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

Wed 25 Sep

Other dates

You can choose the date already on the booking website

Starting at $25.00

Make a reservation

Wed 25 Sep

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)

gsjt10

Jul 2021

Peter did a fine job educating us on the mansions, their architectural styles, and the history of Old Louisville. It was a larger group of about 25. My teenage boys enjoyed the tour. The amount of time was ideal.

Response from Host

Jul 2021

Thank you for coming to Old Louisville! We're glad you had a good time with Peter!

Borru_L

Jul 2021

Peter, our tour guide, is very knowledgeable and experienced. Really enjoy seeing the buildings he showed us and knowing the rich history behind them. I have been living in Louisville for 20 years and this tour makes me love our city more.

Response from Host

Jul 2021

Glad to hear you enjoyed your time with Peter! Thanks for coming down to Old Louisville!

Cecily_S

Jul 2021

Great tour of an interesting neighborhood and architecture. Just the right amount of time, although it made me wish she could tell me about houses I see all the time. Very knowledgeable guide because she lived in the neighborhood and restores these homes. My only problem was difficulty catching what she was saying due to the traffic noise, which she didn't take into account as she led us. It also was awkward to ask questions without interrupting her. I guess she had go fast to fit in all the territory in the time allowed.

Response from Host

Jul 2021

Glad to hear you enjoyed your time with Debra! I'll pass on your suggestions. Thanks for coming to Old Louisville!

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

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