Kirkwood really is smack in the middle of St. Louis. There is that one little wee part of Kirkwood that’s just on the West side of 270, but for the most part, all of it is within the 270 loop. It’s just North of Highway 44, super easy access to downtown, to the airport. You couldn’t really be more centrally located. Usually, I like to start my neighborhood tours in the residential part and come back to the commercial area. But the downtown Kirkwood area is such a huge part of Kirkwood that we’re starting there. You can see there’s so many little wonderful restaurants, little bars, lots of shopping, lots of wonderful little gift shops. And it’s a really great community. I mean coming up here on the right hand side, you’ll see the Kirkwood Public Library. There’s a great city hall. There are lots of just opportunities to do things within walking distance of most of Kirkwood.

Historic Charm? Mid Mod?

Let’s talk about housing in Kirkwood. I think the perception is that you absolutely cannot get anything in Kirkwood for under $400,000 that is livable. And I just don’t think that that’s true. There are lots of opportunities for smaller houses and maybe something that isn’t right within the downtown area, but there’s really a little bit of everything in Kirkwood. So as you’ll see here, we are on one of the streets with a bunch of the grander houses, but as we get farther down the road, on the same street, there are lots of more moderately sized and priced houses that are still right there within walking distance of downtown Kirkwood. So do they come up as often as something between the three to 500 range? Maybe not. But they are there and they are available.

The other thing about Kirkwood is that there are lots of opportunities for rentals for condominiums and for apartments. So there’s a wide range of housing all over the neighborhood. What you are seeing here is a lot of the more historic homes in Kirkwood, lots of big grand front porches, lots of the higher ceilings and the more historic homes. But there is really a little bit of everything in Kirkwood. So if you travel a little farther West in the Kirkwood area, there are a lot of opportunities for mid-century homes. Every once in a while, you’ll see new construction pop up in the area. So I cannot say that there’s just one thing that defines Kirkwood as far as housing, when you are closer to the downtown area, it’s going to be more of these older historic homes. But that doesn’t define Kirkwood. There is opportunity for everything.

...ok, really just where to eat

Some of my favorite restaurants are all nestled right in downtown Kirkwood and all within walking distance of each other which makes decision making time very difficult!

Newly arrived Mission Taco Joint just took over the old Kirkwood Brewing building offering fantastic margaritas, fish tacos and the best black bean dip in town. For a more authentic taco Tuesday try Amigoes Cantina right down the street or Club Taco right next door. SO MANY TACO OPTIONS!! Can’t get mad about that.

Billy G’s is one of our family’s favorites for a beautiful evening outside. They have hands down one of the best patios in St Louis, great wine list and a full menu with something for everyone.