The Oldest City In Kansas Is A Charming Riverfront Getaway Full Of History & Scenic Views

One of the best riverside towns to visit in the U.S., Leavenworth sits just 32 miles northeast of Kansas City on the banks of the Missouri River. It's the oldest city in Kansas and stands on the site of Fort Leavenworth, an important site every history buff should visit. The land here was originally inhabited by the Kansa, Osage, and Delaware Indians, whose names live on in many of the streets. Named after Henry Leavenworth, who founded Fort Leavenworth in 1827, it was central to peacekeeping efforts between the Native Americans and the increasing number of settlers heading west. By 1854, the First City of Kansas was officially established.

Leavenworth has seen its fair share of famous figures, one of whom was Buffalo Bill Cody, who moved here as a child. You'll find various references to him throughout the town, from the mural on Shawnee Street to stories highlighted on the Historic Wayside Tour. The tour is a self-guided walk and a great way to connect with Leavenworth's past. Starting at the Port of Leavenworth, there are 21 stops, each with interpretive panels and audio. It focuses on civic and social history from river trade to saloon culture and takes around one to two hours, depending on how fast you walk and how many stops you make.

There's also the Fort Leavenworth Wayside Tour, a self-guided driving tour, starting at the Frontier Army Museum. It takes you a little further out of the city, exploring the fort's military past with 22 stops at monuments and historical sites. Plan for up to three hours to take the tour.

Whether you follow the tours or explore on your own, there are other interesting buildings and cultural landmarks in Leavenworth worth seeing. The Carroll Mansion Museum is a well-preserved Victorian-era building with original handcrafted woodwork and stained glass windows. It's the oldest museum in Leavenworth County, housing collections of the Leavenworth County Historical Society. Just outside the city limits, you can't miss the imposing walls of Leavenworth State Penitentiary. Opened in 1906, it was once the largest maximum security prison in the U.S., housing notorious inmates like George "Machine Gun" Kelly and Michael "The Birdman of Alcatraz" Stroud. The prison has since been reclassified but is not open to the public.

A museum that's bound to delight visitors of all ages is the C.W. Parker Carousel Museum. It has a fully operational 1913 carousel that you can still ride for $1.50, along with some of the oldest carousels in the country. It shows a rare glimpse of early amusement park rides and a chance to admire the craftsmanship of the hand-carved wooden horses. Coming back to the present day, downtown Leavenworth has a lively atmosphere with 28 blocks of shops, boutiques, and restaurants, plus a thriving art scene. Stop at the Riverfront Community Center, which often has exhibits by local artists. Antique lovers will love Leavenworth Antique Mall, where you can search for bargains and vintage finds. When your appetite catches up with you, pop into Pullman Place for some local comfort food favorites.

If you've come for scenic views, some lovely spots are down by the riverfront. Leavenworth Landing Riverside Trail is an easy half-mile paved parkway on the banks of the Missouri River, where you can admire sculptures, eagle watch, or soak up the riverside views. From here, the trail leads onto the Three Mile Creek Trail, a gentle, wheelchair friendly walk beside a shaded creek. For a different perspective, head up to the Missouri River Overlook inside Fort Leavenworth for higher views of the river and the surrounding countryside. The just under a mile Havens Park Exterior Trail takes you into the beautiful Havens Memorial Park. Filled with trees, walks, and bike paths, it's especially pretty in Autumn when the trees turn brilliant shades of red and gold. 

Beyond the city, the Glacial Hills Scenic Byway is just a few minutes away and has stunning scenery along its 63 miles. Once covered in glaciers, the byway traces part of the official Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. It leads through rich farmland, over valleys and streams with stops at Atchison, with its grand Victorian houses, and Troy, which is surrounded by several intriguing ghost towns, before finishing at White Cloud on one of America's most scenic roads.