Everything You Need to Know About Waldo, Kansas City, Missouri
Waldo is a walkable and bikeable neighborhood and business district located in the heart of south Kansas City, Missouri. What began in 1841 as the farm of Dr. David Waldo, soon became a bustling neighborhood on the edge of the city. Today, you’ll find more than 600 businesses in Waldo (population approx. 13,000), 60% of which are locally owned, surrounded by a family-oriented neighborhood.
Blake’s Favorite Things About Waldo
About Waldo
Charm and unique character, with a great urban vibe.
Distance to Downtown
9.2 miles / 20 minutes
Outdoor Spaces
Trolley Trail, The Pedal Hopper
Distance to Airport
29 miles / 35 minutes
School District
Kansas City Academy (private) or Kansas City, Missouri
Amenities
Located in the heart of KC, 60% of shops locally owned
Walk Score
56
Gym
City Gym KC, 9Round Waldo, Sky's Limit CrossFit
Bar
The Well, Bier Station, Bobby Bakers
Closest Hospital
The University of Kansas Health System
Shopping
600+ shops
Events
Waldo Week, Fall Festival, Trolley Run
Fun Facts About Waldo
Waldo is home to two places that are on the National Register of Historic Places: the Waldo Water Tower and the Alexander Majors House and Museum. Alexander Majors was the father of the Pony Express, the horseback mail delivery system that was active 1860–61.
Best Restaurants in Waldo
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream
For a sweet treat, Betty Rae’s Ice Cream is a parlor with tons of classic and creative flavors. You can get the old stand-by ice cream flavors like Cookies & Cream and Strawberry, but for the adventurous, try Lavender Honey or Jasmine Green Tea. For the grown-ups, try a Boozey Shake made with your favorite liqueur.
Summit Grill
Summit Grill is an excellent choice for lunch or dinner, but also has one of the best weekend brunches in town.
McLain’s Bakery
Start your day at McLain’s Bakery, a Kansas City institution since 1945 specializing in pastries, cookies, and cakes along with locally roasted coffee.
Second Best Coffee
Second Best Coffee is a trendy spot for espresso drinks and other brew bar specialties.
Boru Ramen Bar
Try Boru Ramen Bar for a delicious blend of Japanese, Korean and Chinese cuisine.
There is something for everyone in Waldo! Eclectic shops, eateries of every cuisine, and numerous trails and historic sites.
Trolley Track Trail
Waldo’s renowned Trolley Track Trail offers a healthy dose of fresh air, with folks out and about even in the cold winter months Waldo is connected by the Trolley Trail for both walking and bicycling. Bonus—Ride KC offers bikes you can rent! Not to mention, tons of businesses are located alongside the trail and provide easy access to food, drinks, services, and shops.
The Alexander Majors House
The Alexander Majors House was built-in 1856 for the family of Alexander Majors, and the house served as both a family home and as the headquarters for Majors’ successful freighting company. The Majors House was built facing westward, overlooking what was then the Kansas Territory.
Waldo is eclectic and fun without feeling pretentious. It is surrounded by great parts of the city and a very trendy place to call home. Really unique homes with great walkability. Close to Brookside and the Plaza. I love that a lot of the businesses in Waldo are locally owned.
