A Dozen Walking Tours to Explore Louisville’s Diverse Neighborhoods
Explore some of Louisville's unique neighborhoods on foot by taking one of the city's many walking tours. With each neighborhood offering diverse food, history, and architecture, you're bound to leave with a new-found love and appreciation for each of these locations.
Downtown
Phantoms Of Prohibition: Ghosts, Cocktails, & Bites Tour
For those seeking a blend of spirits and spirits, the Phantoms of Prohibition tour offers a unique experience. Available Tuesday through Friday at 5 PM, this 3-hour walking tour covers 1.5 miles of Downtown Louisville, revealing the city's haunted past. As you enjoy food and drinks along Whiskey Row, you'll encounter Louisville's resident ghosts, trace the steps of bourbon magnates and mobsters, visit Al Capone's secret hideaway, explore hidden speakeasies, and uncover shocking truths about Prohibition.
"Step Into History" Walking Tour
Join Hall of Fame teacher Patty Morris, affectionately known as 'The Dynamo', as she brings Louisville's history to life every Monday at 10:30 AM. This 75-minute tour covers approximately one mile over 10 blocks, showcasing Downtown Louisville's rich heritage. Discover architectural marvels on Main Street and City Hall, explore connections to Abraham Lincoln and Lewis and Clark along the river, and uncover hidden details in the urban landscape. Patty's tour, ideal for both visitors and locals, includes key Underground Railroad sites that complement exhibits at the Frazier Museum.
Experience the heart of Louisville's bourbon heritage on Whiskey Row, a historic stretch of Main Street spanning nearly two miles. Available Thursday through Sunday until late October, this tour features stops at various bourbon distilleries. Sample renowned bourbons while delving into Whiskey Row's storied past. Learn about legendary distillers like Julian "Pappy" Van Winkle Sr., Evan Williams, and George Garvin Brown, who helped establish Louisville as a major whiskey producer and river transportation hub across the U.S.
Whispers on Whiskey Row: The Dark History of Derby City Tour
Step into the past on a haunting journey through the heart of downtown Louisville. As the sun sets and the city’s vibrant façade fades, uncover the sinister secrets and chilling tales that lurk behind the historic architecture and storied streets. Led by expert storytellers, this immersive tour delves into the darker chapters of Louisville’s history. Wander through Whiskey Row and along the shores of the murky Ohio River, where the echoes of bygone eras resound with spine-chilling tales of forlorn soldiers, unsolved murders, ruthless bootleggers, and the oppression of marginalized groups.
This self-guided tour series is designed to immerse locals and visitors alike in the rich history, culture, and architecture of our vibrant city. The ever-growing series includes historic West Main Street, Civil Rights Markers, and Whiskey Row, with tours narrated by Louisvillians including University of Louisville Archivist Tom Owen; author and daughter of Muhammad Ali, Rasheda Ali; and LDP’s executive director Rebecca Fleischaker. Each tour is 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how long individuals want to stop and look around with directions provided within the audio tour.
Highlands
Highlands Heritage Tastes & Tales Tour
Discover the Highlands neighborhood's history and flavors on this 3-hour tour, available Wednesday through Sunday at 1:30 PM. Sample local specialties, including a Hot Brown-inspired dish in Ali's former gym and bourbon in the city's oldest bar. Explore iconic sites like Cave Hill Cemetery's entrance and admire opulent Victorian homes near Cherokee Park. This tour offers a perfect blend of culinary experiences and historical insights along Louisville's most storied streets.
NuLu
Beyond The Barrel Bourbon Food Tour
Embark on a journey to explore the seasoned flavors, history, and influence of bourbon on this unique walking food tour. Traverse the trendy NuLu neighborhood as the sun sets, discovering hidden speakeasies, rooftop terraces, renowned restaurants, and inviting tasting rooms. Unlock new flavor notes as you indulge in 8-10 meticulously paired bites, 2 tastings and 3 cocktails that showcase bourbon's unexpected versatility, all while learning the fascinating and complicated history of Kentucky's beloved amber spirit.
Louisville Food & History Walking Tour
Savor Kentucky and Appalachian classics while exploring Louisville's emerging Butchertown and NuLu neighborhoods. Visit Thomas Edison's former residence, taste unique local confections, and learn about German immigrants' influence on the city. This 3-hour tour, offered Fridays through Sundays at 1:00 and 1:30 PM, blends culinary delights with rich local history.
Old Louisville
Old Louisville Ghost Tour
Uncover Old Louisville's spooky side on this 1.5-hour, New York Times-recommended walking tour through the city's Victorian-era streets. Your guide will share chilling tales at key locations, including the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, the mysterious Witches' Tree, and the Filson Historical Society. Explore the neighborhood's eerie past and the ghostly legends of its 19th-century mansions. Appropriate for all ages.
Glitter Ball City Walking Tour
This narrated jaunt through Old Louisville is unique in that it is always guided by local author David Dominé, whose recent true-crime memoir, "A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City", has visitors flocking to the Derby City to check out the spots and sites featured in the story. The tour includes a visit to the Conrad-Caldwell Mansion on stunning St. James Court, as well a stop for a drink at a local watering hole highlighted in the book. Each participant receives a signed, personalized copy of the book, in addition to a souvenir and a sweet treat or two.
Step back in time and discover the history of Old Louisville during an immersive 90-minute walking tour through one of the largest historic preservation districts in the United States. Listen to stories of the bourbon barons, racetrack royalty, and the titans of tobacco who used to reside in the opulent mansions and inviting townhouses on St. James Court and Millionaires Row. At the same time, learn about the wide variety of architectural styles embodied in the grand homes of Old Louisville. This 1.5-hour, award-winning tour is recommended for all ages.
Waterfront Park
Rick Bell Walking Tour | FREE
Learn how Waterfront Park went from what used to be a barren scrap yard to now an 85-acre open green space, giving people access to the Ohio River in downtown Louisville. Author and historian Rick Bell is hosting a FREE 1.5 mile historical walking tour on the last weekend of the month from June through September. Walking from the Belle of Louisville to the Lincoln Memorial, Rick will teach you the significance of Waterfront Park on Louisville's history.
To learn more about Louisville's diverse array of neighborhoods, you can read more over on our neighborhood pages.
Ellie Thornsbury
Marketing & Communications Intern