17 Things to Do to Celebrate Fall in Louisville, Kentucky

Fall is my FAVORITE season, so I might be biased, but I think it’s the best time of the year in Louisville (other than Derby season, of course)! Fall in Louisville, KY, means crunchy colorful leaves, crisp breezy air, pumpkin picking, and bourbon tasting.

Then there’s the crisp autumn air and crunchy colorful leaves, the unique fall festivals and events, spooky ghost tours, and gorgeous hikes through some of the most beautiful fall foliage in the USA. Fall in Louisville is pretty freakin’ awesome, y’all.

There’s nothing like drinking hot apple cider as you walk through miles of flickering candle-lit works of pumpkin art before scaring yourself silly at a haunted house. Here’s the ultimate list of things to do during fall in Louisville!

Psst: We have a few other posts to help you make the most of fall in Louisville and the rest of Kentucky. Check them out:

Things to do this Fall in Louisville, Kentucky

Louisville Jack O Lantern Spectacular Sign, one of the best fall events in Kentucky!

Have some Family Friendly halloween fun

There is so much Halloween going on in Louisville, from early to mid-September all the way through the end of October! We have even more to do this Halloween in our Halloween post as well. Here are some of our favorite Halloween activities great for the whole family:

Jack O’Lantern Spectacular: Louisville’s Jack O’Lantern Spectacular in Iroquois Park is hands down the most incredible and unique Halloween event in Kentucky – do NOT miss it! The walking path through the park comes alive with over 5,000 artist-carved pumpkins and illuminated themed scenes. I can’t tell you how incredibly magical it is to take a glittering candle-lit walk through thousands of impeccably carved pumpkins, all built together to form larger-than-life works of art. It’s the most special Halloween event in Louisville! I suggest arriving either very early or very late to beat the lines – 10pm is usually pretty quiet. For more tips, check out our insider guide to the Louisville Jack O’ Lantern Spectacular.
Halloween on Hillcrest: You know how there are those certain neighborhoods that get REALLY into Christmas light displays? Like, aggressively so? To clarify: we fully plan to be those competitive a**holes in the future. Well, that’s how Halloween in Louisville is. Most of Louisville goes all out for Halloween, but one street, in particular, celebrates the holiday like no one else. Hillcrest Avenue is the best place to see amazing Halloween light displays, complete with graveyards, interactive displays, and – last time I was there – a zombified Selfie Booth. A walk down Halloween on Hillcrest in October after dark is guaranteed to get you in the Halloween spirit!
Boo at the Zoo: During the month of October, the Louisville Zoo hosts the world’s largest Halloween party each night from 5-8:30 PM! The adorably named “Boo at the Zoo” transforms the Louisville Zoo into a living storybook, with characters brought to life, music, and trick-or-treating for kids 11 and under. It’s all kooky Halloween fun and none of the spooky – perfect for little ones. Keep an eye out for the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, your favorite princesses and superheroes, the Spooktacular Carousel, Mumpkin the Giant Talking Pumpkin, and the “not-so-itsy-bitsy” Spider House. We’ve got a complete insider guide to this fun event! Head to our Boo at the Zoo visitor’s guide.

The Best Haunted Houses in Louisville, Kentucky and Indiana

Do some Scary halloween Activities

Adults love Halloween too-I sure do! Here are some of the scarier activities to do with all the big kids, I.e. adults, in your life:

