Top Things to do in Leavenworth, WA

Today we are excited to share the Top Things to do in Leavenworth, Washington. A Bavarian Getaway in the heart of Washington State!

Top Things to do in Leavenworth

We are huge fans of Leavenworth, WA  We were married just outside of Leavenworth at Pine River Ranch just over 12 years ago. John and I went back to Leavenworth for a weekend getaway and it was amazing. Each time we visit Leavenworth I fall more in love with this city. There are so many amazing restaurants, stores, festivals, and things to do in Leavenworth.

One of the first things we do when we get to Leavenworth is to visit Munchen Haus one of our favorite Leavenworth Restaurants. After driving from Spokane John is always ready for a beer and brat from Munchen Haus. This is his favorite place in Leavenworth for brats.

We visit this restaurant every time we are in town. I like the outdoor seating and the fun atmosphere of this restaurant. They even have vegetarian brats and they taste good! I was a bit nervous the first time I tried one but now I get them each time we visit.

They are now carrying the local Icicle Brewing Company beers on tap. John really enjoyed their IPA.

One of my favorite parts of Leavenworth is the buildings. Every building in town fits the Bavarian Leavenworth theme. Even Safeway and Bank of America are painted and decorated in the Bavarian theme. I always feel like I step out of my car right into a small village in Germany when we visit.

John and I spent the afternoon walking the main street of Leavenworth and visiting our favorite stores.

One of our favorite stores is the Cheesemonger Shop. I am a huge fan of cheese! It is truly one of my weaknesses. I could sit and eat a plate of cheese of crackers daily.

The Cheesemonger shop is filled with a huge variety of cheeses and they love to let you sample them.  I would gladly sample the Smoked Apple-wood Cheddar Cheese daily!

It is a good thing this store is not closer to our house. I would be in so much trouble buying specialty cheeses all the time.

I truly can't put into words how much we enjoy visiting Leavenworth. Each time we visit we leave falling more in love with this town. I am not sure why but this town is one of the places we are truly able to unwind and relax. We leave Leavenworth smiling and so relaxed.

I can't wait until our next trip to this amazing Bavarian wonderland in the heart of Washington.

We hope these top things to do in Leavenworth, WA help you plan an amazing visit!

Leavenworth Weather

Leavenworth experiences all four seasons! The area is considered semi-arid with an average rainfall of 17 inches. The rainy season is normally from November through April. The area doe average 8 feet of snowfall annually so you will want to be prepared if visiting in the winter.

Leavenworth Breweries & Distilleries

Leavenworth is filled with amazing wineries but they also have great breweries and distilleries.

Blue Spirits Distilling

Blue Spirits Distilling is located right on Front Street and also has a new second location on Highway 2. This craft distillery produces Gin, Whisky, Vodka, Peirates Rhum, and Tequila.

Tasting Room - 920 Front Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Food and Cocktail Lounge - 1310 Highway 2, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Doghaus Brewery

Doghaus Brewery considers themselves a nano-brewery with a micro-sized taproom.  The tasting room is dog and kid-friendly.

Tasting Room - 321 9th Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Icicle Brewing Company

Icicle Brewing Company is located right on Front Street. They offer great indoor and outdoor seating with beer always on tap. You do not want to miss their pretzel with Beechers Cheese dipping sauce. Trust me and just get a 2nd dipping sauce because you are not going to want to share!

Address - 935 Front Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Leavenworth Wineries and Tasting Rooms

If you love wine you are going to love these Leavenworth Wineries! Front Street is filled with wineries you can easily walk to.

A Taste of Icicle Ridge Winery

Address - 821 Front Street, Suite B, Leavenworth, WA

Baroness Cellars

Address -219 8th Street, Leavenworth, WA

Basel Cellars

Address - 217 9th Street, Suite A, Leavenworth, WA

Boudreaux Cellars Tasting Room

Address - 821 Front Street, Leavenworth, WA

Broken Barrel

Address - 220 9th Street, Suite C, Leavenworth

Bushel and Bee Taproom

Address - 900 Front Street, Suite C, Leavenworth

Chateau Faire Le Pont Winery Tasting Room

Address - 636 Front Street, Leavenworth

Das Lounge - A wine bar

Address - 016 Commercial Street, Leavenworth

D'Vinery

Address - 1016 Commercial Street, Leavenworth

Goose Ridge Wine & Cider

Address - 920 Front Street, Leavenworth, WA

Hard Row to Hoe Vineyards

Address - 837 Front Street, Suite A, Leavenworth

Eagle Creek Winery

Address - 10037 Eagle Creek Road, Leavenworth, WA

Icicle Ridge Winery Uptown

Address - 920 Front Street, Suite B2, Leavenworth

Isenhower Cellars

Address - 217 9th Street, Suite C, Leavenworth

Milbrandt Vineyards

Address - 707 Highway 2, Unit D, Leavenworth

Obelisco Estate

Address - 217 9th Street, Suite G, Leavenworth

Patterson Cellars

Address - 217 9th Street, Suite B, Leavenworth

Plain Cellars

Address - 703 Highway 2, Suite A, Leavenworth

Ryan Patrick Wines

Address - 707 Highway 2, Unit D, Leavenworth

Silvara Vineyards

Silvara Vineyards is located just a few minutes outside of downtown Leavenworth. The winery offers small-batch handcrafted wines. They have a hilltop tasting room that is only 5 minutes from downtown.

Address - 77 Stage Road, Leavenworth, WA

Stemlit Creek Winery

Address - 617 Front Street, Leavenworth

Villa Monaco Winery

Address - 703 Front Street, Leavenworth

Water from Wine

Address - 217 9th Street, Suite E, Leavenworth

Wine Cellar

Address - 217 9th Street, Leavenworth

WineGirl Wines

Address - 217 8th Street, Leavenworth

WooHoo Winery Tasting Room

Address - 725 Font Street, Unit C, Leavenworth

Wineries just outside of Leavenworth

Icicle Ridge Winery

Icicle Ridge Winery has been featured on the Today Show. The winery offers wine tasting daily along with gourmet meat and cheese platters.

Address - 8977 North Road, Peshastin, WA 98847

Wedge Mountain Winery

9534 Saunders Road, Peshastin, WA 98847

 

Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum is open daily but only from 1 pm to 5 pm. They have over 7,000 nutcrackers on display. The museum is handicap accessible and great for all ages. Many of the nutcrackers date back to the Roman Times.

Leavenworth Shopping

Front street is filled with amazing boutiques and shopping options. You can truly find anything and everything in Leavenworth. During our last few trips, I have found great home decor at a couple of the cute boutiques.

If you enjoy shopping you are going to LOVE Leavenworth. Make sure and bring an extra suitcase or leave space for all of the cute gifts and souvenirs you find.

Kris Kringl

It is Christmas year-round in Kris Kringl! If you are looking for a Leavenworth Christmas Ornament this is the place to go!

Leavenworth Golf Courses

There are multiple Leavenworth Golf Clubs including Highlander Golf Course, Kahler Glen Golf and Ski Resort and Leavenworth Golf Course.

You can also check out the putting course at Enzian Falls and Junction Activity Center at Icicle Village Resort.

Leavenworth Summer Theater

Leavenworth Summer Theater includes performances at three different venues.

Horseback Riding

If you are looking to hit the trails or experience a horseback ride in Leavenworth you have a few different options.

Eagle Creek Ranch

This family operated ranch is located eight miles northeast of the Bavarian village of Leavenworth. They are surrounded by the Wenatchee National Forest.

Address - 7951 Eagle Creek Road, Leavenworth

Icicle Outfitters and Guides

They offer summer trail rides and pack trips.

Address - 7520 CYO Road, Leavenworth

Wild at Heart Horse Rides

They are located twenty-five minutes from downtown Leavenworth. With horseback rides offered for all levels of experience.

Address - 19115 Chiwawa Loop Road, Leavenworth

River rafting

When it comes to rafting near Leavenworth you can enjoy a leisurely float on Icicle River or attack the class III rapids of the Wenatchee River.

This is the perfect summer day trip!  I have rafted the Wenatchee and it was amazing! I will say make sure to pack sunscreen, sunglasses with a strap, a hat and be prepared to have so much fun!

Rafting Companies include:

Alpine Adventures

Address - 221 Croft Avenue, Gold Bar, WA

River Riders

Address - 10860 Highway 2, Leavenworth

Blue Sky Outfitters Inc.

Address - 900 Front Street, Suite B, Leavenworth

Osprey Rafting 

Address - 9342 Icicle Road, Leavenworth

Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery

When the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery was built in 1940 it was the largest salmon hatchery in the world!  You can still see the original buildings and nursery + adult holding ponds, fish ladder, raceways, rearing ponds, and other features of an active hatchery.

The visitor center is open every day throughout the summer.

Address: 12790 Fish Hatchery Road, Leavenworth, WA

Leavenworth Festivals

Leavenworth Christmas 

If you are looking to celebrate the Christmas holidays in a winter wonderland look no further than Leavenworth! With thousands of holiday light, great seasonal food and the Christmas Lighting Ceremony this is the perfect place to celebrate the holiday season!

