Oh, Leavenworth. I was pondering if 4 or 5 stars was what I was going to drop for the town of Leavenworth. In the end I decided to be generous and give 5 stars. What could deduct at least one star is all of the traffic and congestion in this quaint German styled town. Once you do get your car parked you are in for a really long walk. Not that I personally am against walking per se and I am actually fond of doing this activity daily but those who may have mobility issues it could be a real struggle. It doesn't really matter what time of year you come here as it always seemed extremely congested. But I know to avoid Leavenworth around Christmas time as the level of congestion definitely "levels up" considerably from what I hear. Leavenworth's prime time is Christmas and from the pictures I have seen the town looks beautiful. There is an option to take a train to Leavenworth during this season which sounds like a lot of fun and it would definitely avoid parking problems. Despite throwing in congestion and parking problems at the very start of my review each time we have visited and endured these things the shops, the German style chocolates , the restaurants that serve German Sausages and the breweries have proven to make the hassle worth it. However with that said one kind of has to psych yourself up for a Leavenworth trip and if you are looking for a super chill vibe perhaps exploring towns like Lake Chelan and Wenatchee might be better and they aren't too terribly far away from here. Not only is Leavenworth is heavy in German themes and decor it's also nestled in the mountains which really add to the dramatic effect and you can get the feeling you may be in Europe aside from closer observation that everything is written in American style English. read more

Leavenworth - Enjoying a German Style sausage at one of the several restaurants that serve these up in the heart of down Leavenworth. It was delicious! - Local Flavor Near Me - Leavenworth, Washington

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Here's how to spend a fully satisfying day in Leavenworth: A perfect blend of nature, charm, great food, and relaxation.Start your morning at Argonaut Coffee & Biscuits with a hot brewed Latte and the BEST avocado toast (ever!). It's the ideal fuel before a day of exploring.Next, head to the magical Leavenworth Reindeer Farm--but be sure to pre-book your tour. Feeding and petting the reindeer up close is a truly special experience and a highlight for visitors of all ages.Afterward, make your way to Enchantment Park for a scenic walk along the beautiful banks of the Wenatchee River. Cross the pedestrian bridge and wander onto Blackbird Island, where you'll find some of the best spots in town for scenic family photos surrounded by towering trees and river views.Make a quick stop at the Munchen Haus Bavarian Grill and Beer Garden. Grab a refreshing draft beer of your choice and share one of their famous giant pretzels with warm cheese sauce. Delish!Now it's time to relax and decompress at The Springs, located just five minutes from town. Soak in the peaceful outdoor pools while enjoying thoughtful touches like complimentary robes, towels, ponytail holders, shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and tea--everything you need to unwind. Affordable Swimsuits and flip flops available for purchase.Head back to your Airbnb or hotel for a quick nap and change of clothes before dinner. Finish the evening at one of Leavenworth's many cozy fine dining restaurants for a memorable meal.A day filled with nature, relaxation, good eats, while leaving You warm and fuzzy! Enjoy! read more

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Came here on a weekend after Christmas weekend is not as fun as I thought. It was raining and it was too crowded. Not many parking lots around the area and it was all full. I got stuck in traffic vast majority of the time trying to get into town. Drove another 20-25 mins just to find a parking spot on the street blocks away from the park. Once parked, we tried to find a restaurant to eat but all of the places have a waitlist of 3hrs to 6hrs long for a party of two. How ridiculous is this? So we opt on picking up bratwurst and pretzel/cheese dip at a food stall next to the park called Leavenworth Village of Lights. Bratwurst ($14) and pretzel ($10.50). It cost a total of $26.61. The area is pretty and a cute little town but over crowded and no other activities for families. It is no longer than 5 blocks stretch. This is a one and done area to visit but will not be coming back again. read more

Leavenworth - View of the park with Christmas lights and restaurants - Local Flavor Near Me - Leavenworth, Washington

