Bavarian-Style Getaway to Leavenworth, WA

The Wandering Warmacks
Mar 26, 2024
4 min read

Updated: Aug 28, 2024

We visited this small Bavarian style town during their opening weekend for holiday festivities. From Thanksgiving to February, Leavenworth glistens with over half a million Christmas lights. It's designated as one of the best Christmas towns in the U.S., and we can certainly see why. Although there are events going on all year long, there was something truly magical about visiting during this time of year. Tons of food, shops, and beautiful views of the Cascade mountains made for a cozy weekend.

ACCOMODATIONS

We planned this trip only a week or two in advance, and we should have known how crowded this place would be. There were no hotel rooms left, even the really fancy ones we couldn't afford anyway. We had to stay at a Best Western about 30 minutes away in Wenatchee, WA. If we could've stayed in town, we probably would have stayed at either Hotel Leavenworth or Bavarian Lodge. Both appeared to be close to attractions in the heart of downtown, and were reasonably priced (in comparison).

Although we would've loved more convenience, it was still easy to drive in to downtown Leavenworth in the mornings. We'd highly recommend getting there as early as possible during the holiday season, especially if you're staying out of town. Parking is very limited and the crowds get bigger and bigger as the night carries on.

THINGS TO DO

While they didn't host the popular Christkindlmarkt in 2023, there were still so many fun holiday & winter themed activities. We listened to carolers in the streets and gazed at the lights as we walked through the enormous crowds. Below are some of the specific activities we enjoyed -

❆ Reindeer Tour

We visited Leavenworth Reindeer Farm for a unique holiday experience. While it may have been geared more towards families, there were people of all ages. During the 45 minute tour, we got to hold antlers, listen to an educational presentation, and go inside the reindeer enclosure for an up close & personal experience with these majestic animals. We each received a small cup of food to feed them. This was one of our favorite activities! Slots book fast during holidays, so check the website in advance.

❆ Sleigh Ride

We chose to do a 30 minute horse-drawn sleigh ride at Eagle Creek Sleighs. The public tour was the cheapest, and we only had 2 other small groups sitting with us. They provided a hot cup of apple cider and a chance to pet the horses afterwards. This was really fun even though there was hardly any snow on the ground yet. There are a few other companies that do sleigh rides in Leavenworth, but this was the best value and we loved the scenery of the town outskirts.

❆ Shopping

We walked in and out of numerous shops all Saturday long. Some of our favorites were Kris Kringl, Cheesemonger's, and Leavenworth Shirt Company. There was a great mix of Christmas- themed, trendy, and eclectic gifts. There's bound to be a store for everyone!

❆ Drinks & Eats

Leavenworth boasts a lot of German fare, but also has American too. For lunch, we went to Blewett Brewing and had beers/sodas and classic appetizers. We enjoyed chicken schneitzel and a German combo plate at Ludwig's for dinner. We're glad we decided on an earlier dinner; lines were super long whenever we were walking out.

We delighted in more drinks and eats throughout the weekend at Icicle Coffee & Chocolates, Icicle Ridge Winery (Downtown), Icicle Brewing Company, and the Gingerbread Factory. We waited over an hour in a line that wrapped around the store at Gingerbread Factory. While there's no such thing as a "bad" cookie, we didn't feel that the wait was worth it, and could've enjoyed our time elsewhere. We preferred the truffles we had at Icicle Coffee & Chocolates for a sweet treat.

We loved the vibes of Icicle Brewing Company and of course we had to pick up a souvenir glass, which quickly became a favorite in our collection. Icicle Ridge Winery exhibits a classic cellar atmosphere. Most wines served were on the dry side, which is to be expected in the PNW.

❆ Waterfront Park

This was a nice tranquil park located right off downtown with pretty views of the Cascade Mountains and Wenatchee River. It had a short walking path that was a pleasant break from the crowds.

WISHLIST ACTIVITIES

There was so much to pack in to the weekend that we didn't have time to do everything we wanted. Aside from trying other food & drink spots, we would have loved to: