The Sheraton and Hampton are both good locations for the Plaza lighting ceremony. If you can get rooms at either, both the Fairmont and the Raphael (small boutique hotel with good suites) offer fabulous Plaza views.

One of the best Thanksgiving spreads in Kansas City is put on by the Plaza III Steakhouse. They have a great buffet with really well prepared food. Also, the Fairmont and Raphael also have really nice Thanksgiving dinners.

I would not recommend staying at Crown Center. The hotel is very nice, but not worth it to have to drive and particularly park on the Plaza. It is very, very crowded for the lighting ceremony and for Thanksgiving weekend shopping, so you are much better off being in walking distance.

Thanks Tarein-

The Plaza III and the Fairmont sound like they would be great choices.

Do you think they would have items on the buffet selection that our 6 year old could choose from.

Thanks Again-

roadtrippin.

roadtrippin I don't think they have the exact details out yet, but last year's show started at 6:00 with christmas music and the fireworks follow the show. There is also a drive through christmas light display in the park with 75 moving figures and thousands of lights. I typically drive there just to watch the fireworks so I can't comment on the state show. I think the fireworks actually get started around 7:30? You can tune your car radio to the participating station and the fireworks are synchronized to the christmas music. I've also heard that the drive through christmas light display is very crowded on this night. Here is an internet link to last year's information www.jacksongov.org/new_uc.shtml It's a great way to get into the christmas spirit. Also, they light the mayor's christmas tree at crown center on Friday night.

Staying at the Plaza would be your best bet although most hotels might be booked. A good Thanksgiving dinner there would be McCormack & Schmicks.

If you stay at Crown Center stay at the Westin and eat over at the Hyatt at the Peppercorn Duck Club. I got sick on Thanksgiving one year, couldn't go home, so we went there and LOVED it.

Is your 6 year-old into trains? You can't beat having Sunday brunch at the Cafe at Union Station and seeing the model trains that are on display over there. It's a weekly occurrance in December for my family. Union Station is attached to the Westin Crown Center by an indoor walkway.

just been calling around at Plaza restaurants looking for dinner for a group of 10 around time of Plaza lighting ceremony--which is 6-6:30, lights flip on at 6:30. Size of group made this difficult, but if you are a smaller group, it will make it easier. Favorite sit down place is Plaza III, tho not a buffet they will bring more of things on request and they do not hurry you to try to get more people in. Figlios has a buffet that is also good--and is where we ended up.

Google Kansas City and Thanksgiving Dinner and a list of about 10 places will pop up. Parking is always a challenge but if you stay at the perimeter and go in earlier for dinner, you probably would not have trouble getting in or out.

since orginal post was 3 yrs ago- I am beting they figured it out