Neighborhood Guide: Your guide to Strawberry Hill, Kansas City, KS
Views of Strawberry Hill from the Corps of Discovery Statue. | Photo by KCtoday
When you head to Strawberry Hill in KCK, you’ll find both quiet streets and bustling businesses, cultural diversity and community cohesion, and small town + big city vibes. It’s the kind of place with dozens of destinations, each where you’ll meet the owner and want to become regulars. We sure did.
If you haven’t explored in a while, it might be time to rediscover why some people — maybe even you — love to call it home.
🍓 Need to know
Our readers said Strawberry Hill is one of KC’s most historic + walkable neighborhoods (if you don’t mind a bit of a workout — it is on a hill after all). Some readers even called it KC’s “best kept secret neighborhood.”
The boundaries run from Minnesota Avenue (north) to I-70 (east + south) and 7th Street (west). Historic homes are nestled close together and sprinkled with iconic landmarks and businesses (more on that later). Residents are within walking distance to the library, courthouse, and city hall — all with scenic views of downtown KC.
🍓 The early days
Eastern European immigrants settled along the riverfront, working jobs connected to the livestock exchange in the West Bottoms. Then came the flood of 1904, destroying homes along the banks and forcing residents to relocate up the hillside, where wild strawberry vines prompted the neighborhood name.
Rich in cultural heritage but carved from meager means, many of the modest homes today retain their original woodwork + stained glass windows.
🍓 Can’t miss
Oh hey Lewis + Clark, fancy meeting you here.
Photo by KCtoday
Running low on time? A trip to Strawberry Hill isn’t complete without a stop to smell the roses (and take a strawberry selfie) at Holy Family Park, a drink from Splitlog Coffee Co. (take in the view from the rooftop while you’re there), and a visit to Kaw Point.
OK — so that last one isn’t technically in the neighborhood, but the Riverfront Heritage Trail is. The path provides access to this park + amphitheater at the confluence of the Missouri and Kansas rivers, so we simply had to include it.
Blue’s Clues & YOU! | Wed., Oct. 26 | 6 p.m. | Cable Dahmer Arena | $29.00 - $69.00 | With Broadway-style song and dance, Blue and Josh conjure up a magical theater show. 🐾
Bride of Frankenstein (1935) | Wed., Oct. 26 | 7-8:30 p.m. | The Aztec Shawnee Theater, 11119 Johnson Dr., Shawnee, KS | $5.00 | Come alive with this shocking romance as Dr. Frankenstein returns to the lab to create a mate for our favorite undead dude. 🧟♂️
Thursday, October 27
Paula Poundstone | Thu., Oct. 27 | 7:30 p.m. | Folly Theater | $42.00 - $49.00 | Known for her smart, observational humor and a spontaneous wit, Paula can be heard as a regular panelist on NPR’s “Wait, Wait... Don’t Tell Me!” 🎤
Segregation, Redlining, and Opportunity Hoarding: A Case for Reform | Thu., Oct. 27 | 5:30 p.m. | Plaza Branch, 4801 Main St., Kansas City, MO | Free | Georgetown University’s Sheryll Cashin presents on redlining’s history and what it will take to end these practices for good.
Friday, October 28
Halloween Monster Mash Parade | Fri., Oct. 28 | 10-11 a.m. | Northern Resource Center, 1741 E. North Ave., Belton, MO | Free | Trick-or-treating around the library for children aged 0-8 (and their caregivers). 🍬
Spooky Walk | Fri., Oct. 28 | 6-8 p.m. | 5700 Broadmoor St., Mission, KS | Free | Come dressed in your Halloween best and prepare for candy stations and fun activities along the trail (ending with popcorn and punch). 👻
Halloween Costume Party | Fri., Oct. 28 | 8-11 p.m. | Parlor KC, 1707 Locust St., Kansas City MO | $20.00 | Don your Halloween costume and enjoy an evening of games, raffles, live music, and more.*
Saturday, October 29
Tricks and Treats | Sat., Oct. 29 | 12-3 p.m. | Kansas City Power & Light District, Between Baltimore and Grand Blvd. and 12th Street and Truman Road, Kansas City, MO | Free | Come out in costume and enjoy festivities around downtown while traveling to participating venues for treats — Planet Comicon will be on-site with photo ops and cosplayers.*
CarnEvil: Halloween Party | Sat., Oct. 29 | 7 p.m. | KC Live! at the Power & Light District, 13 Grand Blvd., Kansas City, MO | $20.00 - $55.00 | This 21+ event features a costume contest, drinks, food, and more.* 🎃
We have amonthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.
