Chapel

Chapel's namesake suggests quiet, quaint and contemplative. So it's fitting that this area is almost entirely residential, save for a pair of beloved local restaurants. But that’s not all there is to this centrally located Independence neighborhood, which offers a 15-minute commute to Downtown Kansas City and an even quicker drive to both the Chiefs' Arrowhead Stadium and the Royals' Kauffman Stadium, making this an ideal landing spot for entertainment seekers and sports fans alike.

Most of these long residential streets play host to traditional-style homes – built any time from the 1950s to as recently as the late 2010s – set on small lots with two-car garages. That’s where the consistency stops, though. Otherwise, features vary heavily, with some properties having spacious, fenced-in backyards and long decks overlooking them. Others sport open, woodsy and narrow yards, with hefty monthly homeowner’s association fees covering their maintenance. You’ll find the occasional Cape Cod home, typically with a bigger yard. Asking prices run from $175,000 to $300,000. “Homes tend to sell very fast in this area in general,” says Ryan Gritters, Realtor for Keller Williams Platinum Partners.

The amenities you choose have a say in where the kids go to school, too. Though all Chapel students attend Raytown schools, those on the eastern side go to Fleetridge Elementary, which focuses on positive behavior development under the support of an active PTA. Westside residents head every morning to Little Blue Elementary, which offers the same curriculum but in a newer building, opening in 2008 due to community growth. Both feed into Raytown middle and high schools.

Though the neighborhood doesn’t have any parks, after-school hot spots aren’t too far. Perhaps the most popular is 1.5 miles west at Royal Meadows Golf Club, with an 18-hole course open to the public. Even if you’re just getting into the sport, you can snag clubs and other accessories from the pro shop or join one of the weekly leagues, separated by age and skill level. Tournaments are held throughout the year, and it’s not uncommon to see weddings on these pristine greens as well.

Want the competition in a more fast-paced environment? Head a mile east of Chapel to Prehistoric Putt. The largest of five regional locations, this mini golf facility offers three courses – including one for those 21 and over with alcohol available. The courses come with quirky obstacles like a zip line, Plinko and a warped wall, making for a unique challenge. There are also two simulators for a handful of sports and other activities ranging from a shooting gallery to dodgeball, meaning there’s almost guaranteed to be something that’ll appease your interests.

You don’t have to leave the neighborhood for highly rated dining, though. Head to the northern border, major thoroughfare Highway 40, for authentic Italian cuisine at Salvatore’s. Open for more than 30 years, this locally owned restaurant offers a lengthy list of pasta dishes – like the tortellini Gina, shells smothered in alfredo sauce and stuffed with chicken, cheese and ham, with sauce with mushrooms and peas on the side – as well as its famous chicken spiedinis, marinated chicken breast rolled in breadcrumbs, skewered and charbroiled, all in an upscale and friendly environment. Want to keep the night going? Head just a couple blocks down the road to Tom’s, a full-service bar with billiards tables and casual bites like burgers. It’s known by residents as a hidden gem of sorts, so it’s never too crowded.

Grocery shopping can be done with minutes, too, with a Hy-Vee sitting a mile east alongside the local Cosentino's Apple Market, as well as Walmart just a mile north.

Immerse yourself in the epitome of suburbia – quiet convenience – in Chapel.

Written By

Bre Offenberger

Photography Contributed By

John Collins

Video By

Drew Webster