Leavenworth, Washington, is a charming alpine town that looks like a quaint village in Bavaria, Germany. Leavenworth, once prosperous due to its forestry business, has been reborn as a popular tourist resort. Numerous people visit because of its well-known festivals, like Oktoberfest and the Christmas markets. Nevertheless, there is plenty to do and see in this charming little town. Join FactsVerse as we explore the best things to do in Leavenworth, Washington.
Get a taste of Leavenworth’s thriving microbrewery scene.
Washington State is home to a wide variety of excellent beers, and sampling them in their original brewing locations in Leavenworth is a must for any visitor. Now that there are not one but two breweries in town, those who aren’t wine drinkers can still indulge in their favourite beverage.
Just off of Highway 2, you’ll find Bushell & Bee Taproom, a beer bar that boasts a wide selection of Pacific Northwest brews. Bushell & Bee is a great place to grab a pint of beer or a glass of local cider since they source their supplies from Washington’s finest apple orchards.
Icicle Brewing Company can be found in the heart of Leavenworth. There are award-winning microbrews, tasty cuisine, and fast tours of the brewery for those who are interested in learning more about the beer they’re drinking. They have several beers that, on paper, don’t make much sense but which, upon tasting, turn out to be delicious, like the Dark Persuasion, which tastes like German Chocolate Cake but is made with real chocolate and coconut.
Enjoy a Stroll by the River
If you’re looking for a great place to spend your morning, look no further than Waterfront Park, a tranquil area with multiple trails that wind down the river. By descending the hill on Commercial Street behind the main portion of town and then crossing the bridge, you’ll find yourself here. There is no place to park, so please leave your vehicle at home.
Seeing as the river is one of the more famous Leavenworth attractions due to its proximity to the city. We suggest going very early in the morning or very late at night if you want to have the path all to yourself.
Go See Some Reindeer!
Not many visitors to Leavenworth are aware of the reindeer farm located in the region. It is among the top activities in the area, in our opinion. Tours are available, but they must be scheduled in advance, so visitors must plan accordingly if they want to learn about the zoo’s animals and their history.
A visit to the Washington State Reindeer Farm is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, as visitors are given the opportunity to feed the reindeer by bringing a branch full of leaves into the corral with them. There are a few precautions that the staff will go over with you, but these species are very tame and used to being around humans. To anyone looking for fun activities to do in the Leavenworth area, we highly suggest you include this one.
Enjoy a live rendition of the Alpenhorn.
Guests at the Enzian Inn can wake up to the sound of the Alpenhorn every day, bringing the hills (or, Highway 2) to life. Enjoy your morning coffee or meal on the balcony while listening to a musician perform a short set from the railing.
In the event that you are not staying at the inn, you will need to ensure that you are either in the parking lot or directly across the street at 8:15 and 9:15 in the morning in order to catch the performance. Among other benefits, it’s an excellent strategy for kicking off each day with a renewed sense of energy.
Go on a tour of the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum.
The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum boasts one of the greatest collections of nutcrackers anywhere, with more than 7,000 brightly coloured sculptures on display. The museum, located in the centre of downtown, was founded in 1995 by George and Arlene Wagner (also known as the “nutcracker lady”). It features nutcrackers from over 50 nations, made of materials such as wood, metal, and ivory. Among the many things to see and do in Leavenworth, one of the highlights is the archaic-era nutting stones found there.
The museum is free for children under the age of five and charges $5 for adults, $2 for children and students, and $2 for seniors. In addition, there is a gift shop where you may get some great keepsakes.
Discover the fascinating history of Leavenworth.
Most visitors to Leavenworth, Washington, want to know how a little hamlet in the centre of the state became a German-themed tourist attraction. The Greater Leavenworth Museum, located on Front Street just above the Nutcracker Museum, is the location to learn more about the history of the city. The museum is staffed entirely by volunteers, and its many displays and artefacts tell the story of Leavenworth from its beginnings. From its early days as a railroad and lumber hub to the hard times that prompted “Project Alpine,” which saw the town’s buildings decorated in a Bavarian style to lure tourists, the town has seen many transformations. Visits to the museum are only permitted on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays of each week.
Treat yourself to a day at Aspen Leaf Spa.
An ideal vacation includes equal parts activity and relaxation. And one of the best places for relaxation is the Aspen Leaf Spa at the Sleeping Lady Resort in Leavenworth. If you’re looking for a spa, this one stands out from the crowd thanks to its distinctive bubbly and chocolate beginning to the massage. Close to town, under the shadow of the Cascades, lies the Aspen Leaf Day Spa at the Sleeping Lady Resort. There are a variety of unusual treatments available, such as Reiki, a jade body wrap with east Asian herbs, and a luxury champagne facial with diamond powder exfoliation. Guests are provided with a robe and slippers, organic tea, chocolate, and access to the garden for walking and meditation.
Do yourself a favour and schedule in a few treatments while you’re there.
Enjoy the winter on sleigh rides.
During the winter holidays, nothing beats a trip on a sleigh. Taking a sleigh ride in the wintertime in Leavenworth is one of the most endearing things you can do there. The holiday seasons always feel like a fantasy, given the plethora of amazing fun-filled activities. Sleigh rides can be had along Icicle Creek Road. Beautiful scenery may be found along this route thanks to its proximity to Eagle Creek and the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery. Please take into account that rides cannot take place if the ground is devoid of snow. If they are, though, you should definitely put this on your Leavenworth, Washington, Christmas itinerary. Alternatively, you can visit Mountain Springs Lodge Sleigh Rides for fun rides. At the mountain’s base, you’ll find friendly, holiday-spirited folks ready to party with you and plenty of free hot cider.
Hike Leavenworth’s amazing trails
Hiking is one of the most famous and exciting activities to undertake in Leavenworth.
There are numerous beautiful hiking paths in and around Leavenworth, but one of the best is the Icicle Creek / Icicle Gorge Trail. Browse this trail site for more information on trails, from simple introductory trails to challenging multi-day treks, then get out into the wild and discover it for yourself! The Alpine Lakes Wilderness region is the place to go if you’re looking for more back-country trails or longer excursions, as it contains about 400,000 acres of trails and land to explore. In addition, the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail passes through this region, so you might meet other hikers here if you venture out in the late summer.
Enjoy Christmas Any Time of the Year
There are plenty of places to get into the Christmas mood in Leavenworth, Washington, even if the temperature outside is in the high 90s. These places include the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, the Gingerbread Factory, and innumerable ornament and kitschy businesses. For the ultimate Christmas shopping experience, don’t miss out on Kris Kringle. The charm of the store is enough to get you either window shopping or actually shopping for Christmas decor in the middle of June. Since Christmas isn’t a uniquely Bavarian holiday, it’s nice to see several stores keeping their Christmas displays up all year long.
Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding at Steven’s Pass
Downhill skiing at Stevens Pass, a popular resort close by, is a great option for those who prefer excitement and speed. With a drive time of less than 40 minutes from Leavenworth, it’s simple to plan a day of skiing, snowboarding, or even snow tubing, depending on your preference.
Keep in mind the ever-changing road conditions if you plan on driving to Stevens Pass from Leavenworth. Although the Department of Transportation has been doing a terrific job of ploughing, you will still require high-traction tires to get it up the mountain safely. Also, make sure you leave yourself plenty of time since driving in the snow can be a slow process.
The spectacular sporting experience at the resort will be worth every difficulty you have getting there.
Enjoy live music, especially on the streets.
Whether in a concert setting or on the streets, Leavenworth is a great spot to hear original live music.
During the summer months, you can frequently hear accordions and other instruments being played by people dressed in traditional German garb. If you’re looking to relax and enjoy some pleasant music, the Front Street Park Gazebo is the place to be.
Visit Leavenworth on the weekend in the fall for Oktoberfest, and you’ll find the town more crowded than usual. Among the best Oktoberfests in the state of Washington are held in Leavenworth. The city’s weekend really comes to life in the fall, when the city hosts Oktoberfest. Get your party on with some beer, dance the night away, and enjoy the nightlife of Leavenworth.
Float through the city
One of the nicest things to do in Leavenworth, Washington, is to spend a day on the water, as both the Wenatchee and Icicle rivers flow through the city.
Rental paddleboards, inner tubes, and kayaks are available from businesses like the Leavenworth Outdoor Center and Osprey Rafting for those in search of a gentler adventure. Indulge in a relaxing float down the Wenatchee River while passing the golf course, wandering through downtown, and stopping at the several small beaches along the route. This is one of the most family-friendly activities in Leavenworth, and dogs are permitted!
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