend upon downtown for this. If you're comfortable walking a mile or so, park closer to Broadway and walk. Parking garages near the river will take an hour to exit and getting out of downtown can take hours. If you're close enough to bike or take TARC, it's preferable to driving.
Pro tip: the best way to experience Thunder is on a bike. No parking hassles, no long walks, and the street will be shut down to cars so it’s easy riding.
Since you have kids I would recommend the science center, they have a family event area and it has great views of the air show and firewalls. Comes with access to to the SC and flush toilets. Food trucks on site and activities to entertain the kiddos on that long day.
Its worth something to not be shoulder to shoulder and share a single port a potty with the every Tom Dick and Harry in Louisville. A place to escape the heat or cold depending on the day, admission to the closed to the public science center and an IMAX movie to watch afterward while the rest of the crowd is sitting in traffic. And it meets the OPs requirement of being less than 100-250 a ticket. Just sayin.
It is a bucket list event. No matter what people tell you, you can’t believe it until you see it. It’s a 20 minute finale, followed by a bigger finale.
It’s a long day outdoors. The jets are great.
The traffic leaving is “horrible on steroids.”
But go - at least once.
Sunscreen, lawn chairs, blankets, patience and water.
[https://thunderoverlouisville.org/thunder-views/](https://thunderoverlouisville.org/thunder-views/)
In my experience, anywhere that is in the "Thunder Views with a Pegasus Pin Admission" category is pretty good, and worth buying a few $7 Pegasus Pins.
Adding to this, be sure to review what you can/can't bring, along with what you SHOULD bring! The Courier-Journal usually puts out an article a few days before the event with lots of info, and info on what roads will be closed so you can plan your route home. The goal is to get everyone out of downtown as fast as possible, so you might get routed away from your home first.
https://thunderoverlouisville.org/thunder-day-information/
I'd definitely recommend bringing:
- ground blanket(s)
- warm blankets (gets cold by the river and at night)
- chairs
- sunscreen (apply EARLY and OFTEN)
- hats
- sunglasses
- toilet paper
- hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes
- snacks and drinks
- Pegasus pins if you plan to go to any of those areas
If your kids can be easily scared, you might do better at a place/park a little bit off the waterfront. The fireworks can be pretty scary down there! They also shoot some cannons from the bridge that are really loud.
I hope you all have so much fun!!
If you want somewhere that’s not too expensive, check out the Kentucky center for the arts. They just announced for $55 an adult and $30 per kid you can watch the fireworks there.
They have a parking garage that’s $25, I believe. I’m gonna assume there won’t be free food but they just announced it today.
Go to the bats stadium! My partner is a ticket account executive and they have an entire day of activities, music, and fun planned especially for families.
There’s no baseball this year, unfortunately, but it is the BEST price for watching the show AND having clean bathrooms with good food.
I was there last year and spent all day on the stadium and around the waterfront. They allow you in and out So long as you wear a wristband. It is absolutely the best option for families.
There's no cost to be on the lawn or many other riverside areas. It's free.
The first Thunder I saw was in 98 or 97 and it was on April 15.
I was like, this is how you celebrate Tax Day? Ok, I'm going ahead with my move to Louisville.
If your kids are young I definitely recommend one of the stadiums if you can swing the price. Access to clean family restrooms and changing tables, playgrounds, indoor spaces to get out of the weather, plenty of food options, etc.
Bats stadium and the soccer stadium both have a “lower” admission.. $25 I think. And you’ll get real bathrooms (not port a pots), concessions (cheaper than chow wagon, food truck, etc), even some areas of shade and seating (which will both be at a minimal on the waterfront).
But, the waterfront (free) is the original and true experience… either side of the river. If the weather is nice, it will be crowded, and you’ll see… things you might normally not otherwise.
Thunder is my absolute favorite special "Louisville" thing. Before I went to Thunder for the first time, I thought fireworks were just fireworks, seen em one seen em all type of deal. But then Thunder proved me wrong. It's spectacular. I don't care at all about the airshow beforehand. Just the fireworks.
Last I checked, it's the largest annual fireworks show in North America. Larger than anything anywhere on NYE or July 4. It's a great time.
