If you are new to Kansas City, you are in for an experience with your first visit to the world famous Country Club Plaza. The Plaza offers some of the best shopping in the entire state and has an exemplary reputation nationwide. If you enjoy shopping or are in need of something special for your new home, here is an overview of the Plaza to help to get you started.

The Country Club Plaza, often just called 'the Plaza,' takes up a 15-block district and is home to over 150 upscale stores selling everything from diamonds to designer diapers. The mall is the first in the world that was designed to accommodate visitors arriving by car. The site is 55 acres large and is found about four miles to the south of the downtown core. It was established by J.C. Nichols in 1923. The Plaza's design and architecture are inspired by Seville, Spain.

The Plaza is home to over thirty statues, tole mosaics and murals. It also has numerous, large-scale architectural reproductions including one of the Giralda Tower of Seville. There are also light installations, such as a reproduction of 'Path to Gold' from San Francisco, to see while shopping for your new, modern bathroom vanity. There are also numerous works of art throughout the plaza that showcase Americana.

A tradition began in 1925 of decorating the Plaza in Christmas lights. The annual ceremony to light them is now called Plaza Lights. At Thanksgiving, numerous people come to the Plaza to take in local entertainers and watch the lights kick-off the Christmas shopping season. Inside, holiday shoppers can find everything from a recumbent bike, Toronto-style patio set to the Christmas tree itself.

Fashions best known labels and retailers are call the Plaza home. You will be able to find a wise selection of the latest Dunlop boots or Betsey Johnson dresses available to you. From Cole Haan to Anthropologie, from St. John to Burberry, you will find the latest trends and styles available to you all under one roof. Be sure to visit the amazing shops by Jimmy Choo, Chanel, Michael Kors, Prada, Marc Jacobs and more.

Be sure to also take a look at the latest additions to the shop. You will find any number of specialty offerings at the Plaza, from organic baby bath products to the latest Yoga equipment. New additions include Francesca's Collections and Zoom Toy Store.

And, of course, the Plaza is home to all of the stores you love and would hope to find in a large shopping center. The Apple Store, Banana Republic, American Eagle, ALDO, Kaplan's, Eddie Bauer, Guess, GAP, Sony Style, Pottery Barn, Tommy Bahama, Urban Outfitters and Tiffany all call the majestic and historic Country Club Plaza home.