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!
- Recommended by 98% of travelers
- Badge of Excellence
- Mobile ticket
What's included
Certified Guide
Meeting and pickup
Travelers meet at the meeting point.
Meeting point
Daytime tours NO LONGER start at Adrienne & Co. donut shop near the corner of Fourth and Oak. Unfortunately, this business has permanently closed its doors due to the current COVID situation. Meet your guide at the brown "Welcome to Old Louisville" sign on the corner. "1300 S. 4th. St." for GPS.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.
Good to know
Please be advised that all walking tours start and end at the transitional edge of an ethnically diverse neighborhood; you might encounter panhandling and homelessness, things found in many good-sized cities across the country.
Meet your guide several minutes before the tour start time and wear comfortable walking shoes. Daytime Old Louisville Walking tours depart from the corner of South Fourth Street and West Ormsby Avenue, in front of the brown "Welcome to Old Louisville" sign.
Plan on about 90 minutes for each tour. Please treat your tour tickets as you would concert or theater tickets. If you miss your tour, there are no refunds; if you arrive late, it is up to you to find your guide. We still conduct the tour even if there is only one person signed up.
What to expect
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Old Louisville
1 hour 30 min
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.
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The Witches' Tree
5 min
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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Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad's Castle)
5 min
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.
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Bernheim Mansion Bed and Breakfast
2 min
At the heart of the old Millionaires Row, the Bernheim Mansion features green men arranged around a triple Roman-arched porch. This is just one of the features that sets this impressive Richardsonian Romanesque mansion apart.
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The Filson Historical Society
5 min
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.
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Central Park
5 min
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.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Times are local to the experience (America/New York).
Additional Information
- MUST BE ABLE TO WALK 90 MINUTES WITHOUT A BATHROOM BREAK!
- Mobile or paper ticket accepted
- Up to 15 travelers per booking
- Each booking must include at least one adult.
FAQs about Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby
Can I cancel Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby for free?
No. All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
How long does it take?
It takes about 1 hour 30 min.
Where does it start?
Daytime tours NO LONGER start at Adrienne & Co. donut shop near the corner of Fourth and Oak.
What's included?
- Certified Guide
Which places does it visit?
It visits Old Louisville, The Witches' Tree, Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad's Castle), Bernheim Mansion Bed and Breakfast, The Filson Historical Society, Central Park.
Which languages is it offered in?
It is offered in English.
Is it suitable for children?
Children must be accompanied by an adult.
Operated by Louisville Historic Tours
