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Historic Old Northeast

Map: Downtown to Chestnut
Map: Chestnut to Chouteau

The Old Northeast neighborhood includes the areas east of downtown between the Missouri River and I-70. It gets it's name from before the city included the areas far north of the Missouri, so now it's really more of the east-central part of the city. Old Northeast is a great neighborhood of boulevards, parks, and historic homes, from classic Kansas City Shirtwaists to the old lumber barons' mansions. Originally an Italian neighborhood, Northeast now includes many Latinos and Southeast Asians. If you need refueling, all three cuisines are in abundance.

From Downtown, take any of the numbered streets east to Woodland, and then north across Independence Avenue / US Hwy 24 (even-number streets usually go eastbound). Alternatively, Admiral Blvd. or Independence Blvd will also work, especially from the River Market and Columbus Park neighborhoods.

Cliff Drive is a scenic road through North Terrace Park and The Concourse, along the Missouri River bluffs. The western access is at the north end of Highland St., which can be accessed from Woodland via Missouri Ave. Cliff Drive meanders through woods, past a fountain, and up and down the bluffs until it merges with Gladstone Boulevard. There is a fishing pond at Cliff Drive and Chestnut Street Trafficway.

Gladstone Boulevard is a wide and level, lined with historic homes and mansions, including the Kansas City Museum. It winds roughly parallel to Cliff Drive, so it's easy to take one road out and the other back. Much of the boulevard is along the edge of bluff, affording views of the river bottoms below. Also, there is paved trail next to Gladstone for much of it's length.

The Northeast has quiet side streets, but they can be quite narrow. Take some time exploring the neighborhood, but watch out for kids and cars. North of Cliff/Gladstone the bluffs drop off sharply to the Missouri River. Most of the river bottom is heavily industrial, but the streets are empty of trucks on the weekend. Access can be had from the River Market via East 1st St. / Guinotte, or from the Northeast via Chestnut Street Trafficway.

While the Old Northeast is definitely an urban neighborhood, but it was been greatly improved in the last few years and is quite safe for bikers during daylight.

Stops

Eric's Bike Stuff
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