What You Will Do
Keeping it local for more than 20 years! Unlike large national companies that move into a city and cannibalize mom-and-pop enterprises, Louisville Historic Tours is a local tour operator started and run by locals. Showing off the best of the Derby City since 2004, our curated experiences rely on the talents of passionate individuals who live in and have a vested interest in the neighborhoods they showcase. In addition, our guided treks and experiential tours--all researched and written by Louisville author David Dominé--consistently receive accolades from national and international media sources, including The New York Times. When you sign up for a tour with Louisville Historic Tours, you're taking a tour with a local, and all of your money goes to local businesses and individuals. On average, Louisville Historic Tours pays its guides twice the rate paid by the national tour operators.
Cancellation Policy
All sales are final. No refund is available for cancellations.
Itinerary
Meeting Point
Look for your Louisville Historic Tours guide at Quills Coffee NuLu, 802 E. Main St., Louisville, KY, 40206. The guide will contact you beforehand to provide his or her cell number and final details.
1
10 minutes
Start off your 3-hour walking tour with a sweet treat at this popular NuLu eatery known for its biscuits and bourbon sugar cookies.
2
Thomas Edison Butchertown House
5 minutes
Learn about the famous inventor's time in Louisville, when he occupied a brick shotgun house in the Butchertown neighborhood.
3
Learn about the unique art installation at this popular NuLu. watering hole known for its country ham selections.
4
Muth's Candies
5 minutes
Around for more than a century, Muth's is the place to get local favorites like the modjeska.
5
Find out about Nobel Laureate Bob Dylan's recent venture in NuLu in a restored church from the mid-19th century and make reservations to come back for dinner or a drink on your own!
6
Discover the history behind Louisville's fascinating alley system!
7
What's a whiskey thief? Find out as you pass this newer addition to NuLu's bourbon tasting scene and make a plan to stop in later because walk-ins are always welcome!
8
Learn about one of NuLu's most interesting Airbnb options, which is housed in a brick church from the mid-1800s and pays homage to some of the city's civil rights' icons.
9
Learn a bit about the Derby City's attempts at providing services to lower income residents and houseless individuals in its downtown neighborhoods. At the same time, hear a fascinating story about a controversial priest assigned to this former church and the gruesome crime he was accused of in 1909.
10
Hamilton Ed Studios
Discover more about the River City's thriving art scene and find out why Ed Hamilton has long been considered one of the country's premier sculptors.
11
St. Martin of Tours Catholic Church
10 minutes
Immerse yourself in NuLu's rich Catholic heritage and German-American history at this stunning church from the mid-1800s. The only Louisville church open 24 hours a day, it is worth a visit for its stained-glass windows and religious art alone; the fascinating relics on display are an added bonus.
12
Falls City Brewing
15 minutes
Stop in and wet your whistle with a local brew whose recipe goes back more than a century and sample the pizza version of a River City culinary icon, the hot brown.
13
5 minutes
Sample another Louisville specialty, Derby Pie, at this popular NuLu gourmet shop.
14
Nulu Market Place
5 minutes
This mixed-use development opened in 2020 to blend retail, dining, and social spaces while focusing on supporting local entrepreneurs. It occupies the entire 800 block of East Market Street and features a variety of establishments, including boutiques, specialty shops, and restaurants. Make sure to come back after your walking tour to see more!
15
West Sixth Nulu
15 minutes
Not only do they like to make good beer at this popular Bluegrass Brewery, they like to make a social impact as well. In addition to their IPAs and innovative craft brews, they're known for bourbon slushies and good Kentucky beer cheese.
16
15 minutes
Cap off your walking tour with a tasting of Kentucky's most famous spirit and find out why all bourbons are whiskey but not all whiskeys are bourbon.
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