Everything You Need to Know to Plan the Perfect Day Trip to Leavenworth, Washington
Updated November 2019
It is officially the Christmas season!
If you are like me, you are busy planning your holiday festivities. I’ve already created my Christmas bucket lists for NYC and Disney World, but today I want to share one of my favorite West Coast holiday traditions, a festive day trip to Leavenworth, Washington.
This cute Bavarian-inspired town is one of the best places to visit during the holiday season. If you are near the area, don’t miss a chance to visit during their Christmas Lighting Festival.
Ready to get in the Christmas spirit? Read on! I’ve created a guide to help you plan the perfect holiday day trip to Leavenworth, Washington. This post is filled with everything you need to know about making the most of your time in this cheery town!
Getting Here
Depending on where you start, there are a few different ways to reach Leavenworth.
If you are flying, you can use the Pangborn Memorial Airport (located 30-miles from Leavenworth) or Sea-Tac International Airport (located 130-miles from Leavenworth).
The AMTRAK Train runs between Seattle and Leavenworth. A few local companies also offer shuttle buses from surrounding areas.
Many people choose to drive to Leavenworth. US HWY 2 is the best way to reach Leavenworth from most of the West Coast. Always check the road conditions before driving. But, if the roads are clear, this is also the most scenic way to reach Leavenworth.
Once you arrive in Leavenworth, you can find numerous paid parking lots off the main highway. When I visited, I noticed different groups charging $10-$20 for “all-day festival parking.” If you want to park right next to the main drag of the town you can pay and find a spot in one of these lots. However, if you want to save some money (for pretzels, beer, or brats), I suggest driving past these lots and turning down a residential side street. We ended up finding a spot on Commercial Street that was a free no time limit spot. Many other people were parked along this street and it was only about a 5-minute walk to Front Street. Score!
Where to Stay
If you are planning a day trip to Leavenworth, you don’t need to worry about finding lodging in this town. You can easily stay in Seattle and visit Leavenworth in one day.
But, if you want to stay in Leavenworth, there are a few options in the area. These options cater to a variety of budgets, but be aware that the prices increase during the Christmas Lighting Festival.
Transportation
The main entertainment in Leavenworth occurs in a small, central area. Cars can’t access Front Street (the main street), so it is very easy to explore Leavenworth on foot. Just find a spot to park your car and walk to the main street.
Good to Know
Interestingly, Leavenworth was a very planned town. It was not the home of Bavarian immigrants. In fact, a couple of local businessmen had the idea to turn Leavenworth into the tourist town it is today.
In the 1800s, Leavenworth was a successful logging town. But, when the railroad was rerouted, Leavenworth was almost devastated. Then, in the 1960s, a few businessmen decided to transform Leavenworth into a Bavarian-inspired getaway. The town got behind the idea and soon Leavenworth became a very popular tourist destination.
Now that we’ve discussed logistics, let’s get to the fun part!
Food & Drinks
One of the best things to do in Leavenworth (or anywhere really) is to eat and drink! This tiny town offers a variety of German fare and holiday treats. Some of the city’s can’t miss places include:
- Munchen Haus– Don’t be put off by the line, which often stretches into the middle of the street. Trust me, it moves quickly and the food is well worth the wait. At the first window, you can place an order for a sausage, appetizer (they have the pretzel with Beecher’s cheese!), or soup. Around the corner is a bar where you can order from a selection of Icicle Brewery offerings. There are tables downstairs, but I suggest going to the upper deck for a table complete with a heat lamp and a picturesque mountain view. After receiving your sausages, don’t forget to visit the condiment wall, which is complete with apple cider sauerkraut, a selection of toppings, and a wall of mustards. I topped mine with the apricot ginger and honey mustards, sauerkraut, and onions.
- The Danish Bakery–This is a small bakery that serves a selection of European pastries. I stopped here after the Christmas Lighting Festival and enjoyed an apple strudel and a large cinnamon crisp. This cafe only accepts cash, but an ATM is located inside near the pastry case.
- Icicle Brewing– All of the beer is made with Icicle Creek water, a creek that flows into the nearby Wenatchee River. The taproom overlooks the brewery, so you can watch the brewing process as you enjoy your libation. A day trip to Leavenworth would not be complete without a pretzel, so make sure you order one to enjoy with your drinks. In addition to some surprisingly delicious mustard (I have never been a big mustard fan), the pretzel comes with a side of warm, melted Beecher’s cheese. The menu included a selection of other small plate options, including a meat and cheese plate and a hummus plate. In the summer I would love to sit on the patio and soak up the quaint and thematic atmosphere, but I found an indoor second story window seat, which was a nice escape from the cold.