Haunted Houses in Louisville: There are a huge amount of Haunted Houses in Louisville annually, which is directly tied to our thriving local theater scene. Actors love a chance to douse themselves in fake blood and chase after terrified guests while wielding chainsaws! Some of our favorites are the Haunted Hotel, Baxter Avenue Morgue, and The Devil’s Attic. But read our list of all the Haunted Houses in Louisville and choose for yourself!
Wander into a Haunted Forest: What’s arguably scarier than a haunted house? Well, what about a haunted forest. I’m just saying, a forest at night is already scary by itself without the help of ghoulish beasts and demons jumping out from behind trees. We love The Field of Screams, Grim Trails: The Haunt of Fairytales, Myths and Legends, and Legend at Pope Lick Haunted Woods. You can read more about these spooky experiences in out Haunted Houses in Louisville post!
Danger Run Haunted House Scavenger Hunt: Danger Run combines the thrill of solving cryptic clues in the car with your friends or family while getting lost in creepy corners and visiting multiple Haunted Houses in Louisville (if you can find them!) – all in one fun packed night! You’ll particularly enjoy Danger Run if you’re extremely competitive, like we are. What’s better for bonding than screaming in terror at your loved ones while you’re all stranded in the middle of a haunted field somewhere on the outskirts of Louisville? (Answer: screaming in terror WITH your loved ones at a haunted house, which is also part of the fun!)
Waverly Hills Sanatorium: If you’ve ever watched a TV show about the most haunted places in the world, then you’ve probably heard of the Waverly Hills Sanitorium – it’s featured on just about all of them. In the early 1900s, Jefferson County was ravaged by an outbreak of tuberculosis, known as the “White Plague,” and the Sanitorium was built to house the sick and dying. Today, the building itself is spooky enough to give anyone chills. But during the Halloween season, Waverly Hills turns itself into a thrilling Haunted House. There are said to be several ghosts still haunting the echoing halls. Ahhh!
Fright Night Film Fest: Calling all lovers of horror! The annual Fright Night Halloween and Horror Convention spans the gamut of sci-fi, horror, supernatural, thriller, gore, and campy-but-also-kinda-scary. The festival features dozens of events ranging from spooky burlesque performances and cosplay to live metal shows and meet & greets with iconic horror movie characters like Pinhead and Michael Meyers. There are also a handful of workshops, like a special effects makeup demo and a body art expo, as well as movie screenings, a costume contest, and Scaryokee (howling encouraged).

Phantoms of Prohibition ghosts, cocktails & bites tour in Louisville, Kentucky

St. James Court and fountain in the fall in Old Louisville, Kentucky

Take a Walk (or tour) of Old Louisville

Old Louisville is one of the most beautiful neighborhoods of Louisville. The streets are lined with massive old trees, flickering gas lamps, pedestrian-only pathways, a stunning and iconic fountain, and the largest collection of historical Victorian homes in the world. A walk through this historic neighborhood in autumn is the best way to fully absorb the fall colors (and see some truly incredible Halloween lawn displays).

Take an autumnal stroll to soak in the neighborhood vibes, starting at St. James Court or Belgravia Court. You can also take an architectural tour of Old Louisville to learn about the neighborhood’s history and historic homes.

The Cathedral of the Assumption, home to the Bloody Monday riots, on the Whispers on Whiskey Row tour. — The Cathedral of the Assumption, home to the Bloody Monday riots, on the Whispers on Whiskey Row dark history & ghost tour.

Take a True Crime & Ghost Tour of the “Graveyard of the West”

The Whispers On Whiskey Row: Murder, Crime, & The Ghosts Of Derby City tour uncovers 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. Your expert guide will lead you through dimly lit alleyways behind bustling Whiskey Row and along the shores of the murky Ohio River, telling tragic tales of the forlorn, the oppressed, the betrayed, and the ruthless.

Tours run most nights of the week during in spooky season, multiple times per night. Check times and availability in advance, and be sure to use the code LGL10 for 10% off your ticket!

Whispers on Whiskey Row: Murder, Crime, & Ghosts of Derby City

Step into the shadows of the past on a haunted history walking tour through downtown Louisville and hear tragic tales of the forlorn, the oppressed, the betrayed, and the ruthless.

Check AvailAbility

Bourbon cocktail at Hell or High Water on the Louisville Prohibition Tour — Bourbon cocktail at Hell or High Water speakeasy on the Phantoms of Prohibition Tour

Take a Spooky Prohibition Cocktail Tour

Ghost tour, meet cocktail tour! Venture out to explore the hidden stories of Louisville’s haunted past on the Phantoms of Prohibition tour from Louisville Food Tours – the perfect combination of cocktails, food, fascinating Prohibition history, and ghosts in one thrilling evening.

As you eat and drink your way down Whiskey Row on your 3-hour walking tour, you’ll meet the resident ghosts of Louisville’s historic downtown, trace the footsteps of bourbon magnates and mobsters, see Al Capone’s secret getaway, discover hidden speakeasies, and learn the shocking truth about Prohibition.

This tour includes 4 stops for Prohibition-themed libations, as well as an assortment of small bites. Tours run Tuesday-Friday evenings. Check times and availability in advance, and use the code LGL10 for 10% off your booking. Book early – tours fill up in advance during Halloween season!

Bourbon Tasting at Woodford Reserve Distillery in Kentucky — ^{Left: tasting at Woodford Reserve distillery, one of our favorite bourbon distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail! Right: Chocolate pecan bourbon balls, which are served with your tasting – the better to ~experience the tasting with. (Also, they’re delicious.)}

Bourbon balls and bourbon on the Kentucky bourbon trail. — ^{Left: tasting at Woodford Reserve distillery, one of our favorite bourbon distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail! Right: Chocolate pecan bourbon balls, which are served with your tasting – the better to ~experience the tasting with. (Also, they’re delicious.)}

Bourbon Tasting on The Kentucky Bourbon Trail

The spicy, oaky taste of bourbon pairs perfectly with crisp fall air and crunchy leaves, but that’s the the only reason why bourbon tasting is one of the best things to do in the fall in Louisville: taking a day trip to visit distilleries on the Kentucky Bourbon trail is also the best way to see the beautiful countryside of Kentucky, with its rolling hills, colorful fall foliage, and scenic horse farms.

A visit to a bourbon distillery always includes an informative tour of the distillery and a tasting of several types of bourbon, often paired with chocolate bourbon balls!

Pick a couple of distilleries within 2 hours of Louisville for a day trip. Our favorite bourbon distilleries are Woodford Reserve and Maker’s Mark. On your way to each distillery, you’ll drive past picturesque horse farms and beautiful forests of brightly colored fall foliage.

Or, to make things even easier, book a tour with a Louisville-based tour company who will take care of the planning (and most importantly, the driving) for you. This tour visits 3 bourbon distilleries of your choice!

Maker’s Mark Distillery | Address: 3350 Burks Spring Road, Loretto, KY
Woodford Reserve Distillery | Address: 7855 McCracken Pike, Versailles, KY

If you’d rather keep it local, you can stay in town and visit the many bourbon distilleries right in downtown Louisville:

Angel’s Envy | Address: 500 East Main St, Louisville, KY
Rabbit Hole Distillery | Address: 711 E Jefferson St, Louisville, KY
Kentucky Peerless Distilling Co | Address: 120 N 10th St, Louisville, KY
The Evan Williams Experience | Address: 528 W Main St, Louisville, KY

Horse on the Track at Churchill Downs in Louisville Kentucky

Fall Races at Churchill Downs

Everyone knows that Louisville is the home of the Kentucky Derby, the world’s most famous horse race. But the Derby is in May, and this is a list of things to do around fall and Halloween in Louisville.

Well, guess what? You can enjoy Mint Juleps, the thunder of hooves, the roaring crowd, and the fanciest hats you’ll ever see throughout the fall at Churchill Down’s Fall Meets!

Churchill Downs hosts some of the best Halloween events in Louisville which include exciting races all season long: check the Churchill Downs Calendar for full details.

Churchill Downs | Address: 700 Central Ave, Louisville, KY

St James Art Fair in Louisville Kentucky — The St. James Art Fair in Old Louisville is the first weekend of October and one of the best fall festivals to attend!

