14 Areas to Avoid in Kansas City, MO [TOURIST SAFETY]

As an out-of-towner visiting Kansas City for the first time, you’ll likely want to see all the best attractions and hidden gems this city offers. However, like any central metropolitan area, there are certain areas that are best avoided, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the lay of the land. As someone who has spent time exploring Kansas City as a tourist, I’ve gotten to know the areas that are safer to visit versus ones you should steer clear of.

When visiting a new place, you always want to be aware of your surroundings and use common sense, but there are particular parts of Kansas City that have gained notoriety for higher crime rates. This includes areas with gang violence, drug activity, and abandoned buildings that tend to attract illicit behavior. As you plan your Kansas City itinerary, keep reading to learn about the specific areas to avoid in Kansas City so you can have a fun and safe trip.

See Also: 

• Things to do in Kansas City
• Places to eat in Kansas City

1. Marlborough East

Marlborough East is an area located on the east side of Kansas City that has a reputation for higher crime rates, including drugs, shootings, and robberies. There are many vacant buildings and properties throughout Marlborough East that tend to invite criminal activity including vagrancy, drug deals, and gang violence.

As a visitor unfamiliar with Kansas City, you’ll want to avoid walking or driving through the Marlborough East area, especially at night. This part of town does not have very many attractions or things to see as a tourist anyway. Stick to the more populated commercial and entertainment districts in the city for a safer and more enjoyable experience.

2. Hidden Valley

Hidden Valley is a small secluded neighborhood situated between higher traffic roads like Bannister and Wornall. The isolation of this community has attracted crime and gang activity over the years. There are only a couple of ways in and out of Hidden Valley which allows criminals to escape quickly after committing crimes.

Violent offenses like shootings and homicides happen more frequently in Hidden Valley than in other Kansas City neighborhoods. There is also drug activity and concerns over quality of life issues like noise and littering. As a visitor, you’ll want to avoid this tucked-away pocket of Kansas City for your own safety. There is no reason to visit Hidden Valley as a tourist.

3. South Blue Valley

South Blue Valley includes neighborhoods like Oak Park, Marlborough Heights, and parts of Eastwood Hills. Crime rates in this area stem from poverty and deteriorating infrastructure. The schools are underperforming. And there is limited economic growth happening on the south side of Blue Valley.

Violent crimes are most prevalent in South Blue Valley, especially gun violence. The abandoned buildings provide cover for illegal activity. Historic neighborhoods with once-beautiful architecture have been neglected. Visitors should avoid South Blue Valley, especially off the main roads. Stick to the more revitalized and up-and-coming areas in other parts of Kansas City.

4. East Blue Valley

The east side of the Blue Valley area has struggling neighborhoods filled with vacant homes, payday loan services, and corner convenience stores. Unsavory activities like drug use, prostitution, and homelessness run rampant through parts of East Blue Valley. The streets feel edgy and tense, especially at night.

As a visitor, attractions will be few and far between in East Blue Valley. And walking around could feel unsafe, as crime tends to happen in broad daylight. These deteriorating neighborhoods are areas to avoid in Kansas City. Plan your sightseeing in the more frequented and safe tourist spots within Kansas City.

5. Blue Hills

The Blue Hills neighborhood is located south of Swope Park. Extensive blight and high-density housing exist throughout Blue Hills. Pockets of this neighborhood have become havens for violent crime and gang activity. There have been issues with drug trafficking and gun violence frequently spilling out into the streets.

Blue Hills lacks major attractions that would draw visitors. The housing areas do not have amenities or businesses. And the atmosphere feels bleak and unwelcoming. Due to the levels of crime and lack of tourism infrastructure, Blue Hills should be avoided, especially by those unfamiliar with Kansas City.

6. Santa Fe

Santa Fe is a small dreary neighborhood in Kansas City, Kansas plagued by crime and little economic development. The residential areas are filled with deteriorating homes and buildings that invite drugs, prostitution, and violence. Gangs are active in Santa Fe. And gun violence occurs regularly.

There is no reason for tourists to visit Santa Fe, as it is primarily a declining residential area off the beaten path. The Santa Fe neighborhood should be avoided due to the prevalence of property crime, violent crime, and the lack of hospitality businesses to serve visitors. Kansas City offers much safer and more scenic areas to avoid in Kansas City to explore.

7. East Community Team North

East Community Team North is a grouping of eastern neighborhoods in Kansas City, Missouri that has grappled with high crime over the span of many decades. Areas like Key Coalition, Seven Oaks, and Ivanhoe have issues with shootings, robberies, and assaults. Criminal activity is attracted to the many vacant buildings.

