Leavenworth, WA Road Trips

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 railroad route was built through Stevens Pass in 1892. Leavenworth became a hub for the timber industry because of its perfect location, on the edge of 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 declined in the 1920s however, after the main railroad activity shifted to Wenatchee. In 1962, 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. The inspiration came from a visit to the Danish-themed town Solvang, California four years earlier, and by the European Alps which echoes the mountain backdrop for Leavenworth. Since then, this Bavarian theme has been the main selling point for travelers across the U.S., either just to experience the culture, or as a base for recreation in the North Cascades. 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.

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. 1 Front Street Park. 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. (updated Sep 2016) 2 Leavenworth Reindeer Farm, 10395 Chumstick Hwy, ☏ +1 509-885-3021. Weekends 10AM-1PM. 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. November-January $15 (ages 2 and above), $5 (ages 1 and under). Other times $12 (ages 2 and above). (updated Sep 2018) 3 Leavenworth Summer Theater, 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. $14-32. Seats must be reserved..

Leavenworth is a popular access point for exploring the eastern slope of the Cascades, such as Lakes Wenatchee, Stevens Pass, and the myriad of hiking trails. There are opportunities to have fun outdoors within the town proper. 1 Eagle Creek Ranch, 7951 Eagle Creek Rd, ☏ +1 509-548-7798, toll-free: +1 800-221-7433, [email protected]. Daily 10AM-5PM. 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. Trail ride from $25 per person, sleigh rides from $20 per person. (updated Sep 2018) 2 Enchantment Park, 300 Enchantment Park Way. Daily 6AM-midnight. 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. Free. (updated Sep 2018) 3 Leavenworth Golf Club, 9101 Icicle Rd, ☏ +1 509 548-7267. Course opening hours vary by season from between 7 and 10AM, April to October only. 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. 9-holes $25, 18-holes $35; $18 and $25 respectively after 2PM. (updated Sep 2016) 4 Leavenworth Outdoor Center, 321 9th St, ☏ +1 509 548-8823. Daily 9AM-6PM, April-September only. Float on the pristine Wenatchee using a tube, paddleboard, or kayak.

Bavarian cuisine is hearty and filling, consisting mainly of meat (especially sausages) with sauerkraut as a side dish. While many visitors to Leavenworth will be looking for this option, those who wish to have something else will not run out of choices. 1 The Gingerbread Factory, 828 Commercial St, ☏ +1 509-548-6592. Daily 8AM-6PM. 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. Cookies $2.50-7, drinks $2-5, food $3-7. (updated Sep 2016) 2 Good Mood Food, 285 US-2, ☏ +1 509-423-7788. Daily 7AM-4PM. American pita, pastry, and light meal cafe. One of the most gluten-free and vegetarian friendly establishments in town. Breakfast served until 11. Coffee $2.50-6, food $5-10. (updated Sep 2016) 3 Leavenworth Sausage Garten, 636 Front St, ☏ +1 509-888-4959. 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. Hot dogs $6, beers $5-17. (updated Sep 2016) 4 München Haus, 709 Front St, ☏ +1 509-548-1158. M-Th 11AM-8PM, F Su 11AM-9PM, Sa 11AM-10PM. 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. $4-8.

Bavaria is famous for its beers and beer halls, and Leavenworth does its best to match. 1 Icicle Brewing Company, 935 Front St, ☏ +1 509-548-BREW (2739). M-Th 2-10PM, F-Su noon-10PM. 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. (updated Mar 2015) Blewett Brewing Company, 911 Commercial St, ☏ +1 509-888-8809. M-Th noon-9PM, F noon-10PM, Sa 11AM-10PM, Su 11AM-9PM. 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. (updated Sep 2018) Leavenworth Cider House, 939 Front St, ☏ +1 509-548 9900. Th Su 12:30PM-6PM, F Sa 12:30PM-10PM. Twenty-five flavors of cider or some bottles of beer to warm you up. From $6. (updated Apr 2021) Leavenworth's proximity to Washington state's wine country means easy access to locally-produced bottles at its many cellars and distilleries.

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. 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. 1 Der Ritterhof, 190 US-2, ☏ +1 509-548-5845. 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. From $90 per night. (updated Sep 2016) 2 Evergreen Inn, 1117 Front St., ☏ +1 509-548-5515, toll-free: +1-800-327-7212. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. One of the only cheap places in Leavenworth. Stay includes a free breakfast with make-your-own Belgian waffles. From $80 per night. 3 FairBridge Inn & Suites, 185 US-2, ☏ +1 509-548-7992. Check-in: 11AM, check-out: 4PM. Standard pet-friendly hotel albeit with slightly smaller rooms. Full breakfast with terrace seating area. 5-minute walk from Front St. From $95 per night. (updated Sep 2016) 4 Mrs. Anderson's Lodging House, 917 Commercial St, ☏ +1 509-548-6173, toll-free: +1 800-253-8990. Quaint guesthouse, only one block away from the shops.

The nearest airport from Leavenworth is Pangborn Memorial EAT IATA, 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 many more domestic and international connections. U.S. Highway 2 (US-2), commonly called the Stevens Pass Highway, runs through town, approximately 120 mi (190 km) east from Seattle and 180 mi (290 km) west of Spokane. If you are coming from Seattle, this will be the first major town after driving through the Cascade Mountains. The junction with US Highway 97 is a few miles to the east. US-97 leads to Blewett Pass, and eventually to Interstate 90 near Cle Elum and Ellensburg, the nearest interstate to town. 1 Leavenworth "Icicle" Station, 11645 North Rd (2 mi (3.2 km) northeast of downtown). (updated Jul 2018) Amtrak, ☏ +1 215-856-7924, toll-free: +1-800-872-7245. Operates train service around the United States of America. (updated Mar 2022) Route serving Leavenworth: Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago. Between Seattle and Spokane, trains stop in Edmonds, Everett, Leavenworth, Wenatchee, and Ephrata.

The tourist-centric downtown is along Front Street to the Wenatchee River. It takes about 15 minutes to walk from one side to the other. If you are staying outside of the downtown area, you may have to get there by car. The public parking spots, which are all free, can be outrageously hard to find by lunchtime on weekends and holiday periods when day-trippers arrive on wheels. Parking outside the immediate downtown area can be found opposite Fairfield Inn (perfect for RVs) and the park & rides at downtown and behind Safeway. Leavenworth Shuttle & Taxi, ☏ +1 509-548-RIDE (7433). Taxis within the Leavenworth and provides shuttle service for pickup from Stevens Pass, Icicle Amtrak station, and trailheads around town. $2 per person pick up, $2.50 per mile. (updated Sep 2016) 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. On select hours, it also provides a convenient schedule for connection to Wenatchee-bound Route 22. 2 Willkommen Park and Ride, 200 Ward Strasse (behind Safeway). 89 parking spaces (updated Aug 2025)

Winter driving conditions, especially west of town, can be dangerous and slippery, as snow can often fall in feet per hour. Apply the usual winter driving safety precautions and drive extra careful. US-2 is often cleared quickly due to its level of traffic, but it does get overwhelmed from time to time. Stevens Pass also sometimes closes for avalanche control. Check the Washington State Department of Transportation website for winter travel information. Snoqualmie Pass, to the south, closes less frequently due to its lower elevation. When Stevens Pass is closed, you may be able to take an hour-long detour via Blewett Pass. Watch out for foot traffic while driving on Front Street, especially on weekends. Even though there are marked crossings, jaywalking is still common here. Be patient as you search for parking, as it will be frustratingly hard to find during those times.