Old Westport - Kansas City, MO Area Guide

Isaac McCoy first settled Westport in 1831. The city quickly came into prominence as a jumping off point for pioneers traveling to the West since three western trails, the California, the Oregon and the Santa Fe, went through Westport. The growth of nearby Kansas City began outpacing Westport after the Civil War, and the larger city annexed it in 1897. Experience Westport history firsthand at the Harris-Kearney House, an 1855 Greek revival mansion and museum.

Today the neighborhood houses a vibrant arts scene. Check out an indie or foreign film at the Tivoli Cinemas or visit HodgePodge Art Workshop to take a class on mosaics, ceramics or candle-making. Just a few blocks outside of Westport resides the world-class Nelson-Atkins Museum, known for its extensive collection of Asian artwork. Then Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and a college of art and design, the Kansas City Art Institute, keep the Nelson-Atkins company.

Forget the same old chain restaurants, unique and local characterize Westport dining. You'll find modern American comfort food and plenty of international fare. Cheap and tasty restaurants mingle with upscale eats. Although it lacks a central restaurant district, Westport's walkability gives quick access to the restaurants scattered throughout the neighborhood.

If you are looking for a showstopper for a special night out, head to Bluestem, a James Beard award-winning restaurant featuring progressive American cuisine. The menu features a three-, five- or 10-course prix fixe dinner that changes with the season. Enjoy a more casual experience in the lounge where you can order gastro-pub style food and cocktails from a mixologist. Try the Sarsparrilla, an infused cocoa vodka, averna angostura bitters and local Shatto root beer milk. Come back for the Sunday brunch, and pamper yourself with crepes with seasonal fruit, puffs of whipped cream, and a drizzle of honey paired with a mimosa with freshly squeezed orange juice.

For fresh-baked dining, residents flock to Baked In Kansas City on Westport Road. Opened in 2014, this local favorite offers a delicious all-day brunch menu and a variety of fresh-made breads and pastries crafted from organic flour, rich cream and European butter, Every cup of coffee is brewed fresh, and the restaurant's bar features classic cocktails, a full wine list, and draft beer.

Combining comfort food with a sophisticated, yet casual atmosphere, Potpie has proven to be a local favorite. A constantly changing green chalkboard menu in this bare-brick walled restaurant always has the namesake potpie, chicken and vegetable or steak and mushroom in a creamy sauce topped with a flaky pie crust. Bring your appetite, because this thing is huge. Don't forget to make reservations as Potpie tends to be crowded.

Westport shines when it comes to nightlife. If you're into a crazy time, the Riot Room claims that it's "bringing wasted back in style." This live music venue and dive bar features a reverse happy hour at midnight and a full calendar of up and coming and big-name bands. On the flip side, visit OffKey Karaoke lounge to show off your pipes on the public stage or rent a private room to sing the night away with buddies. The bar scene is similarly diverse; you can relax with a glass of bubbly at Ca Va, a stylish French champagne bar, or sit on the patio at the Foundry, a casual pub, with a pint of local beer from the extensive menu of over 110 brews.

Car ownership remains the norm in the area, but you’ll find a bus service readily available at a moderate frequency. Drivers will find highway access to be excellent with easy access to Interstate 35 and Highway 71. Cab rides are generally only available by reservation, but you’ll find Uber to be a reasonable alternative.

If you’re looking for an eco-friendly transportation option, Westport has a reputation as an easily walkable community. Bicycling remains uncommon and the streets lack biking lanes. Serious cyclist will be please to know that the League of American Bicyclists has given Kansas City a bronze bicycle friendly community award, so following basic safety guidelines should make bicycling an option.

Escape the city buzz in the 37-acre Roanoke Park, which features a baseball diamond, two playgrounds, tennis courts and a community center. Enjoy free access to the public park and membership at the community center, with a fitness facility and community programming, for an annual fee or by day pass.

Historic Roanoke Park was first acquired by the city in 1901 and features shady brick paths surrounded by 100-year-old trees. No specific dog areas exist, but this is a popular spot for dog walking. The two playgrounds make Roanoke a great place to take children also.

The park doesn’t have any annual events, but the nearby Southmoreland Park hosts the must-see annual Heart of America Shakespeare festival every summer. Bring your picnic basket and spread your blanket on the grass in front of the stage to watch the free show under the stars.

You’ll find the cost of living in Westport to be around average for the area. A bus ride to downtown Kansas City will run you about $1.50. The median rent for a one-bedroom residence averages out at $1,012; this is higher than the city average of $693, but like much of Westport, you’ll find quite a bit of variance in rent prices. A beer at a local pub, will cost you around $4 to $5, but the usual offering runs towards craft and specialty brews. The neighborhood gas average runs around 13 percent less than the national average. While you won’t find Westport to be a budget place, prices are relatively reasonable for an in-demand area.

Boutique and specialty stores abound in Westport, many of them clustered in the central Westport Road and Pennsylvania Avenue area. If you want local, handmade, vintage and unique, shopping in Westport will be delightful.

Find a vintage treasure at Boomerang, a funky retro chic boutique with clothing and accessories from the '40s to '80s and midcentury furniture and collectables. Carefully selected and displayed, you’re sure to find a one-of-a-kind outfit or decoration to suit.

If your style runs to cutting edge street fashion, check out Volume 1ne for unique men’s clothing and sneakers. High-end sneakers line the walls for those into sweet kicks.

Cigar and pipe aficionados will want to check out Fidel’s Cigar Shop. Browse their extensive selection of tobacco products and well-stocked humidor and then relax for awhile in the Graycliff smoking lounge. They allow you to bring your own drink, so settle in one of the comfortable leather chairs for a spell while you enjoy a fine cigar.

For everyday groceries, the neighborhood’s full service Marsh’s Sun Fresh acts as the mainstay. You’ll also find specialty food shops such as the Local Pig butcher shop and the Broadway Butcher Shop. While Westport doesn’t have a farmer’s market in the neighborhood, you’ll find the famed City Market, open year round, an easy 10-minute drive away.