Leavenworth Day Trip Diary:
Leavenworth is famous for its prisons and the military fort that bears its name, but this small river town offers much more for an unforgettable family day trip! "The First City in Kansas" is the place to discover a day of nostalgia and whimsy as you learn about the history of carousels and go for a spin on a 1913 carousel, eat lunch at a restaurant where you'll find a model train in your table if you're lucky, sip an ice cream soda at an old fashioned pharmacy lunch counter, and ring the bell of the trolley on a historic tour of all the city has to offer!
C.W. Parker Museum:
Details: C.W. Parker Carousel Museum 320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS. www.firstcitymuseums.org 913.682.1331. Thursdays-Saturdays, 11 am - 5 pm; Sundays, 1 - 5 pm. Ticket fee includes Museum Tour and one carousel ride: Adults/$6.00, Children Under 12/$3.00, Groups of 20 or More/ $5.00 and Carousel Rides Only/$1.25.
What You'll See: The merry-go-round is one of childhood’s fondest memories and you can take a trip to see where it all began with a visit to the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum, one of the recipients of the Eight Wonders of Kansas Award from the Kansas Sampler Foundation. Charles Wallace Parker grew up in Abilene where he developed a passion for the amusement business. He spent years buying and developing machines and in 1894 he built a factory where he developed traveling carnivals and built amusement rides, most notably the carousel. The Carousel Museum pays homage to Parker’s innovation and designs including the 1913 carousel. A tour of the museum lasts approximately one hour and includes a 15-minute film telling the history of Parker and his amusement business from the early days of hand-carved carousel horses to the introduction of aluminum carousel animals. The museum is still actively creating and restoring carousel animals and we had the pleasure of watching an artist at work carving horses and another worker restoring antique carousel horses. You’ll also enjoy seeing a variety of merry-go-rounds including the oldest operating primitive wooden carousel and even miniature carousel music boxes. Best of all, every visit includes a nostalgic merry-go-round ride for fun memories and the perfect photo op!
Leavenworth Trolley:
Details: Departs from C.W. Parker Carousel Museum 320 S. Esplanade, Leavenworth, KS. www.firstcitymuseums.org The one-hour tour of Leavenworth passes many historically important sights in the First City of Kansas. Tours run every Saturday at 11:00 a.m. and last approximately one hour, starting April 16th (No reservations necessary). Admission: Adults (12 and above)/$5.00; Children (11 and below)/$3.00; Children must be accompanished by an adult.
What You'll See: A ride on the trolley is a trip back in time as you learn Leavenworth's rich history. The tour begins with the early history of the town and it's involvement in Bleeding Kansas prior to the Civil War, and establishment as a landing for riverboats in the 1800s. You'll learn about local legends and legendary visitors including Buffalo Bill Cody, Wild Bill Hickock, Susan B. Anthony, Abraham Lincoln, Melissa Etheridge, and David Brewer. On the tour you'll see numerous landmarks, including the Chapel of the Veteran's. The chapel, built in 1893, was made famous in RIPLEY's "Believe It or Not" as the only church in which Protestant and Catholic services were conducted simultaneously. You will also see the factory where C.W. Parker built his famous carousels, a factory he advertised to be six-stories tall, but is actually only two! The Fort Leavenworth National Cemetery, one of the first 12 national cemeteries established by Abraham Lincoln on July 17, 1862, is a site where veterans since the War of 1812 have been laid to rest. On the tour, you'll drive past many of the town's oldest and grandest residences... a number of victorian mansions occupied at one time by the rich and famous of Leavenworth. Fred Harvey, one of Leavenworth's most notable citizens, known for establishing railroad restaurants where the "Harvey Girls" (made famous in Judy Garland's film) worked. The Harvey House is currently under restoration by the historical society. You may tour the Carroll Mansion, but the other homes on the tour are now private residences. Along the way, ask about local businesses and lunch stops... you'll identify many drive-ins serving burgers, fries, and malts on the tour: Nu-Way Drive In, Homer's Drive-In, and the oldest Dairy Queen in Kansas, the first in fact, where seating is not provided but you're welcome to walk up to the window to place your order! At the end of the tour, children are given the chance to ring the trolley bell and ask questions.
Carroll Mansion:
Details: Carroll Mansion &The Victorian Shoppe 1128 5th Ave, Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.7759. Hours of Operation: Tuesday - Saturday: 10:30 am - 4:30 pm; Closed Sunday, Monday & Federal Holidays. Admission: Adults/ $5; Seniors (60+)/ $4; Children (5-12)/ $3; Children (under 5)/FREE.
What You'll See: The sixteen room mansion, built in three phases in 1857, 1867, and 1882, was left to the Leavenworth Historical Society by Ella Carroll and now offers public tours giving visitors a glimpse into the Victorian era in Leavenworth County. Once the home of five prominent families, the Carroll Mansion is beautifully decorated with Victorian "fineries." Learn about Leavenworth's most prominent citizens and discover a time gone by on an hour-long tour of this historic home. Special events are offered throughout the year, the favorite being Christmas when the home is decorated to commemorate a Victorian Holiday Celebration.
