How to Spend a Trip to Leavenworth with Kids (12 Family-Friendly Activities!)

If you’re planning a trip to Leavenworth with kids, this article is for you. Leavenworth has all lots of kid-friendly activities. Some of our favorites include visiting a reindeer farm, throwing rocks into the river, and eating gingerbread cookies year-round.

I grew up visiting Leavenworth regularly, so I can say from firsthand knowledge that Leavenworth is one of the best family-friendly destinations in Washington State. Now that I have a small family, it’s been fun to experience the alpine town of Leavenworth through their eyes. In this post, I’ll share 12 fun things to do with kids in Leavenworth!

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12 Fun Things to Do With Kids in Leavenworth

1. Attend a Kid-Friendly Festival

You might know that Leavenworth is a fun place for adults to visit during Oktoberfest, but did you know that the city also hosts several festivals that are totally geared towards kids?

Celebrate the start of spring at the Maifest Festival. Children can enjoy maipole dancing, Bavarian music, a parade, and an alpenhorn serenade. (Check the website for any covid-related adjustments.)

During the winter, Leavenworth becomes a magical Christmas town. If you visit during the Village of Lights and Christmas Tree Lighting, you’ll see the whole town covered in Christmas lights and a lot of snow in the mountains. There’s all sorts of activities for kids, like lantern decorating, Santa photos, and so much more.

2. Go Mini-Golfing

There are a couple of miniature golf places located in downtown Leavenworth: Enzian Falls Championship Putting Course and Icicle Village Resort. If you have younger kids, they may enjoy the Icicle Village Resort course more due to its fun decorations and obstacles. The Enzian course is well-suited for older kids that would like more of a challenge.

3. Meet Santa’s Reindeer at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

Whether it’s summer or winter, you can visit the reindeer at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm! During the winter you can also book a tour to see Santa too! The farm does require admission tickets and they recommend that you wear close-toed shoes. When you visit the reindeer enclosure, please note that children 2 and under need to be held the entire time. The farm recommends that you book your tickets 2 months in advance for the winter season. Included in the price of admission is hot cocoa, cider, and cookies. 

4. Spend the Afternoon at the Park

There are three parks that are located near downtown Leavenworth.

The most popular is Front Street Park, which is located directly on Front Street (the main hub of Leavenworth). You can’t miss the gazebo and maipole. There’s a lot of grass and shady trees to sit down and enjoy a snack. We recommend grabbing ice cream from Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co. or a gingerbread cookie from The Gingerbread Factory and relaxing under a tree.

Waterfront Park and Blackbird Island are just a short walk from Front Street. The park is tucked behind the downtown area and runs along the Wenatchee River. It’s a good place to go to escape the crowds and instantly get some peace and quiet in nature. There’s a pedestrian bridge at the park which leads to Blackbird Island. There’s a couple of miles of trails that are well-suited for bikes or strollers. There are sandy alcoves throughout the island that are a good spot to stop for a rest.

Enchantment Park is also located within walking distance of Front Street. At this park you will find baseball fields, basketball courts, wide trails, and a playground. It’s a good place to go to let the kids run around and burn off some energy. 

5. Visit the Nutcracker Museum

The Nutcracker Museum is located on Front Street and has the world’s largest collection of nutcrackers… over 7,000! Your kids will love looking at the many different types of nutcrackers that represent many different cultures. (You can also crack your best jokes there!)

6. Go for a Hayride

This is a good option for children that are too young to go horseback riding. They can get the experience of being pulled by a horse through Leavenworth’s pristine mountain meadows. Currently you can reserve a hayride at Red-Tail Canyon Farm (about 3 miles north of Leavenworth) for $150 for your group. The 30-minute hayride will take you through a draft horse ranch and a tree farm. At the end of the ride, you’ll be treated to a home-cooked BBQ.

7. Go Snow Tubing

If you’re visiting Leavenworth during the winter, you will definitely want to play in the snow. In addition to building snowmen and making snow angels, you can go the Leavenworth Ski Hill and go snow tubing! All of the equipment can be rented right there. 

8. Check out a Sleigh Ride

This is another fun winter activity. Kids will love rushing through the snow as they’re all bundled up in a beautiful sleigh. There are two places that offer sleigh rides: Icicle Outfitters and Eagle Creek Ranch. 

