We went one day to find that it closed at 6pm. We went the next day, visited a couple stores, had an ice cream, finally found our way to where you can go to the Hallmark Visitor Center only to find that the visitor center closes at 4pm and we got there at 3:59pm. We probably should have done a little more research but 4pm seems quite early. Traveling from the shopping area to the visitor center is quite convoluted

Crown Center in Kansas City reminds me of Webb's City in St. Petersburg, Florida, a precursor to Walmart and Amazon, a legendary 10-block complex called the World's Most Unusual Drugstore that was founded in 1925 and closed in 1979. A major tourist attraction with 77 departments, a visitor could shop for groceries, get a haircut, pick up medication, take dancing lessons, have his car repaired, buy furniture and a suit and have breakfast, lunch and dinner -- all in one day. So here I am, at Kansas City's version of Webb's City. Located at 2450 Grand Boulevard, south of downtown Kansas City, it opened in 1971 with 85 acres of office, retail and residential space. Open from 10 to 6 Monday through Saturday and noon to 5 on Sunday, it attracts five million visitors a year. There are three levels with more than 90 shops, restaurants, hotels and entertainment venues for the whole family, including Sea Life Aquarium, Hallmark Visitors Center, Legoland Discovery Center, Grand Theater, Museum of BBQ, Kaleidoscope and Coterie & Music Theater Heritage. It is anchored by Halls Department Store and home to Hallmark Cards, the headquarters of Kansas City's three largest law firms and the American Restaurant, the only Forbes Travel Guide four-star restaurant in Missouri. Today, the complex also features a set of grand open air fountains, an ice skating rink, the 45-story Sheraton Kansas City Hotel, a Westin Hotel, the global headquarters campus for Hallmark Cards, two upscale residential apartment skyscrapers and over-street walkways leading throughout the complex and to Kansas City's Union Station. Shoppers can browse through Halls, The Link, Triple Crown, Deborah's Art Studio, Toy Time, Crayola Kansas City, European Accents, The Electronics Stores, Best of Kansas City, Pen Place and Sportibles, For breakfast, lunch and dinner, choose among Fritz's Railroad Restaurant, Burnt End BBQ, One East Urban Bar & Kitchen, La Fuente Mexican Street Food, Topsy's Popcorn, Spin Pizza, Sheridan's Frozen Custard, Greek Food Ltd., Empanada Madness, Chip's Candy Factory, Cupcakin and Shang's Tea House.

We went to Crown Center this year to enjoy the Christmas decorations and festive atmosphere this year. We only had a 2-hour window since we were not planning on spending $50 or more there. Free parking is for 2 hours. We looked across the street but could not see anything well because of the numerous small vendor stalls that they had in the water area, in front of the ice-skating rink. There were hardly any areas to enjoy the Christmas decorations there. It was a disappointment for us. Don't think we will do this again. We had to rush to from Crown Center to Union Station and back.

Staying local so didn’t have to go outside. Link is indoor walkway if staying at Westin or Sheraton. Shops, food and heat.

Always the best choices and service for gifts, love the wrapping services at no charge! Staff is well educated about the products and helped me select the perfect gifts for all my clients. My husband loves the men's department and their tailoring. A KC treasure.