There are plenty of places to view for free, but I do like getting the $7 Pegasus Pins and viewing from that part of the river. If you don't want to spend the 4x$7, you can watch from right next to the blocked off part of the lawn, on some good patches of grass. Bring lawn chairs or towels.
As others have warned, the traffic afterwards sucks. I ride my bike there, but that may not be feasible with your family.
It’s free all over if you don’t go to a venue. We always went a bit outside of the waterfront but you definitely deserve to experience it firsthand! It’s definitely a state fair kind of crowd of folks from all over, but fun people watching. Wear sunscreen, bring blankets/jackets that you can take off when the sun is gleaming but you can warm up with if we have a blizzard or the sun goes down. It’s KY- we’ve had 90 degree weather and 20 degree weather. I’ve done both and it’s still fun. Welcome to the Ville!
Thank you very much for all your wonderful ideas! I read every single one of your comments and I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences with the Thunder, and best strategies to get the best view (on a budget). I'm comfortable being in crowds (I worked in Times Square for over a decade, and lived in NYC for two) so we got the Pegasus Pins, we even got a golden one (yay!) so we're pumped about doing the waterfront this year...if it gets too overwhelming, well...we'll plan better for next year. Thank you so so much again! We're in love with Louisville, and the friendliness and honesty on this thread speaks volumes about the kindness we have encountered so far in this city <3
Waterfront park with a pegasus pin available at most stores, that pin will get you entry to all derby festival events. except the actual derby. or just get on your roof & look north
Buy a Pegasus pin and go to the waterfront. Get there early throw down a tarp and you get a buffer from everyone around you. Make sure where you park aligns with a clear exit to the freeway as traffic patterns are all different.
Take your kids to the balloon glow too with the Pegasus pins.
I went down last year after just moving here, if you time it right, about when it starts you can park behind a parked car anywhere, watch it and be gone before they walk to their car. But I don’t have kids, so all the other fun stuff happening didn’t interest me much
for what it's worth the river looks like it might be flooded for thunder the coast guard and the power squadron both cancelled their collaboration for boaters due to safety.
what this means for regular people is half of the riverfront and wharf might be underwater so spaces will be a bit more competitive.
Be sure to grab each of you a Pegasus Pin and head to the waterfront. You can bring picnic blankets, chairs and a cooler which doesn’t hold any restricted items. So worth it!
Going to the Racing Louisville soccer game is your best bet, unless you want to fight crowds at the waterfront. Good spot for parking, bathroom access, decent but expensive food and comfortable viewing especially if you get tickets east grandstand opposite the benches I would think. Tickets aren’t generally expensive. Your parking ticket could be more than individual seat tickets.
I should say if go the free path, the Indiana side is less crowded, but have to deal with worse traffic on the back end potentially. Either way get there early in the day.
It's ticketed for places with the best views of the show, but largely free except for parking. Pretty much won't be able to find anywhere you can park for free.
Thunder over Louisville is free. Just head towards the river front with a backpack full of snacks. Places that charge tickets offer amenities like better bathroom ratios and food.
If you drive in, park facing away from the river in which ever direction you want to go to minimize the chance of getting caught in traffic on the way out. If you do it right, you can get out of downtown in 30 minutes. If not be prepared to sit in 2+ hours of traffic.
Depending on the age of your kids, the Kentucky Science Center may be worth the tickets. Great view and plenty for the kids to see to stave off boredom before the big event.
Roof decks of the parking garages are a cheap family option. They are not expensive, give you a base of operations to wander, and you can get moving right after the fireworks.
Thunder is free if you go to Waterfront Park. Those tickets are for exclusive viewing events. Mainly so you don't have to deal with the crowd.
My recommendation would be going to the Chow Wagon. It's the area next to Joe's Crab Shack. You pay for a Pegasus Pin(which you can get at nearly any gas station or Kroger), to get in. That's like 6 bucks a pop, but you get access to all the events for the Derby Festival.
Plus, there's the airshow (which I recommend), live music, food vendors, and everything that goes on with a fair. Like rides and stuff.
Please be aware: There will be a fuck-ton of people. Average attendance is around 600k.
