Planning your trip to visit someone at USP Leavenworth: free & low-cost things to do in Leavenworth
Traveling to USP Leavenworth for a visit? A little planning goes a long way—especially when you've got downtime before or after visiting hours.
Visits can be emotionally heavy. The logistics don't help - driving in, figuring out where to go, waiting around between check-in windows. Having one or two free or low-cost stops picked out ahead of time gives you a simple plan for those in-between hours. You won't end up spending extra money just to kill time. Plus, it helps you reset: get outside, take a short walk, clear your head before getting back on the road.
Before you leave, double-check the address you're using for GPS. United States Penitentiary - Leavenworth is at 1300 Metropolitan Ave. If you're coming from out of town, pull up the route on your map app ahead of time - you don't want to be troubleshooting directions at the last minute.
Looking for a free, flexible way to spend an hour or two? The Leavenworth Historic Wayside Tour is a solid option. It includes 13 waysides in the riverfront downtown area - interactive displays with local artwork tied to each spot's history. If walking isn't in the cards that day, there's also a 7-stop driving version. Helpful if you're short on time or just want to keep things low-effort.
Good starting point: You can begin the walking tour at marker #1 at Leavenworth Landing Park, which runs adjacent to the Missouri River.
Want a meaningful stop without a big time commitment? Consider the Buffalo Soldier Commemorative Area at Fort Leavenworth. According to Fort Leavenworth visitor information, it includes the Buffalo Soldier Monument, the Circle of Firsts, and the Walkway of Units - located on the east side of Grant Ave. near Smith Lake.
You might see the location described slightly differently elsewhere: one informational PDF places the area south of the corner of Grant and Sedgwick Avenues near Smith Lake. Same general spot, just different wording.
Note: Because the location is described in two slightly different ways (Grant Ave. near Smith Lake vs. south of Grant & Sedgwick), verify the exact spot on a map before you go.
A quick bit of history if you're curious: the Buffalo Soldier Monument was dedicated on July 25, 1992 by General Colin L. Powell, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.
Fort Leavenworth's Lewis and Clark Center works well if you want something indoors and history-focused. Inside you'll find a gallery of U.S. Presidential portraits, a Hall of Fame of former students, and an International Hall of Fame featuring exhibits on international military students. The building itself is worth a look too - custom stained-glass windows span all three floors, and there are displays of historical military uniforms and artifacts.
The Center is tied to the Command and General Staff College's Intermediate Level Education program, which enrolls roughly 1,500 students for 10-month courses. You don't need to know that to visit - but it explains why the building and its exhibits are such a focal point on post.
Planning to visit the Frontier Army Museum? Here are the basics so you're not guessing. The museum is at 100 Reynolds Avenue. For current days and hours, call (913) 684-3191.
If you want one resource to pull ideas together - especially for filling a full day around a visit - look for the Leavenworth Convention & Visitors Bureau's printed travel guide. It's the "Leavenworth CVB Travel Guide 2025," and it's a useful starting point for figuring out what's realistic with your time and budget.
- ✓ Confirm the address you’re using for USP Leavenworth (listed at 1300 Metropolitan Ave.) before you leave.
- ✓ Use the “Leavenworth CVB Travel Guide 2025” to narrow down a couple of low-cost stops that fit your schedule.
- ✓ Call the Frontier Army Museum at (913) 684-3191 to confirm current days and hours before you drive over (listed at 100 Reynolds Avenue).
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