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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 Sep
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You can choose the date already on the booking website
Starting at $25.00
Thu 26 Sep
Starting at $25.00
Make a reservation
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
1
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.
2
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.
3
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.
4
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.
Show 1 more stops
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Traveler Photos
Reviews (365)
Emily_B
Jan 2022
Angelique was amazing! Very knowledgeable and entertaining. The tour ran about 30 minutes long and she offered anyone that needed to hop out early could. We appreciated that she didn’t try and rush through the remainder of the tour and enjoyed the extra little 30 minutes in the neighborhood. This is our second time to do the tour and it was still worth it. Can’t wait to catch a ghost tour when our schedules line up!
Response from Host
Jan 2022
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed your time in Old Louisville again!
Ovid_L
Dec 2021
Angelique was quite knowledgeable as the story about the pink house as well as the witches tree was fascinating!
Response from Host
Dec 2021
So glad you enjoyed your time with Angelique in Old Louisville! Come back soon!
jofermo
Dec 2021
Interesting and fun walking tour of this amazing neighborhood! If you’ve never been to Louisville, you should visit. And if you do, the tour of the city’s historic district is not to be missed! Our guide Angelique was fun and interesting. The tour is 90+ minutes long, so make sure you visit the restroom before it starts, wear comfy shoes, and take lots of pictures!
Response from Host
Dec 2021
Thanks so much! We're glad you enjoyed your time with Angelique in Old Louisville!

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