A Look at All 14 Under Canvas Locations in the US

Since Under Canvas launched back in 2012, the glamping company has quietly helped revolutionize the art of camping in style.

In fact, it’s helped evolve the concept and push it into the mainstream by offering truly upscale forms of hospitality out in some of the US’s most rugged landscapes.

It’s a hard premise to beat, right?

While it’s a little too opulent to be dubbed casual, I personally think Under Canvas and its many partnerships have helped encourage non-campers nationwide to dabble in the Art of the Outdoors.

Whether or not you’ve heard of Under Canvas before, consider this your reminder to check out alternative, nature-focused forms of travel. Glamping bridges the wonders of modern amenities with the type of environmental immersion that thousands of travelers are looking for.

The big question is… which Under Canvas location will speak to you?

In celebration of glamping and its increasing accessibility, I’m digging into all active Under Canvas locations in the US.

Under Canvas locations around the United States

Acadia
Bryce Canyon
Columbia River Gorge
Lake Powell – Grand Staircase
Glacier
Grand Canyon
Great Smoky Mountains
Moab
Mount Rushmore
North Yellowstone
West Yellowstone
Yosemite
Zion

Inside all 14 Under Canvas locations in the US

Acadia

Open from: May – October

Set on 100 acres of waterfront property right on the edge of Acadia National Park, you’ve got a lakeside camp to serve as your home base while you explore Maine’s most gorgeous natural corridors. Plus, you’ve also got access to all those quaint New England towns where history and charm come alive.

Bryce Canyon

Open from: May – September

Just a short drive from Bryce Canyon, the wonders of the desert are at your fingertips at this Under Canvas location. Want a DarkSky-certified location? You’ve got it. What about sprawling juniper forests as far as the eye can see? Yep. What about proximity to major canyons, from Bryce to Red Canyon? They’re closer than you think.

Columbia River Gorge

Open from: April – October

Washington State’s White Salmon River Valley is one of the state’s most scenic stretches. You’ve got views of the Cascade Mountains, including Mount Hood, plenty of wineries in reach, and waterfalls galore. Plus, if you want to keep exploring, you’re just a short drive away from Mount Hood.

Lake Powell – Grand Staircase

Open from: March – October

There’s no better way to forge into the American Southwest than at this Under Canvas glamping spot—especially if you’re a little shy about camping rough. Not only does the property come with its own mini slot canyon, but you’ve also got other major landmarks within reach, from Grand Staircase to Lone Rock Beach on Lake Powell.

Glacier

Open from: June – September

Under Canvas’s Glacier location gives you a front-row seat to Montana’s Big Sky Country. Not only are you a ten-minute drive from Glacier National Park and its 700 miles of hiking trails, but you’ve also got many of those snow-capped peaks within sight from your tent. In summer, the meadows also come alive with wildflowers, letting you totally immerse yourself in some of the Rockies’ most unspoiled stretches.

Grand Canyon

Open from: April – October

Less than thirty minutes from the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, this secluded and quiet glamping site gives you a first-class ticket to experience one of the US’s best natural wonders. The only difference is that you have a top-notch restaurant on the camping grounds to help you refuel after a long day of hiking and exploring.

Great Smoky Mountains

Open from: April – November

Nestled in the Great Smokies near Gatlinburg, Tennessee, you’ve got over 180 acres of lush, pristine forests to yourself at this Under Canvas location. According to guests, it’s also a great glamping spot for families thanks to camp programming and its specialized kid-friendly suites that sleep up to six.

Moab (including ULUM Moab)

Open from: March – October

This award-winning Under Canvas stay takes you a few miles north of Moab, where you’ll find world-class national parks like Arches National Park and Canyonlands. That means you have total access to the state’s best hiking, biking, and climbing destinations. When you’re ready to unwind, soak up the sandstone cliff views from your luxury tent.

*Under Canvas also offers an ULUM Moab stay, which is a more upscale variation on the more rustic glamping setup. Think: added amenities like dipping pools and wellness programming.

Mount Rushmore

Open from: April – September

There’s no better place to stay as you explore areas like Custer State Park and South Dakota’s famous Black Hills. This Under Canvas campground is hidden among hills of towering ponderosa pines and, for added intrigue, is located on a former gold mining site. It’s definitely one of the more naturally lush selections on this list, for anyone who’s looking for plenty of greenery.

