Old Louisville Walking Tour: Explore Historic Mansions

Discover the charm and history of Old Louisville on our walking tour. Explore historic mansions, Victorian architecture, and learn about the fascinating residents who shaped the neighborhood. Join us for an engaging and informative experience!

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Highlights
  • Old Louisville - 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.
What's Included
  • Certified guide included.
Additional Information

From March to November, we are open daily; however, availability is restricted during the off-season!

The scope of our guided tours expands beyond St. James Court. Compared to other local walking tours, our routes offer double the amount of sights, including stops at Ormsby Avenue, Park Avenue cottages, Floral Terrace, the Witches’ Tree, and Millionaires Row. This historic neighborhood became home to renowned figures of bourbon, horse racing, and tobacco industries during the 1800s. Nowadays, remarkable Victorian homes and intriguing inhabitants have drawn national spotlight towards Old Louisville.

David Dominé, the author who frequently conducts our tours personally, comes highly recommended by The New York Times as an essential part of their ‘36 Hours in Louisville’ suggestion. Get further insight in his forthcoming book, DARK ROOM IN GLITTER BALL CITY, due for release in October 2021!

Our guided strolls start from the evolving outskirts of the neighborhood. This tour is apt for lovers of aged architecture! However, we kindly suggest those who prefer staying away from racially diverse booming neighborhoods or need frequent washroom breaks to refrain from this tour!

  • 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!
Location
West Ormsby Avenue & South 4th Street
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.
Cancellation Policy

All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.

Customer Ratings
4.9
(608 Ratings)
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Patrese_c
Aug 16, 2024
Best walking tour!! - Brenda our guide was awesome! Loved seeing all the architecture and walking around Old Town learning about the history.
Review provided by Viator
Laura_n
Aug 13, 2024
Ornate and fascinating - Gabe showed an excellent knowledge of Louisville history and shared interesting stories behind the sites. I definately will return with friends.
Review provided by Viator
Patricia_b
Aug 11, 2024
Chad was very... - Chad was very knowledgeable about old Louisville and really made the area come to life for us. Could picture it as it was and enjoy how it is today.
Review provided by Viator
Gina_h
Aug 11, 2024
Old Lou walking Tour - I’m from Louisville & this walking tour was great. Gabe was very informative on Louisville’s rise & falls over the years & many of the families that put our city on the map. The homes are gorgeous along the route. Time went to fast, we could have walked longer. Thank you.
Review provided by Viator
Eamily
Aug 6, 2024
Fun and friendly way to explore the area - Really great walking tour, our host Gabe was very friendly and shared so many great stories about the houses. Informative and fun and a great way to see the area.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Z2164jythomasg
Aug 4, 2024
Outstanding Tour! - The Old Louisville Walking Tour was filled with marvelous and varied architecture and great stories involving the homes, people and events underlying one of the largest historic districts in the United States. Our guide, Gabe, did an excellent job and was very informative. We highly recommend this tour for persons seeking to learn about Louisville history and architecture.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Shivani_b
Jul 31, 2024
Would 100% recommend - Would 100% recommend this tour. Came to Louisville with my family for the first time. Was trying to find something that the whole family could do and even though they’re not super interested in architecture, they loved being able to walk around and learn more about the history of the city!
Review provided by Viator
William_d
Jul 29, 2024
Amazing tour and guide. Thank you Gabe!! - Great experience that combines beautiful neighborhood sightseeing, old stories about families who lived there and some outdoors exercise (90 minutes slow paced walk).
Review provided by Viator
Laurar705
Jul 28, 2024
Beautiful architecture, and old houses - This is a walking tour and you are outdoors, so wear sunscreen. The architecture of this area is beautiful and unique. It is mostly stone, and mostly the 1900s. The houses are charming. The tour has the history of some of the houses. It is mostly old houses and parks.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Camper440944
Jul 27, 2024
Highly recommended! - I really enjoyed the tour of the homes and especially all the stories about the people who lived in them. Gabe did a great job.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
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up to 15 guests
1 Adult
September 2024
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