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City in Washington, United States
Photo: tamara semina, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Leavenworth is a resort city of about 2000 people in the North Central Cascades of the State of Washington. The Bavarian-themed architecture and dining options entice visitors year-round, as a base for roaming the surrounding mountains and the Wenatchee River, and for winter festivals of dazzling lights and snow.
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The park at the center of Leavenworth is usually the gathering place for everyone in between their shopping spree. Live music is performed on weekends and kids would roll down the green lawn in summer or sled down in the winter, or just watch the world go by at the Front Street tourist corridor.
Get to know the animals that pull Santa's sleigh. The experience includes presentation about the animals with seasonal refreshments on the side, followed by a hands-on tour at the stable. One also gets to see the typical farm animals and feed them. Reservation required by booking on their website.
Join a magnificent interactive theater performance under the stars. The Sound of Music is their regular and usually sells out (given the fitting scene of the area), along with other rotating shows.
A rather small museum, but is loaded with over 5000 models of nutcrackers, from simple prehistoric ones to modern movie character variations.
This is where you can unwind in nature without going too far from town. Walk the trails, go people-watching as you dip your feet in the Wenatchee River, be on the lookout for eagles and ospreys. For an even quieter setting, cross over the bridge to Blackbird Island.
A local arts center with periodic performances of both local & national artists. Immerse in a classical piece by their youth orchestra while gazing at the mountains from its meadows.
See the annual salmon run as the fish runs upstream from the sea for hatching. Then learn its lifespan from being just a little egg to going back here for laying down its legacy. Self-guided tour of the complex available. Complex also includes wildlife trail and pollinator garden.
Ride on the back of a horse for a guided back country tour in the summer or a sleigh ride in the winter. Prices are quoted per mile and tours take at least 45 minutes. Suitable for riders of all levels, ages 4 and up. Reservation required.
The park features softball, baseball, and soccer fields for those who want to have fun and stay active, even during the winter. It is also connected by bridge to Blackbird Island and Waterfront Park.
18-hole golf course close to downtown Leavenworth. Hilly but scenic between the mountains and the Wenatchee River. Watch out for occasional passing wildlife and check out its in-house Wild Huckleberry restaurant.
Float on the pristine Wenatchee using a tube, paddleboard, or kayak. Lessons provided.
For those who want to ski or snowboard but couldn't afford heading to Stevens Pass, the hill offers moderately long tracks for the experienced and special trails for beginners. Tubing is done at the Leavenworth Golf Club, while skiing is offered at the Ski Hill and Icicle River trails at Cyo Road south of downtown (across O'Grady's Pantry).
If you are more of an adrenaline junkie, conquer the Classes III and IV rapids of the Wenatchee by a raft boat! Specific package includes BBQ at their Cashmere private landing. The lighter stuff includes tubing (with a family), paddleboard, and kayaking.
The Enchantment Lakes
A granite basin of alpine lakes amidst the peaks of the Stuart Range make this an extremely popular hiking and backpacking destination during the summer. The full trail is 18 miles and 4500 feet, with a gruesome elevation gain of 2000 feet in less than a mile at Aasgard Pass. An overnight stay is highly recommended, but overnight permits must be reserved in advance and are highly competitive. Most instead make an 8 mile day hike to Colchuck Lake. No dogs allowed. There are two trailheads: Snow Lakes (4 miles out of Leavenworth) and Lake Stuart trailhead (pass the Snow Lakes Trailhead, turn left at the direction to Bridge Creek Campground, keep right, and follow the road all the way to the end).
A relatively easy 5-mile hike that takes you along (and crossing) the gushing Icicle Creek. Road turns to gravel (a National Forest road) on the way up.
Penstock Old Pipeline
A relatively short and easy trail along the mighty Wenatchee River just off US-2 on what was once a water pipeline to power trains in the Cascade tunnel.
A series of crags along Icicle Creek Rd, starting just outside of town. Mostly bouldering and trad, but with many sport routes.
A series of crags along US-2, between the edge of town and the bridge across the Wenatchee River near milepost 91. Mostly bouldering and trad.
Similar to the German culture it adopted, it is the largest festival in the area, with residents and tourists alike celebrating by drinking pints of beer, savor the German delights, and celebrate Bavarian culture.
The city is bright with colorful lights and snow often covers the ground.
A cafe that looks like the fairy tale. Have a warm cup of coffee with assorted gingerbread and other flavor cookies to-go, or a wrap & salad as something more filling.
American pita, pastry, and light meal cafe. One of the most gluten-free and vegetarian friendly establishments in town. Breakfast served until 11.
Bavarian sausages made by their neighbor "Cured by Visconti" complemented with a selection of beers. Outdoor seating (with shades) and live music. Less crowded than Munchen Haus.
Affordable traditional Bavarian food (an extensive menu of delicious sausages in hot dog buns) and craft beers with outdoor seating. All the sauerkraut you can handle from an ample fixings bar that is mostly made up of big squeeze bottles of mustard and more. The menu includes a vegetarian (field roast) sausage option. The outdoor seating includes heating lamps.
Quaint drive-in burger barn with outdoor patio seating. Look for its curly fries or onion rings.
Traditional Bavarian fare with a few 'German' beers to choose from. The large steins are kind of a rip-off, but pitchers are definitely worth the cost.
A restaurant and bar space on the second floor overlooking Front Street, Bavarian Bistro & Bar has a wide variety of primarily German food items, German and local beers, wines, and cocktails. The sausage plates are popular, as is the German meatloaf and anything involving sauerkraut (which is to say, most dishes). Many vegetarian options are available, including a delicious salad with quinoa, a generous appetizer portion of Brussels sprouts, and a savory sweet potato pie main dish. Borrow one of the tabletop games to pass the time while you drink.