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Super cute town that transports you out of the US and into a quaint German getaway! Stunning views all around as you explore the touristy shops - lots of chances for shopping and enjoying some bites or drinks on the plethora of restaurants and shops. Don't know that you need all that much time here; perhaps an afternoon as a stop on a road trip is most appropriate. If you stay for a day or more, be sure to check out the beautiful scenery and nature outside of town to soak it all in. read more

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It's definitely a cute little town and the shops were adorable. But, the town as a whole is not very wheelchair accessible. There are many stores and restaurants you can't access in a wheelchair and the roads and sidewalks are full of large cracks and ledges. We had to do a lot of wheelies. I'm sure most people wouldn't even notice and it may even add to the charm in some ways. But for a mom with teen in a wheelchair, she felt excluded and like there were things she couldn't do. We went the day after Thanksgiving and it was VERY busy. There were lines to get in almost every store and restaurant. We may go back, but for a 4 hour drive, I would try to go on a slower day next time and research the more accessible places. read more

Leavenworth - Local Flavor Near Me - Leavenworth, Washington

The best thing about Leavenworth is the actual trip. Beautiful road during summers and winters. Beautiful little town but this town does not have one good restaurant. So many unique shops but they are all duplicates. Many shirt shops , sauces , gift shops but nothing special . Forget about nice restaurants and good food. read more

a cute little germanic town, where christmas is year round. they have plenty of things to do, see, & experience: especially during the christmas time ! christmas time they have the tree lighting in main downtown, along with having christmas lights up until february. the snow & germanic look adds to the appeal, & as well makes you feel like your submerged into a whole new place. for food, they're quiet known for germanic foods such as various brautwaursts & pretzels. they also have an amazing selection of coffee, bakeries filled with fresh baked treats, fresh chocolate & fudge, & fresh made taffy. stalls will change & sell hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, & as well they do have modern stores dress germanically such safeway & starbucks. other experiences they have are their world famous kris kringl where it's just an explosion of christmas, adventure park where it's a roller coaster slightly through the mountains, a reindeer farm to feed & let reindeer up close, the gingerbread factory that sells expensive & durable gingerbread as well as baked treats, & the nutcracker museum that carries & sells imported nutcrackers from various years & from germany. there's so much more to find & explore: the town seems small but there's plenty of gems ! hence, why people tend to stay in the many inns & stay for a few days to fully indulge & explore this area - including the time of Oktoberfest, which they're as well really well known for good alcohols such as beer - hoping to attend this year to see the liveliness ! careful going around christmas time & other events because the streets will be packed with bustling people - like pike place market. but, overall, this is a cute little place if you're looking for an adventure, a get away, to enjoy a little cold & snow, & just feel like your in a christmas germanic town :) read more

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This was a trip that we started planning last January. First we booked an ABNB in Plain, WA-which is just up the road and through Stephen'sPass which has incredibly good skiing and snowboarding!!!! . The entire area is absolutely stunning, especially with the 16 inches of snow that we got the first two days we were here. One of the primary reasons that I wanted to come was to have a white Christmas and we got that in spades. Just looking outside at the snow fallen covering the huge trees that look like they may be 100 years old & they're so tall and reach way up into the sky. Leavenworth itself is fairly small. It's modeled in more or less a traditional village square with shops, one upon the other everything from a bakery to clothing to leather to gingerbread cookies and that's just a handful of options!!! The center of the square has beautifully decorated evergreens perfectly shaped huge live Christmas trees. We also went to the Nutcracker Museum . You do have to pay for a ticket to get in, but it's really incredible to inspect 2 complete floors of nutcrackers --most of them hundreds of years old some of them newer . Many of them are not able to be photographed...... to think that all these were hand carved is just mind-boggling. There were a couple of things that were disappointing to me. First of all there was barely any handicap parking, which I guess it is what it is. Secondly, I was warned that it was going to be very, very crowded during this time of year -because of course everyone wants to be here ...... it was indeed jampacked with people. Lines to get a bratwurst at a stand was an hour plus wait. It was hard to move around in the stores because everything was so crowded. For some reason , I get anxious when I'm in that type of situation nowadays. some people's behavior was not the best, we experienced one mother pushing her son from behind to try to get ahead of us, even though there was snow and ice under foot and he did end up falling, luckily I didn't -but anyway it's absolutely beautiful scenery. I think the best part is the mountains and the skiing, snowboarding, ice-skating, snowmobiling, and every other sport you can imagine along with all the natural beauty that is the Cascade Mountains definitely a once in a lifetime must visit.!!!! read more

