Havencroft - Olathe, KS Area Guide

Several tribes of Native Americans first called Olathe home. Westward expansion and the Santa Fe Trail brought European settlers to the area from the 1820s to the 1850s. Havencroft itself grew into a distinct subdivision in the early 1970s when the last of the homes in the neighborhood were built.

Northwest of Havencroft lies the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm Historic Site at Stagecoach Park. Get a feel for what frontier life was like when you experience history come to life thanks to demonstrations, a real stagecoach wagon and a working farm. Every February, kids can have pancakes with George Washington and Abraham Lincoln at the park during President's Day activities.

The Bell Cultural Events Center on the campus of Mid-America Nazarene has regular theatrical performances, symphonic concerts, special music and student-produced plays. The Bell Center's schedule ramps up when students are on campus during the fall and spring semesters.

Most restaurants near Havencroft, including fast food, casual chains, and ethnic restaurants, sit along Santa Fe Street to the north. Other restaurants and bars exist at the intersection of 151st Street and Ridgeview Road to the southwest. A nearby bar features regular live music for patrons to enjoy.

Double Nickel Bar and Grill packs the house on the last Wednesday of the month with live music. Karaoke night every Friday and Saturday remains a notable tradition at one of Olathe's most popular hangouts. Play pool, competitive darts, dominoes and poker. If you want food, Double Nickel has daily lunch specials in addition to a full menu throughout the night. The huge fatboy burger comes with two patties, ham, bacon, chili and onions. Small bits of chili beans spill over your plate as you try to eat it. Other burgers have mozzarella sticks, Texas toast, chili and cheese stacked in Jenga-like configurations. Dare to eat the "Bet-cha-can't" burger in 45 minutes or less, and you get it for free. This hamburger contains three pounds of meat, one cup of chili, ham, two eggs, a humongous bun and two pounds of French fries on the side. If you win the challenge, you get a T-shirt, a free meal and maybe some heartburn.

Austins Bar and Grill features half-pound hamburgers during its "Burger Madness" special every Tuesday through Sunday from 10 p.m. to midnight. However, grilled meats represent the specialty of the house. Kansas City-style ribs get grilled in this establishment's signature barbecue sauce and come with napa slaw, baked beans and fries. The Alaskan Joe sandwich contains grilled salmon, bacon, tomato, fresh sprouts, avocado and Swiss cheese on a wheat hoagie.

Hop on your Harley – or Honda – and make the trip to Brickyard Tavern, a true dive bar with the fun distinction of labeling itself a private club. A neighborhood favorite for kicking back and enjoying a beer with a game of pool, this bar hosts bike nights every Thursday, making it simple to show off your hog. Simply filling out an application gets you membership to this club.

Every street in Havencroft contains a sidewalk, so feel free to walk day or night if you need exercise. Bicycles are options on side streets, and some major roads, such as Ridgeview and Sheridan/143rd, have bike lanes. Indian Creek Trail represents a dedicated bike lane through the university, the neighborhood and Olathe.

Santa Fe Street, on the north side of Havencroft, intersects I-35 for easy access to the rest of the metro area. Public parking spaces prove plentiful and free at businesses and parks. If you need a taxi, several companies provide service, and Uber drivers can come get you.

Johnson County Transit buses stop at Santa Fe and Mur-Len along route 660. The first bus arrives at 5:34 a.m., and the last bus drops off passengers at 5:29 p.m.

Havencroft Elementary School Park has a wide-open field, a playground for kids and tennis courts. Black Bob Park, the crown jewel of the city's park system, contains 80 acres of fun. Try mini golf, softball, baseball, a walking trail with fitness course, soccer, fishing and swimming.

Annual events at Black Bob Park include a teen bash, fishing derby, and campout every summer. Some of these festivities require registration before the event begins.

Living costs more in Havencroft than in downtown Kansas City, mostly due to higher housing costs in this area. A one-bedroom apartment goes for $606 per month.

A pint of beer is $2.75 at local watering holes during happy hour specials. A one-way fare on JO buses costs $2.25, then they connect to KCATA buses for a $3 day pass to reach downtown Kansas City. Gasoline typically runs 19 percent lower than the national average.

Several shopping centers surround Havencroft. Eastgate Shopping Center on Santa Fe and Ridgeview contains a national hobby retail chain. Right across I-35 sits a hardware store. Aldi's, a Walmart Supercenter and Hen House are the closest grocery stores. Olathe Farmers' Market, in Black Bob Park to the southeast, serves as the nearest farmers market, and farmers sell fresh produce from April to October.

Olathe Gun Shop has been serving the community for more than 40 years. If you love vintage or used firearms, this store is for you. Take concealed-carry classes by NRA-certified instructors. Peruse the shop's collectible ammunition, knives and gear for hunting trips. Olathe Gun Shop sits on the western side of Havencroft.

Take advantage of the fitness, recreation and entertainment options offered year round by the Olathe Community Center. Take group or private swim lessons, or enjoy a dip in the leisure pool. Join your neighbors for a game of basketball or volleyball, or practice your dance moves in the fully equipped studio. You can even rent out rooms in the center to host special events, such as birthday parties or family reunions. The community center also offers inexpensive child care, so you can bring the whole family along.