How to choose your tour with louisville food tours: a Complete Guide
Need a little help choosing which food tour to take? We’ve got about 8 different tours depending on the time of year, so we understand if it feels overwhelming!
There’s a lot to consider: different neighborhoods, different vibes, food-forward vs. bourbon-forward, daytime vs. evening and what fits into your itinerary, whether you’re looking for an introduction to Louisville or a tour that’s more off the beaten path, etc.
But take a deep breath: we’re here to help! This guide will help explain the vibe of every tour we offer, so you can land on the one that fits your trip!
Quick picks at a glance:
- First time in Louisville? → Secrets of Louisville NuLu Food Tour or Downtown Derby City Food Tour
- Bourbon lover? → Beyond the Barrel Bourbon Food Tour or the Bourbon Trolley
- Want ghost stories & cocktails? → Phantoms of Prohibition Cocktail & Ghost Tour or Whispers on Whiskey Row (1.5 hrs)
- Want a beautiful neighborhood & stunning scenery? → Victorian Louisville Food & Architecture Tour
- Exploring Louisville’s LGBTQ+ history? → Queer History Tour (1.5 hrs)
Still want the full picture? Here’s every tour, in detail.
The full tour guide
Need more detail? We’ve got you covered! Here’s an in-depth look at our tours and how they differ so you can pick the perfect tour the first time (though we hope you’ll want to come back and take a few more!).
Secrets of Louisville: Food & History Tour in NuLu
- Fri–Sun · 1 & 1:30 PM · 3 hours · 6 stops · $109–$129 · Daytime
This tour is great for first-time visitors to Louisville or foodies eager to explore NuLu, Louisville’s trendiest neighborhood just a mile away from downtown.
As you pass by local boutiques and colorful murals, you’ll learn about Louisville and Kentucky history while sampling dishes that originated in this region (does “burgoo” mean anything to you?).
This is a great tour for families and light drinkers, as there is only one craft beer included.
- Best For: First timers to Louisville; families; visitors staying in NuLu or Butchertown.
- What to Expect: You’ll walk around the trendy NuLu neighborhood and the historic Butchertown neighborhood while trying Kentucky staples like burgoo, biscuits & gravy, and modjeskas.
- Food & Drinks: A filling lunch with one craft beer.
Louisville Legends: Downtown Derby City Food & History Tour
- Weds–Sat · 11:30 AM · 3 hours · 4 stops · $109–$129 · Daytime
Take this tour if it’s your first time in Louisville, or if you have no idea what food Louisville is known for. If the term “hot brown” doesn’t ring a bell, this is the tour for you!
This tour is also ideal for non-drinkers, as the base ticket only includes food (a drink pairing package can be purchased as an add-on). And as one of our only all-ages friendly tours, this is a great choice for families with under-21 guests.
- Best For: First timers to Louisville; families; visitors staying downtown.
- What to Expect: You’ll take a lovely stroll down Whiskey Row and Museum Row in the heart of Louisville’s historic downtown, stopping to taste iconic Louisville culinary creations like the hot brown, modjeska, and Derby Pie.
- Food & Drinks: A filling lunch. Drink pairing is an optional add-on.
Historic Walking Tour of Victorian Louisville: Food, Bourbon, History & Architecture
Weds–Sat · 1:30 PM · 3 hours · 5 stops · $109–$129 · Daytime · 21+
If you’re excited about Louisville’s gorgeous scenery, take this tour! You’ll be exploring the Original Highlands and Cherokee Triangle, two of Lousiville’s oldest neighborhoods and some of the best areas in Louisville to see its iconic Victorian homes.
You’ll learn about the history of the neighborhood and local architecture as you stroll past gardens along lush, tree-lined streets, stopping for delicious local food, drinks and bourbon along the way.
Of all of our daytime tours, this tour has the most alcoholic beverages (and the tour is 21+). And as a bonus, this is our most dog-friendly tour (book it as a private tour if you’d like to bring your pooch!)
- Best For: Stunning scenery (especially in spring and fall); Lovers of architecture and gardens; anyone who enjoys a cocktail or 3 with their lunch.
- What to Expect: Stroll past grand Victorian homes and gardens along lush tree-lined streets learning about the historic of two of Louisville’s oldest neighborhoods, while stopping and enjoy delicious local food, cocktails and bourbon.
- Food & Drinks: A filling lunch, with larger portions and fewer stops than our other daytime tours. Bourbon tasting, beer and cocktails included in addition to food (this tour is 21+).
- Bonus: This tour may be booked as a dog-friendly private tour! And, it can also be adjusted to be an all-ages private tour.
Beyond the Barrel: Bourbon & Food Pairings Tour in NuLu
- Weds–Fri · 5 & 5:30 PM · 3 hours · 4 stops · $159–$189 · Evening · 21+
This evening tour treats bourbon as if it were wine, with food pairings designed to bring out bourbon’s nuances and complex notes. Whether you’re a bourbon connoisseur or brand new to bourbon, you’ll be experiencing something brand new as this the only walking bourbon food tour in the world.
Across some of the best restaurants in NuLu, you’ll taste dishes made by acclaimed Chefs paired with thoughtfully paired bourbon cocktails and pours. The pours and cocktails run the gamut of bourbon’s versatility, including clarified, fat-washed, river-aged, wheated, infused, and finished bourbons.
As you stroll through NuLu, Louisville’s foodie neighborhood, you’ll hear the stories of bourbon’s evolution that brands won’t hear on their distillery tours. It’s a bourbon lover’s dream, and something you can only experience in the heart of Bourbon country.
- Best For: Bourbon lovers; bourbon-curious newbies; date nights; visitors staying in NuLu.