Downtown Leavenworth: Shops & Restaurants
Details: Downtown Leavenworth is home to many unique boutiques, antique shops, restaurants, bakeries, and businesses. For current information, visit Leavenworth Main Street. You can also enjoy the Leavenworth Farmers' Market, open Every Saturday May-Oct from 7:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. and every Wednesday from May- end of Sept from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Haymarket Square at 7th Street and Cherokee.
Top Picks for Family Shopping in Downtown Leavenworth:
Note: Beyond this list, you'll also find many more antique shops, furniture stores, and shops selling decorative items and collectibles.
The Book Barn: 410 Delaware St., Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.6518. The Book Barn is a quaint little book shop selling children's books, regional books, and used books. They also host author events and book signings.
Candle Queen Candles & Gift Boutique: 500 Shawnee Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.7724. This "Pink Boutique" features candles, couture handbags, fashion, and decorative items for "girly-girls."
Corner Pharmacy & Old Fashioned Soda Fountain: 429 Delaware Street Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.1602. Another one of the Eight Wonders of Kansas, this old fashioned pharmacy is a must-see on your trip! The shop sells odds and ends and souvenirs, just as you'd expect from a neighborhood pharmacy or "Five & Dime." The highlight though, is the lunch counter! Enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, or an ice cream treat at the old-fashioned lunch counter.
Dad's Toys & Flower Cart: 417 Delaware St. Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.1786. This shop doubles as the local florist and toy store! Train lovers will enjoy the basement where they sell model trains and displays. The top two floors feature children's toys from Klutz, Playmobile, Breyer, and much much more.
Gronis Hardware: 511 Cherokee St. Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.1384. The family owned hardware store is still the "neighborhood stop" for locals. This is your grandfather's hardware store and worth a stop for a bit of nostalgia where you'll never know what you'll find.
Kansas Country Store: 728 Cherokee St. Leavenworth, KS. 913.651.6761. This shop features decorative items, collectibles, and souvenirs.
The Pot Rack: 626 Cherokee St. Leavenworth, KS. 913.364.5038. This specialty kitchenware store carries gourmet food products, kitchen gadgets, cookbooks, cookware, and an assortment of supplies and kits for children who love to cook!
Queen's Pantry: 510 Delaware St. Leavenworth, KS. 913.680.1899. Tucked in an alley in the historic shopping district, this shop specializes in British Goods. You'll find fine teas, cookies, and delicacies from England in this beautiful shop!
Top Picks for Family Dining in Leavenworth:
Corner Pharmacy & Old Fashioned Soda Fountain: 429 Delaware Street Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.1602. Mentioned above as one of the best local shops, you'll want to be sure to stop at the lunch counter for a meal or a treat!
Pullman Place Family Restaurant: 230 Cherokee St. Leavenworth, KS. 913.682.0200. The neighborhood restaurant serves up burgers, sandwiches, fish, ribs, and daily specials, but the highlight is the decor. The entire restaurant is decked out in railroad memorabilia with the most fun place to eat being the special glass top table with a miniature train running inside!
Annual Events in Leavenworth:
- Leavenworth County Fair: Aug 9-13, 2011 (mid-August annually). 4-H member animal and non-animal exhibits, booths, food, carnival rides & entertainment.
- Buffalo Bill Days: Sept. 9-10, 2011 (2nd Sat. in Sept. annually). The Wild West in the "First City in Kansas" is relived with live music, historical entertainers, vendors, food, outhouse race, contests & more.
More MoKan Day Trips & Vacations!
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Missouri
- 20-30 Min. East: Independence: Log Cabins & Trails West
- 45 Min. Northeast: Sibley: Lewis & Clark Country
- 45 Min. North: Historic Liberty Missouri
- 1 Hour North: St. Joseph: Wild West in our Backyard
- 1 Hour Northeast: Lexington: Civil War in Missouri
- 1-2 Hours North: Jamesport: Amish Country
- 2- 3 Hours South: Carthage: Classic Rt. 66 Road Trip
- 2 1/2 - 3 Hours Southeast: Springfield: Ozark Country
- 4-5 Hours South: Branson: Vacation Capital of the Midwest
- 4-5 Hours East: St. Louis: Gateway to the West Kansas
- 15-30 Min. West: Historic Overland Park: Food Lover's Dream
- 20-30 Min. West: Bonner Springs: Be a Kid for a Day
- 30-45 Min. South: Louisburg: Apples, Autumn, and Astronomy
- 30-45 Min. West: Lawrence: Eclectic College Town & Family Fun
- 45-60 Min. Northwest: Atchison: History & Mystery
- 60-90 Min. West: Topeka: More than a Capital City
- 60-90 Min. South: Fort Scott: National Historic Site
- 3 1/2-4 Hours Southwest: Hutchinson: Soar to Outer Space