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

116 Reviews 4.91 out of 5 stars Based on 116 reviews collected by City Boat Tours and TripAdvisor | Recommended by 98% of reviewers | Louisville, USA

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2 hours (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 that have copied us, 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 true-crime memoir!

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
  • Private transportation
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Meeting Location

Meeting point

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

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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.
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15 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Floral Terrace

Let our friendly guide usher you into Floral Terrace, a hidden gem of a walking court that you probably wouldn't find on your own. This inviting oasis never fails to charm with its Arts and Crafts residences and greenery.
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5 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.
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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.
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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.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

St. James Court Fountain

Enjoy the splashing water in the iconic fountain with the statue of Venus Rising from the Sea that has been the symbol of Old Louisville since the 1890s.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Belgravia Court

Enjoy a leisurely stroll among the gas lamps that illuminate this, the first of the Derby City's charming walking courts, 24 hours a day. Since 1891, Belgravia Court has been a favorite destination in Old Louisville.
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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

Bernheim Mansion Bed and Breakfast (Pass By)

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

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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5 minutes • Admission Ticket Free

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Additional Info

  • Confirmation is instant and will be received at time of booking
  • Service animals allowed
  • Public transportation options are available nearby
  • MUST BE ABLE TO WALK 90 MINUTES WITHOUT A BATHROOM BREAK!
  • Not recommended for visitors with mobility issues
  • Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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.

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Activity code: C-246721P2

Traveler Photos

Reviews

4.91
116 reviews

Average 4.91 out of 5 stars based on 116 traveler reviews collected by City Boat Tours and partner sites such as Cool Destinations and TripAdvisor

5 stars
110
4 stars
4
3 stars
1
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0
1 star
1

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What's Included

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

  • Certified Guide
  • Private transportation

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
  • 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
  • MUST BE ABLE TO WALK 90 MINUTES WITHOUT A BATHROOM BREAK!
  • Not recommended for visitors with mobility issues
  • 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 25 travelers

Report Product Issue

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

American Museum of Natural History Admission Ticket

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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