Leavenworth, WA

Travel Guide
Leavenworth which includes street scenes
Experience the traditions, culture and architecture of Bavaria relocated to the mountains of Central Washington.

You might imagine you have been transported to the German alps while in Leavenworth, a town in Central Washington famed for its eye-catching Bavarian aesthetic and culture. Don your lederhosen and order a pint of weissbeir (wheat beer) in a local tavern surrounded by the mountains of the Cascade Range. The beautiful scenery and adventure sports in the forests and rivers further add to the appeal of this charming town.

Pioneers on the hunt for gold first settled in this area toward the end of the 19th century. Leavenworth’s boom era arrived with the railways, which brought work and commerce to the town. After an economic downturn, however, Leavenworth remodeled itself as a Bavarian village in the 1960s to appeal to tourists. Marvel at the success of that transformation as you explore a town that looks distinctly German.

Learn about the history behind this unique blend of America and Germany in the Upper Valley Museum. The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum is a popular, niche attraction with a gigantic display of nutcrackers of every shape and size.

Mingle with locals over steins of beer in October during the annual, raucous Oktoberfest. This classic German tradition has been transplanted wholeheartedly to Leavenworth. Enjoy live music, European arts and crafts and family activities as well as copious amounts of beer. Other Bavarian traditions in the town include the raising of the maypole during Maifest and a music festival dedicated to accordions.

Relax by the river in Enchantment Park and Waterfront Park. Float down the river in rubber tubes or go on a whitewater rafting excursion down nearby rapids. Inquire at the tourist information center about going on bike, horse and boat rides into the surrounding wilderness.

Take an Amtrak train from Chicago or Seattle to Leavenworth, or drive along Highway 2 through the dramatic scenery of the Cascades. Once here, explore the town on foot.

Visit Leavenworth throughout the year to see the mountains of Washington in different colors. Ski down the white slopes in winter and enjoy the German-style après-ski scene. Come in summer to go mountain biking down the same mountainside routes.

Where to stay in Leavenworth

Fairbridge Inn & Suites
Fairbridge Inn & Suites
2 out of 5
185 US Hwy 2, Leavenworth, WA
The price is $106 per night from Oct 1 to Oct 2
$106
per night
Oct 1 - Oct 2
Stay at this hotel in Leavenworth. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,005 reviews)
"Staff and room were lovely"

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2023

Fairbridge Inn & Suites
Icicle Village Resort
Icicle Village Resort
3.5 out of 5
505 Highway 2, Leavenworth, WA
The price is $143 per night from Oct 16 to Oct 17
$143
per night
Oct 16 - Oct 17
Stay at this 3.5-star spa hotel in Leavenworth. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the pool and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,162 reviews)
"The mattress needs updating"

Reviewed on Sep 14, 2023

Icicle Village Resort
Hampton Inn & Suites Leavenworth
Hampton Inn & Suites Leavenworth
2.5 out of 5
301 Ward Strasse, Leavenworth, WA
The price is $119 per night from Oct 22 to Oct 23
$119
per night
Oct 22 - Oct 23
Stay at this hotel in Leavenworth. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the property condition in our reviews. Popular attractions ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,314 reviews)
"convenient."

Reviewed on Sep 19, 2023

Hampton Inn & Suites Leavenworth
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Alpine Getaway - A Leavenworth Cabin with Hot Tub
Alpine Getaway - A Leavenworth Cabin with Hot Tub
Leavenworth
Stay at this family-friendly cabin in Leavenworth. Enjoy onsite parking, an in-room DVD player, and barbecue grills. Popular attractions Plain Valley Nordic ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (91 reviews)
Rest and Relaxation
"Had a very nice stay. Very peaceful sitting on front deck. Enjoyed watching a movie in the evening with great surround sound! Very clean. Had everything you would need for a comfortable stay."

Reviewed on Sep 20, 2023

Alpine Getaway - A Leavenworth Cabin with Hot Tub
Mountain Resort Home with Luxurious Pool Complex STR#000701
Mountain Resort Home with Luxurious Pool Complex STR#000701
Leavenworth
Stay at this family-friendly vacation home in Leavenworth. Enjoy private pools, WiFi, and onsite parking. Popular attractions Icicle Creek and Leavenworth Golf ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (131 reviews)
Great stay
"Great stay. Only issue would be the deck railing is a little loose. Made me nervous to have little ones on the deck."

Reviewed on Aug 5, 2023

Mountain Resort Home with Luxurious Pool Complex STR#000701
Cozy, dog-friendly cabin w/ a great deck, partial lake views, & beach access
Cozy, dog-friendly cabin w/ a great deck, partial lake views, & beach access
Leavenworth
Stay at this cabin in Leavenworth. Enjoy WiFi, onsite parking, and an in-room DVD player. Popular attractions Dirty Face Trailhead and Glacier View Campground ...
7.6/10 Good! (33 reviews)
Good location!
"We had a great stay at the Sweet Retreat! The cabin is a nice home base for spending all day on the lake. It looks to be well loved and is in need of a few fixes but nothing that detracted from the stay for us. It had everything we needed. Plenty of beds and the kitchen had everything we needed to ..."

Reviewed on Jul 24, 2023

Cozy, dog-friendly cabin w/ a great deck, partial lake views, & beach access
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Reviews of Leavenworth

4.7
Top Destination
5 - Excellent
680
" "5 - Excellent 72.41746538871139%
4 - Good
226
" "4 - Good 24.068157614483493%
3 - Okay
30
" "3 - Okay 3.194888178913738%
2 - Disappointing
3
" "2 - Disappointing 0.3194888178913738%
1 - Terrible
0
" "1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 10, 2020

Cute

4/5 - Good

Verified traveler
Mar 3, 2020

Lot of eateries. Custom alcohol and wineries. Lot of little shops.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Mar 2, 2020

Parking in town is tough

4/5 - Good

MBD
Feb 24, 2020

Leavenworth was fun. There was lots of dining, shopping and wine tasting options. Lots of live music at night. The only downside was that it was crowded and parking was difficult as usual.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveler
Feb 22, 2020

touristy town, ok,not my style with ugly lighting at night

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveler
Feb 10, 2020

Super fun

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