Leavenworth - Leavenworth,Washington - Local Flavor Near Me - Leavenworth, Washington

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I had been wanting to visit Leavenworth, WA, since my daughter moved to WA. So we finally decided to come here, in the summer (not fall or holiday season). We found parking right away and found a table for 5 in a restaurant immediately. The stores were not crowded at all, and it was fun to have drinks in a tavern where we were virtually the only bigger party in there. For those who don't like crowds or long waits, or get anxiety around a lot of people, the off-season is a great time to visit. As expected, food, drink and store souvenirs are overpriced, but I think I was hoping to see more local artisan items featured rather than cheap, overpriced items imported here (like $16 for a hand sewn, felt ornament or $60 for a Harry Potter like goblet). I get it though, they probably make a lot more on these items during the holidays. Krampus Kave was a unique store to visit, and we really enjoyed the Bushel & Bee Tavern and their unique flavors of cider or Mead. Make time for a walk around the river, but make sure you have good shoes for it as part of the paths were rocky or steep. read more

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If you've ever wondered what it's like to accidentally teleport to Bavaria while cruising through the Cascades, welcome to Leavenworth, where lederhosen are encouraged, beer flows like the Wenatchee River, and every building looks like it moonlights as a gingerbread house. We didn't come prepared with the right clothes for us or our dog but were able to find all the stores to get us snow ready! read more

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Adorable Germanish village. Every store and restaurant that we visited, featured very friendly employees. It's wonderful to come here in the fall to see the beautiful changing scenery. We were here last year the Christmas lights were up and that was lovely as well. Come to Leavenworth and be charmed. read more

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What isn't there to love about this place? (Despite the obvious prices and parking struggles Lol) Visiting during the holidays is an absolutely magical experience because of it's bright lights and lively streets, and with plenty of things to do and places to go it's a must visit spot for anyone in WA. read more

Great Experience in the Bavarian inspired village of Leavenworth, WA. !! We arrived in Leavenworth the day before Thanksgiving and were pleasantly surprised that it was even more enhanced in the evening with its Holiday Lights on full display, as it wasn't officially scheduled to be until Thanksgiving Day. (Holiday Lights: traditionally start Thanksgiving Day through the end of February) We were also Thankful that a parking spot opened up as soon as we pulled into the pay lot ($4.50/hr or $40/day) and there was minimal foot traffic throughout our time here. All of the shops were open for business and we had a good time strolling into them. Everyone we encountered was friendly and courteous. (Besides The Danish Bakery) I made sure to make a reservation for our dinner @ Visconti's, which turned out to be fantastic! I also figured that since this is a tourist destination, souvenirs would be expensive, so I made sure to really like what I was purchasing and when I decided to wait on a particular item, a better deal luckily came up at a different shop! Many places had deals: Out West Trading had a 20% off everything sale, the Corner Store had 2 hoodies for $50, and The Bag Shop had all kinds of cute German magnets under $10. We mostly just loved walking around, admiring the architecture, and taking a short carriage ride down the main drive with Teresa at the reigns and Belle leading the way! The whole town was beautiful and we were delighted to hear the sounds of German music playing in the park. The highlight of our night was when three fine gentlemen performed the Alphorn wearing traditional Lederhosen. We look forward to visiting again in the future, probably during the Spring or Summer, trying a better soft pretzel! and going to the Reindeer Farm!! read more

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This is an update on my last review. I had called the Town to contest my parking violation, but ended up having to pay and did so over the phone. Recently I received a notice from the Town, warning that my violation was still current / had not been paid. I was upset, but when I called the Town this time they were nice enough to wave the violation - which I very much appreciated. I would still advise visitors to be very careful where you park, as there are many permit / paid slots and not as many free parking ones. read more

