11 Incredible Experiences To Have in Leavenworth, WA
SET IN THE Cascade Mountains about 120 miles east of Seattle, Leavenworth is the kind of town that mixes several worlds into one. It’s a relaxing escape from the city, it’s a booming town surrounded by natural beauty — oh, and it just so happens to be perfectly modeled after an Alpine village in Bavaria.
Once a rail line stop called Icicle Flats, Leavenworth has been transformed into a destination in itself. Over a million tourists flock here annually for a little piece of Old Germany — whether it’s hiking along the Wenatchee River, dipping into Christmas treats all year round, stopping at dozens of award-winning wineries and tasting rooms, or sampling vegetarian wurst (and the regular kind, too). Washington’s “Little Bavaria” is definitely one-of-a-kind, and these are just a few incredible experiences you can have here.
1. Take your skills to the pump track
Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
Becoming a mountain biker doesn’t mean you have to learn the hard way — the
The pump track is totally free, and it’s open to skateboarders, scooterists, and roller bladers, too. Kids can handle the paved paths, while serious mountain bikers will get something out of it as well. It’s in Enchantment Park, and you won’t find anything else like it in the US.
The track has a heartwarming backstory, too. It’s the product of the Blue Lotus Foundation, which was formed in honor of a Leavenworth resident tragically killed in a ski accident. Their goal is to provide outdoor opportunities for kids in the community, and creating this family-friendly park was their first project. So grab a bike and a helmet and hit the dips.
2. Get your fill of Bier and Wurst (and gingerbread)
Photo: Dzhan Wiley for
Leavenworth has gone to great lengths to make you feel as though you’re in Bavaria — without actually having to buy a ticket to Europe. When the Bavarian theme was adopted, no expense was spared in transforming the architecture into something
Walking down Commercial Street is a multi-sensory experience. You’ll hear the occasional accordion tune, an alphorn blowing, and the striking of the glockenspiel clock. You’ll smell the unmistakable scent of grilled German sausage, and take in the colorful flower pots that line the streets. Last year, a new 95-foot Maipole was raised next to the gazebo, adding to the authenticity (and list of IG shots to score).
Grabbing a beer and a bratwurst at
3. Trade wine trails for wine walks
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Leavenworth is striking distance to some of Washington’s best-rated wineries, and the downtown area alone has 20 tasting rooms. Hop on Front Street and don’t be ashamed if you just want to walk it up and down for hours — places like
Each has its own character, so obviously you’re going to need to hit as many as possible.
4. Stroll through 50 years of hand-painted murals
Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
After you’ve met your wine quota, slow it down with your own self-guided art walk. Wander around the downtown area and you’ll find over two dozen hand-painted murals — including work by German artists — that add to the Bavarian feel of the town. Local artists Amanda and Rusty Gibbs have some great murals on display in Leavenworth, too. Head toward the building between the Hat Shop/Wood Shop and the Leavenworth Boutique to see their work.
5. Take in the mountains by catching a show
Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
When the weather heats up, the
6. Go golfing with goats
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The
And just like practically everything else in town, this hillside course has panoramic views of the Wenatchee River, waterfalls, and the surrounding mountains. Your golfing photos have never been a hit until now.
7. Don’t see The Nutcracker — see all the nutcrackers
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If beer, sausage, flower boxes, half-terraced houses, and mountain views haven’t escorted you into a Bavarian vibe yet, enter the
The museum is open daily, 1-5pm, all year long. Kids are obviously welcome, and they can make their own nutcrackers on July 1, a.k.a. Nutcracker Day.
8. Leave the car at home
Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
With
When temperatures cool and the snow starts to fall, the outdoor adventures don’t stop. Nordic skiing and snowshoeing are popular ways to get around in the wintertime, with trails of varying lengths for all skill levels. The snowshoe trails at South Park are a good place for beginners — an almost-two-mile loop eases along the Wenatchee and puts you on the floor of the Cascades in Lake Wenatchee Valley.
9. Float the river or ride the rapids
Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
Rivers and streams frame Leavenworth on nearly every side, making for plenty of options. The Icicle River is great for a lazy float to downtown Leavenworth, while an adrenaline rush can be found on the Wenatchee River and its Class III rapids (though you’ll also find plenty of Class IIs for anyone who’d rather stay dry or take their kids along). And if you’re really feeling bold, there are the Class IV “Triple Shot” and “Tinley Falls” rapids in Tumwater Canyon.
No equipment or expertise? No problem. You’ll find a long list of outfitters offering
10. Sleep where art and nature collide
Photo: Ken Howard for the
The
Located slightly off the beaten path on Icicle Road, the drive from downtown Leavenworth to the 13-acre campus is short and scenic. You can catch a performance of some sort almost every evening, and they have eight cabins available for overnight stays that sleep up to six people — picture getting snowed in, settling into a good book in front of the fire, and looking out the window to giant flakes blanketing the Cascades.
11. Eat the best pear of your entire life
Photo: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce
This part of Washington happens to produce the some of the highest numbers of organic pears in the nation.
For the entire month, downtown Leavenworth turns into a total “pearadise” (couldn’t resist). Local restaurants, wineries, and breweries will have rotating menus of tasty pear dishes, cocktails, and even beer and wine. Highlights include the Pear Pomantini at
