Top 15 Must-See Attractions in Leavenworth, Kansas

The first city to be incorporated in the Territory of Kansas, Leavenworth is situated on the Missouri River, located northwest of Kansas City. The settlement was preceded by the establishment of Fort Leavenworth, which was founded upstream on the Missouri River in 1827.

Fort Leavenworth stands as the oldest active military installation west of the Mississippi River, imbued with rich historical significance.

Here, the first Buffalo Soldier regiment was formed in 1866, and the fort played a pivotal role in the westward expansion of the United States.

The frontier spirit continues to resonate at Fort Leavenworth’s museum, while the city itself is a vibrant community with a lively downtown area that hosts nearly 300 independent businesses.

1. Fort Leavenworth

Established in 1827, Fort Leavenworth is recognized as the oldest active military installation west of the Mississippi River and the second-oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C.

Throughout the westward expansion of the United States, Fort Leavenworth served as a crucial outpost for numerous soldiers, settlers, surveyors, Native Americans, and religious leaders embarking on their arduous journeys.

A location of such significant historical importance merits thorough exploration. While there is a museum that we will discuss subsequently, the fort is generally open to tourists.

After obtaining a daily pass from the Visitor Control Center, visitors can engage in the insightful Historical Wayside tour, which comprises 22 Wayside Points of Interest throughout the base.

The points of interest are delineated with limestone markers, accompanied by audio recordings accessible via smartphones.

2. Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park

The term “Buffalo Soldier,” which has become synonymous with all African-American regiments formed in 1866, specifically originates from the 10th Cavalry Regiment established at Fort Leavenworth.

The Buffalo Soldiers remained active until 1944, serving in the Indian Wars, the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrections, and World War II.

During the latter half of the 19th century, their peacetime duties involved safeguarding settlers traveling west and contributing to the essential infrastructure required for establishing new settlements.

Buffalo Soldier Memorial Park, a striking memorial located adjacent to Merritt Lake, was inaugurated by Colin Powell in 1992.

The centerpiece features a 13-foot bronze statue, weighing 2,400 pounds, portraying a cavalryman atop a waterfall, accompanied by busts of notable figures including Colin Powell, the first African-American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and Secretary of State.

3. C. W. Parker Carousel Museum

In 1898, Charles Wallace Parker (1864-1932) introduced the first Carry-Us-All amusement ride. This invention gained immense popularity, prompting him to relocate his burgeoning company from Abilene to Leavenworth.

In Leavenworth, Parker’s carousels progressed with increasingly ornate horses and various other figures. Up until 1955, the Parker brand dominated the amusement industry, weathering the challenges posed by the Great Depression.

Currently, 16 of the company’s over 1,000 carousels remain operational, which is impressive considering these rides typically had a lifespan of five years.

Two of Parker’s carousels are showcased in the Carousel Museum, with the highlight being the 1913 Carry-Us-All, which features 31 stunning, hand-carved wooden figures, including four ponies, two bunnies, a sleigh ride, and a tea cup.

Visitors can learn about Charles Wallace Parker and explore an array of historic artifacts, including a Primitive Carousel, a Cylinder Piano from 1900, and the Liberty Carousel (1950s), crafted by Parker’s son, Paul.

4. Historic Downtown Leavenworth

Despite a population of just over 37,000, Leavenworth’s downtown area exudes a palpable energy. This vibrancy may be attributed to the fort, which consistently draws individuals from diverse backgrounds across the country to the city’s core.

Set against a rich historical environment, downtown Leavenworth boasts more than 275 businesses, roughly 10% of which are restaurants.

The area’s ongoing vitality largely stems from the Leavenworth Main Street Program, instituted in 1995, which promotes downtown as a dynamic space for shopping, dining, education, and leisure.

In this regard, the stroll from Broadway to the river presents a delightful experience, with further insights regarding the riverfront provided below.

5. Frontier Army Museum

For those seeking to understand the military exploration of the American West during the 19th century, the Frontier Army Museum at Fort Leavenworth serves as an ideal starting point.

This history is outlined in the Beyond Lewis and Clark exhibit, featuring equipment, uniforms, and weaponry from the fort’s inception up until General John Pershing’s pursuit of Pancho Villa in 1916.

The museum’s foundation dates back to 1938, initiated with an artifact collection that originated when the horse-drawn wagon shop closed.

The collection has now expanded to encompass over 7,000 items, with historic wagons displayed in the Vehicles Exhibit. Notable exhibits include Abraham Lincoln’s carriage from 1859, used during his visit to Missouri and the Kansas Territory.

6. Richard Allen Cultural Center & Museum

This institution was established in 1992 with the goal of preserving the rich heritage of African Americans and celebrating their contributions to American history and culture.

The center is located at the former residence of U.S. Army Captain William Bly, a Buffalo Soldier during World War I. Just across the street is the Bethel A.M.E. Church, which played a role in the mid-19th century Underground Railroad.

The facility expanded in 2002, offering a profound and at times poignant collection of artifacts.

These artifacts include personal belongings of individuals associated with Fort Leavenworth, including Colin Powell, alongside photographs of 19th-century African-American residents and bronze statues honoring Buffalo Soldiers.

Particularly remarkable are the accounts of Cathy Williams (1844-1893), the only documented female Buffalo Soldier who enlisted under a male pseudonym.

