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    CW Parker Carousel Museum

    4.4 (24 reviews)
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    Joi B.

    Riding a carousel never gets old. Even if at first you're reluctant to go on, you are charmed by the grind of the organ and within seconds of the first spin, you feel carefree, like a kid again. As cliche as that sounds, it's true! And you leave, an adult again, stomach queasy because somehow you've acquired motion sickness over the years. Anyway, let's rewind a bit. When I was a little kid, the highlight of my Friday night would be to go to the local Farmer's Market. This was on Long Island and was more of a flea market, as I don't recall it being anything like the Farmer's Markets I've experienced as an adult. I don't recall the presence of any actual *produce* for example. The reason it was the highlight of my week was because I'd get to ride the merry-go-round. This was an indoor market and, obviously, so was the merry-go-round. It's kind of strange to ride one that is completely indoors, so anytime I do so nowadays, I think back to my experiences at the Farmer's Market merry-go-round. I used to like holding the pole and throwing my head way back so I could gaze up at the tons of dust caught in the hinges. OK, fast forward to the present...(sort of) The Cw Parker Carousel Museum is a delight, something truly unexpected in Leavenworth and it has a 100-year-old restored working carousel that is completely indoors like the one of my childhood. Cue the joy! (not the "Joi." You should never cue me). I'm one of those nerds who has to read every damn sign in a museum (you should have seen me at the Glore Psychiatric Museum in St. Joe!) and there's a lot to read here. The 1913 Carousel is irresistible. There are rabbits you can ride! I love that. Each animal has been restored (in 2005) to its former glory. If you look at the website, you'll notice that each of the animals has a name, and, this is pure speculation on my part, I daresay a soul. Next to the operating carousel, there is a "primitive" carousel, that is, the oldest operating carousel in the US (possibly from the 1850s) on permanent loan to the Parker from the National Carousel Association (can I join that?). Although it's too fragile to ride, the museum will have someone give you a demonstration, if you so desire. Apparently the last time it was used was in a Baltimore park in the 1920s. Before leaving the museum, you'll want to visit the gift shop (you know you want to buy one of those carousel horse statues, or even a CD of that evocative carousel music) and press a penny.

    Linda O.

    From the moment you leave your car, The journey back to your childhood begins. Carousel music playing outside the museum. Inside you find a turn of the century carousel that is one of the fastest I have ever ridden at a speed of 9 mph . Hang on for a fun and nostalgic ride. The volunteers that staff the museum are extremely friendly and informative. One ride is $1.50 or four for $5.00. I must've met after four consecutive rides I was a little nauseous. This is a great day trip from Kansas City and a unique experience.

    Fastest carousel I've ever ridden on

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    The Regnier Family Wonderscope - Water station

    The Regnier Family Wonderscope

    3.9(87 reviews)
    32.1 mi

    This was a fun place to spend an hour or two with my toddlers before starting a long car drive! We…read moregot in for about 50% off using our Children's museum pass from another state. Loved the outdoor space to explore with little trikes and a playhouse, wheelbarrows, etc. There were several reading books set areas set up with books to read to your kids, a large overhead climbing area, lots of busy boards, tables set up with smaller building toys for older kids, and more!

    My visit and I was impressed! Things for all kids 2 years and up. I I am looking into buying a…read moremembership because I could see going back several times as my granddaughter gross. There is real life activities, such as a kitchen, a grocery store, a train, that has additional things for kids to do that mock real life, which includes a cooking apron, a train engineer, coat, etc. They have an outdoor area and when we were there, it was cooler and rainy, but I could see that this is a wonderful extension to additional play areas suggest a treehouse, a farm silo and a farmers market. Now the treehouse was a little bit dirty, but I think it's probably the time of the year and that it was really damp and wet during our visit. There's a place for you to have lunch. There are organized activities in the afternoon, which we did not participate in, but that goes additional things to do in the afternoon if you're there for a long period of time. The employees there were more than helpful and friendly . Facility was very clean and well organized.

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    The Regnier Family Wonderscope
    The Regnier Family Wonderscope
    The Regnier Family Wonderscope

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    CW Parker Carousel Museum - museums - Updated May 2026

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