More Than Just A Tour
Louisville Historic Tours invites you to relieve the past on one of our award-winning regularly scheduled weekly tours. Unlike other companies offering tours, our guides and interpreters are actual residents of the neighborhoods you will be touring. In addition, our tours incorporate professional actors, historic and architectural experts to provide you with a more memorable experience as you discover the sight-seeing treasures in Kentucky’s largest city.
     Below you will find a listing of our regularly scheduled tours; however, if you cannot make it at one of these times, feel free to call Earlene Zimlich, the director of the Visitors Center in Historic Old Louisville, to schedule your own private tour of Kentucky’s Victorian Treasure. Tours are offered year round, rain or shine, however the schedule is subject to change.

View the Louisville Historic Tours Google calendar for dates and times of tours, then call the Old Louisville Visitors Center (502 637 2922) to confirm and make tour reservations.

The following seasonal Full Moon tours last approximately 90 minutes.

Full Moon Tours
Three times every month a local guide shares the haunted past of Old Louisville by the light of a full moon. Hop on our bus and we’ll take you to the grand mansions of Millionaires Row, as well as to the gas-lit walkways of Belgravia and St. James Courts, where you'll hear about the ghosts that haunt Central Park, the Pink Palace and the Conrad-Caldwell House. You'll get a sweet treat from the Old Louisville Candy Company, and if you're lucky you might even run into Simon Kracht, Louisville’s most infamous grave robber.

Day before, day of, and day after full moon.

Full Moon Dates for 2011
Saturday, August 13
Monday, September 12
Wednesday, October 12
Thursday, November 10
Saturday, December 10
9:00 pm - $25.00 plus tax

The following tours are offered year around.

Ghosts of Old Louisville Tour
Join a knowledgeable guide who points out the haunted hot spots from David Domine’s bestsellers “Ghosts of Old Louisville” and “Phantoms of Old Louisville.” In fact, the noted author often appears to conduct the tours himself! Old Louisville is a charming Victorian district with romantic gas-lit alleys and splendid 19th-century architecture that make the perfect backdrop for entertaining tales of otherworldly encounters - especially when the gas lamps come on and illuminate the neighborhood in a soft, and eerie, glow. Visit sites of documented hauntings such as the majestic First Church of Christ, Scientist and Widmer House, the haunted house that started it all. Included on this tour are the highlights of beautiful St James and Belgravia Courts, the mansions of Millionaires Row and a sweet side trip to the Bishop’s Hat House, where Jane and Ron Harris make their world-famous Happy Balls! bourbon candy. This popular excursion - the most popular ghost tour in the area - features a dramatic visit from Alfred DuPont, Old Louisville’s most famous resident haint, in the hauntingly beautiful Central Park.
Bus Tour, Fridays, 7:30 pm - $25 plus tax

Note: Louisville Historic Tours offers the only original and authorized ghost tours of Old Louisville, “America’s Most Haunted Neighborhood.” All the stories are carefully scripted according to true, eyewitness accounts and careful historic research as described in David Domine’s “Ghosts of Old Louisville” series.
Website: www.ghostsofoldlouisville.com


Old Louisville Ghost Walk
An entertaining guide points out the most famous hauntings from David Domine’s bestselling “Ghosts of Old Louisville” series on this invigorating trek through "America's Most Haunted Neighborhood." Against the hauntingly beautiful backdrop of Victorian-era facades bathed in the soft glow of gas lamps, participants are treated to romantic walks along famed Millionaires Row and through charming pedestrian courts such as Floral Terrace and Belgravia Court. Included on this spirited walk are ghostly stories and legends such as The Lady of the Stairs, Lucinda The Queen of America, The Old Lady in the Rocking Chair, and The Witches Tree. This tour is the perfect nighttime introduction to one of the largest - and spookiest! - historic preservation districts in the nation.
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 1 pm - $20 plus tax


Lantern Ghost Walk
A wonderful way to see Old Louisville's haunted houses up close and personal, this trek showcases the neighborhood's magnificent architecture and spooky history at dusk. Grab a lantern and join the group as the guide takes you on a tour of the Conrad-Caldwell House, then discover more of the stories made famous in the books written by local author David Domine. Floral Terrace’s Hanging Tree and the Old Infirmary are just two of the stops. The tour includes a complimentary Happy Ball candy for each participant.
Nightly Walking Tour, 7 (or 8) pm - $25 plus tax


Old Louisville Grand Walking Tour
A perfect introduction to Old Louisville, this brisk walk showcases the spectacular Victorian architecture and fascinating history in one of the nation’s premier historic neighborhoods. Taking full advantage of the beautiful outdoor setting, participants enjoy up-close-and-personal views of the impressive structures and ornate details that survive in this enchanting open-air museum. On display in the 48 square blocks that comprise the Old Louisville historic preservation district today are more than a thousand quaint residences and outstanding dwellings embodying a remarkable variety of styles from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A knowledgeable guide shares stories of local legends and colorful characters as you discover the architectural secrets of the mansions of Millionaires Row and charming St. James Court, the site of the famed Southern Exposition of 1883. Included are Olmsted-designed Central Park, Floral Terrace and the mansions of Ormsby Avenue. Particpants will also get a sneak-peak inside a local bed-and-breakfast establishment.
Tuesdays thru Saturdays, 11 am & 3 pm - $15 plus tax


Mansions and Milestones Tour
Wonderful architecture and fascinating history await participants on this narrated tour through America’s grandest Victorian neighborhood. One of the largest historic preservation districts in the nation, Old Louisville boasts some 48 square blocks of charming homes and splendid mansions displaying an impressive variety of architectural styles from the late 1800s and early 1900s. An entertaining guide shares local lore and legend as the group explores the quaint St. James Court neighborhood and learns about the famed Southern Exposition of 1883. Included is a sweet visit to Ron and Jane Harris’ 1894 mansion on Millionaire’s Row, where guests are treated to one of their hand-made bourbon candies known as Happy Balls! For a romantic twist, try this tour in the evening when the sun has gone down and the old gas lamps bathe this beautiful Victorian neighborhood in a warm glow.
Bus Tour, Fridays & Saturdays, 2:30 pm - $25 plus tax


Tour Details
All tours last approximately 1.5 to 2 hours. Reservations with payment required for all tours. Sales tax not included. Tours begin at the Historic Old Louisville Visitors Center, 218 W. Oak St. Guests should be present 15 minutes before their tour begins. Itineraries may be subject to change, depending on weather conditions and hours of operations for various sights. Other customized tours available upon request.

All tours leave from the Old Louisville Chamber of Commerce and Visitor Center, 1217 S. 4th Street Reservations and payment are required. 6% KY state sales tax is not included in the price of the tour. Call during business hours for more details, Tuesday through Saturday 10am - 5pm, 502 637 2922.

updated: 8.18.11