Welcome to Kirkwood
Suburban and historic, this family-oriented town is full of century-old homes and charming shops
Centrally located in the middle of St. Louis’ two main arterial highways, Kirkwood, home to some 27,000 residents, features rows of century-old buildings, a bustling Farmers’ Market, and pristine three-story City Hall. Offering a historic passenger train station at its heart, (with an iconic custard stand nearby), more than 40 hip restaurants are also located here, as well as a plethora of boutique stores.
Victorian, Tudor, and Italianate villa-style houses are the norm, each dating back to the 1860s and featuring beautifully shaped gables, extensive wrap-around front porches, screened verandas, and expansive wooded lots. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Kirkwood is a walkable enclave full of farm-to-table food, community festivals, and high school football games.
Residents have their pick of 14 different parks, each offering playgrounds, picnic pavilions, athletic fields, and community gardens.
What to Love
- The central location
- Home to a locally renowned farmers market
- Filled with rows of historic houses
Local Lifestyle
Thousands of families populate Kirkwood, gravitating to the area for its excellent school system and quaint charm.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
Located in the heart of downtown Kirkwood, a thriving business district with 300+ local businesses, the Kirkwood Farmers Market serves as a cornerstone for the community as a place to eat, shop, and gather with friends. Founded by the city in 1976 as a bicentennial project, the farmers’ market facility is owned by the City of Kirkwood and administered by Downtown Kirkwood Special Business District.
Several dining options are included within Kirkwood’s borders. Local favorites include Kirkwood Ice and Fuel Co. offering pub grub and a sports atmosphere; Amigos Cantina, featuring Mexican dining in a casual cantina space; and Citizen Kane’s Steakhouse, serving all of the steakhouse staples from New York strip to shrimp cocktail.
Things to Do
Residents of Kirkwood gather often at Kirkwood Park, established in 1941 with the purchase of two 20-acre tracts. Today the park consists of 92 acres and features the Kirkwood Community Center, the Recreation Station Ice Arena, Aquatic Center, Racquet Center, playground, picnic pavilions, open picnic sites, athletic fields, handball courts, horseshoe pits, concession stand, and a community garden. Other features include the Lions’ Amphitheater and Walker Lake.
Kirkwood’s Greentree Festival takes place annually. The Festival provides entertaining and educational activities that reflect the community's family-friendly atmosphere, including a parade, rounds of pickleball, and the cutest baby contest.
There are several cultural attractions too: The Magic House is a not-for-profit children's museum and the National Museum of Transportation offers more than 190 rail and transit exhibits, plus the largest collection of transportation vehicles in the world.
The Frank Lloyd Wright House in Ebsworth Park, nestled among 10.5 acres, is a unique and significant residence designed by Wright, who is widely recognized as the greatest American architect of the 20th century. It is an excellent example of Wright’s democratic vision, intended to provide middle-class Americans with beautiful architecture at an affordable cost.
Schools
Under the jurisdiction of the Kirkwood School District, Kirkwood maintains some of the area’s top schools. Popular institutions include:
- St. Louis Community College, a public community college, one of the four schools of the St. Louis Community College System and one of nine community colleges in Greater St. Louis
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