Attend One of Louisville’s Fall Festivals

Louisville LOVES its festivals, and fall is no different! There are so many fall events in Louisville to take part in, all celebrating things Louisville loves: food, drink, culture, and the arts. Here are just a few of our favorites:

St. James Court Art Show: the most famous of all Louisville fall festivals! The first weekend of October, the picturesque James Court neighborhood in Old Louisville turns into a huge bustling art fair. An annual celebration in Louisville, the St. James Court Art Show feels a bit like the kickoff of Halloween in Kentucky! Shop local vendors, admire amazing artisan-created crafts and works of art, and get a feel for the vibrant Louisville arts community.
Kentucky Bourbon Festival: Head to Bardstown, less than an hour from Louisville, to partake in bourbon sampling, a ridiculous Bourbon barrels race, BBQ, a relay, car show, rare bourbon auction (for big ballers), live music, and more. Or just to go to drink bourbon. I mean, this is Kentucky.
UnFair Art Show: Offered as a counter-fair to the St. James Court Art Show (and just a block away), the UnFair embraces vice and subversiveness. It is also an art show, for locals by locals, that strives to exemplify Louisville culture. The eclectic mix of creative minds that participate include a wide variety of styles and techniques.
WorldFest: the free kickoff for Louisville’s fall festival season is on Labour Day Weekend along the Belvedere at the Waterfront! At this three day festival you can try food from around the world, listen to music of different cultures, and meet your immigrant and international neighbors!
LGBT Film Festival: Held in mid October at Baxter Avenue theatre, the Louisville LGBT Film Festival is an annual showcase of outstanding films that focus on the LGBT community. Each year, the festival screens several feature-length and short films in a variety of genres ranging from coming-of-age dramas to light-hearted comedies. Attendees can catch viewings of recently released independent films and support quality films that illuminate the LGBT experience.

Cherokee Park in the Fall in Louisville Kentucky — *^{Left: Cherokee Park in the fall. Right: One of the 3 Forest Giants at Bernheim Forest.}*

The Forest Giants at Bernheim Forest in Louisville, Kentucky . — *^{Left: Cherokee Park in the fall. Right: One of the 3 Forest Giants at Bernheim Forest.}*

Take a Hike through the Fall Foliage

Louisville is full of natural beauty and lush forests. I mean, hello, we’re home to the USA’s largest urban forest, AND giant urban park designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who also designed NYC’s Central Park!

Hiking in Louisville is one of the best ways to take in the beauty of fall foliage, whether you’re hunting down an abandoned theme park, exploring caves and waterfalls, or just befriending wildlife (ethically) in the forest. Below are a few of our favorite places to go hiking in Louisville in the fall!

