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Category: Shopping Centers
Neighborhood: Country Club
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5 Stars for it's historical value.
I don't understand sometimes how people can go through life and not marvel at some of man's greatest creations. Unfortunately one couldn't time travel to see what this place looked decades back, but it was so ahead of its time.
The Plaza was designed to purposely be the first shopping center that could accommodate the modern car. Hilarious as it may seem, stop signs were only added to this institution as recently as 2-3 years ago.
Just about every high-end shop that is available is located in the Plaza. Everything from the Apple Store, Bang & Olufsen, Halls and Armani to Brio, Houston's, Jack Stack, and Ruth's Chris.
If you visit this city and not visit the Country Club Plaza, SHAME on you.
If you live here and you have yet to go to the Plaza, well, then you really need to be tarred/feathered and shipped to Abu Dabi.
Ah! The plaza! A wonderful place to shop if you are in KC. The stores are quite diversified so just about anyone can find something they may want. If you love to shop and are in KC this place is a great place to shop!
Don't expect too much because you'll be disappointed.
The Plaza is a mixed-use district composed of apartments and condos, office buildings, park space, retail, and hotels. It isn't really comparable to any urban downtowns of other big cities, but is more of an uptown area of Kansas City. It acts as a playground of sorts for the city's weathy and/or elite complete with some of the city's most superfluous retailers and restaurants. That description may fool you as you will often find a wide mix of tourists and locals-- like any destination area in the Midwest.
Many tend to focus exclusively on the retail offered on the Plaza which ranges from middle of the road (beauty brands, gap, mcdonald's) to upscale (burberry, hall's, tiffany) to trendy (a/x, american apparel, urban outfitter's). There's likely something for everyone and every budget despite the perception the Plaza is a snooty shopping area.
Be warned, the Plaza's tenants don't compare to big shopping areas on the coasts-- much less Dallas or even Denver's Cherry Creek area-- but has a nice mix of tenants in a charming, well-manicured environment.
Of course Highwoods can do better with tenants, but overall I'd say the Plaza is pretty impressive (for what it is). It's definitely a place more geared towards shopaholic women and affluent tourists, but it's a pleasant place to spend an afternoon. I would argue that it doesn't really represent anything about Kansas City, but is more JC Nichol's utopian vision of car-oriented suburbia plopped down at the tail end of the city's urban core.
Absolutely beautiful any time of year... fountains, tilework, architecture... So many places to eat and shop and just stroll. Be sure to drive south down Ward Parkway to see the elegant homes!
For all the people that are complaining about the shops that are offered on the Plaza...not much I can say. The plaza is unique and great not for the stores it has, but for the atmosphere and experience it provides. The architecture is beautiful and well built. It is more than a Mall, it is a gathering place for the city. Pleasant courtyards and fountains are mixed with European art and high end retailers.
For those of you who don't know, the Plaza wasn't always a 'Mall'. It used to have more mom and pop type stores as well as places like bowling alleys. And it isn't just 'like' other outdoor malls...it is THE prototype...the FIRST of its kind. So all those other 'town centers' and new urbanist developments owe something to the country club plaza!
This is a great. I true part of kc history. The best at the holidays when it is all lit up. they turn on the lights every thanksgiving evening. great place to walk relax, shop and eat.
I'm reviewing Country Club Plaza because it is where the locals go. Yes, it's filled with chain stores and is all uber-uppity with little character or anything that helps separate it from shopping mall horror. I do have a weak spot for some chain shops (American Apparel!) but the purpose here is to let you all know if I really do feel alive and enjoy the plaza. Well, not too much.
I was spoiled in Seattle with the neighborhood districts full of unique boutiques and local proprietorships bursting with appeal and substance. You'll find all the nice stores on the Plaza while spending a boatload of cash for stuff everyone everywhere can get. Rather than walk the community of Spanish fakeness, I could always just shop online at all these retailers but somehow keep finding myself on the plaza to people watch or eat at Eden's Alley. So if you're searching for mainstream or want to embrace this KC lifestyle, the plaza is your place. I tend to spend money where I feel it's earned and on things adorned with unique qualities. And those aren't represented by the plaza.
