Welcome to Huntleigh, Des Peres and Kirkwood
Charming and historic neighborhoods located along Route 66, only minutes from St. Louis
Named for James Pugh Kirkwood, the surveyor for the Pacific Railroad, the town of Kirkwood was established in 1853. The construction of the railroad, located about 13 miles from town, put Kirkwood on the map as an up-and-coming residential community and brought more and more people to the community as the years progressed. Today, the community is home to over 27,000 residents within its nine square-mile neighborhood and boasts pedestrian-friendly business districts, peaceful, tree-lined streets, and historic landmarks, like the Kirkwood Train Station.
Directly north of Kirkwood lies the small town of Des Peres. With a population of about 9,000 residents, Des Peres was considered an official town in 1934. Both neighborhoods are governed by the Kirkwood-Des Peres Chamber of Commerce. The charming communities of Kirkwood and Des Peres are located in St. Louis County, 20 minutes west of downtown St. Louis, and feature numerous destinations on the National Register of Historic Places.
What to Love
- Downtown Kirkwood - a walkable, fun district with boutique shops and delicious restaurants
- Kirkwood Historical Society, which preserves historic places in the area and educates the community
- Diverse cultural opportunities, like theater performances, art festivals, and concerts held year-round
Local Lifestyle
Residents of the Kirkwood and Des Peres communities enjoy an abundant lifestyle. With dozens of opportunities to get outside and enjoy the rolling hills and densely wooded trails of Missouri and evenings of culture and class in the downtown district, there is something for all ages and interests in Kirkwood and Des Peres. Wide, tree-lined streets and charming, local cafes and shops provide a suburban feel, while the business districts offer a busier lifestyle. Featuring picturesque homes, beautiful, historic landmarks, and energetic community spirit, the neighborhoods of Kirkwood and Des Peres are wonderful towns to call home.
Dining, Entertainment, and Shopping
With an industrial, historic dining space, gorgeous outdoor patio, and open kitchen with a huge, red-brick pizza oven, Billy G’s Restaurant and Bar is an awesome place to enjoy a meal with friends and family. The staff is welcoming and friendly, and the food is impressive. Their famous salad features a creamy, homemade Italian dressing, and the thin-crust, square pizza is made with homemade dough and fresh, local ingredients. Billy G’s also offers an extensive wine and drink list. Make a reservation for the whole family, and enjoy a relaxing evening in historic, downtown Kirkwood!
Located in downtown Kirkwood, One 19 North Tapas Wine Bar offers unique tapas with a Spanish flair. Enjoy a creative dinner menu with perfectly matched wines in an energetic and upbeat atmosphere that features live music on the weekends. Try their bacon-wrapped dates with ground chorizo and goat cheese or the Mediterranean grilled Australian lamb chops with cucumber-yogurt sauce.
Kirkwood Farmers Market is the cornerstone of the Kirkwood and Des Peres communities. Located just off Highway 40 and I-44, the market has been offering the community fresh produce and homemade gifts since 1976. The market is open every day from April-December, with limited hours in the winter. They feature special Harvest markets in the fall and a Christmas Market in November and December.
Established in 1995, Christopher’s Gifts has maintained its reputation for being St. Louis’ premier destination for luxury gifts. Featuring unique, simple items for home decor, jewelry, and fashion, Christopher’s welcomes everyone to browse the shelves and find their next favorite gift.
Things to Do
The Historic Kirkwood Train Station is the icon of the Kirkwood community. Built in 1893, the train station has been preserved and maintained to match its original design. The town owes its existence to the construction of the Pacific Railroad, located a few miles away, allowing the train station to be built and new residents to relocate to the area. The Historic Kirkwood Train Station Foundation is an ongoing nonprofit that maintains the nationally recognized historic building by raising funds through donations and hosting community events.
For over 60 years, The Greentree Festival has celebrated community spirit while showcasing Kirkwood’s numerous non-profit organizations. The festival runs for three days, is held at the Kirkwood Community Center, and features a Folklife Festival with demonstrations of what life was like in the 1700s and 1800s, a pickleball tournament, and dozens of vendors from local restaurants and businesses.
With over 40-acres of green space, Des Peres Park is the number one destination for all outdoor activities. The park features three baseball fields, hiking and biking trails, a two-acre lake for fishing, six lighted tennis courts, and three lighted pickleball courts, picnic pavilions, two playgrounds, shuffleboard courts, and soccer fields. The pavilion is available to rent for private events, and the park hosts many community events throughout the year.
Schools
There are high-achieving schools in the Kirkwood/Des Peres area. Some include:
