Leavenworth is a small town of approximately 2000 people a two-hour drive east of Seattle in Washington State. Although it has existed as a town for over 100 years it became famous in the 1970s, when facing a decrease in population, the town adopted a Bavarian theme to attract tourists. The bet paid off, and Leavenworth has become a great all year round destination for those looking for the flavor of Germany without traveling to Europe.
I visited recently and was very impressed by the authenticity of the building exteriors. The town also offers numerous sitdown restaurants and outdoor beer gardens to enjoy authentic German food. One can also browse an amazing nutcracker museum! On weekends, there is live German folk music performed in the main gazebo by locals. June also features an annual accordion festival. Other annual delights include a tree lighting ceremony and Christmas market in December as well as an extensive Oktoberfest.
I stayed across from the downtown core in a hotel called the Bavarian Lodge. It was extremely convenient as parking is an issue in the crowded downtown core which is comprised of only about six square blocks. The only challenge I faced was from the weather as central Washington State regularly has temperatures in the high 30s during the summer months. Leavenworth also offers impressive views of the nearby mountains which serve to bring people into the village during the winter months for skiing. Hiking, rafting, kayaking and swimming are also on offer.
There is a lot of shopping to be had here as well. Specialty stores sell German style clothing, baked goods, sausages and cheeses. There is also a lovely tea shop and local wineries offer tastings on every corner. As Leavenworth is located in the US, there is also an abundance of tourist shops selling all variety of souvenirs. The only disadvantage of this charming village is the fact that no one speaks German!
