The 8 Best (& Scariest) Louisville Ghost Tours
Louisville is a city steeped in history, mystery – and morbidity. You see, Louisville wasn’t always referred to as Derby City – or even Bourbon City. Once upon a time, its nickname was far more chilling: it was known as the “Graveyard of the West” – a fact we were blissfully unaware of until taking the Whispers on Whiskey Row Haunted History tour. Color us horrified!
As the sun sets and the city transforms, guided ghost tours unlock doors to a realm where restless spirits and spectral stories linger, waiting to share their secrets. And for the intrepid souls who are brave enough to venture out into the dark, ghost tours are an opportunity to peer beyond the veil to experience the chilling tales of Derby City’s haunted past.
So, join us – and maybe a local tour guide – to embark on a thrilling journey through the supernatural as we shine a light on the best ghost tours in Louisville, where history and hauntings intertwine on unforgettable adventures into the shadows!
Looking for spooky and fun things to do this fall in Louisville? Take a look at our other Halloween seasonal guides:
- 12 Terrifying Haunted Houses in Louisville and Kentucky
- 35 Epic Pumpkin Patches in Kentucky to Visit This Fall
- 17 Things to Do to Celebrate Fall in Louisville, Kentucky
The Best Louisville Ghost Tours
Let’s delve into it! Below are the best Louisville ghost tours (and dark history tours).
Whispers On Whiskey Row: Murder, True Crime, & The Ghosts Of Derby City
Step into the shadows of the past on a haunting dark history & ghost 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 – and sip a cocktail in a haunted bar (included with your ticket).
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.
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.
Tours run Tuesdays-Sunday evenings, up to 4x nightly during Halloween season. Space is limited to 20 per tour, and you’ll have a headset to help you hear your guide even from a distance.
Phantoms of Prohibition: Cocktails, Ghosts & Bites Tour
Cocktail tour, meet ghost tour! Embark on a journey through Louisville’s haunted past on the Phantoms of Prohibition Tour by Louisville Food Tours. Over the course of 3 gripping hours, you’ll step back in time to an era when the city was plunged into the darkness of Prohibition along once-bustling Whiskey Row.
The tour masterfully intertwines tales of speakeasies, bootleggers, and the clandestine affairs of the 1920s with the mysterious and ghostly presence that still echoes in the corners of Louisville today. Guided by seasoned storytellers and history enthusiasts, you’ll walk the same paths once tread by those seeking revelry in the forbidden underbelly of a dry nation.
From secret bars concealed behind unassuming facades to whispered stories of ghostly encounters, this tour reveals a captivating, enigmatic world that remains hidden from plain sight, inviting you to uncover the mysteries that lie beneath the surface of this charming city.
In addition to delving into the captivating narratives of the Prohibition era, the Phantoms of Prohibition Tour also offers a delectable culinary experience. As you traverse the historic streets, you’ll savor Prohibition-era cocktails and small bites. This tour promises an unforgettable fusion of history, haunted tales, and delicious indulgence—a perfect blend for those seeking both a taste of the past and the flavors of the present.
Tours run Tuesdays-Friday evenings, twice nightly during Halloween season. Space is limited to 12 per tour, so reserve your spot in advance!
Waverly Hills Sanitorium Tours
Waverly Hills Sanatorium is a towering historical landmark in Louisville, Kentucky that once housed countless sick and dying patients. Today, the former hospital opens its doors to thrill-seekers and history enthusiasts alike with guided tours that delve into its chilling and haunted past.
The tours provide a chilling glimpse into the grim realities of tuberculosis outbreaks that once plagued the nation. You’ll walk the halls where patients endured suffering, hear tales of resilience, and learn about the medical experiments conducted during one of the darkest chapters of healthcare in the early 20th century.
For the brave souls seeking a more intense encounter with the supernatural, the Waverly Hills Sanatorium also offers paranormal tours. These tours grant access to areas of the facility renowned for eerie occurrences and unexplained phenomena. Armed with paranormal investigative equipment, you’ll join seasoned investigators to explore the building, attempting to capture evidence of ghostly activity. If you’re feeling really brave, you can even stay overnight…
Psst: Note that Waverly Hills transforms into a creepy haunted house during Halloween season and does NOT offer haunted tours, so plan to take a ghost tour of Waverly Hills during the rest of the year instead!
Conrad-Caldwell House: Haunting Lamplit Tour
The Conrad-Caldwell House Museum is one of the most unique mansions in historic Old Louisville (and one of Louisville’s only house museums). Dating back to 1895, this opulent mansion was built to house two of Louisville’s most prominent businessmen – but somewhere along the way, things went horribly wrong.
For just 3 nights in October, you can travel back in time to the Gilded Age to tour the home after nightfall and seek the long lost residents who still haunt these walls.
Lit only by lamplight flickering off of stained glass, you’ll peer beyond the veil and learn about mourning traditions practiced during the Victorian era, and meet the lingering spirits who refuse to leave the opulence of this once-grand castle. Book early, because this tour only happens 3 nights a year and it does sell out!
Louisville Ghost Walks
Join “Mr. Ghost Walker” (aka Robert Parker) on a spirited stroll among downtown Louisville, with stops along 4th Street, Chestnut, and even a haunted alley – and TWO luxurious haunted hotels. Known for his captivating storytelling and profound knowledge of the city’s haunted history, Mr. Ghost Walker unveils a world where spirits from the past come alive in the present.
As darkness falls upon the city, participants are led through downtown Louisville’s historic streets, alleys, and landmarks, where tales of tragic love, vengeful souls, and lingering spirits are brought to life. With every step, you’ll unravel the city’s secrets, each story carefully curated to send shivers down your spine and leave you in awe of the supernatural.
Snag a coupon for Louisville Ghost Walks on Groupon, and then contact the company directly through email or by phone to book (they’re old school like that). Tours depart every Friday and Saturday night from May through November.
Louisville Ghost Tour by AmeriGhost Tours
Imagine exploring the streets of Louisville led by a lantern-bearing guide in historic period costume, straight out of the shadows of yesteryear!
Your guide will lead you through the dark mysteries and supernatural experiences of some of Louisville’s most haunted landmarks. Over the course of 1.5 hours, you’ll learn about about the Seelbach Hotel’s ghost the Lady in Blue, the bizarre haunted past of the Brennan House, and the poltergeists of the Old City Jail.
This tour is a little more PG than PG-13, so it’s best for families and folks who prefer their ghost tours to be a little less spooky!
… & Which Louisville Ghost Tours We DON’T Recommend
Unfortunately, not all ghost tours are created equally. And to save you an evening of disappointment (not to mention money!), we’ve got some tea to share. Here are the local ghost tours we recommend skipping:
Louisville Hauntings Tour by Derby City Ghosts
This was one of the first tours we took when we began researching for this article, and I’m gonna be honest with y’all – it was not my favorite. And judging by this now-defunct listing on Viator with a whopping 2.5 star rating, I wasn’t the only one who was left feeling less than spirited.
The company, which is not local, has since re-listed the tour on Viator, and while it only has 2 reviews as of this writing, they are certainly better than before. … their Google reviews, however, are still not terribly impressive.
That said, I’m always up for giving a company another chance, and I’m hoping that their tour has improved since we took it last year. Please drop us a comment and let us know if you take this one!
Old Louisville Ghost Tours
Listen, here’s the thing: Old Louisville is stunning- and old enough that I’m sure it’s super haunted, too. And while the scenery on the Old Louisville Ghost Tour cannot be beat, the stories are … well, they’re entirely made up.
And I’m not just guessing, either: the owner of the company said as much, in a court of law. A few years back, another company start running Old Louisville ghost tours. The original company didn’t take kindly to the competition, and sued that company. And WON.
Why? Because they had referenced the books he’d written about the neighborhood as part of their tour reserarch, which – he attested in court – were not historical record, but completely fabricated. And since the stories on his tour were his own fictional creation, he won – thanks to copyright law.
Which is great for his company, since he’s back to being the only one running tours in the neighborhood. But me? I like my history to be … well, historical. Call me a big ol’ nerd, but I enjoy a ghost tour more when there’s an element of the factual behind the spiritual. I want to know who REALLY lived and died in these homes, not who an author wrote a ghosty fanfic about!
If you aren’t too fussy about things like accuracy, you can check out the (somewhat ironically named) Louisville Historic Tours offerings on Viator.
Are you ready for a spine-chilling ghost tour in Louisville? Drop us a comment and let us know!
Psst: looking for more spooky and fun things to do this fall in Louisville? Take a look at some of our other Halloween seasonal guides:
- 12 Terrifying Haunted Houses in Louisville and Kentucky
- 35 Epic Pumpkin Patches in Kentucky to Visit This Fall
- 17 Things to Do to Celebrate Fall in Louisville, Kentucky