We took a day trip from Seattle to Leavenworth and really enjoyed it. I did not even know that this cute little city existed until I saw it on Food Network--one of Guy F's road trips with family. I knew that we were coming to the Seattle area the next year so I put it on our "to do" list, and that was a good decision. It's a little over 2 hour drive from Seattle but the scenery is beautiful so it goes fast. Once there, you can find cheap public parking and then you walk. There are tons of little shops, lots of restaurants, beer pubs, and sausage houses in line with the Bavarian theme. Most but not all of the main strip is a pedestrian area so you can stroll and shop with no stress. There are also shops and restaurants off the main strip that you drive to as you leave town (taking the mountain route back to Seattle). The architecture is 19th century German, at least on the outside. We ate, drank, and did a lot of window shopping. We ended up spending about 4 hours here but it could have been much longer. I would recommend getting a hotel in town so you don't have to drive back the same day as we did. Overall, this is a great escape for a day. I am glad that we made the trip. read more

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A cute little town that reminds me very much of towns in the Swiss Alps. Drove in from Seattle, enjoying the beautiful sights along the way. Leavenworth was our destination, and I thought it was just a village with a bunch of shops and restaurants. There is so much more. First, get here early. Parking can be a real challenge - and there is a time limit, so you'll need to keep track of exactly when you park so you can feed the meter when your time is up. Great little shops and restaurants, but you need to walk along the walking trail to fully take in the natural beauty of this area. There's a trail that takes you along the banks of the Wenatchee River that is absolutely beautiful. Slip off your shoes and take a walk amongst the rocks and the cold river water - you'll love it! Keep in mind, too, that the elevation here affects the temperature. When we left Seattle, it was just under 70 degrees - jeans weather - but by the time we made it to Leavenworth, a pair of shorts would have been a much better choice, for it was much warmer (closer to 80). I did see lots of little inns and hotels here, so it is possible to stay in this town. A good place to come for a day trip, for you'll be busy walking, shopping, eating and drinking all day long. read more

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My wife and daughter enjoyed Leavenworth way more than I did. It was my daughter's room mate that first told us about Leavenworth when she heard that we might visit Seattle. She told us it was a Bavarian (German) town and that we should visit to see the lights. The only Leavenworth I heard of previously was a prison in Kansas. We had no plans on visiting this part of Washington. I'm kind of glad we listened to the room mate. It was kind of like Solvang, except that everything here was Bavarian instead of Dutch. I didn't see any windmills. Parking was worse than a shopping mall on Black Friday. I circled the town a couple of times with my wife and daughter. It was then I decided to drop them off so that they could see the sights and shop for souvenirs. I couldn't even find a spot in the $20 lot. Over an hour later I finally found a spot on the other side of town. We were able to eat lunch after I parked. Since they had already scoped out the souvenir shops, they just needed me to approve with my credit card. As I walked through the town, it felt like I was transported to Germany with the European designed buildings and the mountains in the background. Everything was covered in snow the day that we visited. As we passed Front Street Park, we saw children sledding. The trees were all lit up even in the daytime. My wife and daughter liked Leavenworth. They had fun while I was looking for parking. It looked kind of neat to me while sitting in my car looking for parking. read more

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Leavenworth is an Alpine-style Bavarian village that has various stores, eateries, and marketplaces, as well as year-round events and festivals. We came here to spend the day, and enjoyed checking out the various gift shops, trying out German sausages and snacks, took a little walk at a nearby trail, and watched a performance from the AlpenFolk (my favorite!). The weather was a little dreary and rained (darn you, PNW weather!), but this didn't really take away from the experience. I'm sure it's beautiful here during the fall or the wintertime, though! There's metered street parking around the area, and you'll be bound to find a spot - the village isn't too large, so wherever you park, it'll be easy access. Definitely worth at least a visit, and good for groups and families with children. +AlpenFolk! +metered street parking available read more

