Kentucky has been the birthplace of many celebrities, like Johnny Depp, Muhammad Ali, George Clooney, and Jennifer Lawrence. They tend to move away, but often times will return to visit family, attend events, or enjoy some of the Bluegrass amenities. There aren’t a lot of good places to spot them in the “wild” but here are some that offer a little better chance.

Here are 10 places in Kentucky you might see a celebrity:

Captain’s Quarters

Pablo Raw Muhammad Ali was born in and still lives in Louisville with his family. He’s occasionally seen dining at Captain’s Quarters, at 5700 Captains Quarters Road in Prospect during the summer months.

Louisville

Empty Hearse Jennifer Lawrence, Jim Jones (My Morning Jacket), and more celebrities were born in Louisville, and still have family and friends here.

Spendthrift Farm in Lexington

Greta Polites Spendthrift Farm is owned by billionaire Bradley Hughs, and has been home to a variety of Triple Crown winners over the years, including 9 Derby winners.

Versailles Horse Breeding Stables

Lexington CVB Winstar Farm is owned by one of the biggest billionaires in the horse racing industry, Kenny Troutt. He breeds and sells winners and is known throughout the racing circuit. Ashford Stud Farm is another stable that billionaires, like Bobby Flay of Iron Chef, tend to buy and visit their horses.

Augusta

Wiki George Clooney was born in Lexington, but his family moved around a bit, settling in Augusta. You might find him and wife visiting family in Augusta, or the stables in Lexington. .

Keeneland

David Ohmer This Lexington track has been ranked #1 by the Horseplayer’s Association of North America. It’s used for both racing and sales, and is renowned for both.

Gonzo Fest

Wiki Johnny Depp, who was the best of friends with Hunter Thompson, has attended this festival in Louisville, which honors Thompson and his Gonzo journalism. Several other celebrity friends of Thompsons have been seen in attendance also. http://www.gonzofestlou.com/about-gonzofest/

Kentucky Oaks

Craig L Duncan This race is held at Churchill Downs the day before the actual Derby, and many celebrities come in town a day or two early. They tend to stay in places like Sealbach Inn, Galt House, and the Brown Hotel.

Kentucky Derby

Insider Louisville CC The first Saturday in May, Churchill Downs is packed full of celebrities gambling and having a great time. This is Kentucky’s version of the Oscars, as celebrities of all ages come out and watch this renowned event.

Barnstable Brown Gala for Diabetes

Derby Experience This is the most extravagant and incredible party in Louisville, held the night before the Kentucky Derby. It’s hosted at the home of one of the original “DoubleMint Gum Twins” in the Highlands on Spring. The Barnstable Brown mansion is a welcome get away for celebrities of all types. Invitation only, celebs from around the globe come out to have drinks, dance, have fun, and discuss who they think will win the big race on Saturday. All proceeds benefits Diabetes research at University of Kentucky.

It has been said over the years that Kentucky has a vortex, sucking people back in when they move away. Not everyone returns, but most people, even celebrities, come back every now and then. Research shows the northern and north eastern parts of our beautiful state are the primary areas celebrities tend to visit. Realistically, the Kentucky Derby is the primary draw, other than pre-organized concerts and events. If you are familiar with other celebrity draws in our beautiful state, please share in the comments.

Pablo Raw

Muhammad Ali was born in and still lives in Louisville with his family. He’s occasionally seen dining at Captain’s Quarters, at 5700 Captains Quarters Road in Prospect during the summer months.

Empty Hearse

Jennifer Lawrence, Jim Jones (My Morning Jacket), and more celebrities were born in Louisville, and still have family and friends here.

Greta Polites

Spendthrift Farm is owned by billionaire Bradley Hughs, and has been home to a variety of Triple Crown winners over the years, including 9 Derby winners.

Lexington CVB

Winstar Farm is owned by one of the biggest billionaires in the horse racing industry, Kenny Troutt. He breeds and sells winners and is known throughout the racing circuit. Ashford Stud Farm is another stable that billionaires, like Bobby Flay of Iron Chef, tend to buy and visit their horses.

Wiki

George Clooney was born in Lexington, but his family moved around a bit, settling in Augusta. You might find him and wife visiting family in Augusta, or the stables in Lexington. .

David Ohmer

This Lexington track has been ranked #1 by the Horseplayer’s Association of North America. It’s used for both racing and sales, and is renowned for both.

Johnny Depp, who was the best of friends with Hunter Thompson, has attended this festival in Louisville, which honors Thompson and his Gonzo journalism. Several other celebrity friends of Thompsons have been seen in attendance also. http://www.gonzofestlou.com/about-gonzofest/

Craig L Duncan

This race is held at Churchill Downs the day before the actual Derby, and many celebrities come in town a day or two early. They tend to stay in places like Sealbach Inn, Galt House, and the Brown Hotel.

Insider Louisville CC

The first Saturday in May, Churchill Downs is packed full of celebrities gambling and having a great time. This is Kentucky’s version of the Oscars, as celebrities of all ages come out and watch this renowned event.

Derby Experience

This is the most extravagant and incredible party in Louisville, held the night before the Kentucky Derby. It’s hosted at the home of one of the original “DoubleMint Gum Twins” in the Highlands on Spring. The Barnstable Brown mansion is a welcome get away for celebrities of all types. Invitation only, celebs from around the globe come out to have drinks, dance, have fun, and discuss who they think will win the big race on Saturday. All proceeds benefits Diabetes research at University of Kentucky.

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