Available languages
1 hour 30 minutes
Mobile ticket
Step into the past on a haunting journey through the true story of the "Graveyard of the West". As the sun sets and the city’s vibrant façade fades, you'll uncover the sinister secrets and chilling tales that lurk beneath the city's storied streets.
One part ghosts, one part grisly history, this guided 1.5-hour walking tour through downtown unveils the darkest corners of Louisville’s gruesome past, where the echoes of bygone eras whisper tragic tales of the forlorn, the oppressed, the betrayed, and the ruthless.
From a ghost that still haunts a glamorous hotel to the tragic riots of Bloody Monday, you’ll trace the cursed footsteps of criminals, mobsters, bootleggers, enslavers, and murderers in the city streets they once roamed – and the spirits whose souls never left.
For thrill-seekers, true crime fans, and lovers of the macabre, this dark history & ghost tour is a journey into the stories that lie beneath Louisville’s charming exterior. Dare to listen to the shadows with us.
Wheelchair accessible
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
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
We will make 1 stop for drinks and bathrooms.
Louisville Food Tours is proudly locally owned and operated.
This tour shares true, well-researched history, including stories of marginalized and oppressed communities, such as Black history and Louisville’s role in slavery and the Underground Railroad. Some stories are unsettling, as they reflect the difficult realities of the past. If you are not comfortable engaging respectfully with these histories or with people of diverse identities, this may not be the right tour for you.
Our tours are designed to be welcoming and inclusive for all guests. Discriminatory, racist, or homophobic behavior will not be tolerated, and guests who engage in it may be removed from the tour without a refund.
Not recommended for anyone with difficulty walking or standing for 1.5 hours
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
1 Cocktail in a haunted bar (for applicable ticket holders only)
1.5 miles of walking outdoors, with 2 bathroom stops
Your expert guide will provide audio headsets to help you hear each thrilling tale told on this tour.
Gratuities
Transportation
Food
Actual ghosts (but if you see one let us know!)
Indoor exploration. This is a walking tour, and we will not be entering private buildings
The Belvedere
You'll begin your tour at a statue commemorating Louisville's famous founder. But is he really deserving of his unblemished reputation? And who else might have a tale to tell about Louisville's role in our country's early days and westward expansion?
Belle of Louisville Riverboats
Louisville's iconic historic steamboat has seen over 100 years of history and change. What whispered stories might she tell about the murky waters of the Ohio River?
154 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Brent R,
Aug 24, 2025
- Viator
Christina was very knowledgeable and kind! It was a nice blend of dark history and ghost stories! She was an expert at storytelling!
Bryan M,
Aug 3, 2025
- Viator
This was extremely overpriced compared to other tours advertising similar content. There were no ghost stories or stories about mobsters as advertised. It was all historical stories and while I like history I was looking for the type of tour advertised, not what was given. Additionally the tour guide interjected a lot of her personal opinions and political views. While I believe everyone has a right to an opinion I was there for a murder mayhem tour not a left wing diatribe.
Gretchen F,
Aug 1, 2025
- Viator
A great way to learn and see the city with a different angled narrative- spooky and dark. My sons loved it!
Kim T,
Jul 19, 2025
- Viator
A lot of walking and ghost stories that were difficult to tie to specific walking locations tour guide Hannah was fabulous however. Just not sure tour is identified correctly.
Janette N,
Jul 17, 2025
- Viator
This was more of an educational / historical tour by no means a ghost tour with tales of hauntings, etc.
Operated by Louisville Food Tours