Do you love US history? Enjoy adding education to your vacation? You’re going to love historic old Louisville! Aside from the more commonly known historical sights like Churchill Downs, the Frazier History Museum, and stops on the Bourbon Trail, there are many lesser-known spots with a rich history that will fascinate and surprise you.

Additionally, the neighborhood of Old Louisville is one of the largest historic districts in the United States. If you like to learn, make Louisville, Kentucky your next vacation destination… and don’t forget to stick with the history theme and book your stay with us at the historic Inn at Woodhaven! 

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8 Things To Do In Old Louisville

There are many interesting neighborhoods in Louisville, but you’ll be blown away by what you can find in historic old Louisville.

1. Take a Walking Tour Through Historic Old Louisville

Step back in time and take a stroll on the historic streets of Old Louisville. Simply grab an Old Louisville map or join a guided walking tour. We highly recommend joining one of the many tours that are on offer year-round.

2. Stop at the Visitors Center

Stopping by the Visitors Center is a no-brainer where you’ll find:

• Answers to all of your questions about the area
• Friendly locals happy to greet you
• Events schedules
• Local expertise
• Maps

Its proximity to all of the other attractions makes it a no-brainer —the visitors center is conveniently located in Central Park, which is the site of our next tip. Click here for Google Maps directions, or find the address below:

1340 S. 4th St., Central Park
Louisville, KY 40208

3. Enjoy Live Music in the Historic Central Park

Historic Louisville stretches beyond Victorian mansions into the still-stunning Central Park. Once famous for being the site of the World’s Fair, Central Park is worth exploring to this day.

Besides historic buildings such as the Chateau Gallery, the park hosts many notable events every year and it’s worth checking out what’s in store for this year.

In the warmer months of the year, Central Park is the place to be for music and art lovers. This is when the series of free concerts known as Old Louisville LIVE are held. With a diverse line up of acts and performances, Old Louisville LIVE is guaranteed to please any fan of music.

Gathering clouds are no reason to abandon your hopes of a musical night as nearby buildings such as the historic Mayflower Building offer an excellent indoor alternative. 

Want to see more of what the Old Louisville neighborhood looks like? Here’s a virtual drive around town! 

4. Look For Ghosts

Did you know that besides boasting the largest collection of restored Victorian homes in the entire country, the Old Louisville neighborhood is also known as America’s most haunted neighborhood?

Don’t be fooled by the splendor of these beautiful homes though as many of the historic buildings you see here have a dark past! There are even special tours like the Louisville Ghost Tours that will take you to haunted local landmarks such as the Witches’ Tree, if you dare.

We have an entire guide to the most haunted places in Louisville that you can follow: Haunted Places to Visit in Louisville.

5. Kentucky Shakespeare Festival

If you’re looking for a more cultured version of entertainment, then the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival could be right up your alley. During the summer months, the people behind Kentucky Shakespeare and Central Park join hands to put up a free series of plays by the famous British playwright with the express mission to make them as accessible as possible.

While you’re there, why not visit the Old Louisville Brewery for a craft beer or one of the many surrounding food trucks for tasty burger? I guess there’s no better way to describe this truly local experience than quoting the man himself: “I like this place and I would willingly waste my time in it.“

6. James Court Art Show

Considering yourself to be more of an art lover than a music fan? Then fall in Lousiville is home to a not-to-be-missed festival for you.

Every year on the first weekend of October, Old Louisville is home to the James Court Art Show. 

For a full weekend, more than 600 artists from around the country display and sell their work in what’s been named the “Number one fine art and design show”. Each year, more than 250,000 people choose to visit so make sure you book your accommodation early!

7. Visit the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum

Looking for more architecture? Then we recommend visiting the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, located at 1402 St. James Court in the historic Old Louisville neighborhood. It’s fair to say that “house” is an understatement to describe this 1895 building designed by architect, Arthur Loomis, as it was designed in the style of a Richardsonian Romanesque castle.