Cherokee Park: Nestled among Louisville’s Highlands neighborhood is a beautiful, enormous old park called Cherokee Park. While many visitors to Cherokee Park spend most of their time on the paved Scenic Loop, the real magic of Cherokee is found on the Cherokee Park Trail, a meandering loop that takes you through the true heart of Cherokee Park. The trail passes through dense forests and luscious hills. It’s a fantastic park for a scenic hike (or drive) and a picnic in the crisp fall weather in the heart of Louisville. Take your leaf-crunching shoes with you for the most satisfying walk possible.
Jefferson Memorial Forest: Jefferson Memorial Forest is the best place to go to get away from the city while still being within Louisville’s borders. Located just 15 minutes from downtown, Jefferson Memorial feels like stepping out into undisturbed nature – and at 6,500 acres, it is the largest municipal urban forest in the United States! We recommend Scott’s Gap Trail: you’ll climb up a hill to a gorgeous overlook and head along the ridge line, with canopies of trees overhead and dipping ravines and hills surrounding you. We also recommend hiking Yost Ridge to Mitchell Lake, which begins at the visitor’s center and takes you to the top of a ridge where you can sometimes get a glimpse of downtown Louisville through the trees, 7 miles away, before plunging deeper into the woods lined with pine trees to a scenic pond and lake, the perfect place to stop for a packed picnic lunch.
Charlestown State Park: Located just across the river in Indiana just 30 minutes from downtown Louisville, the reason you’ll want to add the Rose Island Loop to your fall hiking list is because of the spooky abandoned amusement park. In 1923, Rose Island was a fabulous and thriving amusement park, but it was destroyed in the Great Flood of 1937 (along with 70% of the city of Louisville). Today, you can discover the ruins of a bygone era by taking creatively named Trail 3 down a steep, paved path to the Rose Island Bridge, which will take you over to the ruins of what was once a jazz age hotspot. You can visit the old swimming pool (now filled with gravel), the old dance hall ruins, the central walk with large iron archways which were once garlanded with roses, and you can get close to the water and see where the ghosts of yesteryear would have arrived by boat.
Bernheim Arboretum and Forest: located about 30 miles south of Louisville, Bernheim Forest is well worth the drive to discover the 16,137 acres of land and over 40 miles of hiking trails. The biggest attraction at Bernheim are the famous Forest Giants, a collection of three larger-than-life giants made from natural materials – you can see them on the Forest Giants Trail. We also recommend hiking the Elm Lick Trail, which winds from the hilltops down to the forest floor, over creeks and riverbeds, and an abandoned grain silo. After your hike be sure to check out the Canopy Tree Walk, which is located a short drive from the trail. The bridge takes you 75-feet over the forest canopy and is absolutely stunning in fall when you can see the bright red, orange, and yellow leaves! Bernheim Forest also has an annual Colorfest festival in October, a two-day event with a pumpkin launch, hay maze, mud pies and hayrides.

Haunted Victorian House on the Original Highlands Food Tour in Louisville Kentucky — Admire stunning (haunted) Victorian homes and taste Louisville culinary classics on the Highlands Food & History Walking Tour!

Makers Mark Tasting on the Highlands Walking Food Tour in Louisville Kentucky — Admire stunning (haunted) Victorian homes and taste Louisville culinary classics on the Highlands Food & History Walking Tour!

Take a Fall-Tastic Food Tour

The weather in Louisville in the fall is wonderful, and there’s no better way to enjoy it than by walking from restaurant to restaurant stuffing your face full of delicious food and drinks! (Which also explains why there are SO MANY fall festivals in Louisville.)

This is the perfect time of year to take a food and history walking tour with Louisville Food Tours. You’ll learn all about local legends and history while sampling Kentucky culinary creations. Explore the story of Louisville and Kentucky while tasting culinary classics and – of course – bourbon!

In autumn, our favorite food tour is the Highlands Heritage Tastes & Tales Tour, a lovely walking tour of the historic Original Highlands neighborhood. This historic neighborhood is lined with towering trees that date back to the founding of Louisville, and borders gorgeous Cherokee Park.

As you walk along some of Louisville’s oldest and most iconic streets underneath tunnels of trees bursting into fall color, you’ll taste (and drink) delicious local specialties; visit the iconic entrance of the final resting place of Muhammad Ali and Colonel Sanders at stunning (and spooky) Cave Hill Cemetery; try a dish inspired by the Hot Brown in Muhammed Ali’s former boxing gym; sip bourbon in Louisville’s oldest bar; trace the footsteps of the immigrants who shaped the city; and admire opulent Victorian homes and historic architecture.

Book your tour online at Louisville Food Tours and use the code LGL10 for 10% off your booking.

Apple cider donuts at Evan's Orchard in Kentucky — Evan’s Orchard and Cider Mill is one of our favorite local pumpkin patches & apple orchards! (Psst: how cute is my lil pumpkin??)

Pumpkin house at Evan's Cider Mill in Kentucky — Evan’s Orchard and Cider Mill is one of our favorite local pumpkin patches & apple orchards! (Psst: how cute is my lil pumpkin??)

Pick Pumpkins & Apples at a Farm

In less than an hour’s drive from Louisville, you can be knee-deep in pumpkins, fresh apples, corn mazes, hay rides, and other fall fun!