7. Carroll Mansion

Established in 1954, the Leavenworth Historical Society is situated within an elaborately designed Queen Anne-style mansion from the 1880s, located at 1128 Fifth Avenue.

This expansive 16-room residence was developed from a smaller four-room farmhouse that dates back two decades earlier.

The interior offers a glimpse into turn-of-the-century Leavenworth, showcasing fixtures and furnishings that illustrate the affluent lifestyle of that era. Exceptional craftsmanship is evident throughout, including handcrafted woodwork and stained glass windows.

Additionally, the museum serves as a research center for local history and houses the Miss Everhard Glass Plate Negative Collection, which includes nearly 30,000 glass plate negatives documenting 100 years of Leavenworth history through portraits.

8. Leavenworth Landing Park

This linear park preserves a quarter-mile stretch of the riverfront, affording delightful views across to the Missouri bank.

The park pays homage to the transportation links that contributed to Leavenworth’s prominence in the 19th century, serving as a junction for riverboat routes, railroads, military roads, and westward trails.

This location is particularly favorable for eagle watching during winter months, while in summer, visitors can take a restful pause on a bench to enjoy the scenery. At the southern end, the park connects with the Three-Mile Creek Walking Trail.

9. Performing Arts Center

A notable structure among the many distinguished buildings downtown, this elegant Art Deco venue initially opened as the Hollywood Theater in 1938.

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1990, the building was donated to the city in the 1970s and has since evolved into a versatile hub for the performing arts.

Moreover, this venue serves as the home of the River City Community Players, a talented non-profit theater company that presents an impressive lineup of high-quality performances each season.

Recent productions have included Dial M For Murder, Mamma Mia, The Mouse Trap, Oklahoma, and Monty Python’s Spamalot.

10. Leavenworth Farmers’ Market

Haymarket Square hosts a permanent pavilion for Leavenworth’s cherished farmers’ market.

This bi-weekly event occurs on Saturday mornings from May through September and Wednesday afternoons from May through October. The market strictly features producers, ensuring that no items for sale have traveled more than 50 miles.

During the summer, there is no better destination for purchasing fruits, vegetables, flowers, baked goods, jams, eggs, honey, cheeses, meats, prepared foods, candles, spice blends, home decor, and handmade soaps.

For the latest updates on seasonal events and demonstrations, the Facebook page provides current information.

11. Weston Bend State Park

Located directly across the river from the northern edge of Leavenworth, Weston Bend State Park features wooded river bluffs.

The vistas at Weston Bend State Park are stunning, complemented by a scenic trail that follows the edge of the bluff, leading to an accessible overlook.

This panorama is breathtaking year-round, taking on a unique beauty as the leaves change in the fall.

Additionally, the park features several tranquil picnic areas, a campground with both basic and electric sites, an open shelter accommodating 50 people, and a children’s playground within the day-use area.

12. USP Leavenworth

Traveling along US 73 in the northern part of Leavenworth, one might initially mistake this prison for a grand mansion or an educational institution.

In actuality, this site was the largest maximum-security federal prison in the United States from 1903 until 2005, after which it was reclassified as a medium-security facility.

Some of the more notorious inmates at USP Leavenworth included George Kelly Barnes, known as “Machine Gun Kelly,” Robert Stroud, referred to as the “Birdman of Alcatraz,” and Anthony “Tony Ducks” Corallo, a mafia boss.

While tours are not offered, the primary block and entrance are notable sights visible from the road, and one can often spot a herd of buffalo grazing in the prison compound.

13. Riverfront Community Center

Adjacent to the Carousel Museum and Leavenworth Landing Park is a grand Romanesque Revival structure, originally constructed as a Union Pacific Train Depot in 1888, which is recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.

This facility underwent extensive restoration in the 1980s and has since been transformed into the Riverfront Community Center, with expansions performed a few years ago.

Facilities within the center include a weight room, cardio area, gymnasium, racquetball courts, an indoor track and swimming pool, along with multifunctional rooms that host fitness classes and a variety of private events.

14. Chapel of the Veterans

Located on the grounds of the Eisenhower VA Medical Center (formerly The Western Branch of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers) in southeastern Leavenworth, the Chapel of the Veterans is a beautifully designed Gothic Revival structure.

This unique chapel can accommodate both Catholic and Protestant services and was constructed in 1893, receiving recognition as a National Historic Landmark.

Additionally, the Kansas Sampler Foundation has selected this structure as a finalist for the Eight Wonders of Kansas Architecture.

Its exterior features captivating gargoyles, rustic limestone trim adorning the window and door openings, square and octagonal towers, along with expansive two-story windows on either side.

15. Leavenworth Veterans Day Parade

In a community with such a rich military legacy, Veterans Day (November 11) holds particular significance.

The parade, first held in 1919, ranks as the joint oldest in the nation and the largest west of the Mississippi.

This annual event also stands as the largest gathering in Leavenworth, drawing nearly 20,000 spectators, not only from Kansas but also from regions beyond. The parade commences at 4th and Cherokee at 10:30 a.m. and traverses a 1.5-mile route through downtown Leavenworth.

This solemn observance is complemented by military displays, live music, a children’s zone, and a BBQ cook-off at 10th Avenue Park.