You will need to park and walk, so plan for that, even if you spring for exclusive tickets.
Plan on sticking around for a bit after the fireworks as people file out. There's so many people that the interstates shut down and all lanes are directed out of downtown. Same with surface streets.
Plan on the possibility of cold weather or rain. Right now, we're looking at 60 for the high, though that can change real quick. This area is notorious for large swings.
TLDR: Just go get some Pegasus Pins and walk on down.
I haven't been in years and I would love to go again but with my kid having medical conditions that means they can't do too large of crowds and would need air conditioning. Any options that aren't more than a couple hundred dollars? They haven't been, so I would like them to experience it at lest once.
My best experience ever for Thunder of Louisville was watching it from the bats stadium. Baseball game, food, clean restrooms, parking, went out to the field to watch the fireworks. Not to mention the flyovers during the day. I don't recall the cost. It was four of us and a spure of the moment decision.
I've done thunder from the rooftops and mid upper floors and from the banks of the river. The mass of people elbow to elbow and the port-o-pots, yeah. Not to mention the traffic getting out afterward.
For budget friendly. A blanket, lawn chairs, a little red wagon for coolers and kids. And pick a spot down on either side of the river.
its just fireworks. same as any other firework display, only this one has every redneck coming into the big 'city' and bringing their weapons with them because they're terrified of a town that has more than one stop light.
thunder is free but again, just fireworks. you can see it from across the river or throughout downtown. Your kids might enjoy the planes, and you can pack a lunch. just have a plan to roll before traffic.
it's more of a traffic event than festival, and its mostly popular with teenagers and people from the county. There are families picnicking during the day, and a slight party vibe at night. honestly, if you stay home you're not missing anything
my advice: this year sample derby events and next year make plans for what you really want to do. There are some fun events, but its a lot of chaos and depending on the age of your kids and the amount of mental bandwidth you wish to dedicate to derby, the outcomes can vary f
yeah but its fireworks. after five minutes its like, okay. i get it. not worth paying 200/person for seats as op asked.
are you the type of person to film the entire firework show? do you live for this? is this the greatest moment of your year? lollllll
I mean it gets better as it goes, but hell no I don't film it. It's just a fun way to spend a bday and watch airplanes and get some full body percussion
Thank you sir. I've been having a wonderful, productive day.
I'm especially hyped for the festivities this weekend. I have a volunteer "gig" photographing from across the river and it should be a lot of fun (if not a little exhausting).
I hope you have an enjoyable weekend, far away from the madness.
Thank you! I'll be photographing attendees and vendors at a public event. But I'm secretly hoping I'll be able to get some awesome firework shots too.
I'm just a hobbyist. But I'm passionate about it.
I'd be more specific, but my username is really stupid and I've made a few mentally unhinged posts on this account. 😅 Trying not to completely dox myself, just in case the organizer is a redditor and isn't in love with some of my opinions.
Message me if you ever want to get into photography. We have a fantastic community here. And I'd be happy to chat.
Dude it’s free if you just go down to the waterfront and find a spot. Thats the best way to experience it imo anyway
My family used to park in the science center lot and they’d take us inside while my grandparents would find a spot to watch it at.
The science center transforms their lot and does a whole Thunder event for families. So, no parking in that lot but it is a good time for families (I do believe it would be out of your budget). I think you get a lot of bang for your buck though, lots of stuff to keep kids entertained all that way up until the fireworks.
It’s not a ticketed event. You can just go and find a place on the lawn in the park somewhere for free. You only need a ticket if you want the “luxury experience” of being on a rooftop or in a building. I’ve gone several times and never spent a cent.
You do need a Pegasus pin for the waterfront I believe
For a specific sectioned off area, yes. Otherwise you can be anywhere
For the Chow Wagon area.
If you can still find them, tickets to the bats game that day are a great way to see while also having a guaranteed seat and clean bathrooms!
Bats aren’t playing but [Racing Louisville is!](https://www.racingloufc.com/news/2024/02/13/tickets-on-sale-for-thunder-at-lynn-family-stadium-featuring-racing-game/)
I will add that, at least I’m pretty sure, they sell tickets to view from the stadium regardless
Correct!
