45 Fun Things to Do in Leavenworth! (Updated 2024)
Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Kelly
When you first encounter the alpine town of Leavenworth, it really feels like you’ve left the United States and arrived in Germany. The entire town is architecturally designed to resemble a Bavarian village. I grew up in Washington State and I’ve visited Leavenworth dozens of times over the years. I’ve visited Leavenworth during spring, summer, fall and winter. I’ve been there for family vacations, hiking excursions, and special events. It’s one of my favorite places to visit in Washington State. In this post, I’m sharing my insider tips for my FAVORITE things to do in Leavenworth!
At a Glance
If you’re in a hurry, see the table below for all 45 activities at a glance. Read further on for detailed descriptions of each suggestion. We also include our own photos!
| 1. Attend a Seasonal Festival | 16. Go Horseback Riding | 31. Visit the Greater Leavenworth Museum |
| 2. Go Miniature Golfing | 17. Go for a Winter Sleigh Ride | 32. Spend the Day at Lake Wenatchee |
| 3. Drink a Beer in a Gondola | 18. Check Out Village Art in the Park | 33. Go Dogsledding |
| 4. Check Out the Microbreweries | 19. Watch a Show at the Summer Theater | 34. Take a Painting Class |
| 5. Go Wine Tasting | 20. Visit the Farmers Market | 35. Take a Day Trip to Lake Chelan |
| 6. Drink a Frose at Patterson Cellars | 21. Visit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum | 36. Have a Traditional German Meal |
| 7. Visit the Reindeer Farm | 22. Explore Blackbird Island | 37. Eat Some Strudel |
| 8. Eat a Homemade Gingerbread Cookie | 23. Rent a Bike | 38. See the Larches |
| 9. Get a Personalized Christmas Ornament | 24. Go River Rafting | 39. Go Sledding or Tubing |
| 10. Visit Krampus Kave | 25. Go Ziplining | 40. Drink Beer From a Stein |
| 11. Float the Wenatchee River | 26. Go Skiing at Stevens Pass | 41. Go Snowmobiling |
| 12. Indulge at the Spa at the Posthotel | 27. Observe Glass Blowing | 42. Visit Local Hot Springs |
| 13. Stroll through Waterfront Park | 28. Hike to Colchuck Lake in the Enchantments | 43. Ride the Coaster at the Adventure Park |
| 14. See the May Pole at Front Street Park | 29. Hike the Icicle Gorge Nature Loop | 44. Buy a Unique Souvenier |
| 15. Play at Enchantment Park | 30. Go for a Hayride | 45. Go Golfing |
If you’re looking for a hotel for your trip, be sure to check out our guide to the best hotels in Leavenworth. We’ve personally stayed at many of the different hotels over the years. In our guide you’ll see our recommendations as well as lots of photos from each hotel.
The Best Things to Do In Leavenworth
1. Attend a Seasonal Festival
Leavenworth is known for its festivals! It’s worth planning your visit to overlap with a festival for a unique cultural experience. A full list of the festivals can be found on the city’s events calendar. The most popular festivals are probably Oktoberfest, Maifest, and the Christmas Lighting Festival. See the city’s events calendar for specific dates for each festival. At the time of this writing, we think these festivals especially stand out:
- Winter Karneval (January): Ice sculptures, snow sculptures, and more
- Valentines Weekend (February): Enjoy a romantic weekend filled with wine and chocolates
- Taste Leavenworth (April): Sign up for a tasting walk through town, with emphasis on local pear dishes
- AleFest (April): Over 20 microbrews available and less crowded than Oktoberfest
- Maifest (May): Celebrate the arrival of spring with this traditional Bavarian festival
- Leavenworth Wine Walk (June and September): Sample local wines
- Icicle Creek Chamber Music Festival (July): Enjoy live music all month long
- Wenatchee River Salmon Festival (September): A festival to celebrate the salmon
- Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival (September): Food, parade, and entertainment to celebrate the arrival of fall
- Oktoberfest (October): Enjoy German food, beer, and music
- Christkindlmarkt (November): German-style outdoor market
- Village of Lights and the Christmas Lighting Festival (December): Celebrate all things Christmas in this winter wonderland
2. Go Miniature Golfing
Leavenworth has two miniature golf courses to choose from: Enzian Falls Championship Putting Course and Icicle Village Resort’s Miniature Golf Course. Both are 18-hole courses. The Enzian course is more of a professionally-designed miniature golf course. (You might even see the goats watching you play from the other side of the fence.) The Icicle Village course has waterfalls, Bavarian-themed buildings to match the town, and a waterwheel. Both are closed during inclement weather.