Salad with unique base ingredients (like beet and green bean) accompanied with stone-oven fired pizzas and a bottle of fine wine. Make sure to leave room for dessert.
Latin American (and Mexican) treats, plus self serve salsa bar (bottomless!) and exotic cocktails.
A modest number of Mediterranean palate and wood-fired oven pizzas in a rusty interior, top it off with an extensive library of curated wines.
Large Bavarian-style German restaurant & beer hall known for its live polka music & imported brews.
Traditional filling Bavarian fare, commonly known for its pork hock (limited availability), schnitzels, sausages. Sides favorites include (mildly) salty pretzels and red cabbage. Offers large pints of beer to complement your meal. Accompanied by live yodeling and Alpine music at dinnertime. Reserve ahead as place is very packed by 6:30PM.
Treat yourself (and your significant other) to a gourmet organic dining experience. 8-course meal with rotating menus inspired by fusion of local ingredients, plus options of wine or non-alcoholic pairing. Reservations necessary. Vegan friendly. Sister restaurant (and cheaper counterpart) of Seattle's Sutra.
More of a European fare than Bavarian, though they do offer schnitzels & Reuben sandwiches. Their gnocchi and steaks are worth craving for as you treat yourself to bourbon flights.
Fine dining in a New American cafe offering seafood, fine meats, and even an elk shepherd's pie.
Small local brew pub with both indoor and outdoor seating. Flights, growlers, and some small plates available. 21+ after 6PM. The Boot Jack IPA is a solid option after a long day of shopping or hiking.
The brewery offers classic wheat beer or infused with fruits. May be combined with hard cider for a sampler of five. Serves salads, pizzas, and ice cream as an accompaniment. They also have 32oz cans which may be filled with your personal favorite beer, for months of safekeeping. There are separate sides for families with children and those of legal age.
Twenty-five flavors of cider or some bottles of beer to warm you up.
Motel with a swimming pool and its units radiating around it. Family friendly and casual, even providing a BBQ spot. Pet friendly. Continental breakfast provided but one can request for a discount voucher at Kristall's restaurant next door.
One of the only cheap places in Leavenworth. Stay includes a free breakfast with make-your-own Belgian waffles.
Standard pet-friendly hotel albeit with slightly smaller rooms. Full breakfast with terrace seating area. 5-minute walk from Front St.
Quaint guesthouse, only one block away from the shops. Rooms have bathrooms that are either private or shared. Two of their rooms can sleep six!
A cheap and family-friendly option. Lobbies are decorated in brown Bavarian style. Outdoor pool, spa, and arcade for leisure travelers with family.
Fairly old one-long-house design with low-key rooms and the chain's no-frill standards. Full breakfast provided. Be careful when parking, may be difficult for a large car.
A seemingly large hotel at downtown. Rooms are designed with wooden floors and offers complimentary hot drinks and breakfast cookies.
If you want someplace a short drive away from downtown, this hotel has the perfect location. Located on the main road next to Safeway supermarket, it has cavernous rooms though the modern design may not blend in with the theme of the town. Free breakfast. Hot tub and gym available.
Large rooms, some with fireplaces, with views of the Bavarian downtown right across Front St. Highlights rustic in-house pub for lounging with tranquil mountain view and live music.
Classic hotel with brown wooden interiors, a classic Bavarian design. Rooms ranging from a queen bed to the Enzian Falls Hutte (a 2-floor suite). Putting course, swimming pool, table tennis and squash courts complimentary for all guests. The owners play the alphorn for breakfast and they can be anywhere to greet you.
All suites guesthouse. Shared infrared sauna, steam shower, and tranquility pool. Its flagship suite also offers a personal spa room and a personal room for the aforementioned facilities.
Three suites in different designs of old European palaces (medieval, palace, and Olde Rose) but equipped with modern amenities. Only accommodates two adults per room. A shared space downstairs offer complimentary wines and continental breakfast on Friday evenings through the weekend.
Quaintly designed rooms featuring handicraft wood furnishings, all in a large yet secluded area a short drive from town. All rooms can fit at least 3. One of their units include an 8-bed dorm with bunk beds and private baths. The multiple restaurants (O'Grady's and Kingfisher) offer extensive options of light snacks and filling meals while the spa is worth trying. Multiple activities for families and pet friendly.
Some little souvenirs, a wide variety of spreads, dips, and jams that you can taste with a provided pretzel stick and a piping hot sauce that you can sample at your own risk.
Over 140 kinds of tea, from the usual black or green tea to newly invented flavors of the loose leaf mixes. The spicy fresh smell of herbs & salt greets you at the storefront.
A myriad of cheese produced from farms across Eastern Washington plus local wines to pair with - ask for a sample and they will gladly give you one. Also in the shop, German sausages and various flavors of Bavarian mustard.
It's Christmas all-year round, where two levels of ornaments you look forward to put on your tree are hung wall-to-wall, peppered with Santa Claus dolls, tranquil mini villages and intricate figurines. Check out its Halloween section and life-size father Christmas on a sleigh.
A shop selling infused olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar and flavorful gourmet sea salts, all the unique ingredients for home cooks. Free tasting samples and bulk discounts.
Homemade artisan Belgian truffles and chocolates whose staff is friendly and generous with samples.
Assorted freshly roasted nuts sold by the pound, with an extensive library of flavors ranging from sweet to spicy.
By car
S. Highway 2 (US-2), commonly called the Stevens Pass Highway, runs through town, approximately 120 mi east from Seattle and 180 mi west of Spokane.
By train
By bus
By taxi
By bus
Link Transit operates a dedicated shuttle named Route D from the Willkommen Park and Ride to the Icicle Quick Stop every 20 minutes from 11AM to 7PM, with stops alongside the US 2 road for downtown.
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Wenatchee · Regional · EAT
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