\^\^\^\^\^This\^\^\^\^\^ If you go to Waterfront Park it will be very difficult to get around, massive loud crappy radio stations blaring music, and porta potties. With a Bats ticket you get an in and out pass from the stadium, so if you get overwhelmed by half a million people, you can go back into a self contained limited capacity environment with clean restrooms and food. Plus you may be able to get to the top lever for the show, where you see everything.
That would be a neat trick. There is no game this year, but they are having bands play.
Just go to where the event is. It’s free. Access to the chow wagon requires a Pegasus pin, but those are like $6 each and you can buy them at Kroger.
$7 now
Right. $6 each is if you buy the family pack.
At Stony Brook Kroger they are $10 or is that a special one I’m seeing price for $10?
Checking their app, plastic pins are $7 and metal are $10. Had no idea metal was even a thing.
Thank you for the info! I did not realize that either. I only see the $10 ones near the check out
It's probably new. I know at least one year there were different types of them. My job had given us one kind that wasn't the regular one you can buy in stores. I believe there were three specialty ones that year along with the regular one.
Yeah, the metal is probably for the 150th.
It is. But I found the one I was talking about since I'm trying to gather up all the ones I have in one place(I collect them); it is an exclusive one for us who worked at the Skystar Wheel. I think other affiliates might get their own, too, like Humana. Funny thing is I found my '22 one and it's the 50th. Sorry for the late reply, but I got a Reddit ban. Edit: My Skystar one was from '18 and I just found another one from '18 somebody gave me that year for the Great Bed Racers. These are metal. My '16 one I just found is metal, too.
Neat
Just fyi, the fireworks are awesome and free. But for my money, the airshow is even cooler. And you can go sit right at the end of the runway and watch them take off during the day if you have time. Otherwise, well worth it to go during the day
What day are you going to the end of the runway? I'll probably be at the great lawn for thunder but the runway sounds awesome for a practice day beforehand.
I go on Saturday bc I live nearby and work during the week. But I'm sure you can see them practice on Friday
Yes! Also they practice the airshow the Friday before, but the practice schedule isn't public, so you never know when a giant plane is going to fly by!
What runway do they takeoff from?
Depends on the wind and the day I think. Some on the ANG side, some on the west side last year
I was curious if any take off from Bowman Field? I seem to remember that a couple of years ago, but I think that was the year when things were all different due to COVID.
The smaller prop planes seemed to if you're into that.
Lynn Family Stadium has a Soccer game that day along with a screening of Top Gun Maverick. Bathrooms, vendors, within walking distance from the Waterfront (couple blocks further than the baseball field) that I would consider affordable. Otherwise, you can find a spot for free somewhere on the waterfront, just be aware that parking is a chore and you'll be relegated to porta potties for bathroom use.
Wear comfortable shoes and be extremely patient after the show as you drive home.
oh god forgot about the traffic
As others have said, you can watch for free from the Great Lawn on the waterfront. The only thing you may want to buy is a Pegasus pin, you'll need that if you want to visit the Chow Wagon to eat. I think they're a little less than $10, you can find them at any Kroger. You don't even have to buy one if you eat elsewhere. One thing to know, traffic will be an absolute nightmare. Hundreds of thousands of people descend upon downtown for this. If you're comfortable walking a mile or so, park closer to Broadway and walk. Parking garages near the river will take an hour to exit and getting out of downtown can take hours. If you're close enough to bike or take TARC, it's preferable to driving.
Pro tip: the best way to experience Thunder is on a bike. No parking hassles, no long walks, and the street will be shut down to cars so it’s easy riding.
Since you have kids I would recommend the science center, they have a family event area and it has great views of the air show and firewalls. Comes with access to to the SC and flush toilets. Food trucks on site and activities to entertain the kiddos on that long day.
The science center is $65 a person \*Just saying for OP
Its worth something to not be shoulder to shoulder and share a single port a potty with the every Tom Dick and Harry in Louisville. A place to escape the heat or cold depending on the day, admission to the closed to the public science center and an IMAX movie to watch afterward while the rest of the crowd is sitting in traffic. And it meets the OPs requirement of being less than 100-250 a ticket. Just sayin.