North Yellowstone

Open from: May – September

Located near Yellowstone’s north entrance, you’ve got total access to the Yellowstone River from the grounds. That opens up adventures like fly-fishing and floating experiences, in case you love the water. But you can also expect plenty of space to roam and stretch your legs, whether you want to venture off for private stargazing at night or simply curl up by your private wood-burning stove.

West Yellowstone

Open from: May – September

Only ten minutes from the primary Yellowstone entrance, you’ve got total access to Montana’s coolest natural formations. But the real wonder is the large, grassy valley where this campground sits. You can spend your nights beneath star-filled skies before waking up to birdsong and the scent of wildflowers. (Don’t forget to tack on a side quest while you’re in the area, too!)

Yosemite

Open from: April – October

Forget heading into Yosemite National Park—you might be wooed by this campsite’s 85 acres of pristine forest, instead. From black oaks to ponderosa pines, you’ll feel like you’re staying inside the park. Only you have the benefit of ultra-cozy beds and furniture from companies like West Elm. Think: opulence meets the outdoors.

Zion

Open from: March – November

If the Bryson Canyon and Moab glamping sites don’t quite capture your attention, Zion is yet another alternative. It showcases some of the most rugged parts of the Southwest—just at a slightly more comfortable altitude. Surrounded by sandstone cliffs, you’ll feel like you’ve disappeared into your own private corner of this stunning desert landscape.

Mexico City Protests Recap—Should Americans Plan Trips to Mexico City?

It’s been one week since the July 4 protests against mass tourism and digital nomads took off in Mexico City.

Hundreds of locals marched across the city to demonstrate being fed up with rising housing prices, an overwhelming number of tourists, a growing wave of digital nomads, and gentrification. While the majority of protests remained peaceful, there were reports of vandalism and even run-ins between protestors and tourists.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum was quick to critique the protests, calling them xenophobic. Meanwhile, others level the blame at Mexico City’s changing identity on Sheinbaum and other government employees.

But what’s really going on? Are these like the protests kicking off in Southern Europe?

After all, though they overlap, issues like housing crises, remote workers, and mass tourism are pretty distinct. Plus, there’s all that tension between the US and Mexico, which I think is also influencing the protests and general sentiment in CDMX.

The big question is—should Americans still travel to Mexico City? And, if so, how should you plan your trip to avoid any run-ins?

First—why are locals protesting in Mexico City?

Peaches Morras, an influencer, accompanies members of various anti-gentrification collectives in Mexico City, Mexico, on July 4, 2025. They hold a protest in Parque Mexico in the Condesa neighborhood. (Photo by Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

The conditions that inspired Mexico City residents to protest are intertwined and yet distinct—but they aren’t unique. I’m someone who straddles many of these lines in my day-to-day life in Barcelona.

I live in a city that’s being deeply influenced by mass tourism, including issues like skyrocketing housing costs. Plus, I’m a remote worker who often gets the blame for issues like gentrification. I’m also an immigrant who is fully integrated into Spain’s social and legal systems.

That doesn’t mean I understand fully what’s happening in Mexico City. After all, Mexico City and Barcelona are very different cities. I’m also not a local.

However, here’s my take on these issues:

Mass tourism: Mass tourism puts a strain on residents in dozens of ways, from added pollution from non-stop flights to seeing entire neighborhoods change to cater to visitors. From dirty air to seeing those beloved shops close up, it changes a local’s home and how they can interact with it. In short, it’ll make you feel displaced on your own stomping grounds.
Digital nomads vs. remote workers: Digital nomads and remote workers are often clumped under the same group, but they’re different. A digital nomad is someone who works remotely while also traveling full-time. A remote worker, by contrast, is someone who doesn’t have to go to an office or shop to clock in. I’m a remote worker who is a freelance writer; I am not a digital nomad because I live full-time at my home in Barcelona.
Gentrification: Gentrification is when higher-income groups move into a neighborhood that was once lower-income. They often displace lower-income residents by pricing them out in terms of housing, restaurants, grocery stores, etc. Mass tourism and gentrification often go hand-in-hand; many neighborhoods in cities like Mexico City are gentrified to cater to tourists and digital nomads.
Housing crises: One of the most immediate and impactful ways that mass tourism and gentrification negatively affect residents is by driving up property value and, in turn, rental and sale prices.
US political climate: Regardless of where you stand when it comes to US-Mexico politics, it’s a tense time for citizens in both countries. These types of political tensions can easily bleed over into public sentiment.

