Brookside is a prosperous 1920s neighborhood south of the Country Club Plaza, built around a small commercial strip along Brookside Boulevard that has remained remarkably consistent in character for over a century. The neighborhood's retail is genuinely independent: a handful of longtime restaurants, a beloved toy store, specialty food shops, and a bookstore anchor the main block. The residential streets behind are lined with large homes in Colonial Revival, Tudor, and Craftsman styles, many with notable gardens.
The neighborhood attracts locals more than tourists, which gives it an authenticity that Plaza-adjacent districts sometimes lack. It is quieter and more residential than Westport but more charming on foot. The farmers' market held in the parking lot on weekend mornings is small and friendly. Brookside connects well with a visit to the Thomas Hart Benton Home, about a mile to the east.