3. Drink a Beer in a Gondola
For a really unique experience, head to Icicle Brewing Company to have a beer in a hanging gondola! The brewery just added this feature this year, and it’s one of the coolest places to kick back and have a drink.
4. Check Out the Microbreweries
Icicle Brewing Company is one of the best microbreweries in the region. They have a taproom located right in the heart of Leavenworth: Front Street. The Icicle Brewing Company opened in 2010, but the owner’s family has roots in the region going back 140 years. (They’re also a member of 1% for the Planet, which means they donate 1% of earnings to protect the environment!) Many of the beers are named for local geographical features, like the Enchantments Hazy IPA Series.
You can also visit Doghaus Brewery. They love dogs and they love beer. That’s our kind of place! They’re a nano brewery (super small brewery) with a tasting room. Leashed dogs are allowed to be in the bar. Their beers also have awesome names like the Pawtender Pilsner!
Finally, be sure to check out Blewett Brewing. The company started as a pizzeria and then opened a brewery, so you know they know what they are doing. They specialize in small-batch brews. Visit their taproom for current selections. During the summer, they have a nice patio open by the street with outdoor seating.
All three of these breweries are located in Leavenworth, so you could easily make a beer crawl of it! (Might be a good idea for a bachelor/bachelorette party or birthday party as well!)
5. Go Wine Tasting
If beer’s not your thing, you can definitely check out the wine tasting options!
There are over 18 wine tasting rooms in downtown:
- WooHoo Winery Tasting Room
- Icicle Ridge Winery Downtown
- Goose Ridge Estate Winery Leavenworth Tasting Room
- Boudreaux Cellars Tasting Room
- d’Vinery Tasting Room for Eagle Creek Winery
- Bergdorf Cellars
- Hard Row to Hoe in Leavenworth
- Kestrel Vitners
- WineGirl Wines
- Patterson Cellars
- Kasia Winery Leavenworth Tasting Room
- Milbrandt Vineyards Leavenworth
- Water From Wine
- Obelisco Estate Wines
- Silvara Cellars
Best of all, these wineries are within walking distance of each other! (That would make for a fun bachelorette party, right!?)
6. Try the Frose from Patterson Cellars
We especially enjoyed the frosé from Patterson Cellars on our last trip to Leavenworth. We visited in August and it was a super-hot summer day. We sat in cute little bistro chairs that were set up right on the sidewalk. We people-watched while we sipped on the frozen rose concoction. It was perfection!
If you’d like to visit a winery outside of Leavenworth (more than just a tasting room), we recommend that you visit Icicle Ridge Winery in Peshastin, Washington. (About 10 minutes’ drive from Leavenworth.) Another good option is to visit Wedge Mountain Winery, which is only 12 minutes’ drive away from Leavenworth.
7. Visit the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm
The Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is a great place to visit throughout the year, but especially the winter. If you have young children, it’s pretty special to go visit the reindeer before the holidays. Admission tickets are required. Guests of all ages and abilities are welcome, and it’s recommended that you wear close-toed shoes. If you plan on visiting during the holidays, it’s recommended that you book your tickets two months in advance. (They get booked up quick!) Included in the price of admission is hot cocoa, cider, and cookies. Santa Claus will also be at the farm during the winter, and you can take photos with your own camera.
8. Eat a Homemade Gingerbread Cookie – Any Time of Year!
Whether it’s the holidays or not, the Gingerbread Factory will get you in the holiday spirit! Year-round they offer delicious gingerbread cookies! (Slightly soft and beautifully decorated.) When you first enter the store, there is a display wall on the left that showcases some of their beautiful gingerbread designs. When you reach the counter, you’ll see dozens of cookies available. But they don’t stop there, they also have homemade dessert breads, tarts, enormous cinnamon rolls, and soft-iced cookies. Basically you can’t go wrong if you stop here for dessert and an espresso.
Tip: If you want to decorate your own gingerbread men, you can buy “skinny dippers” (naked, undecorated gingerbread men). They do all the hard work of baking, and you can do all the fun of decorating!
9. Get a Personalized Christmas Ornament
Looking for the perfect souvenir to commemorate your trip? Look no further than the gift shop Kris Kringl. They have two full floors of Christmas ornaments, decorations, and villages. On the second floor, there is a table where you can have your names personalized on an ornament of your choice. If you collect Christmas village sets, we’re pretty sure they showcase every brand ever made. They have all of their villages set-up in the back of the store, and it’s worth visiting just to look at them all.
10. Visit Krampus Kave
Looking for a cozy night in? Across from Kris Kringl is the Krampus Kave. This store is named after Krampus, which according to European folklore is a monster that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime. The store is filled with board games, comic books, and memorabilia. There’s a ton of different strategy games and party games. Pick one or two games up and have a relaxing evening at your hotel.
11. Float the Wenatchee River
During the warmer months, you can float down a portion of the Wenatchee River! I’ve done this several times, and it’s always a highlight of the summer. There’s nothing better than gently floating along the river and taking in the sights. There’s a few companies that offer river tube rentals as well as shuttles at drop-off and pick-up points.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.
12. Indulge at the Spa at the Posthotel
If you haven’t already read our post about the Posthotel, go read it now. If you stay at this property, you have access to an entire floor of saunas, steam rooms, reflexology pools, hot tubs, plunge pools, experience showers, and an indoor/outdoor saltwater pool. It was the ultimate experience of relaxation. The hotel provides robes and slippers, and they also have wellness circuit guide cards to help you choose which saunas to visit. You can focus on fatigue, sore muscles, or detoxification. (Or you can do whatever feels good to you!) We recently stayed at the Posthotel, and we can’t wait to go back. Make your reservations well in advance, they book up fast.
The Icicle Village Resort also has the Alpine Spa which has a variety of treatments available. You can spend up to 45 minutes in their steam room for $50.
The Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort also has a spa on their property: The Aspen Leaf Day Spa. They offer a number of spa packages that focus on fresh mountain air.
13. Stroll Through Waterfront Park
Follow Commercial Street down a steep hill to find Waterfront Park. At the bottom of the hill on the left you will see the park entrance tucked away. Even though the park is located near town, it feels like a world away as you are completely immersed in nature. There is a 3-mile trail loop that follows the river. There are plenty of beachy river inlets, so bring a blanket, a picnic, and a good book
14. See the May Pole at Front Street Park
Right in the center of town is a Front Street Park, which is often utilized for festivals. You can’t miss the gazebo and the Maibaum (May Pole). I really consider this the heart of the city! There are plenty of city events take place here all year long. During the summer, you’ll find plenty of people enjoying ice cream or snacks while sitting in the grass.
15. Play at Enchantment Park
Enchantment Park provides plenty of opportunities to enjoy sports and recreation. There is a baseball field, soccer field, skate park, and a playground. It’s a great place to bring children to burn off some energy!
16. Go Horseback Riding
Take a break from town and head out into the hills! There are three primary companies that offer horseback riding excursions: Icicle Outfitters and Guides, Wild at Heart Horse Rides, and Eagle Creek Ranch. All three companies offer options for beginner and experienced riders. Most of them have an age requirement, so be sure to check ahead if you have young children. And if you’d rather not ride a horse, you can always enjoy a carriage ride in town!
