It’s All in the Neighborhood: Kansas City’s River Market
Navigating Kansas City’s most walkable, car-free-friendly neighborhood
Photo by Carmen Vajgrt
I’ve always wanted to live my life without a car. A month ago, an accident totaling my Tucson made that wish my reality. Worry not. My dog and I, while shaken and heightened with driving anxiety, are physically fine. In fact, this accident has been a gift in disguise. Even though I have the means for a replacement, so far, I find myself feeling more free and happier without one.
The River Market, which I’ve come to lovingly refer to as Kansas City’s equivalent to Brooklyn, has nearly everything I need. For what it doesn’t, I take the streetcar almost everywhere I go. I’m lucky to work hybrid from home and my company’s office in the Crossroads. Most of my friends live within walking distance of a stop and with what I save in a car payment, parking tags, gas, and registration, I don’t feel guilty grabbing an Uber here and there.
Still, my day-to-day life hasn’t changed all that much. Instead, I’ve grown a greater appreciation for the neighborhood I’ve come to call home.
Photo by Anna Petrow
If you’re practical like me, you’re probably wondering what I do for groceries. While Kansas City is notorious for lacking traditional grocery stores or bodegas, City Market is lined with produce stalls and authentic grocers like Local Pig, Carollo’s, Habashi House and Chinatown Food Market have everything from deli meat, cheese, rice, and spices to rare finds and ingredients I would travel into the River Market for if I lived in any other neighborhood. I usually get just enough to carry home, which has ultimately helped reduce my food waste. Transparently, I’ve been ordering staples for delivery, but I also think grocery dates with your friends are extremely underrated.
Photo by Anna Petrow
On a typical weekend, you can find me maneuvering through suburban tourists and families at the farmers market, snagging locally grown heirloom tomatoes, herbs, fresh baked bread, pressed juices, raw honey and bouquets, sifting through vinyl records, and catching up with some friendly and familiar faces.
Photos by Anna Petrow
Beyond that, I’m well fed. Restaurant veterans like The Farmhouse, Il Lazzerone, Harry’s Country Club and Brown & Loe are now complemented by newcomers like Muni (with their Thaiquitos and Thom Yum Pozole), Varsity Club (with their delectable Disco Burger), and Enzo (with their Eggplant Frites and Bucatini). If I’m up for it, I’ll walk a little further into Columbus Park for a piping bowl of pho from Vietnam Cafe or slice of lasagna from Garozzo’s. The options to taste around the world are as endless as they are accessible.
Photo by Anna Petrow
Thou Mayest pours excellent cups and happy hour pints. River Market Liquor has a great selection of beverages—even natural wine. Breweries and bars and one of the city’s most iconic scoops of ice cream are all within walking distance.
Photos by Carmen Vajgrt
I can run typical errands, browse the floors of River Market Antiques for treasures and vintage clothes, add to my plant family at rOOTS, grab soil and gain wisdom at Planters Seed & Spice. I can get a teeth cleaning at River Market Dental, a pedicure at Envy, my hair cut and energy replenished from Kelli Jo at HELM. I can even get my favorite incense from The Hub around the corner.
Instead of driving to Target, I’m shopping local. Kansas City is known for its support of local businesses and as a transplant, it’s one of things I admire most about this city. Taking it a step further and keeping more of my dollars in my own neighborhood has doubled my sense of pride and ownership—even though I still rent.
Photo by Carmen Vajgrt
While I always say, “The more trails the merrier,” the River Market has plenty of paths lined with trees and grassy parks. For a dog owner, our daily walks have yet to grow boring. The Berkeley Riverfront is as convenient as it is dreamy. Not only is it a clear route to BarK, with each season comes the changes of leaves, colorful and inspiring murals from local artists and SprayKC, wildflower blooms, and goats clearing overgrown brush. Sand volleyball teams and Current fans bring energy that rivals the Missouri River.
Even with the extra gameday traffic on the weekends and construction of PortKC’s riverfront development, I have found a lot of beauty in navigating all corners of the River Market—on foot or otherwise.
Photo by Carmen Vajgrt
I’m a firm believer that the more opportunities we have to connect with our community, wherever that community might be, the more likely we are to feel like we belong. I’ve lived in some of Kansas City’s most popular neighborhoods; the heart of downtown, Brookside, and Westport– and I’d be lying if I said I wasn't excited for the streetcar extension to expand my access to the rest of the city's neighborhoods. There’s something to be said for all of them, each with their own hidden gems and histories.
That said, after being a resident of the River Market for the last year and a half, my quality of life is noticeably better than ever. After six years in this city of fountains, my own is overflowing.
