Sight guide · Kansas City · United States
Visiting Country Club Plaza
Opened in 1922 as one of the first shopping districts in the US designed for people arriving by car, the Plaza copies the look of Seville with a replica Giralda tower, tiled roofs and many fountains and statues.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: User:charvex, Public domain
Quick answer
Country Club Plaza is a street in Country Club Plaza, Kansas City. Allow 1–2 hours; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Street
- Area
- Country Club Plaza
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- shopping, free, architecture and couples
- Best months
- March–April and November
About Country Club Plaza
Opened in 1922 as one of the first shopping districts in the US designed for people arriving by car, the Plaza copies the look of Seville with a replica Giralda tower, tiled roofs and many fountains and statues. The J.C. Nichols Memorial Fountain at its eastern edge is the city's most photographed fountain.
Tip: Visit after dark from Thanksgiving to mid-January, when the Plaza Lights outline every building.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1–2 hours.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Country Club Plaza, spanish-style towers, fountains and outdoor shopping streets built in the 1920s.
Best time to visit Country Club Plaza
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- March: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 9 rainy days, quiet crowds.
- November: 12°C (54°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- April: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 10 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Kansas City has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Kansas City itinerary visits Country Club Plaza on day 2, together with Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art and American Jazz Museum and the Blue Room.
- No. 7 of the 17 sights in our Kansas City things-to-do list.
- Day 2 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Kansas City.
Near Country Club Plaza
Also in Country Club Plaza, so you can walk between them:
- Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art — 2–3 hours, free
- Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art — 1 hour, free
- Loose Park and Rose Garden — 1 hour, free
If you like Country Club Plaza
- City Market — River Market, 1–2 hours
- Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts — Downtown, 1 hour or a performance
- Crossroads First Fridays — Crossroads Arts District, 2–3 hours
Staying near Country Club Plaza
Stay in Country Club Plaza ($$$) to walk here: spanish-style towers, fountains and outdoor shopping streets built in the 1920s. All areas to stay in Kansas City.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Country Club Plaza?
Plan 1–2 hours. With Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art nearby, it fits a half-day in Country Club Plaza.
+Is Country Club Plaza free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Country Club Plaza?
March–April and November, the quietest of the good months. Visit after dark from Thanksgiving to mid-January, when the Plaza Lights outline every building.
+Do I need to book Country Club Plaza in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.