Leavenworth – A Guide to Washington State’s Bavarian Village
If you’re searching for one of the cutest little towns in the entire United States, look no further than Leavenworth, Washington. This charming village is unforgettable with its German architecture and picturesque views.
We visited Leavenworth in early August on a scenic day trip from Seattle. Seriously, it was the best time! We loved everything about this village and cannot recommend it enough. This post will guide you through the must-do’s, best time of the year to visit, yummy eats & more!
Best Time to Visit
As you might have guessed, Leavenworth is stunning year-round. You cannot go wrong no matter which time of the year you visit. However, summer and winter are the two stand-out seasons. Spring and fall are also gorgeous, so you truly will have an incredible time in any month!
We visited Leavenworth in the summer and absolutely loved it. Colorful flowers were in full bloom, trees were bright green, the sky was clear, the mountain views were gorgeous, & the weather was perfect (I think the high was 75!). You will have an amazing visit to Leavenworth if you visit in the summer.
Winter, on the other hand, is absolutely magical. I am dying to visit Leavenworth, specifically during Christmas. It looks like a real life snow globe and is famous for its Christmas festivities. From Thanksgiving through Valentines Day, this small town in the mountains comes alive with millions upon millions of Christmas lights. There are even Christmas lighting ceremonies on the first three weekends of the month every Saturday and Sunday at 4:30pm. Leavenworth welcomes visitors to see the beautiful Christmas decor around the village.
Getting to Leavenworth
Leavenworth is located almost in the center of Washington state. Unless you are staying overnight in Leavenworth (which you definitely should), plan on a bit of a drive to get to the village. It is about 2 1/2 hours from Seattle, 3 hours from Spokane, 2 1/2 from North Cascades, etc.
There is a small airport 30 minutes from the town, but the closest major airport would be Sea-Tac International Airport.
No matter where you’re driving from, Leavenworth is worth a trip! Here are quick links to Google Maps directions:
Once you reach Leavenworth, there are public parking lots all over. On most days, you shouldn’t have an issue finding parking. Christmas is when the village hosts the most tourists, however, so you should arrive as early as possible to secure a good spot.
Top Things to Do
Front Street Shopping – There are plenty of shops to browse through while you’re visiting Leavenworth. Make sure to stop by Kris Kringle for the prettiest Christmas decor.
Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum – With over 7000 nutcrackers, the Nutcracker Museum is a unique experience for tourists. People come from all over the world specifically to view this unique collection! Tickets are $5 per adult and the price is reasonable for how much there is to see in this museum.
Leavenworth Reindeer Farm – We would have LOVED to visit the Reindeer Farm during our visit to Leavenworth! At this family-run farm, you can schedule a tour ($20 per adult) which includes an educational presentation on reindeer and a chance to feed and take photos with the friendly herd. This experience is incredible year-round but you can read the differences with each season here. You must book a tour online in order to visit.
(images from www.leavenworthreindeer.com)
Waterfront Park – Just a few blocks down from the main streets is Waterfront Park along the banks of the Wenatchee River. The views are beautiful.
Winter Recreation – Leavenworth is full of exciting winter activities: ice climbing, dog sledding, sleigh rides, skiing, ice skating and more.
Hike to Colchuck Lake – Round trip mileage: 8 miles; Elevation gain: 2,300 feet. For an extremely rewarding view, hike to Colchuck Lake. According to other travel bloggers, this lake is beyond gorgeous if you’re willing to take on a strenuous hike.
Best Restaurants
For the best dining in Leavenworth, there are lots of yummy options!
Andreas Keller German Restaurant, Munchen Haus, Visconti’s, The Gingerbread Factory, Mozart Cafe, Gustav’s, Ludwig’s, & Pavs Cafe Bistro – just to name a few.
Check out this list of the top restaurants in Leavenworth for full descriptions of each location.
Leavenworth, Washington is easily one of the most picturesque and charming places in the United States. If you can add even just one day at this adorable town, you are in for an amazing trip. Be sure to take many, many pictures.
If you love the Bavarian charm of Leavenworth, Washington, then you would absolutely love Hallstatt, Austria!
Don’t Have a Car?
Consider booking this tour from Seattle to not only the village of Leavenworth, but also the beautiful Snoqualmie Falls…
Looking for more destinations around the U.S.?
Florida: European Village – Florida’s Hidden Gem
Georgia: A Complete Guide to Providence Canyon State Park
Colorado: Hiking Bear, Nymph, & Dream Lake in Rocky Mountain National Park
Maine: 2 Days in Bar Harbor & Acadia National Park
New York: Central Park – Explore the Fall Magic
North Carolina: How to Visit the Biltmore Estate
South Carolina: The Best Restaurants in Charleston, South Carolina
Washington: How to Explore Seattle in One Exciting Afternoon
Did you know that I am a professional photographer? If you love these photos, you can get them exclusively printed from my print shop!
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