Should Americans still plan trips to Mexico City?

Here’s the big catch about those protests happening in Mexico City: President Claudia Sheinbaum was one of the major proponents of creating campaigns and policies to attract digital nomads to Mexico City post-COVID. In fact, her push for boosted visitors included a campaign that brought on Airbnb and UNESCO.

And Americans heeded the call. They flocked to the city by the thousands—a trend that hasn’t let up since 2021. (And doesn’t look like it will anytime soon.)

If you’re an American who wants to visit Mexico City, I’d like to make it clear that the protests are complex and, to a very large extent, the responsibility of local authorities to manage.

The situation feels reminiscent of what’s going on in Barcelona right now, where Mayor Jaume Collboni has launched a campaign to get rid of illegal Airbnbs around the province… while also signing off on plans to expand the airport and boost tourist numbers.

It’s a layered game of riff-raff, and while travelers, tourists, and residents are facing tense and even frightening run-ins, I place the major onus of responsibility on those in charge of hospitality-facing policies. I also think it’s worthwhile to follow the money to ask… who really benefits from mass tourism?

I think you should still plan that trip to Mexico City. And I think now is the perfect time to learn the basics of ethical travel so that you can fly in knowing that your stay will benefit you, locals, and the city.

How can you plan an ethical trip to Mexico City?

Members of various anti-gentrification collectives in Mexico City hold a protest in Parque Mexico in Mexico City, Mexico, on July 4, 2025. (Photo by Gerardo Vieyra/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

I’ve outlined the issues behind the recent protests in Mexico City, which can help travelers figure out how to visit the city ethically. In the image above, the protester is holding a sign that says, ‘We shouldn’t feel like foreigners in our own home.’

That’s a great guiding principle for ethical travel. When you show up, you should try to do as locals do. For example, skip the Starbucks and head for a Mexican-owned cafe instead.

Let’s dig in a bit more with these suggestions:

In terms of lodging: Look for mom-and-pop and small business establishments. Remember: you want your money going directly into locals’ hands. Usually, hotels, B&Bs, or boutiques are the way to go, but I’m sure you could also find rentals that are managed by families or small businesses. Try to stay as long as possible, too—a week-long trip is way better for the local economy than weekend getaways.
In terms of neighborhoods: Protests on July 4 were focused on neighborhoods like Condesa, Roma, and Juarez. You might notice added tension if you stay in them. A good alternative could be El Centro.
In terms of where you go: Get off the beaten path! Mexico City is massive, meaning you can find cultural establishments and amazing museums all over the place, from urban garden projects to World Fair Moorish-style gazebos.
One last tip: Use your Spanish. Seriously, go out of your way to use any Spanish you can. While it’s always good practice, these are the times when using the local language matters the most.

6 Safety Tips for Tijuana: Less Fear, More Fun

San Diego has an informal sister city in Mexico’s Tijuana.

From flights to walkovers to short drives, there are a handful of ways to cross the border from one country to the next. And many do it in the same day, making Tijuana one of the US’s favorite out-of-country day trips.

It’s one of the most interesting divides in the travel world, as Tijuana has historically had a reputation for great eats, vibrant culture, and general lawlessness. Almost like a modern holdout from the old days of the Wild West.

But is it actually true? And do travelers need to know safety tips for Tijuana?

Again, Tijuana is a complex place—and its more violent tendencies are only one half of the coin. After all, it’s Mexico’s second-most populous city after Ciudad de Mexico, and it’s not uncommon for large cities to deal with riff-raff.

But let’s not forget that Tijuana relies on tourism. It welcomes around 20 million visitors a year, and the vast, vast majority head home without any major incidents.

Visitors are there to scarf down those famous fish tacos, listen to the city’s distinct blues-style music, and shop at its famous markets. Others use Tijuana as a gateway to other popular spots in Baja, Mexico, Riviera Nayarit, and beyond.

Regardless of why Tijuana has landed on your radar recently, I want to point out that, despite ongoing safety concerns, you don’t need to avoid the city.

You just need to be a little savvier than you might be in other places. To do so, keep these safety tips for Tijuana in mind.