Leavenworth is a pretty cool place and definitely worth checking out if you're in Seattle and wanting something to do for the day. I would even consider staying in Leavenworth a couple days to make a weekend trip out of it. That way I could drink all the mulled wine I want without worrying about driving back to Seattle at night. Haha Leavenworth has an interesting history... I recommend Wikipedia before you come just so you know what you're getting yourself into. My expectations therefore were pretty accurate and I was pleasantly surprised that the German food was so good. We stayed long enough to have multiple meals, shop at all the shops in town and even have a night cap of mulled wine on our way out. We got in around 11am and left after an early dinner. It was fun to ship around and visit various eateries and bars. I'd also recommend the little trail by the river. It breaks up the eating and shopping quite well. I read that parking can be somewhat of a problem, but if you go early enough, there is plenty of free parking around town. I also saw a little sign saying the local buses are free, so that's cool. Germany is so far away, so I'm glad Leavenworth exists just to serve as a little European town closer to home. read more

Since moving to Washington I've visited Leavenworth almost every year and it's always a good time. It's a Bavarian-themed town inspired by Solvang, California where two Seattle businessmen used it as an idea to revitalize the town that had been struggling. Today, it's a tourist destination that is busy all year round. I've only ever visited in October, occasionally for the very popular Oktoberfest but also because of the beautiful tree colors and surrounding views during the fall season. The weather is perfect and Christmas lights start to come up around that time in preparation for the holidays. There are plenty of accommodations and a decent amount of restaurants and bars to keep people busy. There are wineries, shops that sell trinkets and souvenirs, and hiking trails along the river. However there is still a McDonald's, Safeway, and a Starbucks if you want those city staples. Leavenworth is only two hours away from Seattle and makes for a fun weekend visit. read more

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A charming Bavarian theme community surrounded by forests. I made a point of stopping here while driving up north last August. Would love to visit in the winter for all the holiday festivities. read more

Leavenworth - Bavarian hamlet - Local Flavor Near Me - Leavenworth, Washington

This town is so cute! It's like being in a Bavarian village in the middle of Washington state. It's 2.5 hours from Seattle. You can also take the train which is over three hours long but probably more relaxing than driving. I'm coming back tomorrow to go shopping, today we just stopped in to check it out on the way to the hotel. They have a lot of wine tasting rooms so we can't be sober here! They also have German beer tasting. It's very lightly here memorial day weekend! read more

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Leavenworth is definitely a destination! Parking is a freaking nightmare though. The community has decided to do the European trend of eliminating vehicle traffic and making the entire old town foot traffic only. It is a very pleasant thing to walk like that, but the downside is the cost of parking in an area close enough to hitchhike in to town. The roads they barricaded off had plenty of metered slots for cars to park, now you're looking at roughly $10-20 in parking fees at meters or in a lot for a few hours. The only way to avoid this is to check in to a hotel that is already in, or on the edge of old town. We did not know any of this beforehand and got a hotel with a river-view. As a result, we were unable to enjoy the Bavarian atmosphere our first evening as we could not find any parking. There are more visitors than parking can handle. The town is indeed beautiful, and once you do actually break down and drop a load on parking fees, you can see and feel the draw of this town. We will be back but next time we will get a room in the middle of stuff, if one is available. read more

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Leavenworth is a place that needs to be experienced in person. It's magical. It's Christmas. It's a Hallmark Christmas movie come to life. It's heaven for kids, especially when they believe in the wonder of Santa. And the town goes all out with branding it that way. I would honestly get rid of the Safeway if I had a say in the town's planning, and let a smaller local grocery (like Dan's maybe...) be THE grocer. Keep the small town feel AND cheer. I know that no one really likes to work on Christmas, but it being a Christmas village, I'd expect most places to be open during Christmas week. That was a bit disappointing, as I worked in retail AND hospitality a good amount of years when I was much younger and worked many a Christmas holiday. So that aside I love this town. I would definitely come back. It's picture perfect Christmas town at night. read more