- What to Expect: You’ll explore the trendy NuLu neighborhood at night while tasting clarified, fat-washed, river-aged, wheated, infused, and finished bourbons paired with bites at some of the most celebrated eateries in town.
- Food & Drinks: Bourbon pours and cocktails (this tour is 21+) with delicious paired dishes comprising a full dinner.
Phantoms of Prohibition: Cocktail & Ghost Tour of Whiskey Row
- Tue–Fri · 5 & 5:30 PM · 3 hours · 4 stops · $149–$179 · Evening · 21+
Travel back in time to the fabled (and often misunderstood) world of Prohibition-era Louisville! As you slip into some of the best speakeasies in town, you’ll learn about Louisville’s bootlegging era and the mobsters and magnates who ruled the city, discover the connections between Louisville and the Great Gatsby, and even get a glimpse of Al Capone’s secret getaway. You might even leave with a new understanding of the success, or failure, of Prohibition.
In addition to Jazz-Age tales of Louisville’s Prohibition past, you’ll also hear spine-tingling stories of some of the souls who perished in Louisville – and never left.
Lauded as one of the “Best Walking Tours in the US”, this Whiskey Row walking tour combines Prohibition history with ghosts for a truly unique cocktail tour. In addition to cocktails, you’ll also enjoy small dishes.
- Best For: Cocktail lovers; date nights; history buffs; fans of the paranormal; visitors staying in Downtown.
- What to Expect: You’ll get to visit some of the best speakeasies (no password required) while learning about the ghosts and fabled figures of prohibition, all while trying historic cocktails and bites.
- Food & Drinks: Multiple cocktails (this tour is 21+) and food tastings. Some may wish to eat dinner before or after the tour – this is more of a cocktail tour than a food tour.
The Bourbon Trolley: Distillery Tour, Tasting Rooms & Bourbon-Infused Bites
- Thurs & Fri · 1:30 PM · 3 hours · 5 bourbon stops · $179–$209 · Afternoon · 21+
The Bourbon Trolley is Louisville’s most unique bourbon tour! Visit tasting rooms, tour bourbon distilleries, and sample bourbon-infused bites as you roll through Louisville in a charming, historic trolley.
While most bourbon tours along the Kentucky Bourbon Trail last a full day and spend hours rolling through Kentucky’s stunning scenery, this tour stays close to Louisville’s historic downtown, allowing you to squeeze in a TON of bourbon tasting in just 3 hours.
Nothing on this tour can be booked independently, so even if you’ve already visited a stop, you’ll have a completely new experience. You’ll get exclusive access to spots that are usually sold out, custom-designed experiences, and a thoughtful showcase of Louisville’s incredible bourbon scene downtown and nearby.
The charming trolley is climate controlled, perfect for Louisville’s hot summers and cold winters. This is definitely one of the most unique ways to experience the best of Louisville’s bourbon culture!
- Best For: Bourbon lovers or bourbon newbies; visitors short on time that can’t, or have already done, the Kentucky bourbon trail; and visitors staying in Downtown, NuLu, or Butchertown.
- What to Expect: Visit Louisville’s best bourbon distilleries, tasting rooms, and bourbon experiences in downtown and nearby in just 3 hours while enjoying transportation on a charming historic trolley.
- Food & Drinks: Plenty of bourbon (this tour is 21+), and a few small bourbon-infused bites. Plan to eat before or after your tour.
Whispers on Whiskey Row: Murder, Crime, & The Ghosts of Derby City
- Tue–Sun · Sunset · 1.5 hours · 1 cocktail · $49–$69 · Evening
Downtown Louisville’s best ghost tour – but so much more! This 1.5-hour walking tour of Whiskey Row uncovers unsettling secrets and chilling tales about downtown Louisville, known as the “Graveyard of the West.” The tour dives deep into the city’s deepest, darkest history, uncovering horrifying stories that have been long forgotten about Louisville’s plagues, floods, riots, murders, and more.
While the sun sets, enveloping you in darkness, you’ll hear grizzly true tales of Louisville’s morbid past along with spine-tingling ghost stories. The tour also includes one cocktail at a very haunted bar.
- Best For: Dark history lovers; ghost & paranormal fans; families with older children (12+ due to content); visitors staying downtown.
- What to Expect: You’ll wander through downtown Louisville as the sun sets while hearing tragic tales of the betrayed, oppressed, and ruthless, and hear spine-tingling stories of some of the sad souls who perished in Louisville – and never left.
- Food & Drinks: One cocktail is included for guests 21+. There is NO food on this tour.
Queer Louisville: Kentucky LGBTQ+ History Walking Tour with Cocktail
Saturdays · 11 AM · 1.5 hours · 1 cocktail · $49–$59 · Weekend
If you’re looking to delve deep into the queer history of Kentucky and Louisville, we have the tour for you! This tour explores the stories that shaped the city’s LGBTQ+ community (trust us, there are a lot) as you walk through Louisville’s gorgeous Gayborhood.
Hear the story of the first drag queen on the cover of a local newspaper, the first lesbian marriage court case (which happened in Kentucky!), and many more stories of joy and struggle. Along the way, you’ll also get to check out Louisville’s most beloved bookstore, and end your tour at a local gay bar for a cocktail.
- Best For: Queer travelers and allies; visitors staying in the Highlands.
- What to Expect: You’ll learn stories of the hardship and triumph of queer Kentuckians over 100+ years, all while exploring one of Louisville’s most beautiful neighborhoods.
- Food & Drinks: One cocktail is included for guests 21+.
Still not sure? Call or text us at (502) 591-6155 and we’ll help you find the right fit.
