C.W. Parker Carousel Museum
C.W. Parker Carousel Museum
4.5
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
About
The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is a wonderful stop for the ENTIRE family. With 4 antique carousels, and a hand-carved, wood, carousel from 1913 that ALL who come can ride, it is a memorable museum. You can take a Guided Tour, a Virtual Guided Tour (utilizing QR codes), or just ride the fast, fun carousel. All tours include a short video and a carousel ride. An adult guided tour is only $6.00. Carousel rides are $1.50 and get cheaper the more you purchase. There is also a quaint, little gift shop, with many carousel items and much, much more. Whether you are 1 or 101 years old, a ride on the carousel is something special.
Duration: 1-2 hours
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
124 reviews
Excellent
83
Very good
29
Average
8
Poor
2
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2
carlbowkerjr
Houston, TX2 contributions
Aug 2022 • Business
The museum was outstanding. You get to ride one of the three carousels and I had the biggest smile as it brought back memories of riding as a kid. The staff provided historical background not only regarding the museum, but also carousels through history. The kids of all ages and adults were all smiles. It was quite enjoy for all.
Written August 21, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Calmjohn
Leavenworth, KS7,467 contributions
Sep 2018 • Solo
The Carousel is located on the edge of downtown Leavenworth just across the street from a nice small city park, still used railroad tracks and then the Missouri River. With this vista one might momentarily forget the reason you came. Just inside you will be greeted by a volunteer who will welcome you and describe what is available. The grand tour will allow you to be accompanied by a guide who will take you upstairs to see bits, pieces relics and detailed information as to how the old carousels were designed and made. If you decide against the upstairs tour there is a small gift shop were you can pick up a remembrance of this visit. There is a tiny children's carousel, no longer used, but on display. Then the thrill that everyone came for, a ride on a restored C.W. Parker Carousel. Rides are only a dollar or two and you can ride as much as you like.. Each time that I am there I once more visit my childhood. This is great for history buffs or a pleasant way to entertain kids of all ages.
Written October 2, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you enjoyed your visit to our museum. Just to clarify, rides are $1.50 each, 4 for $5 and we have a value card that is $20 for 20 rides. Hope to see you again soon.
Written October 3, 2018
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
princeofwaldo
Las Vegas, NV132 contributions
Feb 2015 • Family
We drove-up for the day from Kansas City after having seen one of Parker's original carousels out in Abilene, Kansas a few years ago. The museum houses an absolutely superb collection of Parker related material, and the guided tour volunteer was highly engaging and informative.
If that weren't enough to make it a memorable day, while we were there, the Governor of Kansas, Sam Brownback, arrived for a visit while in the city to discuss business with Leavenworth County officials. Certainly a day our kids will never forget, no mistake about that!
If that weren't enough to make it a memorable day, while we were there, the Governor of Kansas, Sam Brownback, arrived for a visit while in the city to discuss business with Leavenworth County officials. Certainly a day our kids will never forget, no mistake about that!
Written February 28, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lois M
Kansas41 contributions
Apr 2014 • Family
Have been several times with different family members and friends, near and far. The different docents all give their own unique perspective. You actually get to ride on one of the antique carousels, we always buy extra rides. It's a blast for young and old, gets the wind blowing through your hair!! The history is great and the kids love the payout of riding the carousel at the end!
Written March 16, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jeanscheller
Tonganoxie, KS13 contributions
Jul 2014 • Family
This very old, working carousel is wonderful. Children and adults alike enjoy the ride. The
volunteers are very friendly. It is very reasonable and not something you get to see everyday.
volunteers are very friendly. It is very reasonable and not something you get to see everyday.
Written February 18, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Leavenworth C
Leavenworth, KS19 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is the #1 attraction in Leavenworth, KS and the largest carousel museum in the nation. The museum is a great place to learn about vintage family entertainment, historic Leavenworth and more. The 1913 carousel housed there is antique, wooden and hand-crafted, but it's super fast! People of all ages enjoy it. The price of a couple of hours here includes a tour, a ride on the carousel, a video on C.W. Parker and the industry and an opportunity to visit their gift shop. It's also a great place for a birthday party, meeting or other special event. The museum even hosts events through the year like the upcoming Small Mall.
Written December 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Weston66
St. Louis, MO144 contributions
Apr 2012 • Couples
We really went to Leavenworth to see Fort Leavenworth (which is fine) but we actually enjoyed this visit and tour more. We like to participate in different adventures and experiences, and had never even encountered a carousel musuem before -- so we dropped in to take it in. And glad we did. The tour was $6, which included a ride on their premier carousel at the end (more on that later). The museum just opened recently (a year or two ago?).
