Red Bridge South Kansas City, MO

This area of Jackson County was an unincorporated area until the housing boom after World War II when people began building homes here in the early ‘50s. In the ‘60s, the J.C. Nichols Company continued development of the neighborhood with an emphasis on community planning. The name Red Bridge comes from an actual red bridge, built in 1859, that crosses the Blue River. The bridge has been rebuilt twice since then but still maintains the namesake red color.

The neighborhood doesn’t have an arts scene to speak of, but the surrounding area has plenty to offer. Just 17 minutes away, the Brookside Art Annual showcases artists from across the nation each May. The popular event draws over 70,000 people. A 15-minute drive to the west, residents can take in Jazz in the Woods, Kansas City’s largest free music festival, held annually in June. Enjoy traditional jazz along with ragtime, zydeco and fusion jazz.

Restaurants within the Red Bridge neighborhood are clustered in and around the Red Bridge Shopping Center. The neighborhood covers the basics with several fast-food joints and small, local American comfort food restaurants.

If you are looking for New York pizza, Mamma Leone’s Pizza delivers classic New York-style pizza in a casual, friendly environment. The thin, oversized slices make Mama Leone’s reputation, but be sure to give the well-filled, build-your-own stromboli a try. While the restaurant delivers taste, it doesn’t deliver pizza, so eat in or call ahead for takeout.

If you need a cup of joe to start your morning, Homer’s Coffee House has you covered. Homer’s serves locally roasted, fair-trade Messenger coffee along with in-house baked goodies, ice cream and sandwiches. Settle in and indulge in a decadent cinnamon roll paired with a steamy macchiato while you surf the web with free Wi-Fi.

For a special night out, try Jasper’s, an upscale Italian restaurant first opened in 1954. This Kansas City institution, only five minutes outside of Red Bridge, presents traditional Italian food in an intimate setting perfect for date night or fine dining with friends. Start with Jasper’s signature antipasti dish, the Scampi Alla Livornese, shrimp in a garlic and wine cream sauce. For your main, order Jasper’s Osso Bucco alla Vecchi a Gaspari, a wine braised veal shank over pasta. Save room for dessert because you won’t be able to resist when your server wheels over the multitiered dessert cart. Don’t miss the house-brewed applecello, a sweet and spicy apple liquor; it’s only available in the fall while it lasts.

Residents choose Red Bridge for the quiet life, but there isn’t much of a local night life within the neighborhood boundaries. The Daily Limit Café and Pub provides a home base for those looking for a friendly neighborhood bar. Relax at this local hole in the wall with a beer and watch the game. Don’t forget to swing by on Fridays to listen to local live bands, and come back for discounted beer on Sunday and Monday.

Like most of suburbia, the personal automobile is king in Red Bridge. Drivers have excellent access to Interstates 435, 71 and 56. City buses are available but not overly frequent, so plan your trip in advance. Cab rides are generally only available by reservation, but you can use Uber as an alternative.

If you’re a bicycle commuter, you may be the odd man out in the neighborhood, so take care on major roads, which don’t have biking lanes. Cycling on residential streets is far safer and more common. The same goes for pedestrians. Much of the neighborhood is easily walkable and safe, but take care along busy Holmes and Red Bridge Road.

Enjoy the great outdoors at the neighborhood Minor Park. In addition to the farmers market, the 235-park has a public golf course, playground, rugby field, tennis court and picnic tables. Access to the golf course can be purchased by day or annual pass, but the rest of the park is free.

Participate in Minor Park tradition by “locking your love” on the Old Red Bridge. Engraved padlocks adorn the bridge, symbolizing couples' everlasting love. Romance must be in the air because the bridge also acts as a popular wedding site.

No specific dog areas exist, but dog walking is allowed. The playground makes the park a great destination for neighborhood kids, and park shelters are available for rent for birthday parties or other events.

You’ll find the cost of living in Red Bridge to be average for the area. A bus trip to downtown Kansas City costs $1.50. A one-bedroom apartment will run an average of $621, slightly lower than the Kansas City average of $670 for an apartment outside of the city center. A beer at the local pub costs just $3, and the neighborhood gas price averages around 12 percent less than the national average.

The Red Bridge Shopping Center covers your shopping basics; groceries, gas, banking and pharmacy are close at hand. For specialty shopping, you need to look outside of the small neighborhood, but you can find easy access to major shopping areas.

The Ward Parkway Center, 10 minutes to the north, hosts a number of major chain retail shops such as Target, Trader Joe’s, PetSmart and Pier One Imports. It’s also home to the unique, locally owned Indian Creek Fine Silver Jewelry, which provides one-of-a-kind, handcrafted silver jewelry along with beaded jewelry, sculpture and pottery with a Native American and international flavor. Indian Creek also provides quick and inexpensive jewelry repair.

If you want upscale shopping, just 10 minutes to the west lays the fashionable Town Center Plaza. Shopping opportunities abound with stores like Williams-Sonoma, Crate & Barrel, Dean & Deluca, Barnes & Noble and Macy’s. Visit The Roasterie, a coffee shop that roasts its own, for an extensive selection of beans and coffee-making equipment. From French press to pour over gear along with your favorite blend of beans, the Roasterie covers all of your home coffee needs. While you’re there, relax with a creamy latte and a fine, locally made Christopher Elbow chocolate.

Bring your inner kid out to play, and stop by U.S.Toy. This massive family-owned toy store, just an eight-minute drive from Red Bridge, has been open since 1953. U.S. Toy has a huge selection of classic and uncommon toys along with party supplies, children's educational materials, an in-store magic shop and year-round costume section. Don’t forget to bring the kids; there’s a central play area where they can have fun while you shop.

For your grocery needs, the Red Bridge Shopping Center houses the full-service Lipari’s Sun Fresh Supermarket. From May to October, the Kansas City Organics and Natural Farmers Market in Minor Park sells local organic produce and natural, specialty foods along with handmade crafts.