Throw on your cutest fall outfit, grab your camera, and head to one of these close-to-Louisville farms:

Shady Lane Farm: Located in Shepherdsville, KY (less than 30 minutes from Louisville), Shady Lane is a working farm with a U-Pick Pumpkin Patch on weekends in September & October. You can also ride a wagon to a pumpkin patch maze, carve Jack-O-Lanterns or gourds, and buy fresh-picked apples, hay bales or corn shocks. For lunch during your visit, you can order hot dogs, chili, beans & cornbread and various other snacks, drinks and desserts. Shady Lane Farm also sells farm-raised grass fed Black Angus Beef (by the pound) plus fresh country eggs, year round!
Huber’s Orchard & Winery: Located in southern Indiana just 30 minutes away across the river, Huber’s Orchard is one of those places everyone goes to on a field trip at some point. But it’s worth a return trip as a grown up, and here’s why: Spiced Apple Wine made from locally grown apples. Yasss. If that isn’t enough of a selling point, the farm is also a great place to experience the best of fall in Louisville: picking pumpkins and fresh apples, hay bale rides, and more!
Gallrein Farms: Located in Shelbyville about 40 minutes from Louisville, Gallrein is a working farm that turns into a fall wonderland. If you visit early in the fall, you can pick up some fresh-cut sunflowers (or cut your own!) Starting in mid-September, you can pick pumpkin, enjoy a corn maze, train ride, obstacle course, haunted house, super slide, petting zoo, apple cannons, and “hillbilly basketball” among many other fall activities. Try the homemade fudge and apple cider donuts.
Mulberry Orchard: Also located in Shelbyville, Mulberry Orchard is the best to go for fresh apples! You’ll find trees full of Ginger Gold, Gala, Mollie’s Delicious, Ruby Mac, & Honey Crisp Apples, plus local produce, honey, eggs, meats, and other goodies for sale. In the fall, you can take a hayride through the orchard, visit the animals, pick pumpkins and have an adventure in the corn maze, as well as snack on apple cider donuts and caramel apples, pick up a fresh apple pie, and try a pulled pork and apple sandwich on a pretzel bun. Yum!
Happy Jack’s Farm: About an hour away in Frankfort, you can take a wagon ride to the 20-acre pumpkin patch with over 75 varieties of pumpkins, gourds and squash. Visit with farm animals, stroll through an impressive two-acre corn maze, or stop by the farm stand and purchase a variety of fall must-have’s.

Psst: we’ve got a whole post about the best pumpkin patches in Kentucky AND a guide to the best apple orchards in Kentucky, including a bunch of farms within 30 minutes of Louisville!

Cave Hill Cemetary in Louisville Kentucky on a Fall Day

Cave Hill Cemetary pond in the fall in Louisville Kentucky

Wander Through the Graves at Cave Hill Cemetery

The Highlands’ enormous historic Cave Hill Cemetery, filled with ancient graves and haunting mausoleums, could take weeks to explore.

Luckily, you can cultivate the spooky Halloween season in an afternoon by taking one of the many guided Cave Hill walking tours hosted by the Cave Hill Heritage Foundation.

Or, print out a free informative Cave Hill Cemetery map and go grave-hunting on your own: you’ll find the ornate graves of Colonel Sanders, Muhammad Ali, and Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. among many other famous historical people.

Cave Hill Cemetery| Address: 701 Baxter Avenue, Louisville

Psst: You’ll stroll past Cave Hill Cemetery and learn about some of its most storied residents on the Highlands Food & History Tour. As you walk along some of Louisville’s oldest and most iconic streets, you’ll taste (and drink) delicious local specialties; try a dish inspired by the Hot Brown in Muhammed Ali’s former boxing gym; sip bourbon in Louisville’s oldest bar; trace the footsteps of the immigrants who shaped the city; and admire opulent Victorian homes and historic architecture. Use the code LGL15 for 15% off your booking at Louisville Food Tours.

Which fall in Louisville activity are you most excited about? Do you prefer spooky Halloween events, or more general fall activities? Drop us a comment below!