There are so many fun things to do in Leavenworth, Washington! In fact, this adorable Bavarian-inspired town is one of our favorite places in the state. We may be a little biased because the town means so much to us and our relationship – it’s where we had our first date, spent the night after our wedding, and have spent many of our wedding anniversaries.
The town is just a couple of hours away from Seattle, making it the perfect weekend getaway. Leavenworth really can transport you to Germany without leaving the state, and it is full of fun things to do year-round. Below are our favorite things to do there and all the info you need before you go!
Where is Leavenworth?
Leavenworth is located in the center of Washington state, right off Highway 2. It’s about 2 hours away from Seattle and 3 hours west of Spokane.
Things To Do in Leavenworth
1. Explore Front Street
Front Street is the main street in Leavenworth, and it is lined with Bavarian shops, restaurants, parks, breweries, and more. There are so many beautiful details to admire here, from the Bavarian architecture to the murals on the buildings to the alps-esque mountain backdrop. It’s the center of the town, and you certainly can’t miss it.
2. Shop local boutiques
The local boutiques in Leavenworth have something for everyone! I, for one, LOVE their trendy clothing boutiques, but there are many more shops to stroll through. There are authentic Kris Kringle German Christmas Markets, gorgeous gift shops, mountaineering shops, you name it. We always love just strolling in and out of the shops leisurely for a few hours.
3. Indulge in a pretzel & bratwurst
Grabbing a pretzel and a brat at Munchen Haus is a daily activity for us whenever we visit Leavenworth. Their soft pretzels are served with warm Beecher’s Cheese dipping sauce, and their bratwursts are to die for. They even have TWO different vegetarian/vegan brat options – we found heaven! Plus, you can choose from no short of 30 different mustards and toppings to make it the most delicious bratwurst ever.
4. Enjoy a traditional German meal
If you want to keep the German theme going, the best way to do so is dining at the iconic Andreas Keller. The restaurant serves delicious, authentic German food, the staff is dressed like they’re in Bavaria, and they even have cultural touches like an accordion player that serenades the restaurant.
5. Celebrate Oktoberfest
Oktoberfest in Leavenworth is arguably the BEST Oktoberfest celebration in the US. It’s super authentic and just an absolute blast. The festival happens during 3 weekends each year, around September/October. Make sure to purchase tickets and book your hotel in advance, and of course, dress in your favorite German attire.
All info about the Oktoberfest can always be found here.
6. Enjoy the Waterfront Park
The Waterfront Park is tucked away behind the main street and is a gorgeous spot to go for a nature walk, have a picnic, jump in the water, paddleboard, etc. We love going for a stroll here in between gorging ourselves with bratwurst and beer, haha.
7. Attend the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony in Leavenworth is one of the most iconic events in Washington. In the winter, Leavenworth turns into a total winter wonderland as the village shines with over half a million lights! Every year, for three weekends in December, Leavenworth hosts the most magical Christmas festival. There’s live music, tree-lighting, sledding, and all sorts of activities.
Pro tip: Due to the popularity of the festival, you should definitely book your accommodation well in advance! And if you can’t catch the festival, don’t worry. The lights stay up to enjoy and admire through Valentine’s!
All the latest info on the Christmas Festival can be found here.
8. Partake in a local festival
In addition to Oktoberfest and the Christmas Lighting Festival, Leavenworth hosts many other festivals throughout the year. There’s the Autumn Leaf Festival, Christkindlmarkt, the Bavarian Ice Fest, Taste Leavenworth, Ale Fest, and many more fun local festivals to partake in. Check them all out here!
9. Grab a beer at a local brewery
Nothing takes us back to Germany like grabbing a stein of beer! There are tons of delicious breweries and pubs in town to taste and enjoy a good beer. Our favorite brewery is the Icicle Brewing Company, and Rein Haus is a great pub to grab food and a brew, too.
10. Go white water rafting
If you’re feeling adventurous, Leavenworth is an amazing place to go on a white water rafting trip! We’ve always gone with Osprey Rafting, and it’s been a blast. You go with a group, and they get you all suited up, then take you in a bus to where you start rafting the river. The rapids are big enough to be a thrill but small enough not to worry about prior experience or anything.
11. Float or Paddle Board on the river
If you’re not quite up for a full-on rafting trip but want to spend some time on the water, Leavenworth is an amazing place to float the river or try stand-up paddleboarding! You can also rent the floats or paddle boards at Osprey Rafting, which is really close to the village center.
12. Go wine tasting
If beer isn’t your jam, don’t worry! There are dozens of places in the village to have delicious wine tastings. There are also quite a few vineyards and wineries to visit in the area if you’re up for a short drive.
13. Admire the local art show
On the weekends, local artists set up beautiful booths of their art near the Front Street park. From gorgeous PNW photography to handmade jewelry, these artists are so talented, and you can certainly find some unique pieces here!
14. Ski at Stevens Pass
If you visit Leavenworth in the winter, you can head 40 minutes west on Highway 2 and ski at Stevens Pass for the day! This is a super popular ski area in Washington. Then afterwards, you can head back to the beautiful village for a cozy and quaint winter weekend.
15. Go hiking
There are beautiful hikes in and around Leavenworth! The closest hike to Leavenworth is Icicle Ridge. The most iconic hike near Leavenworth, though, is Colchuck Lake. This lake is part of the famous Enchantments, and the trailhead is only 30 minutes from Leavenworth. (Do note: this hike is very popular. Plan to get there really early in the morning if you want to get a parking spot.) If you’re heading back west from Leavenworth, the beautiful Wallace Falls hike is 90 minutes west on Highway 2.
16. Get competitive with Mini Golf
What’s more fun than some friendly competition with mini golf?? In town, there is a super fun mini golf spot at the Icicle Junction Activity Center, and it’s the perfect family-friendly summer activity.
17. Go Golfing (the real kind)
If you’re into actual golfing, Leavenworth has an absolutely gorgeous course for that. You can book a tee time here.
Where to stay in Leavenworth
The Bavarian Lodge is the most iconic Bavarian-style hotel in Leavenworth, and it’s in the most central location. It’s steps away from Front Street, Oktoberfest, the tree lighting ceremony, and literally everything in the middle of town.
I definitely recommend going for one of the rooms facing the town with a balcony – they have the most gorgeous view of the town and surrounding mountains! We’ve stayed many times now and always have to coziest stay, and the staff is amazing.
You can also check out other accommodations here.
Pro tip: Make sure to pick up an iconic stuffed bear from the gift shop! It’s the cutest and most cuddly souvenir.
When to go to Leavenworth
Oktoberfest (September/October), Christmas, and summer are the most popular times to visit Leavenworth, but it has so much to offer year-round!
At Christmas time, it’s absolutely magical because the town is snow-covered and the Christmas lights from the Bavarian buildings are breathtaking.
But in summer, there is so much to do in the area! And Oktoberfest is just an incredible time to be in a Bavarian town for obvious reasons, and the festival is insanely fun.
Do note, though, that the hotels get booked up way in advance for the Christmas tree lighting and Oktoberfest festivals! Definitely plan ahead if you want to experience those.
How to get to Leavenworth
Leavenworth is a short 2-2.5-hour drive from Seattle, and there are two ways to go. You can either take the I-90 or Highway 2. We find the 90 to be an easier drive, but we typically just see which route looks faster on Google Maps.
If you take the I-90 route, you can stop at beautiful Snoqualmie Falls along the way. If you take the Highway 2 route, you can stop at Deception Falls for a quick pit stop or go for a longer hike at Wallace Falls along the route.