When I lived in KC I never went to the plaza, but now everytime I'm in town its one of the first places I go. No other place in the country like it
For Kansas City, the Country Club Plaza is a great location for lunch, shopping, people watching and the occasional festival. In their 14 blocks and 180 shops and restaurants, they have all the shops I love to browse around but rarely buy at including Armani Exchange, Restoration Hardware, Anthropology, Betsey Johnson, BeBe, and so on...
The plaza was built to model Seville, Spain, Kansas City's sister city so you can enjoy beautiful architecture that includes fountains on nearly every corner, Spanish tile, and terra cotta rooftops.
Last year was it's 85th anniversary... go Seville!
See ya there! :)
Generic, chain shops lined on a pretty backdrop that gleans elegance (if you can call the plastered fake Spanish architecture elegant) and a rich (RICH!) history. Enough said?
I find myself down there for an afternoon of Eden Alley Cafe, with window shopping at Anthropologie, Urban Outfitters, Aldo or American Apparel. The rest? Would preferably shop from home or avoid altogether. It is nice if you're looking to stroll, considering I haven't really found a decent outdoor park yet, and are not afraid of crowds (the weekends are ridiculous). And there is ample parking, free ample parking (the parking here weirds me out being from San Francisco, there's so much of it!). So, yes, with every bad there is good...
The Plaza is a really great place to come and spend some time while you're in KC.
There are some nice chain restaurants, as well as non-chains, great shops (T&Co, Anthropologie, Victoria's Secret...), a theater, several coffee joints, near a few great parks and the art museum as well as downtown.
For spending most of my time here, I have no complaints. :D
What has happened to the elite Country Club Plaza??? It seems half the stores are closed... we were walking around enjoying a nice spring day and on every street/block there was a store that had closed down... I understand we are in a recession right now, but if they don't start getting some tenants in these locations I'm afraid nobody is going to continue to shop there!
It's cute but not impressive. There's nothing to make Country Club Plaza stand out from Anywhere, USA. It doesn't offer outlets, just the same old chain stores you see in any city in any state.
Since it's an outfoor type mall, I expected to see more mom and pop type shops or just general independent shops. Ooo, GAP, I haven't seen that before! Oh, Anthropologie, where will you find that in America? Wow, Coach, it's a shame they don't have more stores!
So yeah, it's pretty much a cookie cutter outdoor area. I could at least forgive it if there were amazing one-off restaurants, but PF Changs, Starbucks, Cold Stone, Kona Grill, Houstons? I want something that says, "I am Country Club Plaza, and I am uniquely KC." Absolute fail. :-(
Country Club Plaza rocks! With 55 acres of planned outdoor urban shopping with Spanish-themed architecture and fountains, it's like an upscale mall, but with better lighting.
Cheesecake Factory, Banana Republic, Jack Stack Barbecue, Anthropologie, McCormick & Schmick's, Restoration Hardware, PF Chang's, Betsey Johnson, Cold Stone Creamery, Starbucks, J Crew, Lucky, Gap, Urban Outfitters, A/X, Buca di Beppo, Williams-Sonoma, Coach, CPK, Origins, Tiffany's, Burberry... Crate & Barrel is the only "missing" name that comes to mind!
I saw it all lit up for the holidays. It's lovely.
I like the European feel of this outdoor mall. You can walk around 4 or so square blocks of shops - they do have some good stores there - Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, J Crew, the Gap and so on. There are a few restaurants where you can stop and have a bite to eat or sit out and enjoy a drink. There are some interesting street performers which definitely adds to its European feeling.
The shops do close early - 7pm on a Saturday?! and if there's a lot of traffic it can be difficult crossing the street .. but people in Kansas/Missouri seem quite nice and actually stop when there's no stop sign and let the pedestrians cross. You don't see that too often in Chicago! Oh and the free parking garages? AWESOME!!
Fantastic outdoor mall with every shop and restaurant you could possibly want. I thankfully was staying at the marriott just two blocks away, so I spent many evenings getting my dinner and browsing for shoes over at the plaza.
My only complaint is that the shops only stay open after 7p.m. on Thursdays.
Very nice area to shop. People are extremely friendly, and everything is within walking distance. I walked into the Banana Republic and immediately was greeted and helped. My only complaint is that there seems to be few bars or lounges around where I could stop by and get a drink.
This place is very similar to Santana Row, but people are not always trying to flaunt their nice cars or fake women.