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9. Hike in the Mountains

Leavenworth is known for its world-famous hikes, such as the Enchantments. But, there’s also a lot of easy hikes near Leavenworth too that are kid-friendly! Be sure to check out the Washington Trails Association (WTA) page before you leave for current trip reports, and always bring the 10 Essentials with you when you hike. At the very least, bring a first aid kit and plenty of water just in case. Being in nature is also a good time to teach kids about Leave No Trace principles. 

The Icicle Gorge Nature Loop is a family-friendly hike near Leavenworth. The trailhead is located 16 miles west of Leavenworth. The trail is fairly flat overall, and you can bring a jogging stroller if it has good suspension to go over roots. The Icicle Gorge Nature Loop is 4.2 miles long with a total elevation gain of 150 feet. You’ll need a Northwest Forest Pass to park at the trailhead. (If you don’t have an annual pass, we recommend that you purchase a day pass and print it out in advance.) 

The Tumwater Pipeline Trail is closer to Leavenworth, about two miles west. You don’t need a parking pass for this hike. The trail is 2.4 miles long with a total elevation gain of 100 feet. Please note that the WTA page recommends that you do not try to swim in the main creek, as the current is very strong.

10. Indulge in a Sweet Treat

After a busy day of activity, there’s a few good places in downtown Leavenworth to indulge in a sweet treat.

Your kids will definitely enjoy The Gingerbread Factory, if not for its cookies, than for the fun atmosphere! The wall to the left of the entrance is filled with beautifully-decorated gingerbread cookies that all match separate themes (e.g., luau vacation gingerbread men, animal farm gingerbread men, and gingerbread wedding cookies). The Gingerbread Factory is located in the middle of all the action on Front Street. The shop has miniature gingerbread cookies called “tiny tots” with royal icing if you just want a small sampling of their gingerbread. (That’s what we ordered during our last visit when we were too full for a big dessert.) Toddlers might also appreciate that they have gingerbread cookies “in their size.” The Gingerbread Factory also has iced sugar cookies, giant cinnamon rolls, fancy desserts, and homemade breads.

Another great place to stop for a treat is the Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co., which is also located on Front Street. They make homemade small-batch ice cream, and there is always a line out their door it seems! Their ice cream was amazing!

 

Your kids might also enjoy the Fudge Hut for some melt-in-your-mouth fudge. Currently they have 33 types of fudge listed on their website! Some examples include chocolate marshmallow, cookies n cream, and dreamsicle.

Finally, the Danish Bakery is the place to go if you’re looking for a German dessert. We definitely recommend that you try their strudel! They have apple, cherry, and raspberry cream cheese flavors.

11. Visit Lake Wenatchee State Park

A short drive north from Leavenworth (19 miles) will take you to Lake Wenatchee State Park. It’s the perfect place to go for a swim or to explore some trails. During the summer, kids can participate in the Junior Ranger program. See a park ranger for more details and current evening program offerings.

12. Hit the Waterslides in Nearby Chelan

Slidewaters is a water park that is located about an hour east of Leavenworth. I’ve been going to Slidewaters since I was a little kid! The water park keeps getting better and better. It’s always clean when we visit, has magnificent views of Lake Chelan, and has dozens of water activities for all ages and levels. They have a zero depth beach which includes a giant tipping bucket and spray features, an activity pool, and an aqua zoo with two kid-friendly animal slides, a whale with an active spout, and a teeter-totter. Older kids will enjoy the larger waterslides and tube slides. 

 

 

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About Leavenworth

Leavenworth is a small town (population 2,375) nestled in the Cascade Mountains of Washington State. Due to its alpine location, the city council decided to model the town after a Bavarian village. Ever since then, Leavenworth has been a cultural hub for all things German! The town is filled with German restaurants, the buildings have an old-world feel, and there are plenty of German festivals that occur year-round.

Leavenworth is also known as “Christmas Town” due to its reindeer farm, nutcracker museum, gingerbread store, and Christmas store. Whether you visit Leavenworth in December or July, you can experience the Christmas magic!

