Old Louisville

Old Louisville has the most extensive collection of restored Victorian homes in the country and is the third-largest Historic Preservation District in the U.S.

Built as a suburb in the 1870s, this neighborhood consists of more than 40 city blocks of Victorian-era homes – considered some of the oldest, largest and most beautifully preserved homes in the city.

Amid the rich architecture of this community, you’ll also find a high concentration of quaint bed and breakfasts, inns, and unique dining options surrounded by the beauty of mature magnolia and oak trees.

EAT & DRINK

Start your day at North Lime Coffee & Donuts with made-from-scratch donuts and professionally crafted espresso in a renovated 19th-century building.

If you’re craving an old-school dining experience, Old Louisville is ready to serve. Old Louisville Tavern is known for handpatty burgers and house-cut fries, and Burger Boy is open 24/7 with a full breakfast menu. A Louisville institution since 1947, Dizzy Whizz is famous for its Whizzburger, a double-decker hamburger with a secret special sauce. For a nostalgic jaunt, walk up to the trolley car to order a tasty burger at Ollie’s Trolley, one of three remaining locations in the country. The Granville Pub, established in 1939, is another classic spot where you can get a great burger and watch a game, play pool or darts and hear live music.

Renshoku Ramen has a variety of Japanese, including JFC (Japanese Fried Chicken), and rice bowls. For Jamaican, Roof Top Grill gets rave reviews for their Caribbean classics, while Falafel Oasis is an excellent choice for Middle Eastern delicacies. If you’re craving soul food, Lucretia’s Kitchen is a great stop.

610 Magnolia is considered one of the city’s finest restaurants. Chef-owner Edward Lee (a James Beard finalist who starred on “Iron Chef America” and “Top Chef”) blends European techniques with seasonal, local and organic products during a six-course, pre-fixe dinner.

Buck’s Restaurant & Bar combines European luxury and modern style with linen tablecloths, artfully mismatched china, white flowers adorning the bar and live piano music nightly in the historic Mayflower building.

Craft beer lovers will want to visit Old Louisville Brewery, a brother-owned microbrewery and neighborhood community hangout, and Noble Funk Brewing Company, where you’ll also find Noble Hearth Craft Pizza. Another neighborhood pizza spot is Pizza Donisi.

Old Louisville Coffee Co-op, another neighborhood hangout, stays open late to host open mics, poetry readings, comedy, art and more.

DISCOVER

For lovers of the Bard, check out Kentucky Shakespeare, presenters of one of the longest-running free Shakespeare festivals in the country. Each fall, they also offer a spooky ticketed event at their Old Louisville headquarters. Stop in and admire the architecture at the Louisville Free Public Library. At the Speed Art Museum, art lovers of all ages can see paintings and sculpture works worldwide. Kentucky’s oldest and largest art museum hosts monthly special events, including an outdoor art park and piazza.

History buffs will want to tour the Conrad-Caldwell House with its ornate stained glass and handcrafted woodwork and take in the programming at The Filson Historical Society.

For families, a fun and educational option is the Gheens Science Hall & Rauch Planetarium located on the nearby University of Louisville campus.

Louisville Memorial Auditorium offers rich history and architectural beauty while offering a variety of concerts and stage productions. Old Louisville has its own Central Park, which often functions as the center of community events. Also, check out Old Louisville’s various walking tours with themes from historical to architectural to ghostly, where you can see neighborhood landmarks like the “Pink Palace” and the Witches’ Tree.

Featured Attractions & Things to Do