Tour America:  Home for the Holidays

Leavenworth, KS

In Leavenworth, “the First City of Kansas,” small-town pride leads to some big holiday celebrations. Founded in 1854 and just recently wrapping up its own 170th birthday, this historic destination has a lot of experience in showcasing hometown hospitality.

Our annual Veterans Day Parade marks its 105th year in 2024, continuing its tradition as the largest and longest running parade of its kind west of the Mississippi River. On November 11, help us salute service members with our neighbors from Fort Leavenworth, “the best hometown in the Army” since 1827. This year, you’ll be joined by more than 12,000 spectators as well as dignitaries from the U.S. Army and the U.S. Navy with musicians, marchers, and other sailors here as part of the 2024 Navy Week in Kansas City, MO. 

Then there’s Leavenworth’s Christmas kickoff. Small Business Saturday and its sidewalk sales fall on November 30, but it’s never too early to start strolling the city’s historic downtown shopping district for gift ideas. Browse 28 blocks of handmade jewelry, unique fashions, home décor, locally roasted coffee and artisan teas, arts, crafts, quilting supplies, holiday party pastries and sweets, plus acres of Kansas-curated antiques at your leisure. Sample outdoor stalls of goods displaying all Leavenworth has to offer during a German-style Christmas Market and block party, when streets close to make way for food trucks, craft vendors and other holiday surprises set for December 7.

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But the shining star atop our tree every holiday season is the Vintage Homes Tour, a journey through 170 years of history hosted by the Leavenworth County Historical Society. This event is traditionally held on the second Sunday of December and anchored by the Carroll Mansion Museum, a lovingly preserved 1880’s Victorian-era home that never fails to deck the halls for Christmas guests. Participants this year will tour six historic structures, including residences, museums, and Leavenworth’s own City Hall, celebrating its 100th birthday in 2024.