The tourguide was excellent -- she knew all her facts, and was a real effervescent person that made it fun to be there. You will never know what all went into the development of the carousel until you go here. And from there, it goes into the history and production process for the CW Parker Company. His was the only carousel manufacturer in the Midwest (all ten others were on the East Coast). But he did it well. He made 1000 of the 5000 that were in operation at the height of the carousel's popularity in the mid-1900's -- more than anybody else.
At the end you get to ride on the beautifully restored 1913 carousel (almost 100 years old). This baby whirls around at 13.5 miles per hour -- sound slow? Wait to you ride it -- it really moves! Just a fun place to take in something different -- for both the young and the old. If you're in the area, we would recommend you stop by -- plan on at least an hour & a half.
The tourguide was excellent -- she knew all her facts, and was a real effervescent person that made it fun to be there. You will never know what all went into the development of the carousel until you go here. And from there, it goes into the history and production process for the CW Parker Company. His was the only carousel manufacturer in the Midwest (all ten others were on the East Coast). But he did it well. He made 1000 of the 5000 that were in operation at the height of the carousel's popularity in the mid-1900's -- more than anybody else.
At the end you get to ride on the beautifully restored 1913 carousel (almost 100 years old). This baby whirls around at 13.5 miles per hour -- sound slow? Wait to you ride it -- it really moves! Just a fun place to take in something different -- for both the young and the old. If you're in the area, we would recommend you stop by -- plan on at least an hour & a half.
Written May 5, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jarmo57
Independence, MO48 contributions
Jul 2019 • Solo
On a senior bus tour & watched a short film on the history of carousels & Mr Parker. Toured building, saw many beautiful restired pieces. Volunteers were very friendly. We all got to ride the merry go round. It was like the movie Cocoon, we all were laughing & having a great time feeling young again. Many smiles that lasted all day.
Written July 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
So glad you enjoyed your trip to our museum. We hope to see you again soon.
Written July 22, 2019
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Susan B
Overland Park, KS44 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
What a unique historical museum. Besides all the wonderful museum pieces, you get to ride a carousel. This is definitely a hidden gem!
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
happilyretired64
North Carolina34 contributions
May 2014 • Family
Carousel is really fast and fun! If you get the right tour guide you will get a wonderful history lesson about carousels and Leavenworth. Nice gift shop. Will be back!
Written July 5, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is the carousel the same one that used to be at “Kiddie Land”?
Written October 27, 2020
The 1913 wooden carousel was built for Fred Shew of Grandview, IA who took it around to fairs and communities for several decades. It later spun at Ce-Mar Acres Amusement Park in Cedar Rapids, IA. So it wouldn't be this one. However, the metal carousel was at Kiddieland in Pittsburg, KS from 1950 to 1989. It only operates for special occasions, and then only children may ride it.
Written October 27, 2020
How fast is the ride? Does it go up and down? Is there an age limit?
Written December 23, 2018
Yes the Carousel does go up and down. And it is fast. I don't believe there is an age limit. I see mothers with babies sitting on the bench of the merry go round.
The museum has a small gift shop. I would check the web site to see what time it is open. The hours are limited during the week. The cost is about $1.00.
Written December 24, 2018
Rose W
Onaga, Kansas
A friend found an CW Parker Carousel Museum Leavenworth TX Nations Treasures 3D Christmas Ornament at a yard sale. Do you still carry these ornament? Do you have different ones for each year? If available for purechase, how much? Thank ROSE WALKER
Written March 8, 2015
Pauline G
Leavenworth, Kansas
Hi, Rose.
Thanks for your inquiry about ornaments. The C.W. Parker Carousel Museum is in Leavenworth, KS not TX. Hopefully you meant the KS museum.
Right now we have in stock our 100 year ornament which features our horse named "Lady Chamber". We have just reordered our regular ornament which features the flag horse, a rabbit and the lover's tub. Later this year we will have a new ornaments featuring our replacement horse "Miracle." Do a search for C.W. Parker Carousel Museum and you should be able to find our website. Once there, click on the carousel museum. Under "history" you can see pictures of all of the horses on the 1913 carousel. Then go to "activities" "past event photos" and you will find Miracle. The ornaments are $9.95 each plus shipping. Thanks so much for writing and hope to see you at the museum soon!
Written March 8, 2015
What are the hours and admission prices?
Written January 21, 2015
Pauline G
Leavenworth, Kansas
Our hours are Thursday through Saturday 11-5 and Sunday 1-5. There is no admission charge, you can come in and look around for free. We do offer a guided tour for $6 per adult and $3 per child or a self-guided tour for $5 per adult and $3 per child. The tours include a ride on the carousel. Carousel rides can be purchased for $1.50 each.
Written January 21, 2015
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