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I'd been wanting to see Leavenworth in person since we moved to the PNW. So we worked it into a road trip in June, spending 2 nights out of the camper van in a hotel and wandering the area. The town is definitely cute and unique...it just turns out it's a bit too touristy for me. I assume June just wasn't the right time to visit. While looking for lunch we found that many of the restaurant options weren't open, same goes for some retail stores. Those restaurants that were open were busy enough that we ended up just grabbing subway and eating in the park...which had a surprising amount of litter that day for a tourist destination. The setting of the town and surrounding area is gorgeous, and we enjoyed a lovely mountain view from our hotel. Leavenworth is most definitely a unique place to visit within the US, and I'm glad I got to check it out for myself. Of course winter is showtime when the real magic happens, but I think I'm satisfied with seeing what it's about from the one visit. I can see why this place draws in the visitors, but the touristy vibe just wasn't for me. read more

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Leavenworth is a city, though it looks more like a town, heavily influenced by Bavarian influence and architecture. It is a tourist destination year round, but assuredly in the winter as the cold and sometimes snowy backdrop make Leavenworth, by now draped with Christmas lights and decorations - really shine. There is plenty of eating, drinking shopping, and history in store here. You can wine taste at one of several cellars, board a horse drawn carriage for a bit of a town tour, see the nutcracker museum or just come to one of many festivals in town during the year, including of course Oktoberfest. Outside of town skiing, hiking, sleigh rides and similar winter activities await in the mountains surrounding the area. Another nice aesthetic is that even familiar business like McDonald's and Starbucks are adorned to fit in with the unique look of Leavenworth. Nearby Riverfront park is a small break from the touristy bustle without going too far out of town. If Germany is out of reach for you at the moment, a visit to Leavenworth may help with that. It is very child and pet friendly as well. People who live in Leavenworth enjoy a more rural style of living. Modest houses and quiet pace much different than Seattle or other cities in Washington. If you're looking for unique tourist experience or more of mountainous setting of living. Leavenworth is it. read more

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Leavenworth is a great town to visit whether it's winter or summer. It is a Bavarian town, all the buildings look like you're in Europe. There are numerous restaurants, wineries, desserts stores and places to shop throughout the town. It's surrounded by mountains, so it's very picturesque. It's a great place to visit solo or with friends or family. read more

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When I moved to Washington, almost everybody recommended me to go the Leavenworth, especially during the winter - that's the season of magic. Lights, music, festivities and a lot of holiday cheers. This small town tucked in the Cascade Mountains. Must say very beautiful during the winter season. It's remodeled to a Bavarian village. Everything in this town have the Bavarian architectural hallmarks. You can enjoy the culture a little, many German restaurants and shops too. My take on this place is gonna be an unpopular one. In fairness, it's all great. But I felt it's very overrated. People exaggerate a lot about this place. I have seen better lighting elsewhere. It never met my expectation. It's get crowded easily. You will be scrambling around to find a parking. Most of the attractions, especially kids friendly need reservations. And you just have to wait hours for food. I would prefer to go back off season, still enjoy the natural beauty of this town. Take my time and enjoy this place rather than dictated by the craziness that brings in the winter time before Christmas! read more

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Don't bother! Drive through without stopping. I made the mistake of stopping and noticed that everything is now paid parking, at a high price! It used to be free my but due to tourism and money, the city decided to get even more money by paying to park. I fell for it too! But I was ten minutes late back to my vehicle and received a $49 dollar ticket!! What!! I paid for $200 dollars in stores and restaurants and still had to pay for parking and a citation. Never will I visit Leavenworth again. They can keep it. I was told by sole locals that the city wants more money because of COVID. What a excuse! Money hungry people. More more and more. City of Leavenworth will no longer get my money! read more

This amazingly beautiful, picture perfect Bugarian town is a must visit!! It was gorgeous surrounded by the snowy mountains and had all these cute little boutiques and eateries within the town. We didn't have a chance to try various eateries but I'm definitely going to make sure we spend a few days so we can the next time we visit and hopefully it will be during the winter when they have an enormous amount of snow. Definitely a family or couples trip!! read more

