Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby
Overview
Available languages
Mobile ticket
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 that have copied us, 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 true-crime memoir!
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!
Additional Info
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
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.
MUST BE ABLE TO WALK 90 MINUTES WITHOUT A BATHROOM BREAK!
Not recommended for visitors with mobility issues
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What To Expect
With more than a thousand structures spread out over 40 square blocks, Old Louisville is one of the largest historic districts in the United States. This is a transitional neighborhood and you should expect to encounter things you would in any larger city. Panhandlers and homeless people, for example, are often found along Fourth Street at the north edge of the neighborhood. 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.
Let our friendly guide usher you into Floral Terrace, a hidden gem of a walking court that you probably wouldn't find on your own. This inviting oasis never fails to charm with its Arts and Crafts residences and greenery.
What‘s Included
Certified Guide
Private transportation
Options
Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby
Reviews
153 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Leary at first, amazed at finish
Ptfoug,,Dec 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We weren’t sure about this tour. Meeting on a street corner and all, but our guide made us feel comfortable right away and the rest of the trip went by so fast. There are so many huge homes and interesting neighborhoods. The scope of the homes and the beautiful renovation of all these homes is so impressive. We’ve been to South Carolina , New Orleans , New York and Boston to name a few places with historic renovations and this trip to Louisville is near the top. Running commentary on all aspects of the town’s history and home histories make it a very unique and personal experience.
Learn about Old Louisville
john g,,Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Easy walk thru a small portion of the neighborhood called "Old Louisville" Very informative tour, David knows his stuff and has books to prove it.
Fabulously informative and interesting!
Cheryl W,,Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00The guide was knowledgeable and very entertaining! Great tour! I would highly recommend this tour to anyone who loves history and architecture!
Guide was great....
Kevin W,,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Guide was great. Well-paced presentation and walking. Lots of interesting areas of the city that you wouldn’t necessarily discover on your own.
Thanks David and OLD Louisville
Mary H,,Oct 30, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Well worth the price of admission. Our host, David, was punctual, knowledgeable, witty, and knew OLD Louisville history inside out. A Great Tour. Shared local legends and lore as well as interresting details about the movers and shakers of the last 150 to 200 years. Don't miss this tour...beautiful neighborhoods.
Louisville Walking Tour of Old Homes
Dan J,,Oct 29, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great tour guide. She was very knowledgeable and spoke with passion. You could tell she enjoyed her job.
Must Do
karenmT1705FA,,Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Excellent tour! David was extremely knowledgeable and is a great story teller! It was our first time in Louisville, and the tour definitely made us want to come back and explore the city more.
Awesome Tour
Denise T,,Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Excellent tour with David. The history he shared and beautiful homes were great to hear about and see. He was amazing as our guide. Looking forward to reading one of his books!! Highly recommend this tour.
Great stroll! Very informative!
Melissa M,,Oct 19, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Great, informative walk! Perfect fall day! Will take a tour with this group again. I anted to go in the haunted tour but all sold out!
Great walking tour! ...
MaryJo N,,Oct 17, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Great walking tour! Knowledge of the area was exceptional. And our guide took us on some hidden gem walk ways that we would never find on our own. It’s a must do if you visit this area.
From US$25.00
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Operated by Louisville Historic Tours