The oldest neighborhood in Kansas City, the River Market sits at the bend of the Missouri River where the city was originally founded in the 1830s. The Saturday morning farmers' market — held in the City Market square — draws thousands of locals and is one of the best in the Midwest, with fresh produce, flowers, meat, and prepared foods from dozens of vendors. In warm weather the surrounding streets fill with people shopping at the neighboring international grocery stores and eating at the Vietnamese and Ethiopian restaurants that have made the area one of the city's most diverse dining districts.
The neighborhood retains much of its 19th-century warehouse architecture. The Arabia Steamboat Museum is here, along with several art galleries and coffee shops that have colonized the old brick buildings. The Missouri River is just a short walk north — the riverfront area has been developed with walking trails and views back toward downtown.