The Country Club Plaza, better known as “The Plaza” in Kansas City is a swanky district known for its fine dining, upscale shopping, chic hotels, and a place where a number of annual events take place that draw in hundreds of thousands of Kansas Citians each year.

IMG_1318The Plaza is a 15-block district that has over 150 shops and restaurants as well as beautiful architecture and fountains. The availability of fine dining attracts a variety of palates, cuisines, and atmospheres whether you’re looking for a night out or a quiet brunch. The shopping available is remarkable boasting a selection of both high end brands and boutiques. If you’re staying in Kansas City, The Plaza is certainly known for its centrality, making it a convenient place to find a hotel during your stay.

Some of my favorite things that The Plaza offers though, are its annual events. When we made our trip to Kansas City in October, we happened to be there the same time as the Waterfire Festival. Although this festival is relatively new to Kansas City (it started in 2008), it is a beautiful and unique experience featuring fire, water, and music. As The Plaza sits along Brush Creek on the south side, it is in the perfect place to host such a festival full of floating bonfires. We had a wonderful time catching up with some of my friends from college and enjoying the show; this was certainly a highlight of our time at The Plaza!

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The Plaza at Night, courtesy of Wikipedia

Other annual events include the Plaza Art Fair, which is a stunning display featuring over 240 artists, stages for music, and restaurant booths; this event usually takes place in September. And lastly, the beautiful KCP&L Plaza Lights. Since 1929, Kansas City Power & Light has illuminated the trees, buildings, and architecture of The Plaza for a beautiful light display reminding me that it is the Christmas season in Kansas City. Thanksgiving evening, thousands of locals gather to watch them “flip the switch” with a lighting ceremony and concert; the lights are kept on through mid-January for the holidays. I wish we had seen that too!

For a full list of the shops and restaurants available at The Plaza, check out their website. There is also information there regarding parking, which is available in several garages throughout the district or on the street.