6 safety tips for Tijuana

An Elevated View of Homes and BnBs near Jardines Playas de Tijuana on the Coast of Tijuana (Getty)

Tip #1: In Tijuana, the tourist track is your friend

Tourists are more eager to get off the beaten path than ever before. We’re on the hunt for hidden-gem experiences that are found in locally-centric places. And I’m usually a proponent of this type of culture-first approach to travel.

But in Tijuana, this type of thinking won’t serve you well. Stick to the well-trodden tourist tracks—they’re designed to keep you safe.

Avenida Revolucion, Zona Rio, and Mercado Hidalgo are all safe places for you to explore by day or night. You can also head to the Tijuana Cultural Center and the local beaches if you want to skip out on all that shopping.

Tip #2: Scams are the most common danger—not violent crime

One of the most basic safety tips for Tijuana is to be mindful of your surroundings, especially any individuals who look agitated. Additionally, you should be very mindful of your belongings, as pickpockets are an issue.

But the most common crime that Americans face in Tijuana is getting scammed, not facing a violent robbery or abduction.

Be mindful of local taxis hiking up your fare by taking you in circles. Another issue is vendors who crank up the price and hope you won’t notice the conversion. That actually happened to me in Cancun recently—I wasn’t paying enough attention when speaking with a vendor, and they overcharged me. By a lot.

Before you go to Tijuana, make sure you know the conversion rate and can do a few quick calculations in your head. I suggest writing down conversions for amounts from $10-$250 on a little piece of paper that you can reference while bartering. Then keep a laser focus on that card reader to make sure you’re paying the right price.

Tip #3: Don’t get drunk

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again: avoid getting drunk on solo trips and even when in small groups. Similarly, don’t accept drinks from a stranger. Why would a stranger want to get you drunk in a city like Tijuana?

I’m not saying you won’t find friendly, beer-sharing friends around the world. I’m just saying you probably won’t run into them on a random Tuesday in Tijuana.

Again, you can and should make friends with locals! But those relationships usually take time and aren’t often based on one-off drinking sessions.

Tip #4: If you’re feeling unsure about a decision, ask a local

You might not always know if what you’re seeing in Tijuana (or being invited to do) is normal. If that’s the case, ask a friendly-looking local for some advice. In travel circles, the best local to ask is a middle-aged woman because we tend to assign her to a motherly role—and moms wouldn’t lie, right?

Tip #5: Plan your visit ahead of time—avoid wandering

As outlined in the section about staying on the tourist track, you should also consider planning your trip ahead of time. When you plan ahead, you minimize the amount of time you stand around looking uncertain. That’s usually when the hawks descend, so to speak. (Hawks = scammers.)

This is one of the best safety tips for Tijuana, and any other place in the world: if you’re worried about safety topics, then don’t leave anything up for question. Plan your itinerary with a few backup plans in mind (or written down).

Tip #6: Be wary of new friends—and especially love interests

Once again, this was outlined in the drinking section, but be mindful about making new friends. I’ve found that it’s more common for me to make friends with fellow travelers versus locals.

After all, why would a local in a heavily trafficked tourist area want to connect with a random visitor? That’s doubly true for any romantic interests.

There’s usually a reason. And in cities like Tijuana, that reason might be as neutral as being curious about your background, as naughty as scamming you out of a few dollars, or as nefarious as setting you up to be robbed at gunpoint.

I’m using alliteration to make that slightly less scary, but I think you get my point.

The World Tour of Oopsies: Chapter 6 – The Monastery (Part I)

[The World Tour of Oopsies is an ongoing series of travel stories about my first decade of travel. During these adventures and misadventures, I had to unlearn many things I thought I knew about life. Welcome to my miseducation.]

Catch up on the World Tour of Oopsies travel stories:

Part I / Still in the Himalayan Foothills

After not passing the vibe check in a small town in the Himalayan foothills (see: Chapter 5), our small group of rag-tag Western youths packed back into those hefty Jeeps to weave through the mountains once more.

And our destination was finally within reach: Rumtek Monastery.

Though I’d been handed a whirlwind front-row seat to Hindu worship at the Kalighat Temple in Kolkata (see: Chapters 3 & 4), the main focus of our trip was to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism.

And not just Tibetan Buddhism, but Tibetan culture. Sikkim, though located in India, has one of the world’s largest populations of Tibetans. That’s because many live in exile from China.