The home was once occupied by two of Louisville’s most prominent businessmen and their families. Theophile Conrad is responsible for the creation of the home and several other historic properties in the area, while William E. Caldwell and his family were the second occupants of the home.

The museum was the 2019 recipient of the Kentucky History Awards and offers both self-guided and docent-led tours of the building on Wednesdays through Sundays. (Word has it that at least one of the docents is a descendant of a family that lived in the house.) Discount tickets are available for seniors, military, and students. Plan to spend around 1-2 hours touring this site.

8. Visit The University of Louisville

The University of Louisville’s campus is adjacent to the Old Louisville neighborhood, and its presence has impacted the city’s development since its founding in 1798.

It introduces visitors to a different side of Louisville, and provides enough charm and attractions to make it worth the walk. Enjoy a scenic walk across campus or enjoy cultural stops like the Louisville Arboretum and Speed Art Museum.

Bonus Stops Nearby For History Buffs

Doesn’t Old Louisville just put you in a historic mood? Here are three bonus stops for your itinerary that will offer a deeper look at the history of the area, while venturing slightly outside of the neighborhood.

Book a Harbor History Cruise

If the weather is nice, book a Harbor History cruise on the Belle of Louisville Steamboat, the only remaining steamboat from the great American packet boat era. This very affordably-priced excursion will take you on a tour of the Ohio River for a one-hour narration that includes the history of Louisville and the significance of steamboats. The Belle of Louisville is a National Historic Landmark and has been in operation since 1914. 

The Harbor History cruise is not the only way to set sail on this iconic ship. Visit their website for a full list of both day and evening cruises, along with seasonal special events like their “Speakeasy on the River” and “Bourbon on the River” excursions. Casual attire is suitable for most events, with flat shoes and sun protection recommended. 

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Visit a Property That’s Nearly as old as the Nation

One of the oldest settler’s sites in Louisville is Locust Grove, home to Louisville’s founders, William and Lucy Clark Croghan. This 55-acre property includes the Croghans’ Georgian mansion, all of which was built and cultivated by 30-45 enslaved people in the late 1700s.

Croghan’s brother-in-law was George Rogers Clark of the well-known Lewis and Clark expedition. In his later years, Clark lived on the property at Locust Grove until he died in 1818.

Locust Grove honors both its founders and the history of the enslaved people who built the property and were responsible for the Croghans’ prosperity. There are 60-90 minute guided tours of the house in the morning and early afternoon on Tuesday through Saturday.

There are also self-guided tours available with audio headsets that guide you through the history of twelve sites on the property. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended and can be purchased from their website.

Explore the Filson Historical Society

The Filson Historical Society is an essential stop for any history lover. This beautiful historic building hosts several rotating exhibitions on local Kentucky history and is an excellent place to start your exploration of the town.

As an added benefit, the Historical Society is conveniently located in Old Louisville which makes it very easy to combine it with our next activity. This is a bonus tip because it’s actually located outside of Old Louisville, nearer the downtown Louisville neighborhood. It’s well worth a stop, and is in walking distance!

The Best Place to Stay for a History-Filled Vacation

We couldn’t wrap our history blog without discussing the very history of our beloved Inn at Woodhaven! The property was built in 1853 by well-known Kentucky farmer Theodore Brown, who lived there with his family for many years and surrounded the property with walnut trees.

The property was then purchased by the Monohan family who enjoyed the home for several decades. We (Mark & Jeremy) are honored to be the fifth owners over the past 171 years. 

To honor the original owner, you can stay in our Theodore Brown Suite, which features a queen four-poster bed, private balcony, sitting room, and 10-foot-tall steam shower. Or, explore our seven other rooms, suites, and cottage for the space that matches your style best.

Aside from a comfortable night’s sleep, we deliver one of the most drool-worthy breakfasts in town that will leave you satiated for your full day of historic exploration around Louisville.  

Visit this blog for our highly sought-after caramel French toast casserole recipe so that you can bring a bit of Louisville’s charm back to your home after your vacation! It’s a fan favorite that’s sure to never be a thing of the past.