Kansas City is full of lovely places to walk, hike and stroll. Accessible, stroller friendly trails can be found in almost every corner of the city. Unpredictable weather, however, can be a deterrent when everyone needs to get out of the house! Luckily, there are also numerous indoor spaces that cater to parents, providing an escape and a much needed change of scenery.
Indoor, Stroller Friendly Places to Walk in KC
Crown Center and Union Station
Located in the heart of town, Crown Center is a stroller friendly paradise. Its spacious halls and kid-friendly exhibits are always a go-to when the weather will not cooperate. The secret to achieving your step goal while you are there? Use the Link, the connecting bridge between Union Station and the Westin Hotel. It is protected from the elements, provides lots of visual interest for the babe watching from the stroller and is 880 feet long. Park at the garage on Grand Boulevard, on level 3A where wider spaces are available or near the main entrance of Union Station. Once your exercise ring has closed, head to the Grand Hall in Union Station for a more relaxing walk while perusing the model trains.
Oak Park Mall
If you’re looking for a mix of retail therapy and indoor strolling, Oak Park Mall is an excellent choice. They open their doors one hour before retail shops (9 a.m.) so walkers can enjoy a safe and crowd-free exercise experience. The wide corridors and elevators make it easy for parents with strollers to navigate through the mall. The distance around each level is approximately three quarters of a mile, so walking around both levels one time is a total distance of 1.5 miles!
Community Centers
The Lenexa Rec Center is a state of the art building that can keep you and your family entertained for an entire day if needed! Enjoy the track first, then move to the basketball courts, indoor swim facility, climbing walls and sport courts. This place has it all.
The North Kansas City YMCA is a beautiful facility with a ton of amenities. The walking track overlooks the pool with its floor to ceiling glass walls, making it interesting for the little one peeking out the side of the stroller!
The Hy-Vee Arena requires a membership, but if you are committed during the winter months, it might be worth the investment. The track is wide, with five lanes available to use.
For those in the Lee’s Summit area, visit the Thomas J. Lovell Community Center for an elevated walking track and access to indoor play facilities afterward.
Community Churches
Kaw Prairie Church in Lenexa offers open gym Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. – noon. Enjoy a play gym, cafe and a gymnasium equipped with toys. Walk laps around the basketball court, bring a scooter for toddlers to ride along beside you and then sip on coffee while the little ones run off the rest of their energy on the indoor slide. Best part, it is free to utilize!
The Foundry Church in Lenexa offers a similar set up, with a full court gymnasium, outdoor patio, playroom for babies and toddlers, climbing wall and coffee shop. Take note of their online calendar to see if the space is reserved for a private event, otherwise utilize it at any time during the week.
These indoor destinations ensure you can get some exercise with your little one in tow, regardless of the weather conditions outside. Grab the stroller, pack some Goldfish, lace up the tennies and rack up those miles, ladies!