17. Go for a Winter Sleigh Ride
You’ll be living a real-life Christmas song when you get to go on a sleigh ride through a winter wonderland! Both Icicle Outfitters and Eagle Creek Ranch offer sleigh rides. There’s a variety of sleigh options depending on how many people on in your group. Check out their websites for more info!
18. Check Out Village Art in the Park
From May through mid-October, you can find Village Art in the Park right at the Front Street Park. They are typically open Thursday-Sunday during the summer months, but check their calendar to be sure. The park is full of paintings, framed photography, metalwork, and jewelry. If you purchase a piece of art, you are not only supporting the artist, but this nonprofit organization provides financial support for the art programs in the Washington State Cascade School District. We purchased a print of a painting from Village Art in the Park, and it’s one of our favorite pieces!
19. Attend the Leavenworth Summer Theater
Head to the outdoor Ski Hill Amphitheater and enjoy live entertainment. The Leavenworth Summer Theater often produces the Sound of Music pPerfect for a Bavarian-themed town!), in addition to other shows. Be sure to confirm current showtimes and dates.
20. Buy the Best Produce From the Farmers’ Market
At Haymarket Square, you can find dozens of local vendors selling everything from cheeseboards to honey. Their calendar is listed here, with market days typically May through October. (Usually on Wednesdays and Saturdays.) You can see an updated calendar here with dates and hours. You can also check out their harvest schedule to see what produce will be available during your trip.
21. Visit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum
Get in the Christmas spirit by admiring nutcrackers of all shapes and sizes. The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum has over 7000 of them! (The have the world’s largest nutcracker collection.) They are open daily from 11am to 5pm, and the price of admission is $5 for adults, $3.50 for seniors, $2 for youth, and children under 6 years old are free. (Active military members also can attend for free.) You will discover that there is more than one way to crack a nut: direct pressure, indirect pressure, screw, and percussion. The museum has examples of nutcrackers from dozens of different countries, some of which are rare treasures.
22. Explore Blackbird Island
Within Waterfront Park is a bridge that leads to Blackbird Island. This X island is located in the middle of the Wenatchee River. The island has about two miles of trails that is suitable for walking or bikes. Each time we have been, it tends not to be very busy. It’s definitely a hidden gem within Leavenworth! So if you visit when there are lots of crowds, walking around Blackbird Island can be a refreshing break. The island contains interpretive signs, ponds, and many sandy alcoves along the river.
23. Explore the City By Bike
If you don’t have your own bike, don’t worry, you can rent bicycles within Leavenworth. Biking can be a fun way to cruise around town, or you can go to Blackbird Island and bike some trails. You can rent bicycles from Der Sportsmann (mountain bikes for local trails) or Arlberg Sports Haus.
You can even rent an e-bike! Bavarian eBike Tours offers rentals May through October. A guide will show you around town and provide a historical overview of the region. They will take you through the main streets of Leavenworth, Leavenworth Ski Hill, and Icicle Creek Canyon. The tours start at $99 and last 3.5 hours.
24. Go River Rafting
The cool thing about Leavenworth is that there are river activities for everyone! You can gently float the river, or you can embark on a thrilling river rafting adventure. There are several rafting companies that you can choose from: Orion Expeditions, Wildwater River Guides, and Blue Sky Outfitters, Inc. Orion Expeditions has a courtesy shuttle, Wildwater River Guides has expertly trained guides, and Blue Sky Outfitters, Inc., have tour options that are combined with a full BBQ meal.
25. Go Ziplining
Get a different view of the mountains when you zipline through them! At Leavenworth Ziplines, you can ride up to 9 different ziplines. (One zipline has a double decker platform and another is a 1/4 miles long!) It costs $129 for an adult to ride 9 ziplines, and there’s also the option to choose 5 ziplines for $99.
