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Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby

694 Reviews 4.91 out of 5 stars Based on 694 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor |
Recommended by 99% of reviewers
99% of reviewers gave this experience a rating of 4 or higher.
| Louisville, USA
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from $25 per person

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Like other US cities with early French influence, Louisville is a city where the fleur-de-lis lives on! You'll find this symbol in abundance in Old Louisville.
One of the Great Places in America!
Third Street became the first paved thoroughfare in the River City, and designers included double-wide sidewalks as a feature to encourage daily strolls and weekend promenades. Come join us today!
Locally owned and operated since 2004, Louisville Historic Tours employs guides who are passionate about the neighborhoods they represent.
Recommended by The New York Times, our walking tours are offered year-round, 7 days a week.

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1 hour 30 minutes (approx.)
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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!

What's Included

  • Certified Guide

    Meeting Location

    Meeting point

    W Ormsby Ave & S 4th St
    Louisville, KY 40203, USA

    Show on Google Maps

    Detailed check-in instructions, including the exact address, are provided with your booking confirmation.

    End point

    This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    What To Expect

    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.
    Read more

    1 hour 30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    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.
    Read more

    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Conrad-Caldwell House Museum (Conrad's Castle)

    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.
    Read more

    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Bernheim Mansion Bed and Breakfast

    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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    2 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    The Filson Historical Society

    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.
    Read more

    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Central Park

    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.
    Read more

    5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

    Show 4 more stops

    Additional Info

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
    • Not recommended for visitors with mobility issues
    • MUST BE ABLE TO WALK 90 MINUTES WITHOUT A BATHROOM BREAK!

    Frequently Asked Questions

    (7)

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby?

    A: This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded. Read more Apr 2025

    Cancellation Policy

    This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

    Still have questions?

    We're here to help.
    Activity code: C-246721P1

    Traveler Photos

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    Reviews

    4.91
    694 reviews

    Average 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 693 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

    5 stars
    646
    4 stars
    37
    3 stars
    8
    2 stars
    0
    1 star
    2

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    Frequently Asked Questions (7)

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    The answers provided below were previously given in response to questions from City Boat Tours customers.

    Filter by:

    Q: What is the cancellation policy for the Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby?
    A:
    This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What's included in the price?
    A:
    The following is included:
    • Certified Guide.
    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the weather cancellation policy?
    A:

    This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

    Apr 2025
    Q: What is the minimum age for this tour?
    A:

    The minimum age to participate is 1. This tour requires at least one adult to accompany children..

    Apr 2025
    Q: My date is not available in the calendar, I am just checking to see if it is available?
    A:

    If a date or time is not listed on the calendar, it’s sold out or unavailable for another reason. Support cannot assist further if a date or time is not on the calendar.

    If you find a date and time that works for you, book it NOW because things always sell out at this time of year.

    Apr 2025
    Q: Is this an accessible tour?
    A:

    Accessibility information for the Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby is as follows:

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • 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
    • Not recommended for visitors with mobility issues
    • MUST BE ABLE TO WALK 90 MINUTES WITHOUT A BATHROOM BREAK!
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    Apr 2025
    Q: Where is the meeting point for this activity?
    A:

    Detailed check-in instructions – including meeting point address, Google map, and parking information – for Old Louisville Walking Tour Recommended by The New York Times! @ 4th and Ormsby will be included in your confirmation email from City Boat Tours. Please be sure to double and triple check your email address is correct at checkout so this important email makes its way to you!

     

     

    Mar 2024

    What's Included

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    • Certified Guide

    Additional Info

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
    • Wheelchair accessible
    • All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
    • 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
    • Not recommended for visitors with mobility issues
    • MUST BE ABLE TO WALK 90 MINUTES WITHOUT A BATHROOM BREAK!
    • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • FYI The starting point is in a transitional area where you might encounter panhandlers, homeless people, and people who don't look like you.
    • This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers

    Report Product Issue

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    Lowest Price Guarantee

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    We guarantee the lowest price on all the tours available to book on our site. We'll refund the difference if you find the exact tour cheaper online until 48 hours before your tour starts.

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    Receive your refund

    If everything checks out, we'll refund you the price difference.

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    The following conditions apply to all lowest price guarantee refund requests:

    • The lowest price guarantee is available to any customer who makes a qualifying purchase through our website. The qualifying purchase must be a minimum of US$20 (or equivalent).
    • The lowest price guarantee covers retail and prepaid rates available to the general public. This does not include discounts or promotions you may receive (or be eligible for) from third-party sites or organizations such as AAA or AARP or special offers made as part of a membership program, corporate discount, daily deal, group, or rewards program.
    • City Boat Tours promotions cannot be combined with the lowest price guarantee.
    • If you find a lower retail or prepaid rate for the same tour, offered on the same date, time and priced in the same currency as your original purchase, on any other website between the time you book on City Boat Tours and 48 hours before your trip starts, we will refund the difference.
    • The lowest price guarantee does not apply where a lower overall price is found by breaking down the purchased tour into one or more parts sold separately.
    • City Boat Tours reserves the right to verify the lower price details. Examples of acceptable forms of verification include a web screenshot or a web address.
    • All refund decisions will be made at the sole discretion of City Boat Tours.

    Non-refundable

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    This tour is non-refundable and cannot be changed for any reason. If you cancel or ask for an amendment, the amount you paid will not be refunded.

    • This tour requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.

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    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

    American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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