Get the app

Kentucky, United States

The Highlands & Cherokee Park

A slow Jan 1 on Bardstown Road and a walk through Olmsted's Cherokee Park. We have mapped 2 sights, 2 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat here, each with a reason to go.

Plan The Highlands & Cherokee Park with friendsBrowse 6 places
The Highlands & Cherokee Park, Kentucky, United States
Places
6

2 See · 2 Outdoors · 2 Eat

Curated routes
1

Louisville New Year's Eve

Best season
Dec 30 – Jan 1

from our route notes

Warmest month
August

31°C / 87°F avg high

Coolest month
January

4°C / 39°F avg high

Wettest month
May

about 135 mm rain

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Louisville, the nearest city we track.

Things to do in The Highlands & Cherokee Park

6 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

The landmarks we would not skip in The Highlands & Cherokee Park across Cherokee Triangle and Highlands. All 2 are free to visit.

  • See

    Cherokee Triangle

    Victorian neighborhood of brick and stone mansions between Bardstown Road and Cherokee Park.

    Tip Loop through it on foot between brunch and the park; Cherokee Parkway is the prettiest stretch.

    • Cherokee Triangle
    • Free
    • 45 min
    • Late morning
  • See

    Cave Hill Cemetery

    Victorian garden cemetery and arboretum where Colonel Harland Sanders is buried.

    Tip Pick up a map at the Baxter Avenue gate; the grounds are large and hilly.

    • Highlands
    • Free
    • 60 min
    • Midday

Outdoors

Trails, views and open space in and around The Highlands & Cherokee Park. All 2 are free to visit.

  • Outdoors

    Cherokee Park

    Frederick Law Olmsted's rolling 1890s park, with a scenic loop road, creek trails and wide meadows.

    Tip Walk the paved Scenic Loop on Jan 1 morning; it is quiet and easy to follow.

    • Highlands
    • Free
    • 1.5 hr
    • Morning
  • Outdoors

    Hogan's Fountain

    Hilltop fountain and teepee-shaped pavilion at the heart of Cherokee Park, a favorite meeting point.

    • Cherokee Park
    • Free
    • 30 min
    • Morning

Eat

2 places to eat in Highlands, picked for groups who care about the food.

  • Eat

    Jack Fry's

    Small, dark-paneled Bardstown Road bistro dating to 1933, with live jazz piano most nights.

    Tip Book Dec 30 for dinner; holiday weeks fill early.

    • Highlands
    • $$$
    • 2 hr
    • Evening
  • Eat

    Ramsi's Cafe on the World

    Long-running Bardstown Road cafe with a global menu and a busy weekend brunch.

    Tip Check Jan 1 hours before you go; holiday hours change year to year.

    • Highlands
    • $$
    • 75 min
    • Late morning

How to fit The Highlands & Cherokee Park into a trip

The Highlands & Cherokee Park is stop 2 of 2 on our Louisville New Year's Eve route. Follow it as-is or lift The Highlands & Cherokee Park into your own plan.

Weather by month, based on Louisville

Our climate figures for The Highlands & Cherokee Park come from Louisville, about 4 km (2 mi) away. Average daily highs run from 4°C / 39°F in January to 31°C / 87°F in August. May is the wettest month, with about 135 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for Louisville. Louisville weather (covers The Highlands & Cherokee Park) →

Near The Highlands & Cherokee Park

8 other destinations from our guides within about 200 km (124 mi), measured in a straight line.

The Highlands & Cherokee Park questions, answered

How many days do you need in The Highlands & Cherokee Park?

On our Louisville New Year's Eve route it is stop 2 of 2 in a 3-day trip. Split evenly, that is about 2 days here, an estimate rather than a rule. The listed visit times for our 6 places add up to roughly 7 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is The Highlands & Cherokee Park best known for?

A slow Jan 1 on Bardstown Road and a walk through Olmsted's Cherokee Park. Standouts on our list: Cherokee Triangle (Victorian neighborhood of brick and stone mansions between Bardstown Road and Cherokee Park); Cave Hill Cemetery (Victorian garden cemetery and arboretum where Colonel Harland Sanders is buried); Cherokee Park (Frederick Law Olmsted's rolling 1890s park, with a scenic loop road, creek trails and wide meadows).

When is the best time to visit The Highlands & Cherokee Park?

Our Louisville New Year's Eve route is best Dec 30 – Jan 1. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages for nearby Louisville put the warmest highs in August (31°C / 87°F), the coolest in January (4°C / 39°F) and the most rain in May (about 135 mm).

What are the best things to do in The Highlands & Cherokee Park?

Start with Cherokee Park, Hogan's Fountain, Cherokee Triangle and Cave Hill Cemetery. Our guide lists 6 places in all, from 2 sights, 2 outdoor spots and 2 places to eat.

Where should a group eat in The Highlands & Cherokee Park?

Our picks: Jack Fry's (Highlands); Ramsi's Cafe on the World (Highlands). Book Dec 30 for dinner; holiday weeks fill early (Jack Fry's).

What is near The Highlands & Cherokee Park?

The closest destinations in our guides are Downtown Louisville & Waterfront (about 4 km / 3 mi), Louisville (about 4 km / 3 mi) and Bardstown (about 52 km / 32 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan The Highlands & Cherokee Park with your crew

Open the Louisville New Year's Eve route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 6 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

Get TripsCircle

Plan around The Highlands & Cherokee Park

More in United States

Plan it together

Plan The Highlands & Cherokee Park