Skip the hassle of car seats and packing up the stroller with our 3-day Kansas City Streetcar with a toddler itinerary!
From Berkley Riverfront all the way down to UMKC, you can easily access the Crown Center, Art Museum District and the Plaza – for free! There are no tickets, passes or transit cards needed to ride the KC Streetcar, and you can easily roll your stroller right on board.
If you’re bringing your car and car seats anyways, you might also like our 3-day KC toddler itinerary!
Essential KC Streetcar Logistics with a Toddler
The Kansas City streetcar run every 10-12 minutes during the day, so there are lots of opportunities to hop on. The center doors are doublewide, allowing plenty of space to get a stroller on.
The key stops along the line are Union Station, Crown Center and City Market. These are packed with things to do with toddlers and little kids, plus have great bathrooms with changing stations for babies and diapered toddlers.
Our Kansas City streetcar itinerary with a toddler is perfect for rainy days, hot days, or any other weather that makes you want to stay inside. If your travels take you to Untion Station, y can even use the glass-enclosed Crown Center Link to walk all the way to Crown Center.
Where to Stay: Top Car-Free, Family-Friendly Hotels
There are several hotels perfect for toddlers that you can stay at along the streetcar line!
Looking for more hotels throughout the city? Check out our Kansas City hotel guide with toddlers!
The Westin Crown Center
Located along the Crown Center Link, this hotel has direct indoor access to both Crown Center and Union Station. This means you could spend your whole trip entirely indoors! Unless, of course, you want to splash around in the outdoor pool.
Plus, it’s just a 5 minute (covered) walk to the Union Station streetcar platform to explore more of downtown Kansas City.
Check rates and availability. →
Home2 Suites by Hilton
With an indoor pool, free breakfast, and kitchenettes in every room, you really can’t do much better than this Hilton family hotel.
A quick 5 minute walk to the Union Station streetcar stop gives you easy access to all the attractions in our streetcar itinerary with toddlers.
Loews Kansas City Hotel
With convenient connecting rooms, plus an excellent pet policy (up to 75 lbs!), you can stay in this hotel with the whole family – Fido included! As a bonus, the indoor saltwater pool is gentle enough on skin to play until your toddler tires.
You’ll find the closest streetcar stop at the Kauffman Center, a single block away.
The 3-Day KC Streetcar Toddler Itinerary
Day 1: Crown Center & Union Station Area
Morning: Science City at Union Station
Science City is the type of museum both you and your toddler will wish you had more time at. Fortunately, nap time should come easy afterwards.
There are several exhibits that toddlers will have fun trying their hand at. Or you can take them to the 3 and under area downstairs, which also has a soft play area for non-walkers.
- Streetcar Stop: Union Station Stop
Lunch: Fritz’s Rail Restaurant
This (loud) restaurant delivers your burgers and fries via an overhead train. It’s an absolute hit with families!
- Streetcar Stop: Union Station Stop (Crown Center Complex)
Afternoon: LEGOLAND & SEA LIFE Aquarium
After your nap, head to LEGOLAND for some building fun! There’s a play area for kids, a duplo area for toddlers, plus toddlers 36” or taller can ride Merlin’s Apprentice – all included with your ticket!
Calm down after all the Lego excitement at the SEA LIFE Aquarium at Crown Center. You’ll spot turtles and sharks in the 180-degree ocean tunnel, plus you can touch some sea stars and watch the stingrays smile as they glide by.
Grab a dive log book when you enter, and you’ll receive a (plastic) medal for completing your stamps along the way!
You can book your LEGOLAND tickets and SEALIFE tickets online in advance!
- Streetcar Stop: Union Station Stop (Crown Center Complex)
Dinner: Jack Stack Barbecue (Freight House)
Stop and get some legendary KC barbecue at this Jack Stack location – a local KC chain. They’ve got wide booths, quick service, and high chairs for younger toddlers.
- Location: Crown Center or short walk across the Pedestrian Bridge to Freight House.
Day 2: City Market & Riverfront
Morning: City Market Exploration
An open-air farmer’s market, City Market has wide, pedestrian only walkways. Check out the fresh pastries and other goodies as you wander the aisles.
- Streetcar Stop: City Market Stop (5th & Walnut)
Lunch: Pigwich or Taste of Brazil
Both restaurants are located in City Market, and offer casual outdoor seating.
- Location: City Market
Afternoon: Berkley Riverfront Park
With wide, paved paths, this is the perfect place for a stroll. You can also watch the river barges, run in the open green space, or check out the playground.
You’ll also be close to a Betty Rae’s location for some ice cream!
- Streetcar Stop: Riverfront Stop (Berkley Riverfront)
Day 3: Midtown & Plaza
Morning: The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art
While the museum itself might not hold a toddler’s attention, the giant shuttlecocks outside are an attraction themselves! Run around on the museum green space, weaving in and out of the sculptures.
- Streetcar Stop: 45th & Main (Art Museums Stop)
Lunch: Park Center Dining at the Plaza
Near the Spanish-inspired fountains and bridges, you’ll find lots of stroller-friendly sidewalk dining before heading back for a nap.
- Streetcar Stop: Plaza Transit Center Stop
Afternoon: Loose Park Duck Pond & Playground
Spend your post-nap energy at the playground at Loose Park. There’s also tons of green space to run around, and a little pond with ducks and turtles to watch when you need a calmer activity.
Transit Note: it’s a 15-minute walk to the park from the Streetcar stop, or you can take a quick bus connection south along Main/Wornall. We chose to walk there, our toddler included!
With our baby in the stroller, our toddler always hangs on to her stroller handle – a life saver no matter where we are!
- Streetcar Stop: UMKC + 15-minute walk
Top Toddler-Friendly Eats Directly on the Streetcar Line
Fritz’s Railroad Restaurant
Crown Center (Union Station) – Overhead train food delivery (very thrilling for toddlers!).
SPIN! Pizza
Crown Center (Union Station) – High chairs, fast counter service, gelato rewards.
Pigwich
City Market – Outdoor seating, casual burgers and fries.
Streetcar Grille & Tavern
Power & Light – Window tables with views of passing streetcars (also very thrilling for toddlers!).
Betty Rae’s Ice Cream
Riverfront – A KC staple, Betty Rae makes local artisanal ice cream.
Frequently Asked Questions About Taking Toddlers on the KC Streetcar
Yes! It really is. There are no tickets or passes needed to hop on.
No. Use the center double doors to push your stroller directly onto the train car.
For spots like The Rabbit hOle or The Kansas City Zoo, you can take a short 10–15 minute taxi/Uber or utilize the free RideKC city bus network.
If you decide to lug out the car seats and drive, check out our full guide on Kansas City with a toddler.
Conclusion
Traveling with toddlers doesn’t require complex itineraries, and our Kansas City Streetcar itinerary with a toddler goes a step further and removes the logistics of parking and car seats! “Riding the train” is an exciting novelty in itself, especially if you’re from a town without a tram.
Kansas City, although a large city, has a relaxed midwestern pace and the locals are all too welcoming (and forgiving) for traveling with toddlers.
What’s your toddler’s favorite spot on KC Streetcar line? Let me know in the comments below!
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