Leavenworth - Local Flavor Near Me - Leavenworth, Washington

Since relocating to WA our coworkers all insisted we take the time to drive east to Leavenworth, and I am thrilled to have spent the the day in such a charming, and clean town. My husband, and I really enjoyed walking though town taking in the sights, and learning about Bavarian history. The drive was just as scenic as the destination, definitely make time to experience Leavenworth!! read more

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Bavarian village in WA State takes me back when I lived in Germany and traveled neighboring border countries as Prague, Netherlands, France, Luxembourg, among others. Touristy - place has several Bavarian themed goodies from bratwurst, schnitzels, pretzels, beer steins and Russian dolls, and other local inventions & products usually found in countries near the Alps and Eastern & Central Europe! Place is beautiful with the backdrop of cascading mountains though smaller in scales those in the Swiss Alps! Environment looks so fresh, clean, and tranquil and people are welcoming! Drive to it from Seattle was worth it with all the natural wonders leaves one in awe of how lucky people are to live in such a magnificent place! read more

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I actually go to Leavenworth quite often but it's way too claustrophobic and parking will be the worst part so as a heads up be ready to pay for parking read more

I can't even express the beauty of this place. The pictures DO NOT DO ANY JUSTICE! You have to experience it with your own eyes. If you are are in WA, you have to go at least once to Leavenworth. We were there in January and to my surprise, it was empty. We had the town literally to just us. I wasn't expecting fresh falling snow the day we were there but were able to experience it! My kids loved it! The lights at night just made everything extra special as well. Would I ever go back... I would love too and hopefully next time stay longer than 7 hours. At my kids age, the 7 hours was adequate time - we played in the snow non-stop: our only breaks were during lunch and dinner. Next time we return, I would love to stay overnight. If I didn't have a tight schedule of having to be back in Seattle the day after we were there, we would've for sure stayed the night. Leavenworth, you are gorgeous! read more

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Leavenworth is a cute Bavarian themed town and if you are able to ever stop by to spend the day here I definitely recommend. I visited in December and had a great time. The entire town is really like a Christmas wonderland during that time of year with the beautiful lights/decorations throughout. Parking can be a challenge if you arrive later in the day, but there are free lots we used and didn't have a problem because we got there early in the morning. Our visit here was amazing, but definitely do research so you know what you're getting yourself into/what is available in the area! read more

A German town in Washington? Yes, please. It is a bit of a drive, but the scenery along the way makes up for it. Upon arriving, it's like you're being transported to Germany. My brother in law, who lived in Germany for two years, said that it's not exactly what you'd see, but if you didn't know any better this small town is nothing short of awesome. The buildings give that old timey, medieval feel and made me feel like I was in a different country. Downtown Leavenworth is a dream. It's absolutely stunning and the cutest little street. Here you'll find a few restaurants, bakeries and tons of shops to explore. Plus, cars aren't allowed to drive along the street so it makes it easier to spread out with the large crowds this place attracts. It's easy to enjoy all that there is to offer in Leavenworth. The people are lovely as well! read more

Beautiful village a few hours out of Seattle. Family-friendly and beautiful views. There are a lot of places to park and shops to enter.

Ugh. I used to love this place. Just absolutely love it. The long story short is, as of December 2023, it's crazy expensive, incredibly crowded, filled with impersonal staff, and no longer has the whole "Christmas ceremony" vibe happening. It's just not what it used to be, and it's heartbreaking. Longer story, I first came here in summer 1992 and immediately fell in love. The Bavarian flair, the mountains, the river, the people - everything was just perfect. A little kitsch, some substance, and prices were just so reasonable and everything was great. Over the years, we've been here a dozen times, almost always at Christmas. This year, it was just awful. Got back yesterday from a trip where we spent $380 on a night at one of the strip motels on the highway (really not at all worth it - not by a mile), even though they give you free parking to walk to downtown. A nice-to-have, but not at all worth the huge nightly price tag. Then there are the stores. We thought we might do some Christmas shopping but holy wow, the prices now. Just crazy! The best-priced things I could find were honestly the stores away from Front Street, and even those were stores which had artisan or food specialties so you'd expect to pay a bit more for handmade. The Front Street stores? Silly prices for stuff that doesn't need to be that expensive. (An example - one of the many similar clothing stores in town had a great, simple white t-shirt for women. For $50. This was not designer, not super-special quality, and not worth $50. This used to be a store where you could go and find some really stylish stuff and feel like you scored a great item at a solid price, and everyone wins. Not anymore.) This is clearly now a place that has firmly planted its face towards the wealthy. And it's a shame. Leavenworth's roots are so much more interesting than that - and it used to be a place for everyone. It's not, not anymore. Come if you want, but either be prepared to spend a fortune, or just look at the lights and keep on moving. read more

