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Offered languages
- English
Step into the past on a haunting journey through the true story of the "Graveyard of the West". As the sun sets and the city’s vibrant façade fades, you'll uncover the sinister secrets and chilling tales that lurk beneath the city's storied streets.
One part ghosts, one part grisly history, this guided 1.5-hour walking tour through downtown unveils the darkest corners of Louisville’s gruesome past, where the echoes of bygone eras whisper tragic tales of the forlorn, the oppressed, the betrayed, and the ruthless.
From a ghost that still haunts a glamorous hotel to the tragic riots of Bloody Monday, you’ll trace the cursed footsteps of criminals, mobsters, bootleggers, enslavers, and murderers in the city streets they once roamed – and the spirits whose souls never left.
For thrill-seekers, true crime fans, and lovers of the macabre, this dark history & ghost tour is a journey into the stories that lie beneath Louisville’s charming exterior. Dare to listen to the shadows with us.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Meet at the Belvedere plaza entrance at S. 5th & W. Main. Your guide will be by the lamppost on the right side of the walkway when facing the river. The Belvedere isn’t accessible by car, but free street parking and paid lots are nearby. The tour ends about a 10-min walk from the start.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
You'll begin your tour at a statue commemorating Louisville's famous founder. But is he really deserving of his unblemished reputation? And who else might have a tale to tell about Louisville's role in our country's early days and westward expansion?
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Louisville's iconic historic steamboat has seen over 100 years of history and change. What whispered stories might she tell about the murky waters of the Ohio River?
Admission ticket free -
1
Sit and enjoy a cocktail while you learn about cunning bootleggers who defied Prohibition, fires and floods which nearly destroyed this historic stretch of downtown, and the salacious hidden tunnels underneath your very feet. But beware: there are more spirits here than what you'll see behind the bar... Note: cocktail is only included for applicable ticket holders.
20 minutes • Admission ticket included -
(Pass by)
This glamorous hotel was once the secret meeting place for a famous bootlegger and a mobster whose escapades defined the Prohibition era. Plus, the tragic tale of a grisly murder whose forlorn victim may still walk these hallowed halls...
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
This ominous steeple once bore witness to one of the bloodiest days in Louisville's history...
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Once known as "Justice Square," this beautiful city park has been a battleground for both righteous justice and savage injustice.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
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Additional info
- Wheelchair accessible
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- We will make 1 stop for drinks and bathrooms.
- Louisville Food Tours is proudly locally owned and operated.
- This tour shares true, well-researched history, including stories of marginalized and oppressed communities, such as Black history and Louisville’s role in slavery and the Underground Railroad. Some stories are unsettling, as they reflect the difficult realities of the past. If you are not comfortable engaging respectfully with these histories or with people of diverse identities, this may not be the right tour for you.
- Our tours are designed to be welcoming and inclusive for all guests. Discriminatory, racist, or homophobic behavior will not be tolerated, and guests who engage in it may be removed from the tour without a refund.
- Not recommended for anyone with difficulty walking or standing for 1.5 hours
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
- This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund.
- This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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