A Holiday Getaway to the Bavarian Town Tucked in the Cascade Mountains
This Washington village feels like stepping into a picturesque snow globe.
Eagles soar over a European tudor-style village serving German food, beer, and desserts, while the distinctly playful sounds of polka music drift from the downtown gazebo where Lederhosen-clad musicians perform. Welcome to Leavenworth. A quaint alpine town in Washington where you might think you've stumbled into a Bavarian-themed snow globe—stein and schnitzel in hand.
Perched in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains and surrounded by towering snowcapped peaks, the holiday vibe is strong in this little enclave known as Washington's coziest city, where the Nutcracker Museum and Leavenworth Reindeer Farm stay open year-round.
With sleigh rides, strolling carolers, and random Santa sightings, Leavenworth is awash in Christmas spirit. Every winter, from Thanksgiving through the last day of February, the tiny town of about 2,200 people glows with a free display of more than half a million lights from 6 am to 11 pm daily. Visitors tend to drop off after the holidays so if tourist crowds aren’t your thing, just wait until after the New Year to visit. Either way, bring your best winter gear, because the open-air village ambiance is part of the charm, and while it’s fine to be nippy, being uncomfortably cold could ruin your trip.
An outdoor recreation destination year-round, Leavenworth is surrounded by world-class skiing and some of the nation’s most popular climbing routes, as well as many miles of hiking trails in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest and watersports on the Wenatchee River and Lake.
Travel Time
2 hours, 30 minutes from Seattle
Getting there
From Seattle, it’s a picturesque, two-and-a-half hour drive via either Interstate 90 or Highway 2. While the roads are typically kept clear in the winter, it’s always a good idea to check the weather forecast and road reports before heading out. Amtrak also offers train service from Seattle to Leavenworth with stunning views of the Puget Sound, Cascade Mountains, and Snohomish River Valley.
Once you arrive, there are plenty of services, including grocery stores, gas stations, and public transportation, and thanks to municipal codes enacted in the 1960s, nearly every building within city limits, even Subway, looks like it came out of The Sound of Music.
If you don’t do anything else: Visit The Cheesemonger’s Shop
At the bottom of a steep flight of stairs underneath Front Street, you’ll find a tiny stone basement shop reminiscent of the old country, where you can blow your entire food budget on an amazing selection of high-quality cheeses and gourmet food imports. Foodies will love the variety of German sausages, like Bratwurst, Bockwurst, Knockwurst, and Wieners, as well as imported and domestic cheeses like fine Swiss, creamy Cheddar, and tangy Blue. The Cheesemonger’s Shop also carries a selection of German beers, English Ales, and Washington wines. But their best feature just might be the friendly, knowledgeable staff, and the generosity with which they hand out tasty samples.
Fill your days:
Strolling the village
There is so much to do and see in downtown Leavenworth that it’s worth your time to spend a couple of hours window shopping, pretzel snacking, and people watching, as December tends to attract all sorts of wacky visitors, like Krampus, the Grinch, Buddy the Elf, Santa, Mrs. Claus, and more. So stop by The Gingerbread Factory and warm up with a hot chocolate, or, if you're feeling spicy, grab a hot buttered rum at Ducks and Drakes before getting your steps in and touring the 1.25-square-mile village. Some fun highlights include the Nutcracker Museum, A Book For All Seasons, and the Kris Kringl Christmas store.
Skiing, naturally
If you want to play in the snow without the cost or the drive out to Mission Ridge or Stevens Pass ski areas, stop by Ski Hill just outside of town for skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, and fat biking. Run by the Leavenworth Winter Sports Club, this small ski area offers one moving carpet, two rope tows, five miles of Nordic trails, and a partridge in a pear tree. Ski Hill is located less than two miles from downtown Leavenworth at the end of Ski Hill Drive in the Wenatchee National Forest. Full-day adult passes start at $31.
Getting up close with reindeer
You simply haven’t lived until you’ve met Sven and his herd of happy reindeer. This sweet bunch of domesticated Caribou roams the family-run Leavenworth Reindeer Farm just one mile outside the village, where you can join them up-close, touch their antlers, feed them from the palm of your hand, and feel their furry noses. If you’re lucky, they may even put in a good word with Santa. For $25-$40 per person, you can take a tour of the farm, get pictures, and gather round the campfire to learn about this iconic animal – a protected species in the lower 48.
Where to eat and drink in Leavenworth
Fancy farm-to-table: Watershed Cafe.
Beer: Don’t skip the pints poured over at Icicle Brewing Company.
German fare: What, you came for the brats? In that case, don’t miss München Haus, where grillmasters make magic with Jalapeno, veggie, part-veal, and all-pork sausages topped with apple cider sauerkraut and a buffet of mustards. If the stars align, you might get a seat near a heater.
Dessert: handmade ice cream at Whistlepunk is a must.
Where to stay in Leavenworth
With an avalanche of lodging options, it’s easy to find a place to stay among hundreds of hotel rooms right in the village, as well as several more unique options in the surrounding area. For budget-conscious travelers who want their own unique space and don’t mind a 30-minute drive, there’s the Tiny House Village at Leavenworth RV Resort – five individual homes under 300-square feet and $150 per night before tax, each with its own distinct Bavarian theme.
The Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort comes complete with restaurant and spa and is a bit closer at just 10 minutes outside of town. This secluded getaway offers 58 rustically elegant hotel rooms, as well as three uniquely designed cabins, with rates starting at about $250 per night. Both options are located in beautiful, forested surroundings perfect for those winter snaps.