Lowell Place - North Kansas City, MO

The Lowell Place neighborhood was a popular tourist spot in Kansas City during the early part of the 20th century. When New Richards Field, now known as the Charles B Wheeler Downtown Airport, opened in 1927, Lowell Place, just north of the airport, served as a gateway to the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Flooding of the Kansas and Missouri rivers in 1951 destroyed much of the area around Lowell Place, including the world-renowned Kansas City Stockyards to the south. Although the neighborhood was rebuilt, it took many years to regain the popularity of its past.

A plentiful array of restaurants line Armour Road, just north of Lowell Place, ranging from locally-owned to national fast-food chains, so there is something to offer diners regardless of taste.

A favorite of those who live and work in the area, Paul & Jack's Tavern is the place to go to catch the big game on television, or to see one of the area's up-and-coming bands performing live on the outdoor stage. Known for juicy hamburgers and homemade chili, Paul and Jack's is especially busy during the lunch hour and any time there is a sporting event on their big-screen TVs. During the summer, they open the stage to many local bands on Friday and Saturday nights, and the Tavern is a also popular destination for those looking to enjoy live music.

Just south of the Paul & Jacks lies another of Lowell Place's one-of-a-kind restaurants, Smokin' Guns BBQ. When a Phil and Linda Hopkins started competing at local barbecue competitions, visitors to their booth soon began asking them how they could get their hands on their award-winning barbecue at home. Smokin' Guns began selling their now-famous spice rubs in 2000 and opened the 50-seat restaurant in 2003. They also provide catering for events of all sizes, with their barbecue burnt ends serving as the flagship offering on the menu.

For a great meal and a unique ambiance, head to Chappell's Restaurant & Sports Museum where guests can eat, have a pint and look at the country's largest old sports memorabilia collection located in a bar. Voted in the Top 25 Best Sports Bars in America, Northwest Missouri State even teaches a class focusing in on the collectibles that range from the Oakland A’s 1974 World Series trophy to Muhammed Ali's signed boxing gloves.

Connected to downtown Kansas City by three major highways, Interstate 29, U.S. Highway 169 and Missouri Highway 9, travel in and out of the area by car is quick and direct. Most who live and work in the area find cars the easiest and most economical way to get around, and parking in the area is usually easy to find.

The KCATA operates three bus routes in the area. Route 38 and Route 138, which offer riders access to the area via Armour Road and Swift Street, respectively, runs on a 30-minute schedule, and Route 133, which operates hourly, can be used to reach downtown Kansas City in just under 30 minutes.

Taxi service is available in the area, although cars are dispatched from downtown Kansas City and are not always readily available. Uber offers service to the Kansas City metropolitan area and provides an alternative to traditional taxicab providers.

On the north side of Lowell Place, you'll find a number of parks, each with a distinct purpose. All of the parks in the area are free, although some are used for sporting leagues and may not be available all of the time.

Macken Park provides outdoor sporting and recreation facilities for baseball, softball, tennis, and track and field. The park is used by many sporting leagues, so it is best to check with the North Kansas City Parks and Recreation department if you want to use these facilities.

If you are a dog owner, Waggin' Trail park will give your pet a large area to run and play with other dogs in a fenced, off-leash environment. Divided into small and large dog areas, pet owners can ensure their dog is able to play with other dogs of similar size. Open from 6:00 a.m. until sunset, Waggin' Trail is especially popular on weekends.

For those who enjoy the game of disc golf, Waterworks Park is one of the most popular disc golf courses in the Kansas City area. With wide fairways and long drives, Waterworks is considered a challenging course that provides something for players at every level of the game.

Lowell Place offers a lower housing cost than many areas in and around Kansas City. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $677, although low-incoming housing can be found just to the north of the neighborhood. Loft apartments are becoming more popular in the areas near the Missouri River, providing an up-scale living option for those who enjoy living in a more urban environment.

Bus fares begin at $1.50, and the KCATA offers various discounted options for those that are planning to ride the bus often, including one-day passes and three-day passes. Discounts are also offered to those with disabilities, senior citizens and children.

Food and drink costs in the area are also much lower than those in downtown Kansas City. A beer at one of the local bars runs about $5, and many bars and restaurants feature happy-hour specials with cheap food and drink offerings.

The area of Lowell Place along Armour Road is the primary shopping district, and shoppers can find a number of small specialty stores to meet most of their needs. Although most who live in the area prefer to shop at the larger stores in the suburban areas to the north and south, there are many small business in the Lowell Place area that remain very popular with residents.

One of the most unique shopping experiences can be found at Bossert's Military Surplus on East 32nd Avenue. If you have never been to a military surplus store, Bossert's is definitely a place you have to see to believe. Specializing in all types of surplus and out-of-use military items, you're likely to find offerings from all of the branches of the armed forces, as well as collectible items from armies all over the world.

For those interested in saltwater fish and aquariums, the city's largest saltwater fish supplier, Midwest Reef, can be found just south of Lowell Place on Burlington Street. With thousands of gallons of saltwater tanks, and a supply of fish that changes regularly, this is a popular store for anyone in the Kansas City area who owns a saltwater aquarium.