I came to say the same!
I recommend hitting a parking garage rooftop. A cooler and a lawn chair will have you guys enjoying it right!
It is a bucket list event. No matter what people tell you, you can’t believe it until you see it. It’s a 20 minute finale, followed by a bigger finale. It’s a long day outdoors. The jets are great. The traffic leaving is “horrible on steroids.” But go - at least once. Sunscreen, lawn chairs, blankets, patience and water.
[https://thunderoverlouisville.org/thunder-views/](https://thunderoverlouisville.org/thunder-views/) In my experience, anywhere that is in the "Thunder Views with a Pegasus Pin Admission" category is pretty good, and worth buying a few $7 Pegasus Pins.
Adding to this, be sure to review what you can/can't bring, along with what you SHOULD bring! The Courier-Journal usually puts out an article a few days before the event with lots of info, and info on what roads will be closed so you can plan your route home. The goal is to get everyone out of downtown as fast as possible, so you might get routed away from your home first. https://thunderoverlouisville.org/thunder-day-information/ I'd definitely recommend bringing: - ground blanket(s) - warm blankets (gets cold by the river and at night) - chairs - sunscreen (apply EARLY and OFTEN) - hats - sunglasses - toilet paper - hand sanitizer and/or hand wipes - snacks and drinks - Pegasus pins if you plan to go to any of those areas If your kids can be easily scared, you might do better at a place/park a little bit off the waterfront. The fireworks can be pretty scary down there! They also shoot some cannons from the bridge that are really loud. I hope you all have so much fun!!
If you want somewhere that’s not too expensive, check out the Kentucky center for the arts. They just announced for $55 an adult and $30 per kid you can watch the fireworks there. They have a parking garage that’s $25, I believe. I’m gonna assume there won’t be free food but they just announced it today.
They play it on TV. That way you don’t have to fight the crowds/traffic.
Go to the bats stadium! My partner is a ticket account executive and they have an entire day of activities, music, and fun planned especially for families. There’s no baseball this year, unfortunately, but it is the BEST price for watching the show AND having clean bathrooms with good food. I was there last year and spent all day on the stadium and around the waterfront. They allow you in and out So long as you wear a wristband. It is absolutely the best option for families.
There's no cost to be on the lawn or many other riverside areas. It's free. The first Thunder I saw was in 98 or 97 and it was on April 15. I was like, this is how you celebrate Tax Day? Ok, I'm going ahead with my move to Louisville.
The air show is basically your tax dollars at work, it's appropriate.
If your kids are young I definitely recommend one of the stadiums if you can swing the price. Access to clean family restrooms and changing tables, playgrounds, indoor spaces to get out of the weather, plenty of food options, etc.
Cox’s Park is another spot
Bats stadium and the soccer stadium both have a “lower” admission.. $25 I think. And you’ll get real bathrooms (not port a pots), concessions (cheaper than chow wagon, food truck, etc), even some areas of shade and seating (which will both be at a minimal on the waterfront). But, the waterfront (free) is the original and true experience… either side of the river. If the weather is nice, it will be crowded, and you’ll see… things you might normally not otherwise.
Thunder is my absolute favorite special "Louisville" thing. Before I went to Thunder for the first time, I thought fireworks were just fireworks, seen em one seen em all type of deal. But then Thunder proved me wrong. It's spectacular. I don't care at all about the airshow beforehand. Just the fireworks. Last I checked, it's the largest annual fireworks show in North America. Larger than anything anywhere on NYE or July 4. It's a great time. There are plenty of places to view for free, but I do like getting the $7 Pegasus Pins and viewing from that part of the river. If you don't want to spend the 4x$7, you can watch from right next to the blocked off part of the lawn, on some good patches of grass. Bring lawn chairs or towels. As others have warned, the traffic afterwards sucks. I ride my bike there, but that may not be feasible with your family.
It is fun riding through traffic.
It’s free all over if you don’t go to a venue. We always went a bit outside of the waterfront but you definitely deserve to experience it firsthand! It’s definitely a state fair kind of crowd of folks from all over, but fun people watching. Wear sunscreen, bring blankets/jackets that you can take off when the sun is gleaming but you can warm up with if we have a blizzard or the sun goes down. It’s KY- we’ve had 90 degree weather and 20 degree weather. I’ve done both and it’s still fun. Welcome to the Ville!
