Highlands Douglass - Louisville, KY Area Guide

In 1912, a streetcar was built along Bardstown Road into the Highlands-Douglass area. Most houses in the neighborhood were built in the 1920s as space in the "Original Highlands" area diminished. As noted above, development slowed during the Great Depression and after, but by 1952, the residential streets of Douglass were complete.

While there aren't any museums in the neighborhood, locals head downtown to Museum Row or visit the University of Louisville's museums for annual arts and culture events. A concentration of art galleries on Bardstown Road, such as Frame Tree Gallery and Edenside Gallery, give residents a chance to engage in the local art scene.

Douglass residents benefit from the active dining and entertainment scene on Bardstown Road right in their own neighborhood. Havana Rumba & Tapas Bar, a Cuban tapas restaurant, represents a local favorite on Bardstown Road. Regulars recommend the delicious empanadas and the guacamole with plantain chips. Stop by Havana Rumba on a Monday or Tuesday for live music and an all-evening happy hour beginning at 5 p.m.

Check out Dundee Gastropub on Dundee Road one block off Bardstown Road for some of the best pub food in town. The goat cheese plate features a balsamic glaze drizzle paired with local cheese. The pimento melt finishes the meal perfectly. Locals rave about the turkey and fig sandwich served alongside truffle fries. Whiskey steak salad comes to your plate with steak piled on top of a bed of greens and caramelized pears for a local, Southern flavor.

For fantastic sandwiches, wraps and deli sides, head to long-running local institution Morris Liquors & Delicatessen. Try some of the popular meats, such as the smoked turkey, the Kentucky country ham and the barbecue pulled pork. Morris also sells a legendary pimento cheese spread, beer cheese, potato salads and a number of fresh homemade soups. Don't let the unassuming exterior keep you away from this local gem, and be sure to check out the great selection of beer while waiting for your sandwich.

Bardstown Road also attracts local residents looking for nightlife entertainment. The Bard's Town hosts local comedians as well as national touring acts and ensemble theater productions. Have a nice meal in the Bard's Town restaurant before enjoying some comedy, theater or improv.

For a low-key night out, check out Diamond Station or brewpub River City Drafthouse. Locals love Vines and Canines, a wine bar that welcomes your furry friends. For a more exciting night out, head to 4th Street Live, a downtown entertainment district with lots of dining, shopping and nightlife options.

Though Highlands-Douglass residents use cars to get to different parts of Louisville, especially because of the many businesses on Bardstown Road, locals can get to many of their favorite spots on foot or by bike. The quiet residential streets in Douglass welcome both cyclists and pedestrians. Residents can catch several buses on Bardstown Road. In addition, route 29 services the Douglass neighborhood. Hailing a cab or contacting Uber for a ride is easy for locals. Ample public parking exists on the residential streets of Douglass, and easy access to Interstate 64 makes getting downtown simple.

Cherokee Park, a large municipal park near Highlands-Douglass, attracts exercise-centric locals with its miles of trails for hiking, jogging or biking. Families with children also enjoy Cherokee Park due to its basketball courts, playgrounds and picnic areas. Bring your dog to Baringer Hill, the dog run built in the park, for a great place to exercise and socialize your pet. During the summertime, Cherokee Park hosts free concerts at one of its pavilions.

Locals also head to nearby Willow Park for great annual events such as the Cherokee Triangle Art Fair, a juried art fair that features live music and street food in addition to the many booths offering arts and crafts of all kinds.

The cost of living in Highlands-Douglass sits 10 percent below national averages. It costs $1.75 to reach downtown Louisville via TARC, the Transit Authority of River City. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence in Highlands is $655. A pint of beer at a local pub costs around $4. Gas prices in Highlands Douglass are 4 percent higher than national averages.

Douglass residents enjoy walking to Bardstown Road for a day of shopping at the independent boutiques in the area. Thrifters enjoy Urban Attic, a vintage and consignment store with great prices and unique finds. Fashion lovers head to popular clothing boutiques in the area such as Dot Fox and Dirty Tease.

Douglass residents don't travel far for groceries as Kroger has a location right in the neighborhood. Two farmers markets serve the neighborhood: The Bardstown Road Farmers' Market features live music, local produce and meats and omelet stands every Saturday morning; nearby, the Douglass Loop Farmers' Market, open every Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., welcomes local residents and dogs to its many booths featuring fresh produce, meats and other local treats.