North Hyde Park - Kansas City, MO

Hyde Park boasts a rich history dating all the way back to the 1880s. As Kansas City began to experience substantial growth, the area south of the city began to be developed to make more room for the influx of people. Hyde Park was one of the many subdivisions that popped up in 1886. The neighborhood was home to Kansas City's first golf course. With many of the original structures being renovated, Hyde Park remains a special place to reside.

With such a deep history, it's no wonder there are several museums in the area. Nearby, you will find the Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and the National World War I museum.

Each May, Kansas City hosts the popular Brookside Art Annual. Held annually since 1986 and drawing more than 80,000 people as of 2014, this event has been referred to as one of the top art shows in the nation.

Kansas City is well known for its barbecue, and Gates Bar-B-Q has served as North Hyde Park's neighborhood joint since 1946, attracting customers with perfected recipes like the burnt end sandwich and brisket. One of the spot's biggest appeals is its famous barbecue sauce; demand eventually grew so high that Gates began manufacturing and selling the sauce in the 1970s.

Awaze attracts adventurous diners who like Ethiopian and Caribbean cuisine. Be prepared for your meal to arrive on an injera the size of a pizza. Awaze serves up huge portions of traditional dishes like lamb tibbs, samosas and jerk chicken, so you won't leave hungry; they also have plenty of vegetarian and vegan options.

If you're looking for a neighborhood sports bar to catch a Chiefs or Royals game, head to Tower Tavern. Serving quality bar food and featuring an extensive drink list, they do not disappoint. If sports aren't your thing, stop by on a Tuesday night for trivia.

There's always something going on at Davey's Uptown Ramblers Club. Their cheap drinks and live music get the attention of most locals. If that's not enough to make you want to check it out, perhaps their Weirdo Wednesday Supper Club will be. The unique event features comedy, burlesque, drinks and food.

Kansas City has been consistently recognized as one of the nation's most bike friendly cities. Several roads with designated bike lanes surround North Hyde Park, giving residents the chance to travel to many of their destinations on two wheels.

Driving remains the preferred means of transportation, though. This part of the city happens to be a merging point for many of the state's major highways. From North Hyde Park you can quickly access any route you need to get to many of the nearby attractions. There are several free parking lots and garages that service the city.

While it is not likely that you will be able to hail a cab from the sidewalk in this area, several cab companies provide reliable transportation services in the area with prior arrangements. If you need a ride on a shorter notice, use your smartphone to set up an Uber pickup.

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority provides regional bus transportation to Kansas City and surrounding areas. Several different bus routes will take you to many downtown destinations for a one-way fare of $1.50.

North Hyde Park is just a few blocks away from Penn Valley Park, one of downtown's most popular parks. Locals love to stop by on the weekend to take advantage of the ball fields, exercise trails, lake and tennis courts. A 2-mile paved trail winds around the Liberty Memorial grounds and the Pioneer Mother statute. The park houses a large off-leash dog park that offers a great place to let your pet work off some energy.

If you go just a few blocks north you will come the Sheila Kemper Dietrich Park, chock-full of fun and unique playground equipment for children. Even adults will be tempted to release their inner kid and climb aboard the pirate ship or ride the Loch Ness Monster.

Each April brings the AMC Theatres Kansas City Film Festival, which showcases the work of independent film makers from across the country. Featuring over 100 films, this is one of the most popular annual festivals in Kansas City.

The cost of living in North Hyde Park remains consistent with that of Kansas City. The average monthly rental rate for a one-bedroom apartment is $773.

With the neighborhood home to several breweries and gastropubs, you'll tend to find higher beer prices than you might elsewhere. Locals expect to pay around $5 for popular traditional beers and up to $9 for craft beers.

Gas prices in the area are consistent with the city average; both come in at about 8 percent lower than the national average.

North Hyde Park sits a short drive north of Country Club Plaza, one of the most popular shopping centers in the city. Locals visit for brands like Michael Kors, Burberry, Lululemon and Tiffany and Co. If you prefer to shop at boutique clothing stores, check out Normal Human. This apparel store specializes in designing their own T-shirts and tank tops for men and women. They also carry neckties, jewelry, journals and soap, all of which are locally made.

There are plenty of neighborhood grocery options. Budget shoppers have Aldi, Thriftway and Save-a-lot, while those who are health-conscious or searching for vegan, gluten-free and organic ingredients choose to shop at the Nature's Own Health Food Market.

For a great selection of locally grown fruits, vegetables and hand-crafted goods, stop by the Ivanhoe Farmers Market. Residents can take their pick from organic goods from June through the end of September.