Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby in Louisville booking from $25.00

Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby

Overview

March through November, daily; limited dates in the off-season!

Our tours include more than St. James Court. We see twice as much as other neighborhood walking tours, visiting Ormsby Avenue, Park Avenue cottages, Floral Terrace, the Witches' Tree, and Millionaires Row. Bourbon barons, racetrack royalty, and titans of tobacco settled here in the 1800s. Today, impressive Victorian mansions and quirky residents have earned national attention for Old Louisville.

Author David Dominé often guides groups himself. The New York Times recommends his tours as a MUST during a visitor's "36 Hours in Louisville." Learn more in A DARK ROOM IN GLITTER BALL CITY, David's next book—out in October 2021!

Narrated walks depart from the transitional edge of the neighborhood. If you love old houses, this is the tour for you! If you do not like an up-and-coming neighborhood with a diverse racial make up, please stay home. If you can't go 90 minutes without a bathroom, this is not for you!

City: Louisville

Thu 26 Dec

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

Thu 26 Dec

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

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What's Included

Certified Guide

Additional Info

Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
FYI The starting point is in a transitional area where you might encounter panhandlers, homeless people, and people who don't look like you.
Not recommended for visitors with mobility issues
MUST BE ABLE TO WALK 90 MINUTES WITHOUT A BATHROOM BREAK!
Regular temperature checks for staff
Contactless payments for gratuities and add-ons
Social distancing enforced throughout experience
Hand sanitiser available to travellers and staff
In keeping with local and CDC guidelines, we are keeping our groups small and encourage the use of masks. This tour is entirely out-of-doors and we maintain proper social distances at all times.

What To Expect

The Witches' Tree

A gnarled tree rose up on the spot where a tree cherished by local witches once stood. When the city chopped down the original tree, townsfolk incurred the wrath of the crones, who sent a tornado to destroy the city in revenge. Visitors often leave offerings on the twisted trunk to make amends.

Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad's Castle)

This is a walking tour and we do not enter any structures, as most of the houses in Old Louisville are private residences. We do stop in front of the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, and you can arrange with them to tour the mansion for a fee.

The Filson Historical Society

Built in 1905, the Ferguson Mansion once counted as the grandest home in the city. A splendid example of Beaux Arts architecture, it today is headquarters for the Filson Historical Society. Visits can be arranged separately.

Central Park

Just like its famous cousin in New York City, Louisville's Central Park was designed by Frederick Law Olmsted. With 14 acres of native tree species and shaded walkways, this four-square-block space counts as the green heart of the neighborhood. It's also where Shakespeare in the Park takes place each summer, since 1961, making it the nation's oldest free outdoor Shakespeare event.

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Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Traveler Photos

Reviews (365)

drhanson56

May 2020

excellent tour, our guide answered questions with knowledge and fun tidbits. We never felt rushed and appreciated seeing Old Louisville in a way we would not have done by ourselves. If we find ourselves in Louisville in the future we would definitely do this again.

Response from Host

Jun 2020

Thanks so much for the shout-out! Look forward to seeing you soon again in Old Louisville!

Q9948GUbarbarar

May 2020

Whether you live here, or coming to visit, this is one of the top things to do. David Domine is truly a person who knows Old Louisville. This section of Louisville has some of the most unique houses and stories to go with them. I am going back for a second tour to catch sights I might have missed on the first tour.

Response from Host

Jun 2020

Yay! Thanks so much for the nice words! We look forward to seeing you soon again in Old Louisville!

Storyteller559072

May 2020

In September 2019, two friends and I were going on a ladies’ only trip to Louisville. Prior to the trip, I wanted to investigate what this great city had to offer. As a native New Yorker, I didn’t have to look far. I found an article published in the New York Times, “36 Hours in Louisville”. It recommended the best way to learn about the architecture and history of the Old Louisville neighborhood was to book a tour. Not any tour, but a David Domine run Louisville Historic Tour. It definitely was the best way to see “America’s Grandest Neighborhood”, as David led us though the blocks, boulevards and courtyards. His knowledge about the different architectural styles of the homes and the engaging history of Old Louisville made this tour highly informative and enjoyable. He is a wonderful story-teller. This walking tour definitely went beyond our expectations. I would highly recommend this tour to anyone interested in a historical perspective of this city.

Response from Host

Jun 2020

So glad you had a good time! Thanks so much for the nice review! I look forward to seeing you soon again in Old Louisville!

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Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby

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