Live Your Best Lives
  1. Travel FAQs
  2. United States
  3. Missouri (MO)
  4. Kansas City

Walking and hotel T-Mobile

I was wondering if anyone had thoughts/suggestions. I will last minute have my 12yr old daughter at T-mobile. I’m vaguely familiar with the area. Went to a show at the Truman, but I’ve only stayed in country club plaza.

It looks like the Holiday Inn and Hilton are the closest to T-Mobile. Should a mom and 12 yr old feel comfortable walking back to either of those after a concert? I would think there would be plenty of others walking at that time. Not sure I want to attempt parking and driving to another location,

Thanks in adv!

Good question — walkability and safety can vary by area in Kansas City, and whether a mom and 12-year old feel comfortable walking from T-Mobile Center to a hotel depends a bit on exactly which hotel, how late the show ends, and how comfortable you are walking after dark. I’ll outline what I see based on what locals and frequent visitors say — and what to watch out for.

What we know about the area — downtown / near T-Mobile Center, and walkability to hotels like or / the downtown-Plaza corridor — and how that matches a mother + child at night.

  • The downtown / Crossroads / streetcar / Power & Light / T-Mobile area is generally described as reasonably walkable, especially compared with many U.S. cities.
  • Many people on local forums have said that walking from a downtown or close-in hotel to T-Mobile (and back) is “very safe,” even with kids. For instance, one recent comment about staying near downtown with kids said, “Yes, it’s safe … Only 3 blocks away and lots of people walking.”
  • That said: some older forum-posts advise caution, especially for a single adult walking alone late at night — they note that certain hotels, even ones “close” to the Plaza or downtown, could feel more isolated after concert crowds leave.
  • Also: city-wide, outside of the densest areas, walkability drops — Kansas City as a whole is not extremely walkable (its “Walk Score” is modest), but the dense downtown, Crossroads, and Plaza neighborhoods have much higher walkability ratings.

What that means for a mom + 12-year-old walking after a concert

  • If you stay at a hotel very close to T-Mobile Center or downtown (especially a hotel within a few blocks of the arena / the Convention Center / Power & Light district), walking back after a show is likely fine — especially if you stay on well-lit, more populated streets, and avoid isolated parking garages or deserted streets. That seems to match what many locals say: safe, manageable, and done with kids and others.
  • If you stay a bit farther — for example, at the Plaza-area Hilton (or similar) — it’s a longer walk (or may require a streetcar or rideshare), and the walk may feel more uncertain at night, especially if it’s late. Some local advice suggests that while the Plaza is safe in daytime / regular evenings, caution is wise at night if you’re not in a group.
  • Because you have a child with you, it’s smart to plan ahead: try to walk main/ well-lit streets, avoid shortcuts through parking garages or empty lots, and maybe keep a rideshare (Uber/Lyft) or taxi as a backup, especially if the concert ends late or you don’t feel totally comfortable walking back.

Tips to maximize safety and convenience if you walk from T-Mobile → hotel

  • Prefer a hotel within very short walking distance of T-Mobile (within downtown / Convention Center / Power & Light district) — the shorter the walk, the safer and more convenient. Many locals consider this the “sweet spot” for staying when attending shows.
  • Stick to main, well-lit streets and avoid isolated parking garages or dimly-lit side streets late at night. Downtown sidewalks and main thoroughfares tend to be better lit and have more pedestrian activity.
  • If the show ends late (especially after dark), consider having a backup option — rideshare or taxi — just in case. Especially with a child in tow, better safe.
  • Check your hotel’s address ahead of time and map out the walking route, noting well-traveled streets vs less safe-feeling areas. Even a few blocks of difference can matter at night.

My honest opinion: Yes — a mom and 12-year-old *can* feel reasonably comfortable walking back to a hotel near downtown (or very close to T-Mobile) after a concert, provided you stay on main streets, avoid sketchy areas, and maybe avoid walking alone if possible. If your hotel is farther — such as on the Plaza — walking is more of a “maybe,” especially late at night: it’s doable, but you’d want to be alert and perhaps have a backup plan (rideshare). Given you’re with a child, aiming for a downtown/near-arena hotel would give you the best balance of convenience and comfort.

More Kansas City Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Many
country

Popular Destinations

Guxin River
Taohua Island Scenic Area
Nanyan
Moganshan National Scenic Area

Popular Travel Questions