I am in love with Leavenworth! My first visit was for Oktoberfest 2014; I was invited along with some friends who had the foresight to book a hotel room almost a year in advance, and I am so very glad they did! While I have never been much of a beer drinker, I do love festivals, live music, fair food and street stalls, so I was eager to come along and see what this place was all about. In my experience, the name "Leavenworth" was only ever mentioned alongside "Oktoberfest", yet even so, I was not aware that the town itself was German-themed. Indeed, there appears to be a city ordinance requiring businesses to tailor their aesthetics to Bavarian standards. Even international chains such as Safeway, McDonald's and Starbucks follow suit, and the result is charming, if a bit campy. As you draw closer to town square, the big name businesses fall away, and the local flavor picks up momentum. By the time you find yourself standing in front of the gazebo on Front Street, surrounded by alpine mountains (snow-capped in fall and winter) and the muraled, gabled facades of tall A-framed buildings, you may start to believe you've somehow been transported to a quaint, Bavarian village. I could rave about this town for several pages, but I will try to be succinct, because I have already covered many of my favorite local businesses here in other, separate reviews. Instead, I will give you a quick breakdown of the highlights: 1) The Cheesemonger's Shop - Like wandering into a fish market auction, but for cheese. So good! 2) The Oil and Vinegar Cellar - Sample dozens of balsamic vinegars and cooking oils, and you'll soon find your wallet a lot lighter than before you entered. 3) Christmas Tree Lighting (three separate weekends in December) - wonderfully romantic, even among the packed crowds. Probably the best event in Leavenworth; even better than Oktoberfest. You'll need to book a hotel a year in advance, though, unless you are lucky. 4) The Nutcracker Museum - one of the most bizarre (yet memorable) museum experiences ever. Absolutely worth the five buck admission. 5) Oktoberfest (three weekends in October) - Comparable to Mount Angel (Oregon) Oktoberfest; music and aesthetics are better here, but the number of biergartens and street-side vendors is lacking in comparison. Still a total blast, though! 6) Kris Kringl & the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm - Get your Christmas on 365 days a year at either the year-round Christmas shop, or getting hands on with actual reindeer. Both are great for kids and families! 7) Blue Spirits Distillery - with two locations in Leavenworth, there's little excuse not to stop in and sample a flight of vokdas, which they will mix into tiny, delicious cocktails. The Espresso vodka is hands-down their best offering! My wife and I have made Leavenworth our yearly Christmas destination, and it's hard for us to imagine going anywhere else. There's no better holiday experience than shopping for presents and a new ornament in the local shops, stopping for a hot gluhwein, taking a romantic horse-drawn carriage ride, and a kiss under the lighted Christmas tree in Front Street park. All that being said, Leavenworth is great any time of the year; the off-season is just as charming for its local winery tours, amazing hikes (I *still* have the Enchantments left to do on my bucket list, sadly) and availability of other outdoor activities (climbing, skiing, camping, etc). If you can't find something you like in or around Leavenworth, just stay home: you are boring. Also, be sure to stop at the charming Smallwood's Harvest in Peshastin, on the way out of town. One of the best small farmer's market stores in the state! read more

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I love this place. It's like going back in time to a beautiful Bavarian village, except you can see the Washington cascades and still get your starbees. They have unique shops with handmade items (including handmade German tick tock clocks) and pretzels! My husband loves their Christmas Store and the vegan ice cream at Steampunk. If you have nothing planned this holiday season definitely check this place out! read more