- Argonaut Espresso Bar– This little cafe has a comfortable patio complete with blankets, heat lamps, a gorgeous view of the mountains, and unbelievably delicious hot chocolate. While it is a little ways past the main strip of Front Street, please do yourself a favor and visit this cafe when you are ready for your first (or 3rd) hot chocolate of the day! They offer a variety of pastries, sandwiches, and espresso drinks, but the stand-out for me was the toasted marshmallow hot chocolate. This rich and delicious drink was listed on the specialty board so it might not be offered year-round, but if it is available you should take the opportunity to dive into a smooth cup of warm chocolate bliss. The icing on the cake (or the marshmallow on the hot chocolate?) was the skewered toasted marshmallow that was perched on top of the cup. This was an incredibly perfect touch that put me even more into the Christmas spirit.
- J5– This is another espresso bar in Leavenworth where you can enjoy a variety of coffee beverages. I ordered a peppermint mocha, which hit the spot during the chilly afternoon. This coffee shop also sold a variety of local crafts, so it could be a spot to shop for Christmas gifts. But, if I can only pick one place to get a drink, I recommend Argonaut Espresso Bar.
Shopping
Many local and boutique shops line Front Street. Spend some time window shopping or crossing a few people off your Christmas list during your day trip to Leavenworth.
I enjoyed sampling the variety of olive oils and gourmet salts at The Oil and Vinegar Cellar. I also stopped in the year-round Christmas shop, Kris Kringl. And dog owners will love the selection at A Paw Above.
Leavenworth Attractions
The Christmas Lighting Festival brings most visitors to Leavenworth. But there are plenty of other activities to enjoy while you wait for the festival to begin!
- Enjoy the decorations on Front Street- You can get in the Christmas spirit before the Lighting Festival. Wreaths and garlands cover most of Front Street’s shops and restaurants. Walk along the street and soak in the festive atmosphere.
- Take a hike in Waterfront Park– Depending on the weather, hiking at Waterfront Park offers a nice break from the crowds on Front Street. This flat trail winds past the Wenatchee River and provides benches along the route.
- Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum- If you want to stay in the Christmas spirit, stop by the Nutcracker Museum. Here, you can see a large collection of (you guessed it) nutcrackers.
- Christkindlmarkt– This annual Bavarian-style Christmas market is held on Front Street the weekend of Thanksgiving. Visit the market for Bavarian food and festive entertainment.
Nearby Attractions
Steven’s Pass is a popular ski resort in Western Washington. Since it is less than an hour from Leavenworth, consider combing the two for a wintery weekend getaway.
Seattle is about 2.5 hours from Leavenworth. You could easily combine Seattle and Leavenworth as a weekend (or longer) getaway.
Christmas Lighting Festival
Time for the main event!
This annual tradition will be held on the weekends of December 6-8, 13-15, and 20-22 of 2019 (but the lights remain until Valentine’s Day).
Be aware that the Light Ceremony only happens on Saturday and Sunday. On Fridays, the lights remain on all evening and St. Nicholas arrives at 4:30 pm to tell a story for children of all ages.
On Saturdays and Sundays, Santa arrives at the Front Street Gazebo at 12:00 pm. The lighting ceremony begins around 4:45 pm, but you will want to start looking for a spot as soon as it gets dark.
Despite the crowds, I didn’t have any trouble finding a great spot near the gazebo in Front Street Park. Since the lights line the entire street, there is not one perfect spot to stand. However, if you want to hear the choir and have a good view of Santa, make sure you can see the front of the gazebo.
The ceremony starts with two Alphorn players from the Enzian Inn performing on their instruments. A few quick speeches were delivered, lit stars paraded onto the stage, and a group sing-along of Silent Night was led by the choir.
Finally, the countdown began and the street illuminated with thousands of twinkling Christmas lights. It was a gorgeous sight that I believe would have even made Scrooge feel the Christmas spirit. Take some time to walk along the street and soak up the festive scene.
I hope you enjoyed my guide for a festive day trip to Leavenworth. If you are heading there this holiday season, let me know in the comments!
If you are looking for more, check out these posts:
30 Unique Things to Do in Seattle
The 5 Best Day Trips from Seattle
Where to Go for a Run in Seattle
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