Historic Old Louisville
Welcome to Historic Old Louisville!Visit the neighborhood with the largest collection of Victorian mansions in the United States and experience the community called Old Louisville, located in our nation’s 16th largest city.
This National Preservation District offers more than 1,400 homes in a forty-eight block area - grand homes with architectural styles of centuries past - along miles of tree lined streets, courts and avenues. Take a walking or driving tour, a guided historical and architectural tour, or an exciting Ghost Tour through our neighborhood.
From the southern edge of downtown Louisville to the University of Louisville’s Belknap Campus, Old Louisville is one of the city’s most historic and exciting neighborhoods. Over 17,000 people, representing a wide spectrum of ages, incomes, races and lifestyles make Old Louisville their home. It is this diversity, as well as the attractiveness of its beautiful, turn-of-the-century Victorian homes, which make Old Louisville such an exciting place to live, work and play.
Download a PDF map of Old Louisville here!
History You Can See and Touch
Old Louisville today is a story of urban revitalization. Within the heart of the city, Old Louisville contains three historic districts and numerous structures which are included on the National Register of Historic Places. In addition, the City’s Historic Landmarks and Preservation Districts Commission has designated two local preservation districts in the neighborhood.
• The Old Louisville Preservation District includes approximately 48 blocks of the residential core between Kentucky and Bloom Streets to the north and south, and between Sixth Street and Interstate 65 on the east and west.
• The Limerick Preservation District includes much of the northwestern portion of the neighborhood bounded roughly by Breckinridge, Oak, Eighth and Fifth Streets.
• The University of Louisville Campus is our third historic district.
Old Louisville Visitors Center
Visitors first stop should be the Old Louisville Visitors Center, located just 2 miles south of Louisville’s riverfront, with easy access from I-65
at St. Catherine Street - exit #135. Follow the Visitor Center signs to 218 W. Oak Street, between 2nd & 3rd Streets. We are open Tuesday through Saturday, 9 to 5. Pick up a copy of our Walking Tour guide for maps and descriptions of our Old Louisville architecture.
Take a Guided Tour!
Louisville Historic Tours invites you to join us on one of our regularly scheduled tours. Our guides and interpreters are residents of the neighborhood. Our tours also incorporate professional actors, plus historic and architectural experts to provide you with a more memorable experience as you discover the sight-seeing treasures in Kentucky’s largest city.
Two of our more popular tours are the The Grand Walking Tour, $15.00 per adult, departs everyday except Sunday at 1 pm and takes 2 hours. The Ghosts of Old Louisville Walking Tour departs every Friday evening at 7:30, takes 90 minutes, and costs $25 for adults.
Call the Visitors Center in Historic Old Louisville at 502 637 2922 make your tour reservations or to schedule a private tour of Kentucky’s Victorian Treasure. Tours are offered year round, rain or shine,.
View the Louisville Historic Tours Google calendar for dates and times of tours, schedule is subject to change.
Vist the Louisville Historic Tours website for more information.
Annual Old Louisville Events
Old Louisville Hidden Treasures Garden Tour
www.oldlouisvillegardentour.com
Kentucky Shakespeare Festival
www.kyshakes.org
Garvin Gate Blues Festival
www.garvingatebluesfestival.com
St. James Court Art Show
www.stjamescourtartshow.com
The Spirit Ball
www.thespiritball.com
Victorian Ghost Tour
www.victorianghostwalk.com
Old Louisville Holiday House Tour and Festival
www.holidayhousetour.com
View the Louisville Historic Neighborhoods Google calendar for dates of all neighborhood events.
Gift Shop at the Visitors CenterIn addition to the Gift Shop at the Vistiors Center you can purchase products online from our CafePress web site. Proceeds benefit the Old Louisville Visitors Center, The Old Louisville Information Center in Central Park and other annual Old Louisville events, including the Holiday House Tour, the Old Louisville Garden Tour, and the Garvin Gate Blues Festival among others. Click to go to the online store.
Driving Distances to Old Louisville
Louisville is one of our country’s most beautiful and exceptional cities, and a great place to spend a weekend, and it is an easy drive from the following major cities:
• Lexington - 76 miles
• Bloomington - 91 miles
• Cincinnati - 105 miles
• Indianapolis - 114 miles
• Evansville - 118 miles
• Nashville - 174 miles
• Columbus - 205 miles
• Knoxville - 246 miles
• St. Louis - 259 miles
• Chicago - 282 miles
• Cleveland - 346 miles
• Memphis - 383 miles
Old Louisville Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Center
218 West Oak Street Louisville, KY 40203
phone 502 637 2922 kevin@oldlouisville.org
hours Tuesday-Saturday 10-5
