Everything You Need to Know About Westwood and Westwood Hills, Kansas
These two close-knit and highly desirable communities are located in Johnson County, Kansas, and convenient to the Country Club Plaza and Kansas City metro area. In 1973, voters failed to approve the merger of Westwood and Westwood Hills, and they remain separate entities today.
Westwood Hills was started in the year 1922 when a developer platted the subdivision and began building. It was founded in 1923 and incorporated in July 1949. It is the most densely populated city in the KC metro at .07 square miles, 5-1/2 blocks. You’ll see the sign and fountain at the intersection of State Line Road and 50th Street welcoming travelers to Westwood Hills, “the most beautiful little city in Kansas.”
As the second-most densely populated city and a “first-tier suburb” of the greater Kansas City metropolitan area, the City of Westwood, Kansas was incorporated June 7, 1949. First-tier suburbs are communities where a majority of the housing was built shortly after World War II and limited amounts of undeveloped land exist within the city’s boundaries.
Blake’s Favorite Things About Westwood and Westwood Hills
About Westwood and Westwood Hills
Amazing architecture, smallest little city in Kansas and yet wildly popular.
Distance to Downtown
6.1 miles / 12 minutes
Outdoor Spaces
Joe D. Dennis Park
Distance to Airport
23 miles / 26 minutes
School District
Shawnee Mission
Amenities
Ready access to Country Club Plaza, award-winning schools
Walk Score
71
Gym
Woodside Premier Health Club
Closest Hospital
University of Kansas Hospital
Shopping
Locally owned boutiques
Events
Family Films in the Park, Octoberfest
Bar
Conroy's Public House
Fun Facts About Westwood and Westwood Hills
In 2012, Westwood Hills was declared a National Historic District in its entirety with 175 homes within its boundaries. No other city in Kansas has been placed entirely on the national list, and there are only a handful of similar instances across the country.
Best Restaurants in Westwood and Westwood Hills
Conroy’s Public House
Conroy's Public House is a friendly neighborhood bar and restaurant. Very kid-friendly, and a place where no one feels like a stranger. A great patio space with great local music!
The Restaurant at 1900
The Restaurant at 1900 features modern American cuisine from award-winning Chef Linda Duerr. With it's seasonally-based menu, you will always have something new and delicious each time you visit.
Blue Sushi Sake Grill
A trendy Japanese restaurant with small plates paired with sake, beer & cocktails.
Hi-Hat Coffee
The locals are proud of Hi-Hat Coffee, an adorable and perfect little neighborhood coffee stop.
Annedore’s Fine Chocolates
Annedore’s produces delicious handmade chocolates, macarons, and gelato.
The development of the city was influenced by two prominent female architects of the era, including Elizabeth Evans Rivard, the first woman to earn a bachelor’s in architecture from the University of Kansas.
Woodside Premier Health Club
Woodside is the premier health club with unrivaled amenities in a modern and inspiring environment. With 120+ classes each and every week, Woodside’s group fitness line-up caters to any schedule or fitness preference, seven days a week, featuring industry-leading styles and techniques from Kansas City’s most popular instructors. The Club features tennis leagues, pilates, and an adult pool and the family-friendly main pool. Another amenity is The Spa at Woodside. It is a full-service Day Spa offering massage therapy, body treatments, and pools with no membership required.
The Country Club Plaza
The Country Club Plaza is a privately-owned regional shopping center in the Country Club District of Kansas City, Missouri. Opened in 1923, it was the first planned suburban shopping center and the first regional shopping center to accommodate shoppers arriving by car.
The Joe D. Dennis Park
The Joe D. Dennis Park is located at the southwest corner of 50th & Rainbow Boulevard. Originally developed in 1973, the park was formally dedicated on July 3, 2002 to the late Joe D. Dennis, who was Mayor of Westwood from 1965 until 1984. Residents continue to enjoy the many benefits of his vision, courage, dedication, and resourcefulness brought to the City of Westwood.
At just under one half-square mile of total land area in size, the city’s location provides the combination of the pleasant residential environment with ready access to the nearby Country Club Plaza, downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and other shopping and cultural opportunities within Johnson County and elsewhere in the metropolitan region.