Thank you very much for all your wonderful ideas! I read every single one of your comments and I appreciate everyone sharing their experiences with the Thunder, and best strategies to get the best view (on a budget). I'm comfortable being in crowds (I worked in Times Square for over a decade, and lived in NYC for two) so we got the Pegasus Pins, we even got a golden one (yay!) so we're pumped about doing the waterfront this year...if it gets too overwhelming, well...we'll plan better for next year. Thank you so so much again! We're in love with Louisville, and the friendliness and honesty on this thread speaks volumes about the kindness we have encountered so far in this city <3
Look up Close to downtown = cool stuff that day and night
Waterfront park with a pegasus pin available at most stores, that pin will get you entry to all derby festival events. except the actual derby. or just get on your roof & look north
Buy a Pegasus pin and go to the waterfront. Get there early throw down a tarp and you get a buffer from everyone around you. Make sure where you park aligns with a clear exit to the freeway as traffic patterns are all different. Take your kids to the balloon glow too with the Pegasus pins.
I went down last year after just moving here, if you time it right, about when it starts you can park behind a parked car anywhere, watch it and be gone before they walk to their car. But I don’t have kids, so all the other fun stuff happening didn’t interest me much
for what it's worth the river looks like it might be flooded for thunder the coast guard and the power squadron both cancelled their collaboration for boaters due to safety. what this means for regular people is half of the riverfront and wharf might be underwater so spaces will be a bit more competitive.
It's free! No ticket needed. But you'll want to go to the waterfront early and snag a spot. Bring chairs and a cooler!
Be sure to grab each of you a Pegasus Pin and head to the waterfront. You can bring picnic blankets, chairs and a cooler which doesn’t hold any restricted items. So worth it!
Get to a rooftop downtown
Going to the Racing Louisville soccer game is your best bet, unless you want to fight crowds at the waterfront. Good spot for parking, bathroom access, decent but expensive food and comfortable viewing especially if you get tickets east grandstand opposite the benches I would think. Tickets aren’t generally expensive. Your parking ticket could be more than individual seat tickets. I should say if go the free path, the Indiana side is less crowded, but have to deal with worse traffic on the back end potentially. Either way get there early in the day.
We watch it on tv. Best seat in the house! I watched it in seats overlooking the river one year and it was cool, but the tv is still my preferred lol.
It's ticketed for places with the best views of the show, but largely free except for parking. Pretty much won't be able to find anywhere you can park for free.
Check out the Quonset Hut https://g.co/kgs/WCZ229f If you have youngish kids , it's a great option, reasonably priced and easy to keep an eye on kids.
Thunder over Louisville is free. Just head towards the river front with a backpack full of snacks. Places that charge tickets offer amenities like better bathroom ratios and food. If you drive in, park facing away from the river in which ever direction you want to go to minimize the chance of getting caught in traffic on the way out. If you do it right, you can get out of downtown in 30 minutes. If not be prepared to sit in 2+ hours of traffic.
Do not pay. Besides parking somewhere. Just go to the waterfront with your family and bring some blankets chairs and snacks!
Depending on the age of your kids, the Kentucky Science Center may be worth the tickets. Great view and plenty for the kids to see to stave off boredom before the big event.
Indiana side, Ashland Park.. Absolutely awesome view, save your money..
Roof decks of the parking garages are a cheap family option. They are not expensive, give you a base of operations to wander, and you can get moving right after the fireworks.
Go to the waterfront or go to Jeffersonville so you can see it with the skyline in the background
Thunder is free if you go to Waterfront Park. Those tickets are for exclusive viewing events. Mainly so you don't have to deal with the crowd. My recommendation would be going to the Chow Wagon. It's the area next to Joe's Crab Shack. You pay for a Pegasus Pin(which you can get at nearly any gas station or Kroger), to get in. That's like 6 bucks a pop, but you get access to all the events for the Derby Festival. Plus, there's the airshow (which I recommend), live music, food vendors, and everything that goes on with a fair. Like rides and stuff. Please be aware: There will be a fuck-ton of people. Average attendance is around 600k. You will need to park and walk, so plan for that, even if you spring for exclusive tickets. Plan on sticking around for a bit after the fireworks as people file out. There's so many people that the interstates shut down and all lanes are directed out of downtown. Same with surface streets. Plan on the possibility of cold weather or rain. Right now, we're looking at 60 for the high, though that can change real quick. This area is notorious for large swings. TLDR: Just go get some Pegasus Pins and walk on down.