26. Go Skiing or Snowboarding at Stevens Pass Mountain Resort
Many people visit during the winter due to its proximity to Stevens Pass Mountain Resort. If you like to ski or snowboard, you have to visit Stevens Pass. The ski resort is located 35 miles west of Leavenworth. At the resort, you can rent equipment or take classes.
27. Observe Glass Blowing
At Boulder Bend Glassworks, you can watch local artists practice their glassblowing craft. Located in Peshastin (a small town east of Leavenworth), you can view their bowls, sculptures, whirlwinds and more. Glassblowing demonstrations usually occur on Saturdays, but you can call to confirm (509.881.1320).
28. Get a Glimpse of the Enchantments By Hiking to Colchuck Lake
Leavenworth is the prime location for hiking in the Cascade Mountains! There are hundreds of hikes and trails that are accessible as a quick day trip from Leavenworth.
If you’re a fairly experienced hiker, you absolutely have to hike Colchuck Lake. It’s arguably the most famous hike in Washington State. Be sure to read current trip reports and we recommend that you get to the trailhead early to secure a parking spot. The trail is 8 miles long (roundtrip) with 2280 feet of elevation gain. You can read our complete guide to hiking Colchuck Lake.
29. Hike the Icicle Gorge Nature Loop
A much easier hike is the Icicle Gorge Nature Loop. It is 4.2 miles long roundtrip, but it is relatively flat (150 feet of elevation gain). You will see wooden bridges, the creek, and a swamp
30. Go for a Hayride
If you have younger children that aren’t old enough to horseback ride, you might enjoy a hayride through the pristine mountain meadows. Currently hayrides are being offered 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.
31. Visit the Greater Leavenworth Museum
The Greater Leavenworth Museum is typically open Fridays through Sundays. The museum is located on the second floor right above the Nutcracker Museum. (So why not visit two museums while you are there?) The museum also typically offers two different guided walking tours that occur spring through fall: The Railroad & Mill Tour and the Town Tour.
If you’d like to take a historical walking tour with more availability and an admission fee, check out this Historical Walking Tour of Leavenworth.
32. Spend the Day at Lake Wenatchee
Take a short drive (30 minutes) to Lake Wenatchee. There’s all sorts of trails near the lake, including horse trails, bike trails, and hiking trails. There’s plenty to do at Lake Wenatchee State Park: boating, fishing, and swimming. There are picnic shelters and a playground. During the winter, there are groomed trails for cross-country skiing and sledding.
33. Go Dogsledding
Experience a one-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go dogsledding through the snow. A seven-mile tour is about one hour in duration and costs $165 per adult.
34. Try Your Hand at Painting
There are Sip and Paint classes at Leavenworth where you can have a glass of wine and be guided through creating your own work of art.
35. Take a Day Trip to Lake Chelan
About an hour drive east from Leavenworth is the pristine Lake Chelan. You can spend the day there, or you can add on a couple of nights to your Leavenworth trip. You won’t regret it! I grew up going to Chelan every summer and I have never grown tired of it. The lake itself is gorgeous, plus there are a number of fun things to do in the area. You can go to a waterslide park, take the Lady of the Lake to the remote town of Stehekin, or visit more than 30 wineries. Whatever you decide, you will have a great trip!
36. Have a Traditional German Meal
Muchen Haus is one of the most popular restaurants in Leavenworth. It’s our favorite place to go for a quick meal. There’s outdoor patio seating and a beer garden with gas fireplace tables. We recommend ordering a Bavarian Pretzel (with extra cheese sauce), a Dirtyface Beer Wurst, and a local beer.
If you’re looking for a sit-down restaurant, you have to try Andreas Keller. Their menu is completely comprised of traditional German food. It’s one of our favorite places to go for dinner in Leavenworth!
Be sure to check out our full guide to Leavenworth restaurants!
