The Highlands

The Highlands is one of Louisville’s most recognizable and character-filled areas. It’s a collection of established neighborhoods that stretch along Bardstown Road and Baxter Avenue. The area is known for walkable streets, historic homes, and a lively mix of local restaurants, bars, and independent shops that give it a distinct identity.

Unlike many parts of the city, the Highlands has kept its local feel. There are few national chains, and a strong sense of community ties everything together. The neighborhood contains Cherokee Park, Willow Park, and Tyler Park, and it borders Seneca Park. All four are part of the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, a system of historic parks designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, the same landscape architect who created Central Park in New York City.

The Highlands includes many smaller neighborhoods, each with its own personality. These include Original Highlands, Phoenix Hill, Irish Hill, Cherokee Triangle, Tyler Park, Deer Park, Bonnycastle, Highlands-Douglass, and Belknap. On the southern end, the Upper Highlands extends toward the Home Rule-class cities of Strathmoor Manor, Strathmoor Village, Wellington, Kingsley, and Seneca Gardens.

Together, these communities create a diverse and welcoming part of Louisville. You’ll find grand Victorians near Cherokee Park as well as cozy bungalows and mid-century homes farther south. The Highlands combines convenience, individuality, and community, which makes it one of Louisville’s most enduring places to call home.