This is a really nice outdoor mall--quite pretty, with the European style architecture, fountains, & sculptures all over the place. It makes walking around (when the weather's nice around here) quite pleasant. It wasn't supercrowded when we were there (weekday & weekend), but then we didn't have to deal with parking either.
Come to think of it, a little bit like Santana Row (minus the middle aged guys cruising in their expensive cars & all the plasticized people, so in a good way).
It is fun to stroll and look at the fountains and buildings. I have a few favorite shops I visit but the ambiance of the Plaza is the best.
I despise/am not remotely interested in shopping, but since I live on the Plaza, I spend a bit of time there (mostly in the Barnes and Noble and coffee shops, in terms of retail - I've never set foot in 95% of the stores). But I still love the Plaza.
Among the non-shopping-related things I love about the Plaza are how many people it brings out on foot to enjoy a beatiful day, the musicians entertaining on the walkways, the lovely Christmas season light display, and the beautiful Spanish-themed architecture and wealth of fountains. In the springtime, it's landscaped with tons of beautiful flowering trees and tulip beds. Mill Creek Park, with the Nichols Fountain and its landscaping and pond and trail is just a jewel, as are the nearby Loose Park and Kauffman Garden/ art museums, and the walk along Brush Creek. There's a lot to love about the Plaza even if you don't care at all about shopping and frou frou retail.
A beautiful place to shop or enjoy a great meal. We came here for dinner at Jack Stack and after walked around to check it out considering were from out of state. It's a nice outdoor mall that is similar to some back home in San Jose Ca area. It offers a little bit of everything. Free parking was a nice surprise! Kudos for having a Chiefs store too! Upon returning in the future I'm sure we will make a return trip to Country Club Plaza to have a nice time, no complaints here!
Ok I absolutely hate malls and yes, I do live in Minneapolis, home of Mall of America. But for a mall....Country Club Plaza is alright. So this review is just in comparison to other malls. At least here, you can walk outdoors! The Spanish style architecture is yeah pretty fake, but hey at least it is trying to be sort of unique in Kansas. There are mostly chains here, but there are also a bunch of other local restaurants to choose from. And yes, there is Halls, so that is a unique department store considering all of the classics are being converted to Macy's. Sales staff in most of the stores are really friendly. Or maybe Kansas just have some special "niceness" water?
Eh, it's just like any outdoor mall I've been to, and even like some indoor ones too. You'll find plenty of chain stores and actually a few that I've never seen before. Good place to do some people watching at any time of the day. Extra points for the free parking garages too.
You know how people reminisce about the places and things integral to their fondest memories? Well, the Plaza speaks Christmas to me. Oh, I love it year-round, but from the moment the lights get switched on Thanksgiving night through the busy holiday shopping bustle, this extraordinary district is one of my absolute favorite things about Kansas City. And one of the few remaining things that sends a surge of "home" into my core whenever I see it again. Almost akin to running into somebody you were deeply in love with ... it's at once comfortable and beautiful, and makes you want to be part of it. INSERT HOMETOWN SIGH HERE.
If you're favorite sport is people watching then the Plaza is a good place to take in the sport. Lots of restaurants and eateries and places to shop as well. In some respects it could be looked at as the "Little Rodeo that could". It doesnt have that snobbish feel to it, at least from what I could tell. You do have some of your higher end shops here, but the Plaza caters to everyone. I only wish I had gotten a chance to come down here at night and really check out the scene after dark.
I have so many memories of the Plaza I wouldn't know where to start--whether it be my job as Gallery Attendant at Hall's or that dirty old man that picked me up right after I saw Blow Up. This has got to be what God had in mind when he created shopping centers!
I love The Plaza. It's the best place in KC. Their shops are awesome and during holiday season is so pretty. They have good restaurants too, my first time having Cheesecake Factory was at The Plaza Cheesecake Factory.
A beautiful area with beautiful fountains, clean, safe, carriage rides at night. We encountered many street performers. In September is the Art festival which is great. I ate at some wonderful restaurants...Buca di Peppo's being one and I don't care if you don't like chains, I will always love Cheesecake Factory for strawberry martini's, Chicken Madeira and White Choc Raspberry cheesecake! The only downfall is the traffic. Parking was easy, there is lots but hard to get around when you yield to the tons of pedestrians shopping and walking the streets at the Plaza
My review is going to be different. The reason I like this place is because there are so many great parkour hotspots around the Plaza. Nice jumps great layout, all out awesome. The bridge is great and I love the parking garages as well.
