Country Club Plaza - Kansas City, MO

The neighborhood got its start as America's first-ever suburban shopping destination designed to be accessed by automobile. J.C. Nichols began acquiring land for his 55-acre project in 1907, and the grand opening occurred in 1923. Nichols's project has been a success ever since.

Until the 1960s, shops were a mix of high-end retailers, such as Harzfeld's, with mainstream stores, including Sears. The plaza shifted its focus when competition from shopping malls started. The current layout specializes in high-end retail shops and fine dining.

The Plaza sits two blocks, and less than a mile, from the world-class Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art. The museum's sculpture park and several fountains lay nearby. Country Club Plaza contains European-style architecture that mimics Spain and Italy. Yearly festivals include Plaza Art Fair in September, Waterfire along Brush Creek in October and the annual holiday lighting event in November.

National chains and popular local eateries cater to many tastes as international cuisine intermingles with contemporary American favorites. Known for its local barbecue restaurants, Kansas City's Country Club Plaza does not disappoint in this regard. Most of The Plaza's eateries spread out among 12 blocks within the neighborhood.

The Granfalloon Restaurant & Bar on Ward Parkway spotlights burnt ends in several of its signature dishes. Burnt ends of meat combine with ricotta cheese and mushrooms on a homemade crust to make one of the most unique pizzas in Kansas City. The burnt-end grilled cheese, or burnt-ends nachos, denote lighter fare. Try the mango napa coleslaw as a side to any sandwich for a twist on traditional burgers and fries. Pizzas also come with spinach and Parmesan sauce.

Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue touts its colossal barbecue sandwiches with meats cooked perfectly in a brick oven. The grilled French dip contains half a pound of shaved, hickory-smoked prime rib with grilled onions and two cheeses. Sample gigantic crown prime beef ribs or the award-winning lamb ribs barbecued to perfection. Fiorella's Jack Stack Barbecue has been serving some of the best barbecue in the city since 1957, and the third generation of the Fiorella family owns the place.

Gram & Dun serves lunch, dinner and weekend brunch to its hungry patrons. The eclectic menu serves dishes from Asia, Europe and the American South. Nowhere else can you order Asian pig wings glazed with saké alongside chicken waffles and a rich fried-egg fondue served with ham. Even the American red snapper comes on a bed of Himalayan red rice. Executive chef Bradley Gilmore hails from North Carolina, and his fusion dishes reflect his upbringing.

Nightlife at Country Club Plaza lasts long after the retail shops shut down for the evening. The Granfalloon has a late-night menu that goes until 2 a.m. before the place closes an hour later, and live music occurs regularly. O'Dowd's Little Dublin features local bands for live entertainment in the area's authentic Irish pub.

Although Country Club Plaza lacks any true nightclubs, most bars bring in customers with live music. During warmer months, street bands play on live-music stages all over the neighborhood's courtyards every week. The InterContinental Hotel touts live jazz four nights a week in its restaurant, The Oak Bar, and Chaz on the Plaza hosts local talent nightly, along with jazz brunches on weekends.

Parking in one of several garages and walking offers the easiest mode of transportation in The Plaza, so bring a comfortable pair of shoes. The open-air market contains street and valet parking spots, all of which fill up fast. Watch out for pedestrians crossing streets, especially during the summer. This area contains plenty of sidewalks, crosswalks, street lights and pedestrian-centric ways to amble among your favorite shops.

Public transportation abounds as more than a dozen KCATA bus stops exist within the Plaza. The KCATA bus system connects you to hundreds of locations in the vast metro area. Several taxis and Uber service the area. Major thoroughfares include Ward Parkway, 47th Street and Brookside Boulevard/Main Street.

Kansas City residents love their parks, and Country Club Plaza follows suit. Bicycles belong in these green areas just as much as pedestrians. Feel free to bring your pets, just please clean up after them.

Brush Creek Trail follows the creek along the Ward Parkway with 4 miles of concrete walkways. Avoid this area when it rains because the creek may flood. The trail meanders to the east and west along the north and south sides of the creek.

Mill Creek Park, one of the busiest parks in the city, contains 11 acres of green space, several fountains and a fitness trail. Play tennis on one of the Plaza Tennis Center's 14 lighted courts from March 1 to October 31.

Theis Park originally belonged to the William Rockhill Nelson estate. Groups pay a usage fee to hold fundraisers, events and concerts on the grounds. Theis Park serves as a central park location that links downtown to areas surrounding Country Club Plaza.

Living adjacent to Country Club Plaza costs much more compared to the rest of Kansas City. The median rent for a one-bedroom runs $1,052 per month. A $3 day pass on the KCATA gets you on the Metro Area Express for quick rides to the city center, whereas gas prices run 13 percent lower than the national average. A pint of beer averages $3 to $4 at many of the local bars and pubs.

The entire neighborhood focuses on retail therapy, so bring a full wallet. Some of the most recognized retail brands in the world typify the shopping experience at Country Club Plaza. Higher-end choices include Kate Spade and Michael Kors, to name a few. For shoppers who love jeans, Lucky Brand has a store dedicated to denim. J. Crew, Gap and Eddie Bauer round out popular chain fashion outlet selections.

Many boutique shops also call Country Club Plaza home. Vinca Jewelry features everyday earrings and a huge selection of wedding rings, most designed by owner Simon Zouein. Standard Style on West 47th Street has all the trendiest fashions, and they even have personal stylists waiting to help you achieve just the right look. Standard Style also has "closet consultants," who will check out your closest to see just what you need to put all those rarely worn items to good use and how to really make 'em pop.

The Apple Market on Emmanuel Cleaver II Boulevard marks the closest grocery store, a little more than 1 mile to the east. Sun Fresh Market on Mill Street and 40th has a full-service grocery slightly more than 1 mile to the north. Brookside Farmer's Market gives you fresh garden choices during the summer months and sits 2 miles due south of the neighborhood.