ORIGINAL Old Louisville Walking Tour seen in The New York Times!
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, 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!
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!
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
What‘s Included
Certified Guide
totally optional
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.
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.
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ORIGINAL Old Louisville Walking Tour seen in The New York Times!
Reviews
716 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
One of the best tours we have ever taken!
509alexs,
Dec 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00One of the absolutely best tours we have taken! Angelique is simply phenomenal! Lots of history and local stories and references. Learned a lot! Book it!
Hiking
RANDY V,
Nov 16, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00Be very ready to walk a lot. Gabe was very knowledgeable and able to speak continuously and clearly. He was always able to be heard.
Get to know Louisville in Old Historic Louisville!
Cyndi52,
Nov 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Highly recommend this tour to everyone whether your familiar with Louisville or visitor. Extremely educational and the architecture / houses are beautiful. Loved hearing the stories about Louisville history. If I could give it 10 stars, I would.
Highly Recommend
sharonr607,
Nov 8, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Learned so much. A real eye opener and gave us an appreciation for the history of Louisville. Lots of walking. Keep that in mind.
Superb value and such fun!
John B,
Nov 7, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00We had a terrific walking tour through old Louisville with David. The group was engaged and interested in all he had to share. The great stories, beautiful homes and a perfect fall day. All contributed to an exceptional experience. This is a must do for anyone looking to learn about history and architecture in Louisville
As locals, we hoped to...
Annette M,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00As locals, we hoped to learn new things about Old Louisville architecture and history — and we did! Would recommend.
David was fantastic
Ann H,
Oct 26, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Don’t miss this tour, interesting we learned so much. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Best Walking Tour of Louisville and Best Guide
lindapE4349WW,
Oct 25, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Gabe was an excellent guide. Knew the history by heart, no notes, made it really come alive. He educated us greatly on the history of the founding of Louisville and the entrepreneurs who made it all happen. We highly recommend this tour and Gabe as the guide!!
Old Louisville walking tour
Monica C,
Oct 23, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00It is a great walking tour of Old Louisville. Great history lessons. Host is very dynamic and friendly.
A highly enjoyable tour
richardi294,
Oct 22, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an excellent tour! Gabe was a knowledgeable and enthusiastic guide. We learned a great deal about the history and architecture of Old Louisville. Highly recommend it!
From US$25.00
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Operated by Louisville Historic Tours