Leavenworth (Washington)

History

At the confluence of the Icicle Creek and Wenatchee River, the meeting point was a settlement for the Native Yakima, Chinook, and Wenatchi tribes where they hunt salmon in the river and game in the mountains, in an area stretching as far west as Lake Wenatchee.
The first railway route was built through Stevens Pass in 1892 and Leavenworth became a hub for the timber industry because of its perfect location, which is right after the steep slopes of the Cascades. The city housed the headquarters of then Great Northern Railway, whose railroad network spans from Seattle, Washington to Saint Paul, Minnesota. The city was in the decline in the 1920s however, as the main railroad activity shifted to Wenatchee.
The city founded its future in 1962 when Owen and Pauline Watson, owners of a business on Front Street, kicked off Project LIFE (Leavenworth Improvement For Everyone) to transform the city into a mock Bavarian village after their visit to the Danish-themed town Solvang, California four years earlier, inspired by the European Alps which is a fitting backdrop for Leavenworth. Since then, this Bavarian theme has been the main selling point for travelers across the U.S. to visit the area, either just to experience the culture, or as a transit point for recreation in the North Cascades.

Climate

Leavenworth has a typical climate of Eastern Washington — hot in summer and cold in winter — though slightly on the wetter side because of its close proximity to the Cascades that typically shields the town from the heaviest precipitations. Snow and chill is always expected in the winter, but it is mostly dry and crisp in all other seasons.
While driving in town may still be manageable with the snowy conditions, driving in and out of the city can be harsh, especially if you are going to the other side of the Cascades. See § Stay Safe for more information.

Plan

Most of the shops are open roughly 10AM-6PM, and it would be a shame to miss all the window shopping. If you arrive in the morning, the town is pretty quiet before 10AM (without even many options for breakfast; consider eating at your hotel instead) but gets busy quickly. Meanwhile, most restaurants open at 11AM and close between 9PM and 11PM. Arriving in the evening, you'll likewise find there's not much to do other than eat and drink, and your options for those may be limited if you arrive too late.

By plane

The nearest airport from Leavenworth is Pangborn Memorial EAT, 40 minutes east in Wenatchee, at which only Alaska Airlines offers flights from Seattle three times daily. General aviation make up the rest of the traffic. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is three hours away on the other side of the Cascades where it has much more domestic & international connections.

By car

Leavenworth is located along the US Highway 2, to the west of the junction with US Highway 97, approximately 120 miles east from Seattle and 180 miles west of Spokane. If you are coming from Seattle, this will be the first major town you will pass after driving through the Cascade Mountains.
The nearest Interstate to the town is Interstate 90, from which you may exit at the US Highway 97 junction and turn left at its junction with Highway 2.

By train

• Leavenworth "Icicle" Station

  address: 11645 North Road
  Amtrak's Empire Builder, which runs from Seattle in the west to Chicago in the east, maintains a stop at this station, 2 miles to the northeast of downtown Leavenworth. Trains are scheduled to arrive and depart at 8PM eastbound and 6AM westbound. Shuttles by hotels can be arranged to pick you up from the train station.

By bus

• Chelan County's Link Transit route 22

  address: first and last stop at Icicle Rd & Hwy 2
  The bus serves Leavenworth from Wenatchee on Mondays through Saturdays. See schedules and route maps for stop locations.

• Northwestern Trailways

  phone: +1 800 366-3830
  address: (Bus stop) Icicle Kwik Stop at 585 W Hwy 2
  Northwestern Trailways has one trip a day from Seattle (via Everett, Monroe, Stevens Pass, Skykomish, etc) and from Spokane (via Wenatchee, Quincy, Moses Lake, Ritzville) to Leavenworth. Tickets can also be booked on Greyhound.com

The downtown area of Leavenworth is along Front Street to the Wenatchee River, which also acts as the tourist portion of the city. While it takes a 15 min walk from one side to the other on foot, you may have to get there by car if your place of stay is outside the downtown area. Be aware that the parking slots, which are all free, can be outrageously hard to find by lunchtime on weekends and holiday periods when day-trippers arrive on wheels.

By taxi

• Leavenworth Shuttle & Taxi

  phone: +1 509-548-RIDE
  Taxis within the Leavenworth and provides shuttle service for pickup from Stevens Pass, Icicle Amtrak station, and trailheads around town.

The obvious thing you'll want to do in Leavenworth is to just wander around the Bavarian-themed village. Between the buildings constructed in authentic Old World Bavarian architectural styles and the towering mountains in every direction, it really does feel like a German village in the Alps. The city's famous Christmas lights are up from Thanksgiving to around Valentine's Day (late November to mid-February), making it a spectacular sight at night.

• Front Street ParkThe park at the center of Leavenworth is usually the gathering place for everyone in between their shopping spree. Live music are 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.

• Icicle Creek Center for the Arts

  phone: +1 509-548-6347
  address: 7409 Icicle Rd
  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.

• Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery

  phone: +1 509-548-7641
  address: 12790 Fish Hatchery Rd
  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.

• Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

  phone: +1 509-885-3021
  address: 10395 Chumstick Hwy
  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.

• Leavenworth Summer Theater

  address: Box Office: 565 US-2 (Icicle Resort), Performance: Festhalle or Leavenworth Ski Hill
  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.

• Nutcracker Museum

  phone: +1 509-548-4573
  address: 735 Front St
  A rather small museum, but is loaded with over 5000 models of nutcrackers, from simple prehistoric ones to modern movie character variations.

• Waterfront ParkThis 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 situation, cross over the bridge to Blackbird Island.

Leavenworth is usually a transit point for those who wished to explore the eastern slope of the Cascades, such as Lakes Wenatchee and Chelan and of course, hiking trails. That being said, there are still huge opportunities to have fun outdoors within the town proper.

• Eagle Creek Ranch

  phone: +1 509-548-7798
  address: 7951 Eagle Creek Road
  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.

• Enchantment Park

  address: 300 Enchantment Park Way
  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.

• Leavenworth Golf Club

  phone: +1 509 548-7267
  address: 9101 Icicle Road
  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.

• Leavenworth Outdoor Center

  phone: +1 509 548-8823
  address: 321 9th St
  Float on the pristine Wenatchee using a tube, paddleboard, or kayak. Lessons provided.

• Leavenworth Ski Hill

  phone: +1 509-548-5477
  address: 10701 Ski Hill Dr
  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).

• Osprey Rafting

  phone: +1 509-548-6800
  address: 9342 Icicle Road
  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.

Hiking

The nearby Cascades offers hiking options for all levels, whether it is up the mountain or down the stream.

• The Enchantments

  phone: +1 509 664-9200
  address: 9101 Icicle Creek Road
  The Enchantments is a basin of glacier lakes amidst the Cascade peaks, an extremely popular hiking and backpacking destination during the summer months. Hiking the trail is gruesome due to its elevation gain of at least 4000 feet and spanning 18 miles round trip! An overnight stay is highly recommended, but permits must be reserved in advance and are extremely difficult to get; the rare on the spot overnight camp permits are quickly snagged by late morning and not issued on Sundays while day hike permits are easily obtained. No dogs allowed. There are two ways to access the area: The Snow Lakes trailhead (4 miles out of Leavenworth) or the 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.).

• Icicle GorgeA 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.

• Tumwater Pipeline TrailA 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.

Festivals

• Oktoberfest

  address: Festhalle (Front St & 10th Ave)
  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.
• Christmas is also popular with tourists, where the city is bright with colorful lights and snow often covers the ground.
• Most festivals, big or small, from music to parades, are held in the summer.

Virtually all the shopping options can be found on the Front Street strip. The following lists the shops that are worth both your pocket and an experience:

• A Matter of Taste

  phone: +1 509-548-6949
  address: 647 Front St
  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.

• Cup & Kettle

  phone: +1 509-548-TEAS
  address: 819 Front St
  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.

• The Cheesemonger's Shop

  phone: +1 509-548-9011
  address: 819 Front St
  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.

• Kris Kringl

  phone: +1 509-548-6867
  address: 907 Front St
  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.

• The Oil and Vinegar Cellar

  phone: +1 509-470-7684
  address: 633 Front St Ste F
  The home of infused olive oil, aged balsamic vinegar and flavorful gourmet sea salts, all the unique ingredients for home cooks. Free tasting samples and bulk discounts.

• Schocolat

  phone: +1 509-548-7274
  address: 834-C Front St
  Homemade artisan Belgian truffles and chocolates whose staff is friendly and generous with samples.

• Almond Blossom

  phone: +1 509 888-3857
  address: 933 Front St Ste C
  Assorted freshly roasted nuts sold by the pound, with an extensive library of flavors ranging from sweet to spicy.

Grocery shopping

If you need that last minute grocery shopping trips for a cookout, the following stores should provide what you need:

• Dan's Food Market

  phone: +1 509 548-5611
  address: 1329 US-2

• Safeway

  phone: +1 509 548-5435
  address: 116 Riverbend Drive

Bavarian fares are meant to be hearty and filling, and thus contains mainly meat (especially sausages) with sauerkraut as a side dish. While people will most likely be looking for this option in Leavenworth, those who wish to have something else should not be running out of choices.

Budget

• The Gingerbread Factory

  phone: +1 509-548-6592
  address: 828 Commercial St
  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.

• Good Mood Food

  phone: +1 509-423-7788
  address: 285 US-2
  American pita, pastry, and light meal cafe. One of the most gluten-free and vegetarian friendly establishments in town. Breakfast served until 11.

• Leavenworth Sausage Garten

  phone: +1 509-888-4959
  address: 636 Front St
  Bavarian sausages made by their neighbor "Cured by Visconti" complimented with a selection of beers. Outdoor seating (with shades) and live music. Less crowded than Munchen Haus.

• Munchen Haus

  phone: +1 509-548-1158
  address: 709 Front St
  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.

• Heidleburger Drive In

  phone: +1 509-548-5471
  address: 12708 US-2
  Quaint drive-in burger barn with outdoor patio seating. Look for its curly fries or onion rings.

Mid-range

• Baren Haus

  phone: +1 509-548-4535
  address: 208 9th St
  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.

• Bavarian Bistro & Bar

  phone: +1 509-548-5074
  address: 801 Front St
  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.

• Idlewild Pizza

  address: 911 Commercial St
  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.

• South

  phone: +1 509-888-HEAT
  address: 939 Front St
  Latin American (and Mexican) treats, plus self serve salsa bar (bottomless!) and exotic cocktails.

• Sulla Vita

  phone: +1 509-888-3940
  address: 931 Front St
  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.

• King Ludwig's Restaurant

  phone: +1 509 548-6625
  address: 921 Front St
  Large Bavarian-style German restaurant & beer hall known for its live polka music & imported brews.

• Pavz

  phone: +1 509 548-2103
  address: 833 Front St
  Simple and artsy cafe with comfort food in the menu that include sweet crepes, pastas, savory steaks and cheese fondue.

Splurge

• Andreas Keller

  phone: +1 509-548-6000
  address: 829 Front St
  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 for complimenting your meal. Accompanied by live yodeling and Alpine music at dinnertime. Reserve ahead as place is very packed by 6:30PM.

• Mana Restaurant

  phone: +1 509-548-1662
  address: 1033 Commercial St
  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.

• Mozart's

  phone: +1 509-548-0600
  address: 829 Front St
  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.

• Watershed Cafe

  phone: +1 509-888-0214
  address: 221 8th St
  Fine dining in a New American cafe offering seafood, fine meats, and even an elk shepherd's pie.

Leavenworth's fortunate location at Washington state's wine and beer country gives you easy access to local produce at its many cellars and distilleries.

• Icicle Brewing Company

  phone: +1 509-548-BREW
  address: 935 Front St
  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.

• Uncle Uli's Pub

  phone: +1 509-548-7262
  address: 902 Front St
  Pub with BBQ food.

• Blewett Brewing Company

  phone: +1 509-888-8809
  address: 911 Commercial Street
  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.

Although hotels are abundant across the US-2 strip, families and large groups tend to rent cabins just outside the downtown area. For those that are really on a budget, there are B&Bs throughout town, in which many of them are some distances from downtown, in the area where the locals live. If your purpose is hiking the Cascades or the Enchantments, there are campgrounds down the road after Icicle St inside the Wenatchee National Forest, which requires a permit and are extremely popular (given by lottery system).
A couple non-chain hotels quote different rates depending on the season, with January-April and October-November being mostly considered as low season. During high season - which is usually December and May through September - expect prices to hike up by at least a third.

