Kentucky bluegrass (KBG; Poa pratensis) is the preferred turf species for most situations in the Upper Midwest. Public pressure to decrease turf irrigation is forcing the search for alternative grasses that can withstand summer temperatures without irrigation. New heat tolerant bluegrasses (hybrids of P. pratensis x Poa arachnifera) and tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) varieties may be suitable but information on mowing height and fertility responses were needed. Field trials were planted in late spring 2002 and 2003 to test the response of grass type, N fertility, and mowing height in a factorial arrangement. ‘Apollo' and ‘Unique' KBG were compared in main plots to ‘Masterpiece' and ‘Rembrandt' tall fescue and ‘Thermal blue' and ‘Durablue' bluegrass hybrids. Plots were mowed at 2.5, 5, and 7.5 cm height and fertilized with either 48 or 144 kg N ha-1 annually. No supplemental irrigation was used. Bluegrass hybrids and KBG had earlier spring greenup than tall fescue in 2003 while tall fescue and bluegrass hybrids had earlier spring greenup than KBG in 2004 at 2.5 and 5 cm height. All turf varieties had similar quality averaged over the growing season with occasional interactions for either mowing height or nitrogen rate, with a tendency for best turf quality at the 2.5 and 5 cm heights and best turf quality at the high N rate, particularly at the 7.5 cm height. All varieties had acceptable leaf texture except tall fescues mowed at 7.5 cm height. Data suggest both the new heat tolerant bluegrasses and tall fescue may be acceptable replacements for KBG in the Upper Midwest and with management requirements similar to KBG for best results. Additional information is needed on cold hardiness of tall fescue and heat tolerant bluegrasses.