Check out this Leavenworth Christmas Guide to start planning an amazing winter getaway.

Leavenworth Oktoberfest

Enjoy Oktoberfest in Leavenworth on one of three weekends this festival is held. You can buy your tickets online ahead of time or get them at the gate with cash. Make sure and book your Leavenworth hotel as soon as you know which weekend you will be attending.

Maifest

Maifest is the Bavarian Spring Celebration held in the heart of Leavenworth.

The Maifest celebration includes Tirolean and Enzian Schuhplattler Dancers for the traditional Maipole Dance.

The Knights of Veritas medieval sword demonstration, Bavarian-inspired "Festzug" or grand march, Haflinger horses and Bier wagons, Burmese Mountain Dogs, and more!

Maifest 2020 will be held on May 8-10.

Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival

In July the Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival welcomes world-class musicians to Leavenworth all month long.

Leavenworth Restaurants

Icicle Brewing Company

Icicle Brewing Company offers both indoor and outdoor seating, amazing beer, and great food. I NEED you to order the pretzel with Beecher's cheese sauce. I also need you to order an extra cheese sauce because you are not going to want to share with anyone once you try it!

I had the tomato soup and poured the tiny amount of cheese sauce I had left into my tomato soup and it was delish!

Address - 935 Front Street, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Ducks and Drakes Restaurant

Ducks and Drakes is a Leavenworth institution. It has been around for as long as I can remember.

Address - 221 8th Street, Leavenworth, WA

Gingerbread Factory

If you are looking for a sweet treat look no further than the Gingerbread Factory! They have amazing gingerbread but also cinnamon rolls and Bavarian desserts. Plus the front area is a grandparents dream for photos!

Address - 829 Front Street, Leavenworth

München Haus

München Haus offers brats and sausages in more varieties than I could list here. LOL!

This authentic Bavarian Grill and Beer Garden features charbroiled sausages, ciderkraut, specialty mustards, and local Icicle Brewing Beer.

They also have great outdoor seating with fireplace tables that are perfect on a cool evening. The atmosphere is great with everyone smiling and savoring their great brats and beer.

Address - 709 Front Street, Leavenworth

King Ludwigs

We held our rehearsal dinner at King Ludwigs over 12 years ago. They were able to handle a large group easily and served amazing German Food.

Address - 921 Front St, Leavenworth, WA

When it comes to Leavenworth Restaurants this small Bavarian city has a ton of choices.

You can find everything from fine dining to bratwurst stands and everything in between. These are the best restaurants in Leavenworth, WA you do not want to miss!

 

The Danish Bakery

Danish Bakery has the most amazing cinnamon bread! This cash-only bakery is located near München Haus.

Crepe Café Sisters

Crepe Cafe started in Kendall Yards in Spokane and has recently expanded to Leavenworth.

They offer amazing sweet and savory crepes that you do not want to miss.

Things to do near Leavenworth

Aplets and Cotlets - Take a tour of Liberty Orchards in Cashmere and learn how Aplets and Cotlets are made

Ohme Gardens - Located in Wenatchee you will be amazed at how gorgeous this garden overlooking the city and river is.

Roslyn, Wa - Visit this cute town at the base of the Cascade Mountains. You may recognize it from the TV series Northern Exposure. You can still get a pic of the famous camel mural at Roslyn's Cafe.

How to get to Leavenworth

Leavenworth, Washington is nestled in the Cascade Mountains providing epic winter recreation opportunities. Highway 2 passes through the city and is the only main highway into town. You can get to Leavenworth off of I-90 in a couple of different ways.

How long does it take to get from Seattle to Leavenworth?

From Seattle, you are barely two hours to reach this amazing Bavarian-style town that will transport you away from day to day life stresses and into fun!

From Spokane you are 3 hours to the fun!

Directions to Leavenworth via Google Maps:

• From Seattle, WA
• From Portland, OR
• From Spokane, WA
• From Tri-Cities, WA
• From Vancouver BC

 Click here for WSDOT Traffic Alerts.

Closest Airport - 30 miles Pangborn Memorial Airport in Wenatchee

Additional Washington State Resources

If you are heading north don't miss these great things to do in Lake Chelan.

Leavenworth Christmas Guide

Liberty Orchards Tours in Cashmere, Wa

Epic Guide to Ellensburg, WA

Epic Guide to Roslyn, WA

Check out all of our Washington Travel Articles