Louisville Ghost Tour
Whispers on Whiskey Row: Murder, Crime, & The Ghosts of Derby City
Discover Louisville’s Deepest, darkest secrets.
Step into the shadows of the past on a haunting history tour through the heart of downtown Louisville. As the sun sets and the city’s vibrant façade fades, you’ll uncover the sinister secrets and chilling tales that lurk behind the historic architecture & storied streets.
One part ghosts, one part grisly history that is, sadly, entirely true, this guided 1.5-hour walking tour through downtown Louisville unveils the deepest, darkest corners of Louisville’s gruesome past. Wander through dimly lit alleyways behind bustling Whiskey Row and along the shores of the murky Ohio River, where the echoes of bygone eras resound with tragic tales of the forlorn, the oppressed, the betrayed, and the ruthless.
QUICK DETAILS
What to Expect
Wander down Whiskey Row and along the shores of the murky Ohio River, where the echoes of bygone eras resound with spine-chilling tales of unsolved murders, sweeping plagues, devastating fires, ruinous floods, ruthless bootleggers, red-light lovers, and cruel oppression.
Haunted History
Guests beware – this tour pulls no punches. Murder, enslavement, plague, and ghosts – we cover it all.
Audio Headset​
To help you hear your guide, even from a distance.
Small Group
Our tours max out at 20 people.
Walking
1.5 Miles. Wear comfy shoes and dress for the weather!
What’s This Tour All About?
From a ghost that still haunts a glamorous hotel to the tragic riots of Bloody Monday, you’ll trace the cursed footsteps of criminals, mobsters, bootleggers, enslavers, and murderers in the city streets they once roamed.
Led by expert storytellers, this immersive walking tour delves into the darker chapters of Louisville’s history. Our tour explores the sort of history only told in whispers, from notorious criminals and bootleggers who once ran Louisville’s underworld to what lies beneath the quiet waters of the Ohio River – and the spirits whose souls never left.
Over the course of two thrilling hours, your guide will tell the tales of…
What lurks beneath Whiskey Row?
Louisville wasn’t always referred to as Derby City. Once upon a time, its nickname was far more chilling: it was known as the “Graveyard of the West.”
Dive into the salacious unsolved murders and dark scandals that gripped the community, leaving behind a trail of mystery and intrigue. And honor those whose stories are long forgotten or rewritten, who struggled against the chains of oppression leaving a legacy that should not be forgotten.
Where
Meet at the George Rogers Clark Statue on the Belvedere Plaza (Entrance at 5th & Main)
When​
Tuesdays – Sunday evenings at sunset
Tour Reviews
Read some of our many 5-star reviews from guests.
FAQ’s About This Tour
Take a look at the Frequently Asked Questions about this walking dark history tour:
Both! This tour is both a dark history/true crime tour AND a ghost tour.
In addition to the spirits who still lurk in the historic buildings of downtown Louisville, we’ll regale you with horrifying true stories from Louisville’s checkered past. You’ll find out why Louisville’s nickname was once the “Graveyard of the West” – and hear horrifying stories which are deeply researched and entirely true.
Please meet your tour guide 15 minutes early at the George Rogers Clark Statue on the Belvedere Plaza. To get to the statue, walk up the ramp at 5th & Main – here is the entrance. The Belvedere cannot be accessed by car, so you’ll need to find parking nearby.
The tour will end at Jefferson Square Park about a 10 minute walk from where it began, so parking in between the two spots is ideal.
See the photo below to help you find the George Rogers Clark Statue, circled in red:
You’ll end at Jefferson Square Park, about a 10 minute walk from where the tour begins on the Belvedere. We’ll make sure you know how to get back to your car!
This is a dark history walking tour, NOT a walking food tour – you won’t be eating or drinking anything on this tour. However, there is a bathroom stop inside a small market, where drinks and snacks are available for purchase.
Note that we do offer several food tours – our Phantoms of Prohibition tour in particular is similar to this one, with a focus on Prohibition and ghosts and incorporating cocktails and small bites.
We know, we know! The heart wants what the heart wants… and our hearts led us straight down into a bunch of research holes full of fascinating, spine-tingling stories that we NEEDED to share, but that don’t necessarily fit on any of our food tours. You know, because nothing kills an appetite quite like grisly true crime details…
This tour covers true history that may be disturbing or upsetting for certain age groups. The tour also includes 2 hours of standing and walking, without bathroom stops or breaks. You know your kiddos best, but we suggest a 12+ age minimum. Kiddos 2 and under are welcome to join for free.
We try to time our tours to begin around sunset and end after dark. However, it does depend on the time of year and your specific tour start time. For instance, during the winter, 8pm is dark as midnight; but in summer, it might as well be midday! In mid July, the sun will still be setting around 10 PM.
To ensure a spookier ambiance, book the latest tour time available.
Yes, there is a brief bathroom stop midway through the tour at a small market, where drinks and snacks are available for purchase.
Have questions about what to expect on our tours? Browse more FAQ’s: