Leavenworth Washington is one of the cutest towns in the U.S. It is a small bavarian-themed town in central Washington on the East side of the Cascade Mountains. This area truly suits most tourists, as there are TONS of different restaurants, great local breweries, lots of fun outdoor activities and more. And not to mention the beautiful view of the mountains from town. Leavenworth didn’t always start as a bavarian-style town, but developed over time. So let’s dive into history, the best things to do in town, best places to eat and more.
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History Of Leavenworth Washington
Leavenworth actually started as an old logging town in the late 1800s. In 1892, settlers were brought to Leavenworth to construct the Great Northern Railway through the Tumwater Canyon. And in 1903 more workers were brought to construct the second largest sawmill in Washington State. On September 5, 1906, the town of Leavenworth was officially incorporated.
The town was known as a small timber community until 1925 when the corporate office for the Great Northern Railway moved to Wenatchee. This devastating move left the town to slowly die out. The lumber mills closed, people moved away and businesses either closed or relocated.
But there was hope for this little struggling timber community in the mid to late 1900s. The Project LIFE (Leavenworth Improvement For Everyone) Committee developed a plan to make Leavenworth into a Bavarian-style themed town. And slowly the town leaned into this new identity and became the bustling tourist destination it is today.
Best Things To Do In Leavenworth Washington:
Float The Wenatchee River:
One of the best things to do in Leavenworth Washington is float the Wenatchee River. If you have your own tube, you can do this activity relatively inexpensively. Jake and I just used our Inflatable Kayak because we already had it on hand and it worked great!
It’s best to have two cars so you can have a car at both the launch point and endpoint. But you can also walk the short path to the start if you want a little extra exercise (which is the option we choose).
But if you don’t have your own float or just visiting town, then there are 4 different tubing companies you can rent from. They all offer a shuttle ride so you can safely tube the river and get back to your vehicle.
Leavenworth Outdoor Center is one of the tubing rental companies. You can park in their grass lot for $10 or somewhere in town and they will shuttle you to the launch point. You can choose between a 2-mile or 4-mile float trip. But do note the 4-mile float trip is only offered in July due to water levels. The price ranges from $25-$30 per person.
Other companies that offer tubes and shuttle services are Blue Sky Outfitters, River Riders, and Osprey Rafting Co. If you want to step up your game from the lazy float down the Wenatchee River, each of these companies also offers White Water Rafting earlier in the season.
Explore Downtown Leavenworth Washington:
A must-do activity in Leavenworth Washington is to explore downtown. It is a super cute Bavarian-themed town, so it offers a cute and unique vibe. There are tons of restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, gift shops, and even a nutcracker museum.
And if shopping isn’t your thing, simply just walking downtown and experiencing the Bavarian-style buildings makes you feel like you are transported right to Germany! There are many different benches to take a break and enjoy the sights.
There is also a small pavilion where you might catch the Musikkapelle Leavenworth Group or another German band playing authentic music!
Visit the Famous Nutcracker Museum:
If you have even the slightest of interest in Nutcrackers, then Leavenworth Washington is the perfect spot for you. There are thousands of different nutcrackers, some dating back centuries. The cost is $5 for entry, but you get to experience one interesting museum and learn about all the history of nutcrackers.
There is a long history of how nuts are beneficial for humans over the years. And how there are many different ways to crack nuts.
Hike To Colchuck Lake or Backpack The Enchantments:
One of the best things to do in Leavenworth Washington is hike to Colchuck Lake. But it is not an easy task, because the hike is 9 miles roundtrip and has 2283 elevation gain. But I promise, you will be rewarded with a stunning view at the end. Plus you can even swim at the lake to cool off. Jake and I loved it so much we spent hours up there just relaxing, swimming, and had plenty of time for photography.
And if you are adventurous and love backpacking, you can even backpack to the lake or thru hike the Enchantments. But to snag a permit, you need advanced planning. Permits for the Enchantments are hard to come by and sell out as soon as they go up online. Sometimes people have to cancel at the last minute, so check recreation.gov for available permits if anything becomes available last minute.
