Colonial Downs
- Aaron S. Terry
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
Photos by Aaron S. Terry, Stadium Journey
Stadium Info FANFARE Score: 4.14
Colonial Downs 10515 Colonial Downs Pkwy New Kent, VA 23124
Year Opened: 1997
Colonial Ponies
Colonial Downs is located in New Kent, VA not far from Colonial Williamsburg, and re-opened for Thoroughbred racing in 2019 after a 5-year hiatus from the sport. The facility is part of the same complex as Rosie’s Gaming Emporium casino, and offers both a dirt track as well as two turf courses. Horse racing is only available here in the summer months (late June through early September).
Food & Beverage 5
The food options at Colonial Downs vary based on where you choose to sit, and whether it is a major race day or not. Concession stands trackside (on the “apron”) include items such as burgers, hot dogs, soft serve ice cream, and fresh-squeezed lemonade, accompanied by a rotating selection of food trucks. You can also purchase beer and cocktails, or boozy ice cream drinks.
Inside the grandstand facility, the Jockey Club on the 3rd level features a premium buffet included in the price of your ticket during major race days, while on regular race days there is a fixed menu with in-seat table service. The 4th level features the 1609 club where you can sit at a restaurant table while you watch the races; seats are sold in sets of 2 if you want to share a table, or you can buy 4 or 6 seats to get the whole table. You can also buy individual seats at the bar. Tickets on the 4th level give you access to dedicated machines/cashiers for wagering, as well as a balcony overlooking the track.
There is also a full-size restaurant inside the casino itself called Rosie’s Kitchen, as well as a full bar.
Atmosphere 5
The atmosphere at Colonial Downs is amazing even on regular race days; the property is in a secluded, upscale area that feels very much like you are going out to a country club. The racing is run over three different courses, two turf and one dirt, and almost every seat outside is under cover, so you can be protected from the elements. There are also plenty of places to watch the races from, such as standing right next to the rail to watch up close, or sitting at one of the many picnic tables to watch the horses while you eat. Or if you are willing to spend a little money on admission, you can sit in air-conditioned comfort on the third or fourth level of the clubhouse (there is no cost for admission trackside).
Neighborhood 3
There is not much within close distance of Colonial Downs – there is a gas station with a Dairy Queen on the periphery of the property, but not much else. There is a golf course to the south of the track with lots of nice houses abutting it; in fact the main entrance to the track is shared by those residents. There are some restaurants and hotels a few miles away, if you want to stay near the track, but the big attraction of course is Colonial Williamsburg, about half an hour away. However, there are so many dining options at Colonial Downs itself that you likely won’t need anything else during your visit.
Fans 3
Colonial Downs has pretty good attendance during most race days, and you will see plenty of people there with children. As with most horse racing courses there is not much crowd noise except at the end of each race, when you will hear a few folks enthusiastically cheering on the horse of their choice. I will say this venue is much nicer and more family-friendly than a lot of horse racing tracks you may have seen; if there is more than one within easy driving distance, Colonial Downs is the one I would choose.
Access 4
Getting to Colonial Downs is pretty easy, as it is not far from I-64 and I-95, the two main arteries taking people to the bigger cities north, south, and west. Once you get on the property there is free parking right next to the facility, but you may want to arrive early, as the closest spaces tend to fill up fast. Note that the property is secluded, however, so it will take 20-30 minutes to get there once you get off the freeway.
There may be a slight delay getting inside the clubhouse, as they do check IDs for those entering the casino; kids are allowed trackside and in the clubhouse (3rd and 4th levels only). Pro tip – veer right when you enter the building; the left-side escalator to the 3rd and 4th floors only comes down, and the entrance to the race track itself is also on the right side, if you are not going upstairs.
Once at the track itself there is plenty of room to move around, and more than enough seating to accommodate the crowd size. The 3rd and 4th floors also have plenty of room on regular race days, but may get a bit crowded during major events.
Return on Investment 5
Trackside admission is free at Colonial Downs, or you can pay a little for seats in the clubhouse. If it is not a major event, you can find tickets to the Jockey Club for less than $10, or seats in the 1609 club for less than $20. During major events, tickets may rise to $75 each, and you likely will have to buy them in sets of 4.
While attending the races at Colonial Downs is definitely worthwhile, personally I would opt for a non-major event so you can save lots of money, not deal with crowds, and still enjoy the thunder of hooves.
Extras 4
The horse statue in the main parking lot is of Secretariat, and there are other horse statues on the property as well. The facility also offers some great views, such as the ponds in the infield, and is well kept up both inside and out. There is no gift shop on the property, however, so there isn’t really a way to grab any souvenirs of your visit.
Final Thoughts
I would absolutely recommend a visit to Colonial Downs – this is a very upscale track without the upscale prices you may see at other tracks. In addition, the facility is very easy to get to for many people on the eastern seaboard, so it should be easy to plan a visit.
