Leavenworth is a charming, Bavarian style former logging village nestled in the Cascade Mountains. This year-round destination is set amidst the Wenatchee National Forrest. The list of things to do in Leavenworth WA is long, from quaint shops, German food, lively festivals and an abundance of outdoor activities. Learn about the area, see upcoming events and don't forget to book one of our great Leavenworth Bed and Breakfasts for the overall best travel experience.
This charming town hosts a number of popular festivals throughout the year. In October, the town celebrates all things German with the Leavenworth Oktoberfest. This lively event includes four venues with live music, great food and arts & crafts displays. Kinderplatz (kids place) is designed for children and makes this a great family event.
The Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival is the oldest festival in Washington. It celebrates the dense and colorful forests surrounding Leavenworth. This event includes a parade, live entertainment and family friendly activities.
Winter offers plenty of things to do in town and the surrounding area. Begin your holiday shopping on November 25 at the Leavenworth Christkindlmarkt. This annual Bavarian Christmas Market is found downtown on Front Street. Enjoy family friendly entertainment, fine food, local arts and crafts. The festival is held Friday 11:00 AM – 7:30 PM, Saturday 10:00 AM till 7:30 PM and Sunday 10:00 AM till 3:00 PM.
The first three weekends of December are packed with holiday happenings. The town is illuminated by half a million Christmas lights for their Christmas Lighting Festival. Each weekend includes parades, carolers, food and local arts and crafts. The gazebo located in the center of town serves as the main stage for entertainment all day.
The entire family can go skiing, sledding and tubing at Ski Hill operated by the Leavenworth Ski Club. Head to Stevens Pass only 30 miles away for more serious skiing and snowboarding. Leavenworth Shuttle and Taxi offers flexible service from downtown Leavenworth to the slopes, making your trip stress free! (Stevens Pass had their first snowfall of the season on October 10, 2016!). Other winter activities include sleigh rides, snowshoeing and snowmobiling.
Every January, on Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend, Leavenworth celebrates IceFest. Enjoy ice sculptures, games and snow centered activities as well as a winter fireworks show. New this year is a Stevens Pass Grom Playground. Here kids 3-7 can learn to ski and board with certified snow sports instructors to guide them around.
The town is surrounded by over 700 miles of forest service trails, perfect for hiking. If you are into climbing there are over 50 crags within 10 miles offering spectacular views of the Cascades and the valley. There are also several golf courses in this beautiful area.
The Wenatchee River winds through Leavenworth and offers kayaking, tubing and rafting opportunities. Fisherman can head to Lake Wenatchee, Fish Lake or the Wenatchee River.
Bikers will find miles of scenic byways in the area and mountain bikers can head to the Stevens Pass Bike Park, a scenic 30 mile drive from town.
Leavenworth has distinct seasons. Summer daytime highs can reach 85 degrees and nighttime lows are in the mid-50s. In winter the daily highs are around 35 degrees dropping to around 25 degrees at night. Summers are relatively dry, but expect snow in winter. Leavenworth experiences approximately 79 inches of snow per year.
Getting to Leavenworth from Seattle is an easy scenic 2 ½ hour drive over the Cascade Mountains. From Seattle you can travel east on I-90, over Snoqualamie Pass and then north on US-97 over Blewitt Pass then onto US-2 into Leavenworth. My favorite is traveling north of Seattle and catching US-2. This route takes you over Stevens Pass with heart stopping views of the Cascades and plenty of forest. This is mountain travel. Although the roads are well maintained throughout the year, always check the Washington DOT Mountain Pass webpage for current road conditions.
Things to Do in Leavenworth WA
Dining
Outdoor Activities
Events
Leavenworth WA celebrates winter with the Bavarian Icefest every winter over MLK Jr. weekend. Take one last opportunity to enjoy over half a million twinkling lights while strolling through Leavenworths downtown shops and restaurants.
Snow Sculpture competion starts on Saturday at 9:00am. Gather a team of 6 and head to the Gazebo to...
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