Is CarnEVIL Kansas City’s spookiest Halloween party?
Presented by a KCtoday Partner
Kansas City Live will also host a family-friendly, daytime trick-or-treating event earlier in the day from 12-2 p.m. | Photo provided by Power & Light District
Short answer: Yes — and they’re not clowning around.
CarnEVIL, Kansas City Live’s annual circus-themed Halloween party, will return to the Power + Light District on Sat., Oct. 29. 🤡
Starting at 7 p.m., Kansas Citians 21+ can explore 12 venues (think: McFadden’s Sports Saloon, Guy Fieri’s Dive & Taco Joint, PBR Big Sky, Mosaic Ultra Lounge + more) and compete in KC’s largest Halloween costume contest.
Tickets start at $20, and all-access party packages are available.*
De Soto-based sub shop Goodcents is expanding, opening its first shop in a metro Walmart — 13600 S. Alden St., Olathe, KS. The location will cater meals (including breakfast) to shoppers + employees. 🥪 (Kansas City Business Journal)
Coming Soon
Arkansas-based 7 Brew Coffee will open its first metro location this fall — at 2220 S. M 291 Hwy., Independence, MO. The drive thru-based coffee stand will also sell energy drinks, Italian sodas, smoothies, and tea. Overland Park and Lee’s Summit locations are planned for 2023. Hiring is ongoing.
Sports
KC Current championship game tickets are now on sale. General admission starts at $25, with Kansas City supporter seats priced at $34. The game is on Sat., Oct 29 at 8 p.m. at Audi Field in Washington DC. Road trip, anyone? 🎟
Kansas City’s major-league sports teams (think: Chiefs, Royals, Sporting, and the Current) collectively generate ~$911 million in revenueevery year.This financial breakdown shows each portion of earnings, with the Chiefs slicing off more than half of the pie. (Kansas City Business Journal)
Number
$16,000. That’s the current bid for a real-life championship ring from former Chiefs tackle Devaroe Lawrence. He never played, but he was with KC when they won Super Bowl LIV. Now they’ll have to believe you were on the team. 🏈(Kansas City Star)
Community
Trick-or-transit. The KC Streetcar Authority is inviting ghouls + gals of all ages to hop on board any streetcar on Mon., Oct. 31 from 3 to 4 p.m. for some Halloween treats. Costumes are encouraged. Who knew public transportation could be so sweet? 🍬
Union Station is (Alpha) lit with new KC Current-inspired marquee signs. You can take your picture with "#CurrentRising” in support of Kansas City’s championship run, open now through Friday at noon. 📸
Cause
And the clock starts now.Big Brothers Big Sisters’50 Bigs in 50 Days campaign is underway. It’s exactly what it sounds like — so if you’ve been considering partnering up with a local kid, now’s the time. And the need is big; some kids have been waiting for more than a year.
Home
Do you rent or own? Let us know. Your answers will help us make sure we’re delivering the real estate and home improvement content that’s most relevant to you. 🏡*
Shop
Cooler temperatures mean that it’s officially boot scootin’ season. Zulily is offering up to 40% offMUK LUKSboots + booties for a limited time. We love this pair of brown ankle boots that are on sale for $39.99. 👢*
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Food
Cliff’s tapping into downtown space 👀
Cliff’s Taphouse moves into 8th and Broadway downtown KC
Cliff’s showcased its event space during Garment Grooves After Hours. | Photo by KCtoday
Cliff’s Taphouse, a 2021 addition to Martini Corner in KCMO’s Midtown, is stretching its legs into downtown’s Garment District.
Owner Larry Kime told us Cliff’s will operate the 2,800-sqft event space — at 800 Broadway Blvd., KCMO — until the end of 2022.
The space is part of the Carnival Building, which is currently under renovation by the same group that leases the restaurant’s first location. The investment group, including Exact Architects, Terra Management, and Select Sites LLC, is working on a $10 million project to create 47 loft apartments.
Larry hopes to turn the Carnival Building space into a second restaurant in the near future.
Anyone looking to host an event (pop-ups, holiday markets, and receptions) can start by sending an email here.
THE WRAP
Today’s edition was written by Travis.
Editor’s pick: As the weather changes over, I’ve shifted from sand volleyball to indoor trivia. I’m great at finding ways to fake being good (ie: exclaiming “it’s on the tip of my tongue” every few questions) — now I need your help finding the best places to play. Bonus if its on Tuesday night.
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