Leavenworth, WA: The Best Day Trip from Seattle?

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Leavenworth, WA, is an idyllic Bavarian town from a dream, and it’s located just a few hours outside of downtown Seattle! A day trip to Leavenworth is a great way to get outside Seattle and explore the beauty of the Cascade Mountain Range off of Highway 2.

Living so close to Leavenworth has been a treat, and I am excited to share why Leavenworth is truly one of the best day trip options out of Seattle! This blog post will answer logistical questions related to visiting Leavenworth, as well as provide some fun ideas for your trip. Let’s dive right in!

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Is Leavenworth a good day trip from Seattle?

The short answer? Absolutely yes! Leavenworth is a great day trip from Seattle, whether you’re a solo traveler, a family with kids, a couple, or even on a group trip. Dogs are welcome, too! 

Beautiful alpine scenery, charming Bavarian-style shops, and delicious German fare make Leavenworth the perfect day trip from Seattle. It’s close enough to Seattle to make it an easy drive, but once you arrive you’ll feel like your thousands of miles away from the PNW and in the heart of Bavaria! Who said you can’t enjoy a little bit of Europe over here in the States?!

I recommend bringing your camera along with you on your day trip to Leavenworth to snap some cool shots with the incredible alpine backdrop on the main street in town! The mountains surrounding Leavenworth are also great for hiking and climbing, if that’s something you’re interested in.

If you’re staying in Seattle, you can easily visit Leavenworth in one day. However, I recommend extending your stay in Leavenworth to stay for at least one night to enjoy everything the town has to offer!

If your travel plans allow it, I’d even suggest spending a whole weekend there exploring the town and surrounding area. Depending on the time of year, you can likely find a decently priced accommodation in Leavenworth or close by.

TripAdvisor offers a great list of hotels and accommodations, and their portal allows you to filter by property type, distance from a specific attraction (like the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm!), and more.

What are the best months to visit Leavenworth?

There really isn’t a “bad” or “good” time to visit Leavenworth because it’s beautiful year-round! However, depending on your travel interests, you might be more inclined to visit during the snowy months (November through February/March) to enjoy the winter weather and Christmas celebrations. Aside from the major holidays during these months, you’ll likely find that Leavenworth isn’t too crowded. Following the Christmas and New Year’s holidays, Leavenworth experiences its off-season.

For greener, sunnier weather, plan to visit during the summer months (May through August/September). This is the most popular time of year to visit (aside from the Christmas holiday), and thus you’ll need to plan accordingly. Prices for hotels and tours might be higher during these months. You can also enjoy nearby hiking, golf, and other outdoor summer recreation activities during this time of year.

Camping and hiking in Leavenworth are extremely enjoyable during the summer months, and visitors can even go tubing on the Wenatchee River!

My most recent visit was during the month of February, and there was snow on the ground and on the mountain peaks. It was beautiful and incredibly scenic. However, visiting during any time of year is sure to be phenomenal.

Some activities are only accessible during certain times of year, so make sure to do a bit of research based on which months you want to visit. For example, sledding is not accessible in July!

How can I travel to Leavenworth from Seattle?

Traveling to Leavenworth from Seattle is easy and enjoyable. I recommend driving in your own personal vehicle, if possible, but you could also rent a car or take the Amtrak to Icicle Station.

Leavenworth is roughly 2.5 hours driving outside of Seattle, so it’s definitely do-able as a day trip or overnight trip from the greater Seattle area. Plus, you’ll get amazing views of the Cascade Mountain range driving into Leavenworth from Seattle!

If driving your own vehicle or a rental car is out of the question, there are also several Leavenworth bus tours and guides that leave from Seattle. This is a great way to get outside the city and explore Leavenworth car-free!

If arriving by car or in your own personal vehicle, you will also need to locate parking. Free parking is hard to come by unless you arrive in the early morning before many visitors arrive. Be prepared to pay for parking while you enjoy the town during the day. I was able to find parking for $15/day only one block over from the main visitor area, but prices and lot availability will vary depending on what time of day you arrive, and at what point during the year you are visiting. Set aside no less than $20-$25 for parking to be on the safe side. 

🌲 Learn more about the history of Leavenworth on this 1-hour guided walking tour! 🌲

What are the best things to do in Leavenworth?

Once you’ve parked and unloaded the vehicle, you’re ready to start exploring Leavenworth! One of the main draws of the town is the variety of wine tastings available to visitors. Most of the wines are locally sourced and produced, allowing guests to fully immerse themselves in the tastes of the region. There are also several wineries located near Leavenworth’s downtown area. Wine tasting rooms can be found in the nooks and crannies of the downtown area, and Leavenworth also hosts wine festivals for wine lovers! 

Beer and cider are also widely available in Leavenworth (and they’re very tasty!), with a few breweries and distilleries scattered throughout the town. Icicle Brewing Company’s Taproom is one of my personal favorites in the downtown area. If you’re a fan of fantastic IPAs, this is the spot for you! The Taproom has an outdoor patio deck, perfect for sipping on a brew with your furry friend. Leavenworth is mostly dog-friendly with many of the restaurants and tasting rooms offering outdoor seating so you can take in the beautiful scenery alongside Fido. 

