Everything You Need to Know About Brookside, Kansas City, Missouri
Vibrant, Urban, Charming, and Quaint are just a few words that describe Brookside. Just close enough to the action, Brookside is located on the Missouri side of Kansas City, five miles south of downtown. With a population of 12,000, Brookside is a highly sought after place to live with beautiful historic homes, tree-lined streets, unique shops, and eclectic restaurants. Walkability is a big attraction for this area.
Designed to serve those with cars, it boasted specialty, grocery and drug stores, medical offices, as well as the first police and fire stations south of downtown. The community has gone through several shifts as professionals first fled to the suburbs, only to return as urban centers throughout the country began to see a revival in the 1970s and 1980s.
Blake’s Favorite Things About Brookside
About Brookside
Vibrant, Urban, Charming, and Quaint
Distance to Downtown
5 miles / 15 minutes
Outdoor Spaces
Trolley Track Trail, Brookside Park, Arbor Villa Park, Brookside Triangle Park
Distance to Airport
28 miles / 35 minutes
School District
Kansas City Missouri Public Schools, Académie Lafayette, Brookside Charter, Border Star Montessori
Amenities
Beautiful historic homes, tree-lined streets, unique shops, and eclectic restaurants
Walk Score
88
Gym
Orangetheory Fitness, Barre3
Bar
Charlie Hooper's Bar & Grille, Brooksider Sports Bar & Grille, Michael Forbes Grille
Closest Hospital
Research Medical Hospital, Saint Luke's Hospital
Shopping
Farmer's Market, Jorjy, EB & Co, World's Window, The Corner Candle Shop
Events
St. Patrick's Day Warm-Up Parade, Brookside Annual Art Fair, Brookside Sip and Shop
Fun Facts About Brookside
Many will say Brookside is a neighborhood, but it is technically a collection of neighborhoods, with many of the homes built in the 1920s. It is full of single-family homes, each house is unique from the other, ranging in style from smaller American Tudors and Craftsman Bungalows to larger Colonial Revivals and American Georgian styles. With plenty of sidewalks, small parks, and the Trolley Trail, the area is alive with activity.
Best Restaurants in Brookside
Aixois Bistro
For creative French cuisine, head to Aixois Bistro in the Crestwood Shops. Aixois offers Kansas City’s best outdoor patio and an intimate relaxed dining room. Inspired by the techniques and recipes of France, the menu focuses on fresh, organic, and seasonal ingredients.
Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard
When you are ready for something sweet, stop by Foo’s Fabulous Frozen Custard serving the best frozen custard in the city for over 30 years!
Red Door Woodfired Grill
Red Door Woodfired Grill serves its signature brand of elevated pub food. The menu is mostly comfort food such as burgers, chicken tenders and meatloaf with a little smoke from the wood-fired grill. Red Door has an impressive Half-Price Happy Hour on weekdays.
Charlie Hooper’s Bar & Grille
Offering more than 140 beers, Charlie Hooper’s Bar & Grille is a classic KC institution. It is a longtime, low-key bar with American comfort food, darts, pool, and an all-season patio.
Michael Forbes Grille
Michael Forbes Grille is an upscale-casual restaurant serving diners for more than 35 years. Serving both lunch and dinner with more than 50 made-from-scratch items, Michael Forbes offers a full bar, and brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
Inside Brookside is the Crestwood neighborhood, which was developed in 1919. It was originally marketed as a “garden home” district by breaking away from the traditional grid pattern of typical neighborhood development and designed around the natural contours of the land.
The Trolley Track Trail
A favorite way to get exercise and fresh air is to explore The Trolley Track Trail. The walking and biking path exists along an old street line, stretches six miles, and runs right through Brookside’s shopping district and residential streets.
Brookside Toy & Science
Brookside Toy & Science is an old-fashioned mom and pop store that for generations, kids have called “the best toy store ever.” The store is stocked with classic toys and games plus today’s newest, most creative games, dolls, toys, and collectibles. It is also your science fair headquarters.
St. Patrick’s Day Warm-Up Parade
Occurring the Saturday before St. Patrick’s Day, and kicking off a spirit-filled week, is the St. Patrick’s Day Warm-Up Parade. There are over 100 businesses and organizations participating whether marching, dancing, riding on floats or in classic cars. Entries also include bands, Irish dancers, bagpipers and even dogs. Family entertainment for all.
The Linda Hall Library
The Linda Hall Library is in this neighborhood. Its focus is on technical subjects including math and science. The library’s 14-acre arboretum includes over 450 trees from all over the world, while the library itself houses many rare texts by historic scientists, including Copernicus. It is located on the University of Missouri-Kansas City campus.
The Brookside neighborhood is considered one of the hippest, trendiest, and most unique in all of Kansas City. From young professionals who are purchasing their first homes to empty nesters looking for an urban escape, Brookside has something for everyone. Those who love older homes and walking to the local shops and dining venues gravitate to Brookside.
All these things contribute to a high quality of living including friendly neighbors and active neighborhoods. Don’t be surprised if your neighbors turn out to be some of your best friends. In Brookside, your house will quickly become your home. Brookside is truly the definition of a community. Everything you need is right here. With easy access to the Plaza, Midtown, and Downtown as well as to South Kansas City and Johnson County, KS, Brookside is a great place to call home.