Visitors should avoid East Community Team North. The neighborhoods do not offer dining, shopping or cultural attractions. Walking around places like Seven Oaks or Key Coalition could feel unsafe and tense even during the daytime. Focus your sightseeing on the friendlier and less dangerous parts of Kansas City.

8. Central Blue Valley-Park Tower Grade

Central Blue Valley-Park Tower Grade is essentially downtown Kansas City, Kansas. Like many urban cores, it deals with issues of criminal activity, gang violence, drug use, and homelessness. Crimes like mugging and pickpocketing tend to be more prevalent in this area.

If you’re visiting Kansas City as a tourist, you’ll want to avoid walking around Central Blue Valley-Park Tower Grade, especially as night falls. There is some draw to downtown Kansas City for sports or concerts, but stick to well-lit areas and be aware of your surroundings. Much of this neighborhood does not have appeal for visitors.

9. Palestine West and Oak Park Northeast

Palestine West and Oak Park Northeast are two neighboring communities that have struggled with poverty, urban decay, and crime. Oak Park Northeast was once a vibrant hub for Jewish residents. But now both areas are plagued by drugs, gangs, shootings, and vacant rundown properties that attract further illicit behavior.

As a visitor to Kansas City, you’ll find no reason to visit Palestine West or Oak Park Northeast. There are no major attractions or hospitality infrastructure. And crime is a real problem. For your own safety, avoid these declining neighborhoods, so you don’t become the victim of robbery, violence, or worse.

10. Northeast Industrial District

As the name implies, the Northeast Industrial District is primarily warehouses and factories intermingled with some residential properties. Years of economic decline have left many vacant industrial structures in this area which now attract criminal activity like vagrancy, prostitution, and drug use.

Tourists would have no reason to visit the Northeast Industrial District since it lacks amenities, restaurants, and attractions. The atmosphere feels gritty and isolating, especially for those unfamiliar with Kansas City. Avoid the Northeast Industrial District on your travels and focus your time on the safer entertainment zones around the city.

11. Blue Valley Industrial

Blue Valley Industrial encompasses aging industrial areas along with lower-income residential neighborhoods. A lack of investment coupled with the remote nature of this area has allowed criminal activity to take hold. Gang violence, drug trafficking, and property crime are all issues facing Blue Valley Industrial.

As a visitor to Kansas City, the Blue Valley Industrial area should be avoided, as it does not cater to tourists. There is no infrastructure for hospitality or entertainment. And walking around could feel unsettling due to the prevalence of crime and dilapidated surroundings. For your own safety and enjoyment, plan your trip around other districts.

12. Ivanhoe Southeast

Ivanhoe Southeast contains neighborhoods like Paseo West and Chouteau which suffer from Socioeconomic issues that cultivate criminal activity. Shootings and homicides have been a problem in Ivanhoe Southeast. And broken-down infrastructure provides cover for those engaging in drugs, prostitution, or gangs.

Tourists would have no reason to visit Ivanhoe Southeast, as it is primarily residential with no amenities. The mood throughout feels bleak and unwelcoming. Visitors could feel unsafe due to the high instances of visible crime. Ivanhoe Southeast is an area to avoid in Kansas City for your own security when traveling through Kansas City.

13. Norble And Gregory Ridge

The neighborhoods of Norble and Gregory Ridge within Kansas City are plagued by poverty and urban decay. A lack of employment opportunities and city investment has allowed crime to take hold. Violence, drugs, and prostitution are visible both day and night throughout this area.

As a visitor, the Norble and Gregory Ridge vicinity offers no dining, shopping, or cultural attractions to experience. And walking around could feel dangerous even during the afternoon. Since this area lacks appeal and suffers from frequent crime, it should be avoided so your trip to Kansas City stays safe and enjoyable.

14. Washington–Wheatley

The Washington-Wheatley neighborhood southeast of downtown Kansas City has struggled with high crime rates spanning decades. Impoverished conditions and urban decay have allowed violence, drugs, and gang activity to thrive. The area feels ghostly since many previous homes have been demolished.

There is very little reason for tourists to visit Washington-Wheatley. No major attractions or sightseeing appeal exists. And the prevalence of crime and poverty could make visitors feel unsettled or endangered. For your own security, Washington-Wheatley is one of the areas to avoid in Kansas City when planning your travels.

Conclusion

When visiting a new city, it’s wise to be informed about areas with higher crime rates that are best avoided. This ensures you can plan safe travels while seeing the best that Kansas City has to offer. While no urban area is completely free of crime, staying away from the notorious neighborhoods described above will allow you to have an enjoyable trip filled with all the sights, sounds, and flavors that make Kansas City special. Being aware of your surroundings and using good judgment will go a long way as well.