Highview, KY Local Area Information

The Louisville Zoo is not just for animal-watching. Feed the birds nectar at Lorikeet Landing, pet a wallaby or wallaroo (and learn the difference) in the Wallaroo Walkabout, and watch the seal and sea lion training demonstrations at Glacier Run. And if watching a giraffe bend and twist itself over a fence to munch on green leaves isn't enough entertainment, check out the splash park (open seasona... (read more)

Part of the parks system developed by Frederick Law Olmsted, who designed Central Park, Cherokee Park features the 2.4-mile paved Scenic Loop that takes drivers, walkers, bikers and runners past a 9-hole golf course, playgrounds, a spray pool, a soccer field that doubles as an Ultimate Frisbee field and Baringer Hill, the perfect sledding spot in winter. read more about Cherokee Park (read more)

For one weekend each year, Cherokee Triangle (a neighborhood just outside Cherokee Park in the Highlands) fills with artist's booths, live music and food vendors. The Cherokee Triangle Art Fair is a juried art fair and the major fundraiser for the neighborhood association. There are children's activities to entertain the kids while you browse the artists' stalls, a plant booth for any gardening de... (read more)

In Louisville, you can visit the grave of Patty Smith Hill, one of the sisters responsible for writing the "Happy Birthday" song, at Cavehill Cemetery; you can also visit Little Loomhouse, where the sisters first sang the song at a birthday party. Little Loomhouse consists of three cabins (all three are on the National Register of Historic Places) that served as Master Weaver Lou Tate's home, stor... (read more)

Carmichael's Bookstore is Louisville's oldest independent bookstore. It opened in 1978 and today has two locations, one in the Highlands neighborhood and one in Crescent Hill. In addition to books, papers, and magazines, both locations sell paper goods, including locally made greeting cards. They host readings and book signings. The Bardstown Road location connects to Heine Brothers Coffee and is ... (read more)

Squallis Puppeteers is a group of local artists and performers who use homemade puppets (some as tall as nine feet) to tell creative and educational stories. The non-profit group, whose name is taken from the Latin word for shark, offer shows on a number of topics, from healthy food and Abraham Lincoln to lessons on emotions presented by dinosaur puppets. Different stories are geared at different ... (read more)

The Crescent Hill reservoir and Gatehouse opened in 1879 as the first step in the water purification process and today still play a key role in producing Louisville's drinking water. The reservoir is a settling basin where sediment from the Ohio River settles before the water moves to the next part of purification. Valves in the Gatehouse control the flow of water in and out of the reservoir. On... (read more)

One of Louisville's many Olmsted-planned parks, Iroquois Park's 725.85 acres includes walking, hiking, and bike paths, bridle trails, a golf course, playgrounds, a splash area, picnic shelters, and the Iroquois Amphitheater. An overlook at the top of the hill in the middle of the park provides a grand view of Louisville. The road to the top is open to cars from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesdays, Satu... (read more)

Located in southwest Louisville, Jefferson Memorial Forest is the nation's largest municipal urban forest. The forest has more than 35 miles of hiking trails ranging from an easy, paved 10-minute loop to a 6.2-mile trail. Visitors can fish in Tom Wallace Lake, and tent camping is available in the Horine Reservation, located near the hiking trails. read more about Jefferson Memorial Forest (read more)

Said to be the two most exciting minutes in sports, the Kentucky Derby is held on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs. Unless you have some strong Louisville connections, don't count on getting tickets for anything but general admission (in recent years, there have been special Derby and Oaks packages. 2011 reserved seating tickets are $480 each). General admission tickets are $40 and get... (read more)