As with other topics in my world tour of travel stories, I’m going to leave the heavy lifting in terms of history and culture for more qualified sources—but you should know that, along with the Indian city of Dharamshala, the state of Sikkim is home to tens of thousands of Tibetans who left China during the diaspora of the 1950s and 60s.

Battling religious persecution, Tibetans fled to India, Bhutan, and Nepal, where tens of thousands remain today. Dharamsala is famously the home of the Dalai Lama—but he’s not the only major leader (called a lama) in Tibetan Buddhism.

There are four major sects, and each has its own system of identifying the next leader to be reincarnated into the same line (called a tulku).

To grossly generalize, lamas predict where they’ll be born in their next life so that other members of the religion can find and identify them. (If you’ve seen Avatar: The Last Airbender, that probably sounds familiar.) At least, that’s been the case historically; the Dalai Lama has been making changes during his rule.

If you click on that link right above, you’ll see a young lama sitting before a picture of the Dalai Lama. That’s who we’re talking about today: the 17th Karmapa and leader of the Karma Kagyu sect, who lived and was educated at Rumtek Monastery for over a decade.

You know, the same place that me and that group of rowdy Western youths was barreling toward in a crammed caravan of Jeeps.

Part II / Rumtek Monastery

Rumtek Dharma Chakra Centre Gangtok. Sikkim India Asia (Getty)

Rumtek Monastery was built in the 1960s by the 16th Karmapa Lama after being exiled from Tibet. With the help of Sikkim’s royal family (remember, they were around until the 1970s), a large monastery and college (Rumtek) were built just outside Sikkim’s capital city of Gangtok.

To this day, it remains an important center where Karma Kagy rituals and practices are performed, which have been in place since the 12th century CE.

Again, though not quite as rock-star as the Dalai Lama, the Karmapa also exercises great power when it comes to spirituality, culture, social organization, and even political organization for Tibetan Buddhists.

In fact, we’d been slowly educated over a week about what would be waiting for us at Rumtek Monastery, how to prepare for the silent retreat we’d be doing there, and how not to get in the way of a bunch of semi-enlightened monks.

I remember feeling particularly irate upon arrival, having just learned that some Buddhist sects don’t believe women can attain enlightenment or are fit for leadership positions.

As with Hinduism, I’d helped myself to Buddhist teachings and religious texts while a high schooler living in the Midwest—but lacked real-world knowledge of the religion and its beliefs.

I’d over-romanticized everything. And now, I was in a very prominent monastery, preparing to meet one of the Karmapa’s regents. (A regent is an authority figure who is partly responsible for identifying the previous Karmapa’s latest tulku.)

In short, I no longer knew what to expect from the experience. And though I didn’t know it yet, that’s usually a great place to be when it comes to travel.

Part III / The burp

I have two important memories from Rumtek Monastery. The first is when our small group arrived, settled in, and received a meeting with one of the Karmapa’s regents.

As outlined above, this regent was one of the leaders who had helped identify the next Karmapa. But this was back in the 1980s, and China was still looking to root out Tibetan Buddhist influence in Tibet. What followed was a two-decade-long effort to get the young Karmapa out of Tibet and into Sikkim.

In other words, though we didn’t have a face-to-face with the Karmapa, meeting with one of his regents was a big deal.

I don’t remember what kinds of questions we asked—or if the meeting was even open to questions. All I remember is that, multiple times during the interaction, this very important regent who had helped the 17th Karmapa flee China, burped loudly and freely.

Cut to that one chapter from The Little Prince when the author talks about how no one took the Turkish astronomer seriously because of his outfit. It was like rereading that chapter and having my mind blown all over again—

I hadn’t realized that professionals and spiritual leaders of the highest order would burp freely. Like, mid-sentence.

Look, I know it’s weird and un-glamorous, but this was a very profound moment that made me realize I might not actually know true wisdom even if I looked it right in the eyes—and, in this case, because I was raised to avoid burping.

It was like the bucket shower all over again (see: Chapter 2), in which I ended up learning more about myself and my outlook on life than I’d planned. A good term for this is transformational travel, when we allow our experiences to reshape our worldview. But that sounds a little boring, academic, and possibly even hoity-toity, so I usually call it unlearning.

Try thinking about it like that the next time you pack your bags for a world tour. What will you unlearn on your next adventure?

TL;DR my world tour of travel stories: Burping is cultural, and even spiritual masters do it.

