My husband and I have been visiting Leavenworth at least twice a year, every year, since we met 16 years ago! We’ve graduated from car camping (no shade, but scrunching up in the back of Charles’ Passat in 32 degree weather was not the most comfortable way to travel) and only eating brats to our favorite Airbnb complete with outdoor swinging bed and the discovery of several fantastic local restaurants. I can honestly say that there is SO much to do in this area no matter the time of year, but I am pretty partial to winter in Leavenworth! They keep their Christmas lights up until mid February, the town is always dusted (or covered) in snow and there are snow activities GALORE!
Our favorite things to do in Winter:
- Go tubing on the little mini tow rope hill minutes from downtown
- Take a snowy carriage ride
- Snowshoe or cross-country ski!
- Visit the Reindeer Farm
- See the Nutcracker Museum
- Check out the fabulous light display downtown – It’s usually up from November to mid-February!
Our favorite things to do in the Summer + Fall:
- HIKE. There is SO much hiking in this area. It can be quite warm in the summer, so get up early and look for those flat trails like the Wenatchee Apple Capital Recreation Trail or Icicle Creek. Go in the fall when things are cooling down and you’ve got a million options. Home to The Enchantments (we’ve never done this but holy crap the photos look incredible) and hikes for everyone from beginner to expert. We loved the Lake Clara hike we did this year to see the larches in late October and Old Pipeline Bed Trail is another favorite!
- Go wine tasting! There are TONS of wineries in this area – we especially love Plain Cellars and Silvara.
- E-Bike Tours!!! Excellent way to hear more about this cute little town and see the sites!
- Float the river – go earlier in the summer before the river dries up too much!
- Mini Golf!! Right on the edge of town and real cute.
- Walk Blackbird Island – accessible from town, has awesome views of the river and the gorgeous Post Hotel!
- Drive down to Wenatchee and go to the Pybus Market – an indoor market with vendors, restaurants and oftentimes live music on weekends.
- Head down to Wenatchee and ride your bike down Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail for great views of the river!
- Walk the downtown shops. These are great any time of year, but it’s nice not to freeze your booty off 😉
If you’ve been to Leavenworth before, you may already know that some of the accommodations can be hot or miss. Here are some of the places I would recommend!
PLACES TO STAY!
1. Aspen Carriage House: https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/34317580
2. Pine River Ranch – outside of town about 30 minutes or so, but the property is AMAZING and the rooms are really comfortable. https://prranch.com/
3. Post Hotel, we have actually never stayed here, but it’s the newest and fanciest place in Leavenworth. Includes some meals and access to the amazing pools and other amenities. Right downtown! https://posthotelleavenworth.com/
We always taking eating seriously when we get out of town, and even though we’ve been going to Leavenworth for years – it is no exception. We’ve fond some incredible food over the years!
THINGS TO EAT!
1. Yodelin Broth Co. Hands down our favorite place to eat in town.
2. Larch. Handmade pasta, so good.
3. Try the brats at the original brat place – the Munchen Haus. Fun beer garden and inexpensive.
4. Whistlepunk Ice Cream – YUM.
5. Heidelburger – little burger walk-up on the edge of town.
If you’re headed off to Leavenworth soon, ENJOY every minute of it and I hope the beautify wraps you up in a big hug! If you’re interested in reading more about other travel tips and adventures, check out these blog posts and if you’re a fellow photographer- read more about what I like to pack when I’m traveling with gear!
