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

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1
  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.

  15 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  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.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  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.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  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.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 5
  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.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included
• 6
  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.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 7
  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.

  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.

  Admission ticket free
• 8
  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.

  5 minutes • Admission ticket not included

Additional info

• Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
• 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

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