Kansas City Country Club Plaza
Kansas City, Missouri features one of the most beautiful and exciting shopping districts in the nation: the Country Club Plaza.
One of the nation’s premier shopping districts is found not in New York or LA, but in the Heartland treasure town of Kansas City, Missouri. The Country Club Plaza in Kansas City will entice any traveler with its history, architectural detail, and selection of fine shops and restaurants.
Located alongside the impressively posh Ward Parkway, the Plaza in Kansas City has been delighting visitors since 1923 and is one of the oldest planned shopping centers in the country. Today, it is home to more than 150 stores and restaurants and is one of the most popular destinations in the Midwest.
Country Club Plaza Art and Architecture
Travelers don’t need to be big spenders to enjoy the plaza. A simple walking tour of the plaza’s 15 blocks will introduce visitors to a replica of the Giralda Tower of Seville, numerous bronze sculptures nestled in courtyards, and the spectacular J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain. Spanish-influenced architecture, murals, and ornamental streetlamps all contribute to the Plaza’s beauty. Walking tour brochures detailing all of the plaza’s sculptures and other art are available.
In addition to the presence of sculptures and art, the district is kept especially attractive by the clever way designers have hidden its free parking in structures built on top of or beneath stores, covered with architectural flourishes like tiling and ironwork. Easy access parking is just an additional charm of the plaza.
Plenty of Places to Stay and Things To Do on the Plaza
Those looking for places to stay in Kansas City should look no further than the assortment of hotels located around the plaza district. Boutique hotels as well as established chains are all conveniently located right in the midst of the action, making it easy for visitors to sleep, eat, shop and play all without having to drive.
The Country Club Plaza in Kansas City is also home to a number of special events. In the fall, the Plaza Art Fair takes over several of the plaza area streets with hundreds of artist booths, stages for music, and stands for plaza restaurant vendors. The Christmas season is ushered in by the plaza lights, featuring thousand of colored bulbs decorating the entire district in Christmas reds, greens and golds. Concerts and other special events pepper the plaza calendar throughout the year.
And of course, the real big draws to the Country Club Plaza are the shops and restaurants. With both high-end retailers and budget-friendly favorites, every shopper will find the plaza suitable for their price range. Cozy cafes and fancy eateries await foodies looking for a tasty morsel. Even families looking for a simple Happy Meal before taking in a movie at the Cinemark will be pleased to find a plaza McDonald’s.
The Country Club Plaza is simply a must-see stop on any visit to Kansas City, so get a head start on planning to make the most out of your visit.
