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Around Town: Kansas City Holiday Shopping
Shop-hop through KC's dynamic districts, and find great ways to celebrate the holidays.
Downtown
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| SHOP Head to the Crossroads Arts District for unique stocking stuffers like handmade stationery from Hammerpress or artisanal chocolates from Christopher Elbow. In the Power & Light District, look to Lovebird for chic women’s styles or shop eight stores in one at The Garment District—a hip fashion collective with a bar nestled inside. | CELEBRATE Straight out of the mind of Dr. Seuss, City Market transforms itself for Whoville Holidays, a yuletide celebration featuring The Grinch, art activities and a Cindy Lou Who look-alike contest. | DO For a light meal, venture off the beaten path to the Westside area. Popular picks range from small plates at Lill’s on 17th and savory crepes at Chez Elle, to farm-to-table fare at The Westside Local. |
Country Club Plaza
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SHOP KC’s famed Spanish-inspired shopping district touts more than 120 stores inside a 15-block area. New outposts include Kate Spade New York, H&M and Moosejaw, but be sure to explore the local stock, too. Originals such as Halls and Standard Style Boutique provide local flavor to this fashionable district. |
CELEBRATE You’re in for a treat. Miles and miles of holiday lights adorn the Plaza for seven weeks each winter. Outlining every shop, dome and tower of the entertainment district, Plaza Lights is one of KC’s most treasured traditions. |
DO If it’s museums you crave, peruse The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, one of the nation’s premier general art museums, or go wild in the Toy & Miniature Museum, where it’s like Christmas morning every day.
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Crown Center
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SHOP Home to Hallmark Cards, this creative complex houses several unique finds—everything from handmade chocolates and fine fragrances to Chinese jewelry and sports memorabilia. Browse seasonal gifts at Holiday Magic, tween gifts at Club 223 and one of only two Crayola Stores in America. |
CELEBRATE Marvel at the 100-foot Mayor’s Christmas Tree, one of the nation’s tallest. Or visit the Holiday Train Village at Union Station, an elaborate display of miniature trains that zig and zag through a wintry scene. |
DO Dive into SEA LIFE, KC’s first aquarium, and LEGOLAND Discovery Center, both new at Crown Center. Or explore the National World War I Museum, an American treasure lying just around the corner.
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The Northland
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| SHOP At Briarcliff Village, shop to your heart’s content inside a Tuscan-inspired setting. Nell Hill’s has earned a reputation for its cottage-style home furnishings, while Land of Paws is a dog’s best friend. | CELEBRATE Zona Rosa is known for reviving several of KC’s popular holiday traditions. Shop in style beneath the Northern Lights—gigantic, beautifully-lit crowns that sparkle in the moonlight—or share your family’s holiday wishes with the Fairy Princess. |
DO Step on the factory floor and see how hogs are made at Harley-Davidson factory, where tours are free. If it’s time for pampering, escape to The Spa at Briarcliff— 60 minutes in the “floating” pool is as restorative as four hours of rest.
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Brookside/Waldo
| SHOP Check in to Brookside Toy & Science, a mom-and-pop toy store lined with games, microscopes and the like. And good luck getting the kids to leave the Reading Reptile, one of the country’s oldest booksellers for little ones. | CELEBRATE Acquaint yourself with the Ghost of Christmas Past at the John Wornall House Museum. Decked to the nines for the holiday season, this 1858 home doubled as a field hospital during the Civil War. |
DO Celebrate your sales with cocktails at several great watering holes, such as The Well and Remedy. Then refuel with modern-made comfort food at Julian. Executive Chef Celina Tio was a contestant on Top Chef Masters.
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On the Kansas side
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| SHOP The Sunflower State is dotted with quaint shopping districts, such as Corinth Square, plus larger, well-known developments like Oak Park Mall. Stretch your Christmas dollar even further at Legends Outlets, with a long list of factory stores and big-name outlets—including Nike, Saks Off 5th and Brooks Brothers. | CELEBRATE Watch thousands of twinkling lights dance in tune with concert-quality holiday music during the Legendary Light Show. Also cool: lacing up your skates for a spin on The Ice at Park Place, the only ice skating rink in Johnson County. |
DO If the family is along, make a splash at Great Wolf Lodge, an indoor waterpark where the temperature is always 84 degrees. Or relax and catch a show at New Theatre Restaurant, featuring Broadway-style shows and award-winning cuisine.
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