Old Louisville and St. James Court

Old Louisville is a historic residential neighborhood just south of Downtown Louisville, Kentucky, known for its large collection of Victorian-era houses. St. James Court, at St. James Court and South 4th Street, is its best-known street, built around a fountain in a central green with Romanesque, Gothic and Queen Anne mansions on both sides. The neighborhood is free to walk, and visitors can see ornate porches, stained glass, turrets and iron fences along streets such as 3rd and 4th Streets. Central Park, a small public park in the neighborhood, offers shade and benches. House museums, including the Conrad-Caldwell House Museum, provide guided interior tours on their own schedules. The most famous annual event is the St. James Court Art Show, held on the first weekend of October, which fills the streets with artists and visitors and is free to enter. Plan about 1.5 to 3 hours for a walk through the streets. Weekend mornings in spring and fall are best, with soft light and fewer cars, and photographers favor the fountain and the tree-lined blocks. The area is about five minutes by car south of Downtown, with TARC buses on 3rd and 4th Streets and limited free street parking, so arriving early on busy days is helpful. Crowds peak during the art show and on pleasant weekend afternoons. Visitors should remember that the houses are private homes and respect residents' privacy by staying on sidewalks and avoiding porches. Self-guided walking maps are available online through the neighborhood association, and guided tours operate seasonally. Many visitors combine the walk with a stop at the Speed Art Museum, which is nearby. Comfortable shoes are advisable because the walk covers several blocks.