37. Eat Some Strudel
The Danish Bakery is located right on Front Street and is the place to go for strudel! They typically offer three types: cherry, apple, and raspberry cream cheese. Even if you’re not in the mood for a pastry, pick one up to have with your coffee the next morning. You will not regret it.
38. See the Larches
Although Washington is known as the Evergreen State, each fall larches are the main draw to the Leavenworth hikes. “Larch Season” is typically in October, and that’s when you’ll see the trees turn a vibrant gold. If you want to see a golden pine tree, you have to visit in the fall!
39. Go Sledding or Tubing
During the winter, there are plenty of opportunities to play in the snow. But if you don’t ski or snowboard, you might think that your options are limited. Thankfully, there are plenty of sledding and tubing places! The Leavenworth Ski Hill is located close to town and has a 100 foot tubing hill.
40. Drink Beer from a Stein
The Stein Beer Hall has plenty of beers on-tap to fill up your stein. You’ll definitely feel at home in Germany when you are sipping from an authentic stein.
41. Go Snowmobiling
Leavenworth Snowmobiling Tours will have you cruising across the snow powder in no time! They provide all the gear you need: snowmobile suits, boots, gloves, and helmets. They recommend that you bring sunglasses and a neck warmer. You need to be at least 16 years old to drive, 18 years old to drive with a passenger, and children must be 5 years or older to ride.
42. Visit the Scenic Hot Springs
Soak in several hot springs of varying temperatures while you unwind from a busy trip.
43. Visit the Leavenworth Adventure Park
The Leavenworth Adventure Park is Leavenworth’s newest attraction. The park contains an alpine coaster that will give you views of Tumwater Canyon, Icicle Ridge, the Wenatchee River, and Leavenworth. What’s cool about this coaster is that you can decide the speed. You can ride down with the breaks on, moving at a slow pace, or you can coast down the track going up to 27 miles per hour! The park also has a climbing wall and a bungee trampoline.
44. Buy a Unique Souvenir
If you’re looking for a gift or a souvenir, we recommend the following:
- A personalized Christmas ornament from Kris Kringl
- Gingerbread cookies from the Gingerbread Factory
- A nutcracker from Nussknacker Haus
- A box of chocolates from Schocolat
- A framed painting or photograph from an Art in the Park artist
- An etched stein glass from Munchen Haus
45. Go Golfing
The Leavenworth Golf Course has an absolutely stunning course. You’ll see the Cascade Mountains, the Wenatchee River, and the Icicle River. Best of all, it’s located only a mile from town. The Highlander Golf Course is about 40 minutes east of Leavenworth. The Kahler Glen Golf and Ski Resort is located about 25 minutes north of Leavenworth. If you like to golf, you could easily stay in Leavenworth and try all three courses!
| Want to visit Leavenworth for the day? You can book a day trip from Seattle to Leavenworth! |
Nearby Activities
If you’re in the area, you might also enjoy visiting some of these locations:
- Stevens Pass: If you’re visiting during the winter, you can ski and snowboard at Stevens Pass.
- Eagle Creek Winery: Located just 5 miles outside of downtown, you can visit the city’s oldest winery.
- Icicle Ridge Winery: Located in the nearby town of Peshastin, enjoy a tasting flight at this beautiful winery.
- Lake Wenatchee State Park: This park has outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the year.
- Colchuck Lake Trail: If you visit during the warmer months, this hike is one of our favorites in the state.
- Lake Chelan: Lake Chelan is just a little more than an hour’s drive away. The lake is surrounded by rolling hills and wineries.
- Deception Falls: If you drive west on Highway 2, you can take a short trail to see these beautiful falls.
More Photos
Summary
We hope that you have enjoyed this guide to Leavenworth! Leavenworth is one of our favorite weekend destinations from Seattle. Even after visiting dozens of times, we always find something new to do in this beautiful Bavarian Village. We highly recommend that you check out the Nutcracker Museum, the Reindeer Farm, and the new Leavenworth Adventure Park.
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.
