Kentucky
Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Secret Garden In Louisville You’re Guaranteed To Love

Whitehall Gardens in Louisville offers a serene experience with diverse gardens, including a renowned peony collection.

Updated Jul 21, 2024

Written by 

Jessica Scott

There is nothing quite like the peacefulness and joy that comes from being surrounded by nature. This is especially true if that place includes big, beautiful flowers in every color imaginable and trees that are just as colorful and diverse as the people viewing them. In Louisville, there is a place where you can experience all of these things: A secret garden in Kentucky called Whitehall Gardens. It's one of the prettiest gardens to visit in Kentucky. Let's take a closer look at Whitehall Gardens in Kentucky.

This secret garden is actually composed of several gardens, including the Specimen Garden and the Arboretum.

alt
Historic Whitehall

Whitehall’s Specimen Garden is also known as "Annie’s Garden." It was first planted in 2001 and has been growing and thriving ever since.

advertisement
alt
Historic Whitehall

This garden is truly a secret one, as it is hidden away back at the rear part of the Whitehall property.

alt
Historic Whitehall

Visitors can see countless species of plants, flowers, trees, and evergreen shrubbery as they meander along the paths inside.

alt
Kseniya Plymale/Google

The Specimen Garden’s crowning glory, though, is their peonies. Whitehall Gardens has over 60 different species of peonies, all of which are displayed during its annual Peony Festival in May.

alt
Historic Whitehall

While the Specimen Garden is in bloom in the warmer months, the Arboretum is full of beauty all year round.

alt
Historic Whitehall

Visitors can marvel at Whitehall’s enormous collection of rare and diverse trees, many of which are not native to Louisville, and thus may never be seen outside of this garden.

advertisement
alt
Historic Whitehall

Both gardens are on the property surrounding the majestic Whitehall Mansion, where many happy couples get married each year.

alt
Historic Whitehall

Admission to both the Specimen Garden and the Arboretum (as well as the other gardens on the property) is free, although if you plan to sell any photos you take while you’re there, you must pay a fee. The gardens are open from sunrise to sunset during the week. Find out the current tours and pricing on the Whitehall Gardens website. You'll surely enjoy a trip to this secret garden in Kentucky.

Have you ever been to Whitehall Gardens in Kentucky? Did you think it was one of the best gardens in Kentucky? What is your favorite secret garden in Louisville? Share your thoughts in the comments! While you're visiting Louisville, explore some more lovely hidden gems:

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kentucky/louisville/natural-attractions-louisville/

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Parks & Gardens

The Secret Garden In Louisville You’re Guaranteed To Love

The Grotto and Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes in Louisville is a hidden historic site perfect for prayer, meditation, and solitude.

Updated Jul 24, 2024

Written by 

Myan Mai

Located in the Saint Joseph neighborhood lies a garden that many living in Louisville aren't even aware exists. Originally built in 1927, the Grotto and Garden in Kentucky was once home to the Saint Joseph Infirmary, for which the neighborhood was named. The infirmary has long since been destroyed, which ultimately led to the construction of the Norton Audubon Hospital on Poplar Level Road. Today, the University Park Apartments stands in its place, but thanks to a revitalization project put together by the Saint Joseph's Area Association, this beautiful secret garden in Kentucky remains after nearly a century, and it may just be one of the best gardens in Kentucky.

advertisement

The Saint Joseph Area Association began the revitalization in 2000.

alt
Tripadvisor/Cathy_Civy

The Association brought together residents of the neighborhood to help restore the old shrine and garden.

The team called themselves the "Grotto Grannies and Grandpas," and put hard work into cleaning up the aging landscape.

alt
Tripadvisor/Cathy_Civy

In 2001, the project was completed and the site was declared a National Landmark.

alt
Tripadvisor/Cathy_Civy

Now, 16 years after its restoration, the Grotto and Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes looks as beautiful as ever.

alt
Tripadvisor/TravelDiva19

Murals are painted on the brick walls that line the garden.

alt
Tripadvisor/TravelDiva19

Viewing the art and flowers growing in the garden is perfect for a long, contemplative walk.

advertisement

This interesting sundial sits at the entrance.

alt
Tripadvisor/Cathy_Civy

Although the date of the sundial's creation is unknown, the line "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be" is from a Robert Browning poem written in 1864, which later inspired a John Lennon song.

alt
Tripadvisor/Cathy_Civy

Metal plaques and beautifully painted stones have been placed in the garden in loving memory of those related to the Saint Joseph's Association.