City of Fountains...the memorable outdoor plaza, especially during the annual Christmas lighting. Used to play at the Plaza Tennis Center. This is probably the main area in KC. Stores are usually being updated. Too bad FAO Schwartz is gone. For going out, you'd probably head over to Westport. This is mostly a shopping and dining area. Oh yeah, and don't compare it to other outdoor malls like CA, FL, or you might be disappointed.
Interesting shopping destination. Definitely seems like a beverly hills type of outdoor shopping scene, but in kansas city. Lots of very interesting and upscale shopping choices (AX, Brooks Brothers, Burberry), some great food options (Cheesecake Factory, Fiorella's Jack Stack) and great hotels right at your disposal (Sheraton Suites is where I stayed). It just really seems a little out of place in KC though. Just seems a little too chic for this town. But as part of the citys' redevelopment and re-urbanization, it seems like its a great fit.
The Plaza used to have tons of unique local shops, but it completely lacks character now. You could find these shops at any mall anywhere in any town in the United States.
Okay... so i moved here from the San Francisco area... I was desperate for something urban and a little familiar... We moved near the Plaza and I am really glad that I did. I like having something that reminds me of being at home, I like having stores that arent full of weirdo Kansas people. This is a great shopping center, good stores and restaurants. It can be a little sketchy after dark so be careful... otherwise, people watch, enjoy and have fun!
If the Plaza was closer and i didnt have the same places down here in Overland Park i'd go more often. i used to work in midtown and go to Lunch here a couple times a week, The Plaza was the first place my friends and i took a trolley to visiting back in 1988 and it was as impressive then as it is now. the Plaza lights every Christmas are a must see for any new KC resident, and the fountains and nice walks on spring days as well, as restaurant favorites, I like PF Changs, Figlios, and window shopping shopping favorites are too many to get into. Enjoy visitors or residents.
This is where most people in KC go to look rich, as there are rich people restaurants and clothing/jewelry stores. There are a lot of confused Western Kansas folks and homeless people/street performers.
Driving through the plaza.....oh God...
If you're going during a holiday, give at least two hours for traffic. There are no stoplights, no right of way....just intersections and a steady flow of pedestrian traffic. It used to be terrible, but its getting bearable now. But don't take that as "its good", since I'm just used to it.
definitely a great place to people watch. there are a lot of shops and restaurants in this town. this place is like fashion island in newport beach, ca. i was blown away with all these stores. coming from california.....i didn't expect much. this place has definitely changed my mind. i think i'll make it a point to come here everytime i'm in town. :)
When I heard about this Plaza I had all the expectation in the world. I hoped and hoped this place was going to be good. Nope. The hotel is average. Category 5 on the Marriott scale and that's stretching it. The Concierge lounge was crap. Food was limited. None of the amenities you'd expect in a good Marriott. I don't care what you say about the Plaza. It was beat. Ok, there were a couple of nice fountains around, but that's all it was. Very generic. Stores sucked. Restaurants franchised. No character. Everything you see in the Plaza you can see at your local mall. If this is supposed to be your main attraction, try to attract. No different restaurants. No local bars. No high end stores. Sorry, but PF Chang and Ruth Cris doesn't cut it. I want my Don Fernando's. Screw Banana and Urban Outfitters. I've shopped all over the world. I want my Ferragamo and my YRB. It's a ok outdoor mall, but not even close to the Santa Monica Pavilion or Lincoln mall in Miami. And don't even dare compare it to Georgetown or the Riverwalk.
Kansas City is boring as hell, but this place is a little bit of heaven. It's hip, and a great way to kill a few hours. It's upscale--like a little bit of LA in the middle of nowhere.
the plaza at christmas or in the spring ,fall even summer and the farmewrs market is fantastic,great fresh produce,antiques,beautiful decor,delicios steaks,barbecue,corn on the cob,french food,mexican -the plaza has it all ,very artsy,stylish,horse drawn carriages,cinderella carriages,italianate and victorian buildings,lavish crystal chandeliers,christmas lights on windows,trim,all over the city,in the trees,kansa city really goes all out at christmas time-its georgeous!!!!!the crafts and gift baskets,antiques,collectables are great!
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