You only need a permit if you want to backpack to Colchuck Lake, so if you plan enough time in the day, you can day hike to Colchuck Lake somewhat easily without a permit.
Do note the weather in Leavenworth Washington can break into the 100’s, so we suggest hiking early in the morning to avoid the heat. Plus the parking lot fills up quickly, so if you don’t get there early you can sometimes add on an extra mile of hiking to get back to your car.
But nonetheless, hiking to Colchuck Lake is one of the best things to do in Leavenworth Washington.
Self-guided Brewery Tour:
Icicle Brewing Company, DogHaus Brewery, Blewett Brewing Company
If you’ve been around or read some of our other guides, then you probably know self-guided brewery tours are a must-do in each town we visit. We love trying the local craft beers and getting to check out the different vibe of each brewery.
It’s an affordable way to meet some locals, try some good & sometimes unique beers and enjoy time out in town. Plus all the breweries in Leavenworth Washington are just a short walk from each other.
And Leavenworth Washington is home to the smallest brewery in the state. So this self-guided brewery tour was certainly a special & unique experience!
Icicle Brewing Company
First up on the self-guided brewery tour in Leavenworth Washington is Icicle Brewing Company. Icicle Brewing Company offers a modern lodge-like vibe with tons of seating. There is an outdoor patio or plenty of indoor seating both on the main floor and in the upstairs loft which offer some beautiful views of the mountains.
We especially liked this place because they had TONS of fruity IPA’s, Pale Ales and more. You can also get a flight, which we love, so we can try many different kinds. And the names of all the beers are fun and inspired by the local area.
Some of our favorites we tried were the Alpenhaze, which is their delicious flagship hazy IPA, the Stuart-Enchantments which was hazy and tasty & the Kickstand Pale Ale which was fruity and very drinkable.
Icicle Brewing Company does have a small food menu, but we suggest getting food at the Blewett Brewing Company. (more info below)
Doghaus Brewery
Next on the self-guided brewery tour, let’s head over to the Doghaus Brewery which is the smallest brewery in Washington. And they mean it! This place definitely offers one of the most unique experiences in Leavenworth Washington.
When we arrived at the brewery, there were only about 2 “comfortable” spots left in the small 10×15′ tasting room. There are maybe about 12 seats total, so you are bound to sit next to a couple other tourists or locals.
We kind of enjoyed the experience because the close quarters encourages conversation between parties. So we met a group that hiked to Colchuck Lake earlier that day which is a hike we were planning on doing later in the week. So it was fun to hear their experience and learn some tips about the hike.
I can’t say I totally enjoyed the beers here, but they were unique. I got the Apple IPA which had obvious notes of apple and was hoppy. Jake got the Bone Digger Tripel because it’s a local favorite. The Tripel is carmely, sweet and strong, perhaps just not really our style. But when in Leavenworth Washington, you gotta give this place a try and then you can say you’ve been to the smallest brewery in Washington!
Blewett Brewing Company
Last but certainly not least on the self-guided brewery tour in Leavenworth Washington is Blewett Brewing Company. Hopefully you are hungry, because not only do they have delicious beer, they also have some BOMB pizza! They have outdoor seating at the hightops outside or indoor seating with the brewery tanks in the background.
And their beer was my favorite of the brewery tour. We got the Coldilocks Hazy IPA and the Fools Gold Hazy Pale Ale which both had citrus fruity notes, hoppiness and were super tasty! Pair these tasty beers with their BBQ Chicken (aka Sweet Daddy) Pizza and you will be a happy customer! They have tons of different pizza options to choose from too.
You can do this self-guided brewery tour in Leavenworth Washington in any order.
Walk The River Path (Waterfront Park Trail):
If you want to get a little exercise and get a beautiful bit of nature just a short walk from town, then we suggest a river walk along the Wenatchee River. The trail is called Waterfront Park Trail and is about 3 miles long.
There is a web of trails, so you can take a few different routes. There are helpful maps along the trail, showing you where you are and the different paths you can take. You can either do the whole trail or just walk a small portion of the trail.
If you choose to do this activity, you can either park in town at one of the lots and walk down toward the river or there is a $10 lot in a field down by Waterfront Park. You could also park at the Enchantments Park, but it is a little further from town.
Visit The Leavenworth Ski Hill:
Whether you are visiting Leavenworth Washington in summer or winter, there are plenty of activities to do year-round. The ski hill was built in 1929 to help build up recreation and tourism and continues to be a fun way to spend time in Leavenworth Washington.
Summer Activities At The Leavenworth Ski Hill:
There is still plenty to do at the Leavenworth Ski Hill in Summer. There is hiking, mountain biking, an endurance course, summer theatre plays and a restaurant at the Ski Hill Lodge. There are 6 different hiking & biking trails ranging from beginner to advanced.
If you are looking for a unique workout course, there is a core endurance park with 15 different stations. The park was put in by the Forest Service Firefighters to train with their equipment but is also open to the public.
Also, during the summer months, the Leavenworth Summer Theatre puts on a show at the Ski Hill Amphitheater. Plan ahead and grab a ticket if a production is taking place during the dates you visit.
While you’re visiting, stop into the Ski Hill Lodge Restaurant for some food and beverages. They often have live music, so check their events page to see if they have a band or musician playing while you visit!
Winter Activities At The Leavenworth Ski Hill:
Of course when you think of a ski hill you probably think of snow covered mountains. There are tons of fun winter activities to do at the ski hill. From alpine skiing, tubing, sledding, snowshoeing, fat biking and plenty of Nordic trails. Plus the ski hill tickets start as low as $12/person. And of course you can visit the restaurant to warm up on those cold snowy days too!
Visiting the Leavenworth Ski Hill in winter is an easy way to spend a day or two with the wide variety of activities.
Leavenworth Community Farmers Market:
Beginning early June to mid-October, every Thursday from 4-7pm there is a community farmers market with local goods. The farmers market is located on Evans St. There are many local farmers offering fresh and organic produce so stop on by if you are there on a Thursday during the summer!
Best Places To Eat in Leavenworth Washington:
Rhein Haus:
Rhein Haus is a chain with locations in Denver & Seattle, but in 2013 opened its 3rd location in Leavenworth. It is a unique German restaurant that has multiple levels of seating with a large outdoor patio, front street Biergarten and indoor seating. They offer a variety of staple German cuisines & drinks such as bratwursts, Bavarian pretzels and beer steins.
When we visited, we got the Habanero Cheddarwurst which was filled with Tillamook Cheddar and the Haus Pretzel with cheese dipping sauce! Both were sooo yummy! If you are traveling with a group, consider getting the giant haus pretzel, which is a LARGE pretzel that can easily feed 3-5 people as an appetizer.
Danish Bakery:
One of the best places to eat in Leavenworth Washington is the Danish Bakery. It is the perfect stop in the morning to grab a few sweet pastries and a cup of coffee to start the morning off right!
There are TONS of options that are authentic German treats! One of my personal favorites is a Kringle. You can get one to share with the whole fam or just get a piece for yourself. My best suggestion is to grab a few different pastries and share them amongst your partner or group.
Blewett Brewing Company:
A must-do when in Leavenworth Washington is to get a pizza from Blewett Brewing Company. In our opinion, it is one of the best places to eat in Leavenworth if you don’t want a German-Style meal. We loved the pizza here.
It has terrific crust, plenty of toppings and was cooked to perfection! And you might as well pick up a nice craft beer while you are there.
Munchen Haus:
Muchen Haus is another German-style restaurant. So if you want to get a delicious bratwurst or a hot pretzel you must stop here too!
The restaurant is counter-service and then you can find a spot to sit either in their Biergarten or on the additional picnic tables in the parking lot. Don’t worry, cars aren’t allowed down main street, so you can just enjoy the view without much bother from cars. The one negative is beer isn’t allowed in the street sitting area. So if you want to get a famous German beer stein from Munchen Haus, you will need to sit in the biergarten.
Again Jake and I got a bratwurst and a pretzel to share and once again were great. But if I had to choose who had a better brat between the two German restaurants we visited: Rhein Haus won. But not by a landslide by any means! But for a better pretzel, Munchen Haus won in that category.
So if you are visiting Leavenworth Washington for longer than a day, we suggest checking out these two German Restaurants to get a fun and unique authentic German meal.
Other German Restaurants In Leavenworth Washington To Try:
If Rhein Haus or Munchen Haus are busy or you just want to try a different restaurant, then Stein, Gustav’s, or Colchuck’s are also great options.
Stein:
Stein has 55 different beers on tap. Their menu offers pretzels, bratwurst and other great German-style meals. But they are more famous for their rotisserie chicken, ribs, and brisket. They also have a great selection of to-go beer and ciders to bring back to your hotel room!
Gustav’s:
Gustav’s has an awesome patio on the second floor with a stunning view of the mountains. Their menu has a good selection of burgers, bratwursts, fish & chips and other sandwiches. They also have 30 different local beers on tap including Icicle Brewing as it is home of Icicle Ales since 1982.
Colchuck’s:
Colchuck’s is named after the famous Colchuck Lake Hike. It is known for burgers and brews but also has some great bratwurst to choose from. They have tons of outdoor seating on the street with umbrellas to shield you from the sun. Plus indoor seating as well.
High-end/Fancier Restaurants in Leavenworth Washington:
If you are looking for a more high-end and romantic place to eat while in Leavenworth Washington, consider Mana or Watershed Cafe. Both locally source their food and have fabulous plate presentations. But prepare for a large bill at the end as the experience is fancy and elegant.
Where To Stay In Leavenworth Washington:
Vanlife/RVing:
One of the coolest things Leavenworth Washington has is a free parking lot for guests traveling in Campervans or RV’s. You can only stay 1 night (24 hours), but it helps promote tourism and safe traveling. Please be extra respectful of the area, leave no trace and respects the 24-hour policy.
There are also two great campground options near Leavenworth Washington. Alpine View RV Park is located less than 1 mile from downtown. There is a dump station on-site, complimentary showers to guests and free wifi.
There is also the KOA Holiday Leavenworth, which is also less than a mile from camp. They offer a luxurious style of camping with both RV and tent sites. It’s located just a short walk from the Wenatchee River, so during those summer months, you can take a nice dip to cool off. There is complimentary wifi, cable TV, pool, hot tub, and even fun campground recreation to keep you and the kids entertained.
If you want to find more free camping options nearby use the website iOverlander or freecampsites.net to find campsites nearby. You can also check out our post Where To Find Free Overnight Parking In Vanlife.
Hotel/VRBO In Leavenworth Washington:
There are tons of great hotels & vacation home rentals to choose from in Leavenworth Washington.
If you want an authentic Bavarian-style room, consider booking a room at Bavarian Ritz Hotel, Alpine Dorf Pension, or Sleeping Lady Resort.
And if you prefer a vacation home rental, use VRBO to find places with great locations or an authentic Bavarian-style home.
Take A Virtual Tour Of Leavenworth Washington With Us:
Takeaway | Ultimate Guide To Leavenworth Washington:
Leavenworth Washington is one of the coolest and cutest towns Jake and I had the pleasure of visiting. While the theme can be seen as gimmicky and touristy, I think they played into the theme very well. You feel as though you are transported across the world to a beautiful European Country. And exploring in town isn’t your thing, there’s plenty of outdoor recreation to enjoy. I hope this ultimate guide to Leavenworth Washington helps you have an epic adventure in town.
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