In the back, you can view the beautiful stone grotto.

alt
Tripadvisor/TravelDiva19

This grotto was built to resemble a natural grotto in southern France where Bernadette Soubirous is said to have seen apparitions of Virgin Mary in 1858. Here, Bernadette's experience is depicted in the shrine, as she gazes up at Virgin Mary in the grotto.

alt
Tripadvisor/Cathy_Civy

The Grotto is a very unique structure in Louisville, and in preserving structures such as this one, we can continue to preserve the fascinating history of our city.

Eastern Parkway is a busy road in Louisville, but many who pass by the location daily are unaware of the beautiful hidden garden. Taking a stroll through the property is a quiet oasis from the loud traffic just steps away.

Have you ever visited the Grotto and Garden of Our Lady of Lourdes? Let us know in the comments, and share this piece of Louisville history with anyone who would also find it interesting. Thanks for reading, and be sure to check out this article about other historic landmarks in Kentucky.

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

Nature|Parks & Gardens

Most People Don’t Know About This Magical Sunflower Field Hiding In Louisville

Sunflowers bloom every spring in The Parklands of Floyds Fork, a beautiful park system in Louisville.

Updated Apr 22, 2024

Written by 

Myan Mai

Sunflowers in Louisville arrive every spring at The Parklands of Floyds Fork. This relatively new park system opened to the public in 2010. Over less than a decade, Louisville nonprofit group 21st Century Parks has created a beautiful place to play, exercise, and relax, surrounded by colorful meadows and wide open fields. Although some of the city's best parks are located in the Parklands, many people may not have explored the lovely grounds yet. All of the parks are found on the easternmost border of Louisville about 20-30 minutes from downtown. Today, we feature the vibrant sunflower meadows that are found across all of the Parklands. Let's take a look at some of the prettiest sunflowers in Kentucky!

advertisement

The Parklands of Floyds Forks has endless areas to explore in its four lovely parks.

alt
The Parklands of Floyds Fork/Facebook

The Strand is a handy collection of land that links the two northern and the two southern parks. From north to south, the Parklands include Beckley Creek Park, Pope Lick Park, the Strand, Turkey Run Park, and Broad Run Park.

The parks are named after tributaries of Floyds Fork that travel The Parklands and unite them.

alt
The Parklands of Floyds Fork/Facebook

Two water parks exist, including one at Beckley Creek Park and the other at the Cliffside Center in Broad Run Park.

You'll spot a lovely sunflower field near me growing along the Louisville Loop in the Humana Grand Allee area of ​​Beckley Creek Park.

alt
The Parklands of Floyds Fork/Facebook
alt
The Parklands of Floyds Fork/Facebook

When in season, these are located at the William F. Miles Community Garden in

Beckley Creek Park.

alt
The Parklands

Sunflowers stand 10 feet tall at their midsummer peak!

advertisement

Although it's not considered a true sunflower, this Oxeye Sunflower still is just as bright and beautiful as the rest.

alt
Ввласенко, CC BY-SA 3.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

These are found at Broad Run Park and along the meadows throughout The Parklands.

Explore other flower fields near me along the paved Lowland Plain Trail in Broad Run Park.

alt
The Parklands

The hike runs from the Greensward down to the Cliffside Paddling Access where it connects to the Louisville Loop.

More beautiful plants and walkways are available at the Moss Gibbs Woodland Garden in Broad Run Park.

alt
The Parklands

Sunflowers and other colorful meadows are found all across the 4,000-acre parklands

alt
The Parklands of Floyds Fork/Facebook

If you haven't explored the Parklands yet, now is the perfect time! With endless amenities and gorgeous flowers, any of these four parks will be perfect to walk through on a nice day.

advertisement

Sunflowers in Louisville color our summers. Discover more on The Parklands of Floyds Fork web page. Have you been to this lovely park in Kentucky? If so, please share your thoughts in the comments below.

If you like being outdoors, try one of these fantastic camping spots in Louisville. And if you don't have an RV — no problem — rent one from RVshare.

https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/kentucky/louisville/best-places-for-camping-louisville/

Subscribe to our newsletter

Get the latest updates and news

All Stories

Trip Ideas

How Traveling to Hawaii Changed My Perspective About Life

by Melanie Johnson
on Oct 28
Native Hawaiian dressed in traditional Hula clothing
Nature
Hiking

The Iconic Trail in Utah Everyone Should Hike Once in Their Lifetime

by Katie Lawrence
on Oct 28
alt
Trip Ideas
Small Towns

The Remote Town in Utah We Simply Can’t Get Enough Of

by Melissa Mahoney
on Oct 28
alt
Stays
Camping

The Amazing Campground in Texas We Want To Visit All-Year Round

by Katie Lawrence
on Oct 28
alt
Experiences
Sights & Landmarks

The Remote Destination in Arizona Where the Drive Is Worth the Final View

by Melanie Johnson
on Oct 28
Glen Canyon Dam Bridge in Arizona at sunset