If wine, beer, or cider aren’t your thing, not to worry–there are many restaurants and German bakeries to indulge in. Looking for a good pretzel? Stein has some great pub food options, and their pretzel with beer cheese is truly to die for. Stein is a German beer hall with 55 taps of beer, wine, cider and cocktails, and their Bavarian fare is awesome. 

For good gingerbread cookies and pastries, visit The Gingerbread Factory. You will find iced cookies and sweet treats in abundance at this bakery. I tried a few different options including the decorated gingerbread cookie, snickerdoodle cookie, and the gigantic cinnamon roll. Everything I tried was incredible! The cinnamon roll is large enough for sharing, and it’s extra gooey. The cinnamon roll alone can easily feed a family of 3 or 4 people. Tip: ask them to warm it up for extra gooey goodness!

Museum-buffs will enjoy a visit to the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. This museum boasts a collection of over 7,000 nutcrackers on display dating back to Roman times. The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum is open from 11am to 5pm every day of the year (check their hours before visiting)! Children (6 years and younger) and active military personnel are free, and adult tickets are only $5. Youth tickets are $2 (ages 6 to 16 years old). Tickets for visitors 65+ are $3.50. Check out their website here for updates on ticket prices and hours.

Golfing and putting courses are also popular activities suitable for the whole family, though winter weather might affect operations. Make sure to check ahead before packing up your clubs!

German festivals are among the most adored activities in Leavenworth. The Leavenworth International Accordion Celebration is a popular festival that occurs in Leavenworth. Christkindlmarkt is a Bavarian-style Christmas Market that happens every year during Thanksgiving weekend, and is enjoyed by visitors of all ages!

Another fun and exciting thing to do in Leavenworth is visit the newly-opened Leavenworth Adventure Park! This small park features Washington’s first alpine coaster, the Tumwater Twister Alpine Coaster! There are also 3 other attractions available at the Leavenworth Adventure Park: the Bungee Trampoline, a Climbing Wall, and Mining Sluice! Tickets for each attraction can be purchased separately or bundled together. It’s great fun for visitors of all ages, but most especially families with kids!

Ready for an adventure? Ride 16 miles through the alpine forests of Leavenworth on an e-bike with this tour!

Where can I stay in Leavenworth?

Leavenworth is a wonderfully charming alpine town sure to bring enjoyment to visitors throughout the whole year. It is close enough to Seattle to make it the perfect destination for a day trip. For those wanting to stay longer, there are several hotels and B&Bs to accommodate groups of all sizes. 

Check out the interactive map below to see what’s available for your travel dates! I’ve also included a few hotel recommendations for travelers of all budgets!

For a luxury experience, I recommend staying at Posthotel. It’s directly in the center of downtown Leavenworth but it feels like you’re a world away. Plus, they offer spa services, underground parking, and recreational equipment rentals. It’s certainly the most luxurious hotel in Leavenworth.

I’d also recommend Enzian Inn for an elevated experience in Leavenworth. The hotel features indoor and outdoor pools, as well as free breakfast buffet!

For a mid-range boutique option, Hotel Leavenworth is a perfect choice. It’s also steps away from the downtown area, putting you right in the center of it all! Plus, with amenities like free WiFi and free parking, it’s an awesome option for families or couples looking to stay a night or two in the town center. Another perk of this hotel is that it’s dog-friendly with a rate of only $20/night to have your dog stay with you!

Budget travelers will love FairBridge Inn and Suites. It’s much less expensive than the other hotel options in the area, but it’s still a decent place to stay for a night or two while you explore Leavenworth! There is also a grab-and-go breakfast available at no extra charge to hotel guests! This hotel is also pet-friendly, and similarly to the Hotel Leavenworth, only charges $20 per night to bring along your well-behaved pet!

Final Thoughts On Visiting Leavenworth, WA

No matter what time of year you choose to visit Leavenworth, you’re in for a delight! Leavenworth is one of the best day trips from Seattle because of the gorgeous alpine scenery, the quaint Bavarian style downtown area, and the plethora of delicious food and drink options.

In this blog post, I’ve shared my tips for visiting Leavenworth as a day trip from Seattle, and shared some great ideas on places to stay and things to do in Leavenworth. I love visiting Leavenworth and the activities and points of interest mentioned in the blog post are some of my favorites, and I hope you enjoy them, too! 

If you enjoyed reading this post about visiting Leavenworth as a day trip from Seattle, please consider supporting me via buying me a coffee! Whether you’re a PNW resident looking for a fun day trip, or whether you’re visiting from across the country and want to explore this cute little Bavarian village–I hope you gained some useful tips and insights from reading this blog post! Any funds given in support of this blog help me continue creating engaging travel content and sharing my stories and experiences with you all. I appreciate any support you can give, whether it’s a simple “share” or buying me a coffee!

The activities and experiences mentioned here only just scratch the surface of all the amazing things to do in Leavenworth, and part of the magic of the village is exploring Leavenworth on your own. Even casually strolling through the streets of the Bavarian-style village is enjoyable, and there is so much to discover on foot. Put on a pair of comfortable walking shoes, grab your camera, and get ready to visit the cutest German-style town on the west coast! 

Wondering what to wear during a winter visit to Seattle or Leavenworth? Check out my top recommendations for the top items you need to pack for a trip to Seattle in the winter!

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