5 senses of Leavenworth, WA
— A summer travel guide —

You might venture over to the eastern slope of the Cascades, expecting more of what you’ve already experienced (or expected to experience) of this region: the sight of some of the continent’s most dramatic peaks, the scent of evergreen forests blanketing the landscape, the rumble of whitewater through deep gorges. And you’ll find all of this in and around the mountain town of Leavenworth — but that’s only one part of the story.

Prepare yourself for a Technicolor awakening, or you might just succumb to sensory overload. In Bavarian-styled Leavenworth, you’ll be confronted with the smell and sizzle of grilled bratwurst, the sonorous harmony of alphorns, the feel of stucco-covered buildings as you run your hand along Front Street facades, the taste of sweet, spicy gingerbread and silky gelato. Here, it’s best to let your senses run wild. There’s no other way to experience Leavenworth.

This post is proudly presented in partnership with the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.

Sight

Feast your eyes on Little Bavaria. Leavenworth — especially in summer — looks like a German fairytale. Until you look up, that is. Then you realize it’s a fairytale set in the beauty of Washington’s Cascades.
Photos provided by: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Sound

Sausages sizzling. Beer steins clinking. Water rushing through rock chutes. The sounds of a place — though often overlooked — tell a vivid story. Which ones catch your ears first?
Photos provided by: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Taste

Taste is one of the most powerful means of experiencing a place. The local cuisine can tell you a lot about the history, the people, the land — bringing it all together in one delicious bite.
Photos provided by: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce. Pretzels by istetiana/Shutterstock. Mana by Dzhan Wiley

Smell

Stand still. What does your nose tell you? Take it in. Use it as a moment of reflection. Follow the scents of fresh dough, of roses, of just-roasted coffee. Funny how the best smells so easily lead to happiness.
Photos provided by: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce

Touch

Touch. Of all the senses, this one might be most intimately connected to travel. After all, you can see a place, hear a place, even taste and smell a place without ever actually being in that place. But touch can’t be faked. For that, you need to book the ticket and go. Here’s how to get your hands (and feet, and the rest of it) on Leavenworth.
Photos provided by: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce. Lake Wenatchee by Shutterstock/Kirk Fisher


This post is proudly presented in partnership with the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce.