This upscale 55 acre, 15-block shopping district and exclusive neighborhood just south of downtown Kansas City tenders visitors a perfect mix of high-end shops, mainstream retailers, dining establishments, luxurious accommodations and popular entertainment venues and is named as one of the World’s “60 best places” by Project for Public Spaces, a nonprofit organization based in New York dedicated to creating and sustaining public places that build communities. Opened in 1923 as the first shopping center to accommodate those arriving by automobile, the basic design of the Country Club Plaza reflects lovely classic European influences, with multi-themed works of art – sculpture, murals, mosaics and architectural reproductions – tastefully showcased throughout the area and fabulously intricate fountains sprouting from the beautiful landscape; parking is completely concealed in multi-
level garages beneath and behind shops or situated out of plain view on rooftops, eliminating the sprawling gauntlets of unsightly lots. The district’s many storefronts include Anthropology, Ann Taylor, Barnes and Noble, Bath and Body Works, Banana Republic, Chico’s, The Coach Store, Cupcake A La Mode, Eddie Bauer, Mac Cosmetics, Moosejaw, N. Valentino, The North Face, The Better Cheddar, Soft Surroundings, Sur La Table, Tommy Bahama, Tiffany and Company, Three Dog Bakery, Restoration Hardware, Sunglass Hut, Urban Outfitters, Very Bradley, Victoria’s Secret and Williams Sonoma; dozens of cafes and restaurants including The Cheesecake Factory, Jack Stack BBQ, Gram and Dun, Bucca de Beppo, McCormick’s and Schmick’s, Chaz on the Plaza, Panera Bread and Starbucks ensure your favorite menu – casual sweet bite, homestyle Italian, classic surf and turf or elegant repast – is right around the corner from your last shopping spree. The Plaza’s annual “Season of Lights” is kicked off on Thanksgiving Night during a grand televised celebration in observance of the longstanding tradition of ushering in the Christmas Season with a special guest or celebrity “flipping the switch” to a dazzling display of holiday lights that shine thru the New Year. Whether you’re coming to shop, dine or even stay for a few days, the Plaza is the place to be!
