Here are 6 tours you can take of Old Louisville, America’s grandest Victorian neighborhood
Looking for something to do around Louisville this summer? What about exploring some history, right in your backyard?
From stories about bourbon barons and racetrack royalty to titans of tobacco who used to reside in the opulent mansions on St. James Court, discover Old Louisville, America’s grandest Victorian neighborhood, on one of David Domine’s six Louisville Historic Tours.
Domine, who is known for his books including "A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City," "Phantoms of Old Louisville," and "Ghosts of Old Louisville," created the tours, which give you a glimpse into some of the weirdest history in Old Louisville.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit louisvillehistorictours.com.
Old Louisville History and Architecture Tour
WHAT: Learn about Old Louisville’s history and the Victorian architectural styles in the grand homes along Ormsby Avenue and around the Olmsted-designed Central Park. Hear stories about the bourbon barons, racetrack royalty, and the titans of tobacco who used to reside in the opulent mansions and townhouses on St. James Court and Millionaires Row. The guide will take you to the secluded walking courts like Floral Terrace and gaslit Belgravia Court, areas that you probably wouldn't find on your own.
WHERE: Departs from the corner of South Fourth Street and West Ormsby Avenue in Old Louisville
WHEN: 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 and 3 p.m. daily
COST: $25 for ages 11-62, $22 for ages 63 and older, $20 for ages 3-10.
MORE INFORMATION: Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and expect to traverse a bumpy patch or two. If you use a cane or a walker, this tour is not recommended for you. Guests in wheelchairs have encountered very few challenges when participating in this tour. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Old Louisville Ghost Tour: America's Most Haunted Neighborhood
WHAT: The tour focuses on allegedly haunted locations, local legends, and spooky tales. On this walking tour, uncover the eerie past of the neighborhood alongside a guide who regales you with several ghostly tales. Stop at several points of interest including the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, the Witches' Tree, and the Filson Historical Society.
WHERE: Start and end in front of the brown “Welcome to Old Louisville” sign at the corner of Fourth Street and Ormsby Avenue
WHEN: 6, 7:30 and 9:15 p.m. daily
COST: $27.50, $25 for ages 11-17, $22 for ages 63 and older and ages 3-10
MORE INFORMATION: Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and expect to traverse a bumpy patch or two. If you use a cane or a walker, this tour is not recommended for you. Guests in wheelchairs have encountered very few challenges when participating in this tour. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Secrets and Scandals of Old Louisville Tour
WHAT: On this tour visit locations where famous people lived and died; houses with interesting backstories, and hidden architectural features; and places where scandals and grisly crimes occurred. The walk will include a stroll through Belgravia Court and secluded, tree-lined St. James Court. View the carved lamplighter and the statue of Venus rising from the sea that has come to be the symbol of Old Louisville. Also included are stops at the Witches’ Tree, Fountain Court, and hidden Floral Terrace.
WHERE: Departs from the Old Louisville Tavern, 1532 S. Fourth St.
WHEN: 3 and 5:30 p.m. daily and by appointment
COST: $65 and includes a complimentary beer or cocktail, sweet treats and a surprise gift.
MORE INFORMATION: Recommended for ages 16 and older.
Paranormal Buff Supernatural Tour
WHAT: Explores the dark side of Old Louisville. Trained orisha, voodoo priestess, and expert storyteller Angelique Stacy will lead the tour. In addition to outdoor locations such as the infamous Witches’ Tree and Fountain Court, guests will walk through gas-lit St. James Court and tour a Third Street mansion that was once home to a family of poets and artists.
WHERE: Departs from Dreamlight Antiques, 1201 S. Third St. (parking in the lot.
WHEN: 8 p.m. Fridays-Sundays and by appointment.
COST: $110 and includes a signed copy of David Dominé’s True Ghost Stories and Eerie Legends from America’s Most Haunted Neighborhood, entrance into one allegedly haunted location for a 30-minute paranormal investigation, complimentary beer, and a sweet treat or two.
MORE INFORMATION: Recommended for ages 18 and older.
Glitter Ball City Walking Tour
WHAT: Fans of author David Dominé will be thrilled to know that David Dominé is the tour guide, and the tour focuses exclusively on the spots and characters featured in his 2021 memoir, "A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City." The book chronicles the bizarre murder of Jamie Carroll in a crumbling Fourth Street mansion and the subsequent trials of his accused killers. The tour goes through Central Park where you visit the Witches’ Tree, and then head for the corner of “Fourth and Crazy” and the house where David used to live and began writing his books about Old Louisville. Tour-goers will stop in front of the large red brick mansion where Jamie Carroll met his unfortunate end and hear more about the history of this location, which has been featured on national true-crime shows such as “The First 48,” “Hell House,” “Deadly Sins,” and “After the First 48.”
WHERE: Departs from Birdie & Vi’s Fleatique, 622 W. Magnolia Ave.
WHEN: 2:30 and 5 p.m. Fridays-Sundays and by appointment
COST: $90 and includes a signed, personalized copy of Dominé’s book, complimentary beer or cider at Birdie & Vi’s, disco ball souvenir, and Happy Ball bourbon candy.
Best of Old Louisville 50-Minute Guided Walking Tour
WHAT: This tour is for those who don't have a lot of time, but still want to learn a lot about Old Louisville. In less than an hour, you'll be guided through St. James Court, Fountain Court, Belgravia Court, and several blocks of the city's old Millionaires Row as you learn about the bourbon barons, racetrack royalty, and the titans of tobacco who settled in this fascinating neighborhood. Some structures you'll admire from the sidewalks include the Samuel Culbertson Mansion, Caldwell's Castle, the Pink Palace, and the elegant William Wathen Residence, but you'll also see the emblematic Fountain at St. James Court and leafy Central Park as well.
WHERE: Departs from the corner of Fourth Street and Ormsby Avenue
WHEN: 10 a.m., noon, 2 and 4 p.m. daily
COST: $15 for ages 18-62, $12 for ages 63 and older and ages 11-17, $10 for ages 3-10
MORE INFORMATION: Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes and expect a bumpy patch or two when encountering old brick sidewalks and uneven paving stones. If you use a cane or a walker, this tour is not recommended for you. Guests in wheelchairs, however, have encountered very few challenges when participating in this tour. Well-behaved dogs are welcome.
Reach news clerk Gege Reed at [email protected].
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville Historic Tours, walking tours in Old Louisville