If you visit Leavenworth during the summer, Leavenworth is generally hot and sunny. During the winter, there is typically lots of snow and freezing temperatures. Because Leavenworth is located on the east side of the mountains, it receives much less rainfall than the west side of the state. For this reason, many Seattleites enjoy driving to Leavenworth for a break from the rain.

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How to Get to Leavenworth

You can reach Leavenworth by car or by train.

If you’re traveling by car, Highway 2 runs right through the center of town, so you can’t miss it. Leavenworth is located about 35 miles east of Stevens Pass. Leavenworth is 117 miles from Seattle and 192 miles from Spokane.

 

You can also reach Leavenworth by train, which is an especially convenient option if you don’t want to drive through the mountain pass during the winter. There’s an Amtrak station located just a mile from its downtown at the Leavenworth Icicle Station stop. 

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What to Pack for a Vacation in Leavenworth

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Kid-Friendly Restaurants in Leavenworth

There are lots of really great restaurants in Leavenworth. (We wrote a full post on our favorite restaurants.)

When we visit Leavenworth, we always stop by for a bite to eat at Munchen Haus on Front Street. We go there every trip to Leavenworth without fail. Adults will enjoy their German-style bratwursts with all the fixins, but they also have classic hot dogs for pickier eaters. Kids will love their warm Bavarian pretzels with homemade cheese sauce. The restaurant has outdoor dining which is great for the warmer months. Kids can be loud and you won’t have to worry!

 

For a quick bite to-go, we recommend the Heidleburger Drive In. They have tons of different kinds of cheeseburgers and sandwiches, in addition to things like corn dogs and chicken strips. You can easily take a meal back to your hotel if you don’t feel like dining outdoors there.

If you’d like a sit-down restaurant, we recommend Andreas Keller. Kids will like the rustic decor, and their kids’ menu has things like hot dogs, pretzels, and french fries. Adults can enjoy an authentic German meal complete with schnitzel! 

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Kid-Friendly Hotels in Leavenworth

For an in-depth analysis, we wrote a full post about our favorite hotels in Leavenworth.

One of the most convenient places to stay is the Bavarian Lodge. It’s located near Front Street, so all of the shops and restaurants will be right outside your front door. (You won’t have to worry about carseats, parking, or long walks.) There’s also an outdoor seasonal pool which kids are sure to enjoy. We wrote about our recent stay at the Bavarian Lodge, if you’re looking for more details. 

 

Enzian Inn is also a great option in town and is also within walking distance to Front Street. Kids will likely enjoy the ornate carvings that really make this hotel feel old-world. They also have an indoor pool, which is important for kiddos! (You can swim rain or shine!) 

Icicle Village Resort is located at the entrance to town, and they have miniature golf on-site as well as a game room. If you’re planning on spending more time at the hotel, this is a great place to be. 

A little outside of Leavenworth is the Sleeping Lady Resort. It’s a little more expensive, but their bungalows have large rooms and a loft bedroom for kids. The resort is surrounded by forest trees and has direct access to creeks and the Wenatchee River. If you’d like more time in nature, but still want to be close to town, this is a great place to stay. (This is the first place we took our daughter when she was a baby!) You can read all about our review of the Sleeping Lady Resort, if you’re interested in more details and photos. 

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Summary: Visiting Leavenworth with Kids

The following activities are recommended for things to do with kids in Leavenworth:

• Attend a kid-friendly festival
• Go mini-golfing
• Meet Santa’s reindeer at the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm
• Spend the Day at the Park
• Visit the Nutcracker Museum
• Go for a hayride
• Go snow-tubing
• Check out a sleigh ride
• Hike in the mountains
• Indulge in a sweet treat
• Visit Lake Wenatchee State Park
• Hit the waterslides at Slidewaters Water Park

We’ve visited Leavenworth as a family many times, and we think it’s the perfect place to bring kids. There’s lots of kid-friendly activities, and the downtown area is extremely walkable. (You won’t have to worry about long drives or shuffling kids out of car seats.) We hope you enjoy your trip to Leavenworth!

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Disclaimer: We always strive for content accuracy. Since the time of publishing, travel-related information regarding pricing, schedules, and hours may have changed. Please look up such information directly from each vendor or institution for the most current information.