Budget

• Der Ritterhof

  phone: +1 509-548-5845
  address: 190 US-2
  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.

• Evergreen Inn

  phone: +1 509 548-5515
  address: 1117 Front St.
  One of the only cheap places in Leavenworth. Stay includes a free breakfast with make-your-own Belgian waffles.

• FairBridge Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 509-548-7992
  address: 185 US-2
  Standard pet-friendly hotel albeit with slightly smaller rooms. Full breakfast with terrace seating area. 5-minute walk from Front St.

• Mrs. Anderson's Lodging House

  phone: +1 509-548-6173
  address: 917 Commercial 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!

Mid-range

• Bavarian Ritz Hotel

  phone: +1 509-548-5455
  address: 633 Front St
  A pretty large hotel, the first you'll see while driving down Front Street. Each room is designed differently. Quaint and cozy though may be a bit dark. The sundeck on the second floor has a perfect view of the mountains and Wenatchee River. Dog friendly and private parking available.

• Icicle Village Inn

  phone: +1 509 548-7000
  address: 505 US-2
  A cheap and family-friendly option. Lobbies are decorated in brown Bavarian style. Outdoor pool, spa, and arcade for leisure travelers with family.

• Howard Johnson Express

  phone: +1 509-548-4326
  address: 405 US-2
  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.

• Leavenworth Village Inn

  phone: +1 509-548-6620
  address: 1016 Commercial St
  A seemingly large hotel at downtown. Rooms are designed with wooden floors and offers complimentary hot drinks and breakfast cookies.

• Hampton Inn and Suites

  phone: +1-509-470-9798
  address: 301 Ward Strasse
  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.

Splurge

• Bavarian Lodge

  address: 810 US-2
  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.

• Enzian Inn

  phone: +1 509-548-5269
  address: 590 US-2
  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.

• Solstice Suites

  phone: +1 206-679-2985
  address: 925 Commercial St
  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.

• Storybook Riverside Inn

  phone: +1 509-470-9500
  address: 315 Commercial St
  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.

• Sleeping Lady Resort

  phone: +1 509-548-6344
  address: 7375 Icicle Rd
  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.

Leavenworth shares the 509 area code with the entire area of the Washington state east of the Cascade Mountains.
Phone signals are generally trustworthy once one gets off the mountains. In the mountains, spotty reception can be found on the junction between US2 and entrance to Lake Wenatchee and right at Stevens Pass. Once one is off the downtown area however, expect rudimentary to non-existent cell services, even in the populated areas! Set your GPS or navigation on your phone before driving. Do not hold or use your phone while driving, even while stopped in a red light, as it is a punishable offence in the state.

• Winter driving conditions, especially if you are coming from or to Western Washington, can be dangerous and slippery as snow can often fall in feet, though the main highway is often cleared quite quickly because of frequent patrons to the Stevens Pass ski resort. Snoqualmie Pass usually closes less frequently due to its lower elevation, though getting here would involve an hour-long detour along the Blewett Pass; Blewett lies at a slightly lower altitude than Stevens Pass but gets cleared less frequently. Apply the usual winter driving safety precautions and drive extra careful, or better yet check the weather forecast for expected road conditions and best times to travel. For the latest information about driving conditions on the mountain passes, please check the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for Stevens Pass, Snoqualmie Pass, and Blewett Pass.
• Watch out for foot traffic while driving on Front Street, especially on weekends and during peak season where there are more of it. Even though there are marked crossings, jaywalking is still common here. Pack some patience as you search for parking as it will be frustratingly hard to find during those times.

• There are a number of locations for outdoor activities such as the massive Lake Wenatchee in the west via US Highway 2 and the state's largest lake, Lake Chelan to the north.
• The small nearby town of Cashmere and its larger counterpart has a small distillery as well as a few bars and other attractions. Wenatchee is a large town to the east of Cashmere.
• A drive along US 2 can take you to Seattle in the west (though the highway actually terminates at Everett) or Spokane in the east.
• A drive down US97 will take you to Ellensburg and Interstate 90.
• The nearest ski resorts are Stevens Pass on US2 to the west (mountain bound) and Mission Ridge south of Wenatchee.