12 Best Places to Shop in Missouri, USA

The Central West End is a hip area filled with boutiques and restaurants. The MetroLink light rail system has a stop here.

Kansas City's Country Club Plaza is known for its more than 180 fine shops and restaurants, and for the flagship department store, Spanish-style architecture, and its annual display of holiday lights from Thanksgiving to January. You'll also find many of Kansas City's fountains and statues here.

The Crossroads Arts District has benefited from all of the hip, urban lofts that have gone up just south of Downtown. The area is filled with funky restaurants, art galleries, and shops, including. The neighborhood plays host to the First Friday street festival year-round.

The Crown Center is an entertainment complex with 50 shops, including the Hallmark Visitors Center,Halls —Kansas City's exclusive department store—the Crayola Store, Bath and Body Works, Waldenbooks, Victoria's Secret, and clothing stores.

For a slightly upscale mall experience, try The Galleria, a 10-minute drive from Downtown on I-40.

Laclede's Landing has an eclectic collection of shops and restaurants, in addition to wonderful clubs and bars. This is the place to go if you're looking for antiques or locally made crafts. The MetroLink light rail system has a stop here.

To be surrounded by the tattooed and hip (and those who aspire to be hip), head to The Loop, and take in the eclectic mix of artsy boutiques, eateries, and music venues. It's a 10-minute drive northwest of Downtown in University City, the inner-ring suburb known locally as "U City."

Deep-pocketed St. Louisans head for Plaza Frontenac, home to nearly 50 upscale stores, including Neiman Marcus and Saks Fifth Avenue. It's a 10-minute drive from St. Louis on I-40.

Just blocks from the almost-completed Sprint Center arena, the Power & Light District is a nine-block area featuring restaurants, shopping, theaters and Kansas City Live, an outdoor concert pavilion.

In the summer months, the River Market neighborhood hosts the popular Saturday- and Sunday-morning City Market farmer's market. A Sunday artist's market and community-wide yard sale is also growing in popularity. Hip shops and antique boutiques are scattered among the area's restored warehouses.

For browsing in boutiques and specialty shops, try Union Station, an impressive early 20th-century former train station with more than 100 shops and restaurants.

Webster House Antiques & Restaurant