A lovely community in the Cascade Mountains in the middle of Washington State, Leavenworth is situated 188 kilometers (117 miles) or 117 miles east of Seattle. It gives the impression that you have been transported to Germany thanks to its Bavarian-themed architecture. Add to it the breath-taking surroundings, which include imposing mountains, glacial lakes and rivers, and numerous vineyards. It’s difficult not to fall in love with this picture-perfect location. One of the most picturesque locations in Washington State is Leavenworth, which is a favorite weekend getaway destination for residents of Seattle. Here are five compelling reasons why you should think about visiting Leavenworth, in case you still need persuading.
Want to travel to Leavenworth on a budget? Get our free eBook filled with money-saving suggestions and apps now. Using these tips allowed us to travel for years without spending thousands of dollars.
Leavenworth Washington
-
The Bavarian village in Washington is in Leavenworth.
As a result of German celebrations and events like Maifest, the Autumn Leaf Festival, and of course Oktoberfest, Leavenworth has an unmistakable European-style feel. The Alpine-style buildings, eateries serving German beer, “Bratwurst,” and “Pretzels” give visitors to Leavenworth a distinctly German feel. The “Rhein Haus” for its pretzels and German beer and the “München Haus” for its bratwurst are two of our favorite restaurants in town to sample German food. They are situated in the heart of the town on Front Street, directly across from one another.
The phrase “the German town in Washington” did not always refer to this community. This small village was a bustling logging settlement connected by the railroad about a century ago. The settlement swiftly lost momentum when the train was forced to change its track as a result of avalanches and other natural calamities. Visionaries in the town came up with a smart plan to combat economic hardship: adopt the Bavarian look to attract tourists. And guess what? It was successful! The community started to revitalise, and more visitors began to pour in, not long after the architecture, building signs, and street names started to adopt the Germanic style. The town is now heavily reliant on tourism while still developing and increasing its options! You must go through downtown due to the architectural style of the buildings. Even though Leavenworth is only a small town, you might easily spend a few hours wandering about. Front Street, which is packed with gift shops, pubs, wine tasting facilities, and restaurants, is where most of the excitement happens. The Greater Leavenworth Museum and the Nutcracker Museum are also located here. More information about the community’s distinctive history is available here.
-
The hottest wine region in the Northwest is Leavenworth.
The wine industry is growing and thriving in the Leavenworth Valley Wine Country. The wines have a special depth and complexity that are rarely encountered in young wine regions due to the mild and dry climate. Leavenworth, which is home to numerous wineries with tasting rooms, is growing in popularity among wine enthusiasts who wish to experience the local flavors and fruits. You can either visit a winery or just take in the breathtaking views of the surrounding vineyards! The Icicle Ridge Winery, which has two tasting rooms in Leavenworth, is our favorite winery. However, their Peshastin tasting facility in a log home offers a more exquisite atmosphere for wine sampling.
-
Leavenworth is an All-Year-Round Destination
Leavenworth attracts visitors all year round since it has four unique seasons that are appropriate for various outdoor activities and celebrations. Watch the video below to learn about the top ten things to do in Leavenworth.
Leavenworth in winter
Snow is a given during the winter and early spring, which is perfect for the region’s many winter sports activities. Visitors can go skiing or snowboarding in the close-by Stevens Pass region, or they can just go snowshoeing and participate in other winter sports in and around Leavenworth. Even cross-country skiing is available in the winter at Lake Wenatchee. There are also the wildly popular Christmas illumination rituals held in the winter, which unquestionably transform Leavenworth into a magnificent winter town.
Leavenworth in spring
Wildflower carpets begin to cover the mountain sides as the snow finally begins to melt in late April or early May. Because of this, spring is a great season to go trekking and mountain riding. However, some places don’t get rid of their snow until June! For instance, it’s only possible to reach the popular Enchantments trail starting in mid-June. At the end of May, we climbed up to Colchuck Water, and the lake was still partially frozen.
Summertime in Leavenworth
In light of this, summer in Leavenworth is the ideal season for camping trips and multi-day mountain hikes. Icicle Ridge Trail is a hike that you should take. It takes around 90 minutes to get to the lovely viewpoint point, which offers views of the town and nearby peaks. Up until you reach the crest, the trail is mostly switchbacks and is roughly 6 kilometers long. Be advised that on weekends, this trail can get very crowded.