Where To Go in the Netherlands Besides Amsterdam: 5 Picks

With a red light district and an overwhelmingly liberal policy on drugs like marijuana, it’s crazy that I’m writing an article trying to get you out of Amsterdam. I can think of few better combos—at least, when it comes to catchy sentences.

In reality, Amsterdam has been battling tourism just like some Southern European counterparts. But it’s not just facing overwhelming numbers of visitors… It’s also dealing with the types of adventures they’re after. All those canals don’t help, either.

After all, what goes worse with directionless, confused tourists on a bender than murky water? Maybe dozens of criss-crossing bike lanes, but I digress.

Here’s my point: as Amsterdam seeks to curb its tourism numbers and improve the tourist experience in the city, you might want a few alternatives to get out of town.

Whether you want to keep the capital city as your home base or strike out with a more imaginative itinerary, here’s where to go in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam. In case you want to leave with more than just war stories from neighborhoods like Jordaan.

Where to go in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam

Maastricht

Located on the southernmost nub of the Netherlands between Belgium and Germany, Maastricht is full of history that you haven’t heard before. From its gorgeous squares and cathedrals to its bi-weekly vendor markets, there’s a blend of old and new that will capture your intrigue.

As an added bonus, Maastricht is also home to a handful of highly acclaimed fine dining restaurants, showcasing the Netherlands’ most delicious and foody new projects.

Texel

Texel, a West Frisian island that takes you to the Netherlands’ more rugged north, takes you away from the noise and into the countryside. Most locals are part of the farming community, from herding sheep to running dairies to growing tulips.

But it’s also a hotspot for domestic tourists, especially during summer. In the warmer months, you can cycle and hike the island’s many trails, swim in the Wadden Sea, and even go horseback riding.

Utrecht

Want a closer look at Medieval history in the Netherlands? Head to Utrecht. This large city is home to many Medieval structures, along with an extensive, man-made canal system.

But Utrecht is also home to the country’s largest university, meaning there’s plenty to do when it comes to exploring trendy shops, restaurants, bars, and more. Think of it like a unique mashup between the Netherlands’ more traditional identity and its youngest thinkers.

Pro tip: Head out to nearby Vinkeveense Plassen, an area with gorgeous artificial lakes and vacation homes.

Zaanse Schans

Zaanse Schans is sort of a destination, and when I say sort of a destination, I mean that it’s a modern neighborhood that’s composed of really old structures that were carefully moved from other parts of the region.

In the early 1960s, Dutch authorities decided to relocate buildings (from windmills to homes) from the Amsterdam area to Zaandam to preserve them in the picturesque landscape. The result is a tourist attraction that has seven museums and a large replica of what the Netherlands would have looked like centuries ago.

Rotterdam

After being decimated during War War II, Rotterdam was largely rebuilt and now includes skyscrapers and expansive avenues that are more reminiscent of the 21^st century. That being said, you can still dive deep into history.

Old Dutch homes were preserved in the Delfshaven district, which even includes the launching point for colonists who set sail for the Americas in the early 1600s. That being said, it’s ideal for anyone who wants to see a very modern version of the Netherlands.

Bonus pick: Giethoorn

rural dutch traditional country small old town Giethoorn with canals, Netherlands (Getty)

In the off-chance that you haven’t heard of Giethoorn, aka Dutch Venice, I’m giving it a shout here. It’s one of the most well-known options on where to go in the Netherlands besides Amsterdam for Europeans, but tends to fly under the radar for Americans.

This small village is located toward the Northeast and is composed of slow canals that weave through a lush residential neighborhood. You can easily take a boat ride through the canals where you’ll see locals living their day-to-day lives. But you can also relax in those canals by canoeing, take on the trails with a bicycle, or simply soak up the quaint, natural setting while lounging in the grass.

The Coolest Tours in Louisville, Kentucky: History, Whiskey, & Horses

Given its proximity to Kentucky’s whiskey row and Churchill Downs, Louisville is a well-known quantity for most Americans. At least, when it comes to great bourbons and fast thoroughbreds.

Sitting below the surface of Louisville is a vibrant population that loves great music, knows a thing or two about delicious cocktails, and is proud of its local history and architecture. In other words, it’s got all those ingredients that go into a hidden gem-caliber city.

And with a population of just over half a million, you won’t see any of those massive crowds common to nearby hubs like Nashville and NOLA. (Assuming you avoid the Derby.) Just a quiet city with a penchant for music, whiskey, and letting the good times roll.

If you’re ready to take your upcoming Louisville trip to the next level, don’t miss out on these excursions. They’re the most highly rated tours in Louisville that locals recommend and guests love.

13 highly rated Louisville tours

Bourbon Tour #3
Old Louisville Ghost Tour
Historic Old Louisville Walking Tour
Original Old Louisville Walking Tour
Walking Bourbon Food Tour with Pairings
Food & History Walking Tour
Murder, Crime, & Ghost Tour
Bourbon and Derby
Pour Your Own Candle
Private Tour of KMAC Contemporary Art Museum
Derby-themed Murder Mystery Food Tour

The best tours in Louisville

Bourbon Tour #3

How did Kentucky become such an important purveyor of whiskey? And how does distillation even work? You’ll learn about both topics, plus some of the best local bourbons, as you sample drinks at some of Louisville’s most well-known distilleries. Every distillery tour ends with a sample, letting you taste the distinction and train your tastebuds.

Old Louisville Ghost Tour

Take a walk back in time through Old Louisville to learn about its stately mansions and the wealthy families that built them back in the 1800s. Along the way, you’ll also hear tales about the ghosts, rumors, and legends that made the area one of the most haunted in the city.

Historic Old Louisville Walking Tour

Don’t want any ghostly apparitions popping up on your tour of Old Louisville? Book this experience instead of the ghost tour. You’ll get to tour the same historic streets and learn about the city’s loveliest homes in the Victorian mansion district. In addition to learning about historic figures, you also get a glimpse into the modern families and influencers who continue to shape Louisville.

Original Old Louisville Walking Tour

It looks like there’s a bit of a debate on which Old Louisville walking tour is the original—so here’s your second option, which bills itself as the OG historic walking tour. During the excursion, you get to learn about Floral Terrace, Ormsby Avenue, Millionaire’s Row, and other local hotspots.

Walking Bourbon Food Tour with Pairings

Whether or not you have experience sampling bourbons, don’t forget that you shouldn’t be sipping on too many samples without eating. Welcome to the magic of this bourbon and food pairings tour. Instead of taking you to distilleries, you hop off the tourist track to eat and drink at Louisville’s most acclaimed restaurants, coolest speakeasies, and exclusive fine dining spots. Expect delicious pairings throughout.

Food & History Walking Tour

Louisville’s East Market District, known as NuLu, is one of the trendiest spots in town. If you want to learn about this up-and-coming neighborhood while also eating your heart out, look no further. You get to learn hands-on about history while sampling eight dishes from six restaurants, including that famous Hot Brown sandwich.

Whispers on Whiskey Row: Murder, Crime, & Ghost Tour

I know—I already recommended a ghost-centric history tour of Old Louisville. But let’s not forget that ghost stories are usually based on legend. This tour also builds on real-life tales of true crime from the mob, bootleggers, and criminals. And that’s a big deal in a city like Louisville, which played a huge role during the Prohibition Era.

Bourbon and Derby

If you want to delve deep into the history of the Kentucky Derby, head to the museum. If not, get a more personalized and hands-on view with this tour. You get access to Churchill Downs and a private tour, along with the choice to add on a visit to either the Maker’s Mark or Buffalo Trace distilleries. That’s a pretty great setup for someone with limited time in Louisville.

Pour Your Own Candle

No desire to drink bourbon? Maybe a candle-making course will interest you instead. I personally love to take unique workshops like this when I travel, so if you’re intrigued by the process of candle-making and want to flex your creative muscles, sign up. You get to choose from different scents, sizes, colors, and beyond as you create a one-of-a-kind souvenir.

Private Tour of KMAC Contemporary Art Museum

I don’t care how much you know about modern art, fine art, or any other type of art—you will always be happy you booked a museum tour with an expert guide. In this case, you get a floor-by-floor tour of Louisville’s coolest new art museum, along with a discount at its bar.

Derby-themed Murder Mystery Food Tour

It’s death at the Derby at this themed dinner experience. You’ll eat, drink, and act your way through a murder mystery premise, either trying to fly under the radar or crack the case before fellow guests. It’s also Derby-themed through and through, meaning guests are encouraged to bust out their flashiest Kentucky Derby attire.