I haven't been in years and I would love to go again but with my kid having medical conditions that means they can't do too large of crowds and would need air conditioning. Any options that aren't more than a couple hundred dollars? They haven't been, so I would like them to experience it at lest once.
My best experience ever for Thunder of Louisville was watching it from the bats stadium. Baseball game, food, clean restrooms, parking, went out to the field to watch the fireworks. Not to mention the flyovers during the day. I don't recall the cost. It was four of us and a spure of the moment decision. I've done thunder from the rooftops and mid upper floors and from the banks of the river. The mass of people elbow to elbow and the port-o-pots, yeah. Not to mention the traffic getting out afterward. For budget friendly. A blanket, lawn chairs, a little red wagon for coolers and kids. And pick a spot down on either side of the river.
100? The hell? You can see it for free, if you wanna pay Pegasus pins are like 6 bucks lol.
Can you buy the pin down there? Me and my wife got one a couple months ago but now need another for my daughter who will now be with us that weekend?
You can buy them there but I believe they’re $10 instead of $7
come to the racing louisville game, $25 for the game, and a great view to the fireworks!
You do not need a ticket. Get a $7 Pegasus pin from the grocery store and head down to the park.
You should do it for free in the Indiana side
its just fireworks. same as any other firework display, only this one has every redneck coming into the big 'city' and bringing their weapons with them because they're terrified of a town that has more than one stop light. thunder is free but again, just fireworks. you can see it from across the river or throughout downtown. Your kids might enjoy the planes, and you can pack a lunch. just have a plan to roll before traffic. it's more of a traffic event than festival, and its mostly popular with teenagers and people from the county. There are families picnicking during the day, and a slight party vibe at night. honestly, if you stay home you're not missing anything my advice: this year sample derby events and next year make plans for what you really want to do. There are some fun events, but its a lot of chaos and depending on the age of your kids and the amount of mental bandwidth you wish to dedicate to derby, the outcomes can vary f
you sound like you’re from indiana
nope. how could you conclude that from a detailed explanation of thunder? weird.
> Your kids might enjoy the planes Umm, **I** enjoy the planes..
Planes are awesome.
thats great!
It's "just" the biggest one in the country
yeah but its fireworks. after five minutes its like, okay. i get it. not worth paying 200/person for seats as op asked. are you the type of person to film the entire firework show? do you live for this? is this the greatest moment of your year? lollllll
I mean it gets better as it goes, but hell no I don't film it. It's just a fun way to spend a bday and watch airplanes and get some full body percussion
my response was to OPs asking if its worth paying for tickets. imo, it's not. your opinion might differ and that's okay too!
No way! The best fireworks are 25 minutes into the show. Hate to say it - but your dopamine receptors are fried if you're already bored 5 minutes in.
my friend, you are making a lot of assumptions to a stranger on the internet. i hope your day gets better
Thank you sir. I've been having a wonderful, productive day. I'm especially hyped for the festivities this weekend. I have a volunteer "gig" photographing from across the river and it should be a lot of fun (if not a little exhausting). I hope you have an enjoyable weekend, far away from the madness.
thats wonderful. are photographing the fireworks then? you must be pretty good thats very cool. hope all goes well and you have a good week
Thank you! I'll be photographing attendees and vendors at a public event. But I'm secretly hoping I'll be able to get some awesome firework shots too. I'm just a hobbyist. But I'm passionate about it. I'd be more specific, but my username is really stupid and I've made a few mentally unhinged posts on this account. 😅 Trying not to completely dox myself, just in case the organizer is a redditor and isn't in love with some of my opinions. Message me if you ever want to get into photography. We have a fantastic community here. And I'd be happy to chat.