Tiffany Hills/Cove North - Kansas City, MO

Various tribes of Native Americans once called Tiffany Hills/Coves North home until European settlers came to the area in the 1830s. The U.S. government bought the land from the tribes in 1836 in an transaction known as the Platte Purchase. Farmers then began to work the soil for crops.

Some of the original neighborhood was built in the late 1960s. In the 2000s, developers added huge retail centers to make these northern subdivisions more attractive for investors, landowners, home builders and residents. Builders added newer homes during this time.

Although no museums or arts scene find homes in Tiffany Hills/Coves North, some annual events occur at the Boardwalk Branch Library. Most notably, young patrons participate in the library's annual summer reading program designed to keep children active during months out of school.

Several fast food chains and casual eateries dot the landscape at Barry Road and I-29. Tiffany Hills/Coves North has a few bar and grill restaurants with more in neighboring communities. A comedy club across the highway provides evening entertainment on a weekly basis. Travel south to Kansas City proper for music venues.

Kato Sushi and Japanese Cuisine has all of your favorite sushi rolls and hibachi dinners, but chefs also create 10 unique entrées every night. The barbecued eel teisohku contains freshwater eel and Japanese pickles served on a bed of rice. Pork curry has a fried pork cutlet with sautéed vegetables underneath Japanese curry sauce and pickles. For an appetizer, shumai dumplings are filled with steamed pork, shrimp and wasabi. Happy hour happens Monday through Thursday for drink specials.

Malay Cafe represents a small restaurant in a strip mall, but size doesn't matter thanks to big flavors in several dishes. Black pepper beef and loaded hot and sour soup contain diverse spices and flavors for the most discriminating palates. The hearty laksa lemak soup comes garnished with cilantro and noodles, and several vegetables such as zucchini, broccoli, carrots, cabbage and tomatoes steal the show in this chicken-based culinary treat. Almond chicken, a favorite among regulars, features fried chicken cutlets smothered in thinly sliced almonds, as opposed to ground nuts, for an extra-crunchy texture.

Smokehouse Bar-B-Que, just across I-29 in Zona Rosa, prides itself on traditional Kansas City-style barbecue meals. Consider appetizers as meals themselves with choices ranging from fried sweet-corn nuggets to burnt ends of brisket and Polish smoked sausage. The Texas hot contains a spicy ground pork burger topped with pulled pork and served with beans and French fries. The gigantic chef's special has meat, meat and more meat as you savor beef ribs, pork ribs, burnt ends and bone-in chicken at your table with two side dishes.

The Brew Top stays open until 3 a.m. daily for your late-night relaxation. Enjoy some of the 12 beers on tap, which range from local craft favorites to more mainstream and familiar drafts. Live music happens every Friday and Saturday night. Play billiards or other video games if you don't feel like watching what's on the televisions. The full menu features salads, pizza, burgers, sandwiches and appetizers. For some healthier food, choose from one of nine wraps.

Residential streets have sidewalks, and bicyclists have no problem getting around in Tiffany Hills/Coves North. Ambassador Drive and Barry Road are wide enough to accommodate bicycles, while the 152 Trail leads a bike path through the middle of the neighborhood.

Retail establishments, restaurants and parks have plenty of parking spaces for your car. Many cab companies serve the area. Schedule a ride in advance, as hailing a cab can be difficult in the neighborhood. Use your smartphone to request an uber.

KCATA buses following route 142 stop at Boardwalk Square on weekdays. Route 129 travels from downtown Kansas City to Boardwalk Square and up to KCI airport. Buses stop on this route daily.

Line Creek Meadows Park serves as an 11-acre, wooded nature preserve adjacent to a residential area. A walking trail runs the length of the park along Line Creek Parkway. Barry-Platte Park has spaces for volleyball, baseball, softball and soccer. Reserve a shelter house for family gatherings, meetings, barbecues and picnics. Two playgrounds give kids a place to play, while a walking trail exercises your legs. Bring your leashed dog to either of these parks, and you won't need to pay for anything unless you reserve a ball field or shelter.

Tiffany Hills Park, just west of Tiffany Hills/Coves North, features softball and baseball fields for annual summer leagues. Every September, the park hosts the Heartland Heat Triathlon to test the endurance of athletes.

Living costs slightly more in Tiffany Hills/Coves North than in downtown Kansas City, mostly because of higher expenses related to housing. A one-bedroom apartment costs on average $682 per month.

A one-day pass on KCATA buses costs $3 to go anywhere the transit system takes you. A pint of beer will set you back $3 at local bars during happy hour specials. Gas typically runs 19 percent lower than the national average.

Plenty of high-end and discount retail stores sit on the western edge of Tiffany Hills/Coves North. Three huge shopping centers straddle I-29 and Highway 152, including Tiffany Springs Market Center, Boardwalk Square and Zona Rosa. Department stores, home improvement retailers and discount stores all have storefronts here. A Walmart Supercenter sells your basic grocery needs. A farmers market at Zona Rosa occurs every Tuesday during the summer months.

Aspen Salon and Spa revitalizes your hair, skin, nails and body thanks to several rejuvenating services. Buy hair extensions that match your natural look, get an updo for a special occasion or relax with an aromatherapy scalp treatment. Work out the kinks with a deep tissue, Swedish or trigger point therapy massage. Make your skin glow with a facial, deep-pore cleanse or restoration treatment.

Jewelry by Morgan sells, repairs and creates fine jewelry in the Shops at Boardwalk shopping center. Owner Morgan Fleming, a third-generation master jeweler, has more than 35 years of experience in the jewelry business. Whether you need earrings, a bridal set, a cross necklace or a special pendant, Jewelry by Morgan can make an heirloom treasure just for you with whatever stones and metals you prefer. The shop also sells pieces from notable designers such as Colore, Dabakarov and Natalie K.