The unending sunshine and warm weather also make it fun to go tubing or paddle boarding in Icicle Creek’s calm waters or, for the more daring, white-water rafting. At the seaside area in Leavenworth, you may also enjoy river tubing and rafting. You can also walk along the waterfront if you don’t enjoy being in the water. The park is filled with trails that wind through it and provide stunning views of both the river and the mountains.
Leavenworth in fall
When fall finally arrives, the air turns crisp, the leaves turn vibrant, and the well-known Oktoberfest brings cheer and lots of beer! Three weekends in October are typically dedicated to Oktoberfest festivities. This is a must-see in Washington State and on the West Coast with four entertainment venues, live music, authentic cuisine, and tasty beer!
-
Leavenworth is an outdoor heaven
Leavenworth, which sits smack dab in the middle of the Cascade Mountain Range, is a gem for outdoor activities. Outstanding chances for skiing, snowshoeing, hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, boating, fishing, white-water rafting, and mountain biking are nearby and are all easily accessible. The surrounding untamed glacial streams, three magnificent ski passes, and the hundreds of miles of (sometimes difficult) hiking and bike paths that wind through the forest, mountains, and past stunning emerald lakes are particularly alluring to adventurers. Observing the sunset from the Peshastin Pinnacles is one of our favorite activities to undertake in the Leavenworth area. From Leavenworth, it takes roughly 15 minutes to get to this little park. Here, a cluster of tooth-shaped sandstone boulders towers over the Wenatchee Valley’s vineyards and golden hills. The Cascade Mountains and the surrounding wine country may be seen in all their glory if you trek the switchback trails to the top. You can watch the valley take on a stunning golden hue at sunset.
The hike to The Enchantments is arguably the most well-liked in the region. This hike is more than 20 miles long with an elevation gain or loss of 11,000 feet, making it quite challenging to complete in a single day. But the journey to these breathtaking mountain lakes is totally worthwhile. You can also take a break from your quest by camping, but if you want to spend the night in the Enchantments region, you’ll need to be fortunate in the lottery system. We spent more than 15 hours on a day hike in the Enchantments last summer. For more information so you may hike the Enchantments with assurance and preparedness, see our day hiking video below. The Colchuck day trek is an additional option. The most picturesque lake in the area of Leavenworth, if not the entire state of Washington, is Colchuck. The Enchantments also include Colchuck Lake. The hike lasts between 4.5 and 6 hours and is around 8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2280 feet. The majority of the walk is moderate and breathtaking, but the final rise to the lake is steep and difficult in certain parts.
-
Leavenworth offers spectacular mountain scenery
The breathtaking natural beauty that surrounds Leavenworth cannot be overstated. The experience of driving to and through Leavenworth is fantastic. A wonderful opportunity to go about and discover the natural treasures is the picturesque Cascades Loop. The routes go through the mountainous Wenatchee River, miles of vineyards, serene river valleys, and pristine lakes as they pass numerous waterfalls and the North Cascade Mountains. A stunning green lake outside of Leavenworth called Lake Chelan is a must-visit. The waters are ideal for boating, fishing, swimming, and kayaking, and the town itself is charming. Beautiful views may be seen from the surrounding vineyards and mountain surroundings.
About 30 minutes from Leavenworth, Lake Wenatchee is also a fun place to explore. Cross-country skiing is an option during the wintertime around the lake. It’s a terrific area to swim or unwind at the beach in the summer. It’s also a terrific place to stop on your way into Leavenworth from Seattle or on your way out at the end of your trip.
About Leavenworth
Leavenworth offers up a little piece of Germany in the middle of its breathtaking Pacific Northwest landscape, complete with Tudor revival architecture, a shopping district designed to look like a Bavarian village, an annual Bavarian Christmas celebration, and one of the biggest Oktoberfest celebrations outside of Munich. Numerous tours, wine tasting places, and even a museum of unusual and vintage nutcrackers are available in the area. Adventures in bicycling, hiking, skiing, and other activities are available at the nearby Alpine Lakes Wilderness. This is All about Leavenworth Washington
