Lindenwood Park - Saint Louis, MO

With development of the neighborhood as it is known today beginning in earnest in the 1930s, Lindenwood Park is comprised of artistically constructed mid-century stone and brick architecture.

Those looking to venture outside Lindenwood Park to the surrounding neighborhoods can enjoy the variety of sights and activities on offer year round. The Miniature Museum of Greater St. Louis can be found east of Lindenwood Park at 4746 Gravois Avenue. A great weekend visit, the hundreds of miniature homes on display within the museum showcase a wide array of architecture with intricate detail. Live performances occur weekly throughout the winter months at the Winter Opera in southern Hill territory at the corner of Marconi and Southwest. A number of operas are on showcase each winter, with many more community events occurring year round, including speed dating nights and acting workshops.

Lindenwood Park is just south of famous Italian dining locale The Hill, and many fine Italian restaurants have spilled over into the neighborhood as a result. Whether you're looking for that famous Hill taste a little closer to home or a gourmet take on a familiar menu, Lindenwood Park has what you're looking for.

Sure, everyone likes to talk about the incredible pasta at The Hill, but Lindenwood Park locals know they don't have to cross Arsenal Street to get some of the best Italian food the city has to offer. Trattoria Marcella was voted the second-best overall St. Louis restaurant in the 2000 Riverfront Times restaurant poll. A rotating seasonal menu ensures it always has something new to try. If you can't decide what you're in the mood for, pasta lovers should order Trattoria Marcella's classic Hay and Straw pasta, an incredibly rich dish with egg and spinach noodles, mascarpone cheese, coppa ham, crimini mushrooms and sugar snap peas. Those looking to get a seat between 5:30 and 8 should make reservations a few days ahead of time.

Located just off Interstate 44 on the corner of Bradley and Ivanhoe, Farmhaus Restaurant is known for its carefully crafted and artfully presented gourmet dishes based on traditional American classics. Though the menu is a bit on the pricey side, those willing to spend that extra dollar for locally grown and raised food won't regret it. If you're interested in more affordable options, their weekly rotation of blue plate lunches are every bit as tasty for only 10 bucks. Check the website ahead of time to see what they're serving up that day.

If you find yourself on the north end of Lindenwood Park and are looking for a quick and satisfying meal, you can't go wrong with Vinnie's Italian Beef and Gyros. Well-known classics, such as the eponymous Italian beef and the meatball sub, come with grill-toasted buns and are sure not to disappoint. Looking for something a bit lighter? Its tried-and-true Greek Salad is on point. And everyone should sample their fried potatoes at some point for a greasy and flavorful snack tossed with Parmesan and fried onion strings.

Those looking to continue their upscale evening into the night can enjoy Lindenwood Park's nightlife, but if you're looking for something a little simpler, the neighborhood has that covered too.

If you're in the mood for fun and games, make the short trek to The Silver Ballroom on Morganford Road for an evening of pinball and punk rock. This funky spot features a variety of arcade games, cheap beers and a relaxed crowd — a combination that keeps locals coming back. Stop in to check out one of the bar's many pinball tournaments, or join a pinball league to work on your skills.

Located in east Lindenwood Park along Chippewa Street, Barney's Sport Pub is a small, welcoming dive responsible for bringing a little bit of the southern Valley Park vibe to the neighborhood. It's a great place to catch up with old friends, watch the Cardinals game or queue up tunes on the jukebox. Cheap beer on game nights makes this a must for sports-bar frequenters.

Metro Transit St. Louis services Lindenwood Park by bus and metro. The Shrewsbury MetroLink station can be found off of Lansdowne in southwest Lindenwood. A blue line stop, the metro runs westbound to Fairview Heights and eastbound to Shrewsbury Station. Bus stops are located throughout the neighborhood, with routes 16 and 30 for north or south travel and 11 and 16 for those headed east or west.

In addition to the Uber car service, a variety of St. Louis taxi services are readily available throughout Lindenwood Park. Public parking is available for a price throughout the neighborhood, and bikers can use the bike lanes on many of the major streets in the area.

The mix of residences and businesses ensures walkability in most areas of Lindenwood Park. For those whose destinations lie beyond the neighborhood, Interstate 44 borders northwest Lindenwood Park, and route 366 runs along the southeastern edge, granting easy access in and out of the area by car.

Lindenwood Park, unsurprisingly, is named after the park located at its center. The park is free, dog-friendly and well-maintained year round. In addition to green fields and walking trails, the park acts as a community activity center, complete with tennis courts, softball fields, a hockey rink and a number of playgrounds. The abundant shade and open space make it a great place for a family picnic. A number of annual events are hosted in the park, including live family-oriented concerts, and a number of food trucks are known to frequent the area during summer months.

With a prime location and numerous upscale businesses, Lindenwood Park's cost of living is around 5 percent higher than the average for the city. A two-hour Metro transfer pass to reach Market Street or Downtown West costs $3, and a day pass is $7.50. A simple, one bedroom apartment in the area costs around $550. A typical pint of beer runs about $6, and the neighborhood gas average hovers around 13 percent less than the national average.

While businesses are interspersed with residential areas throughout Lindenwood Park, the major shopping centers are located just north and south of the neighborhood, along Arsenal Street and Chippewa Street respectively. The Hampton Village shopping center on the corner of Chippewa and Hampton contains a JCPenney, Schnucks, Club Fitness and numerous restaurants to allow you to get all of your shopping done and snag a bite to eat before heading home. A number of specialty shops and antique stores can be found in the area, allowing thrift shoppers and those who enjoy hunting for that unique treasure an opportunity to do so. The Future Antiques is located in southwest Lindenwood along Chippewa Street. Chock-full of antiques, vintage clothing, jewelry, accessories, furniture and more, TFA is well-known for its great bargain prices compared to other antique stores. The friendly and helpful staff is always available to assist. Musicians with a nostalgic tinge should stop by Killer Vintage to check out their array of electric and bass guitars, amplifiers and pedals. Those looking for current models can find what they're after as well, and the knowledgeable staff is there to help as well as perform custom work. St. Louis supermarket chain Schnucks can be found in locations surrounding Lindenwood. Walgreens, Save-A-Lot and Target are the available alternatives. The Schnucks located within the Hampton Village Shopping Center includes a pharmacy for those looking to fill prescriptions and get shopping done in one go. The nearest farmers' market is west of Lindenwood Park, just off Interstate 44. Webster Groves farmers' market is open from May through October, and it is a great place to take your dog on a walk as you shop for fresh produce and support local business. The green thumbs should head on over to Marmaduke Avenue, north of Arsenal. Backdoor Harvest allows you to rent space to design, construct and grow your own gardens. Fellow farmers are encouraged to assist each other and share their crops when it comes time to harvest.