Leavenworth, WA: The Best Day Trip from Seattle

Located just 2.5 hours outside of Seattle is the enchanting alpine village of Leavenworth, WA. The town was renovated in the early 1960’s to change the facade of the storefronts and buildings to resemble German Bavaria. This strategic update was implemented in an effort to revive the economy of the village and attract visitors. And this change was no easy feat for the town. Not only were buildings and shops redesigned to meet the Bavarian aesthetic, but a schedule of festivals and events were curated by town leaders to further attract visitors during specific months of the year. The Bavarian remodel proved successful for the village of Leavenworth, and now over 1 million people visit the town every year.  And you can, too! Leavenworth is a wonderful day trip from Seattle for travelers of all ages. 

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!

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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 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!

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 vibe, 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 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.

I visited in February during the winter season, 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 at SeaTac airport if you’re coming from that area. Leavenworth is roughly 2.5 hours outside of 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. Prices usually start at roughly $160 for a day trip to Leavenworth out of Seattle depending on the time of year. I’ve included some great Leavenworth day trip tours from Seattle below!

GetYourGuide also offers a few different day trip tours to Leavenworth from Seattle, as well as a couple tour options in Leavenworth. These vary in price and availability, so make sure to book far enough in advance once you know your travel dates!

Those in the Seattle area without cars can also utilize Zipcars, which is a car share program that allows users to rent cars by the hour or the day. It’s super easy to use and return the cars to their original parked spot. On Zipcar’s site, you can estimate the cost of a trip from your location to Leavenworth based on the type of car you need, how long you will be gone for, and whether you are making any additional stops along the way that might add to the mileage. Prices to cover the distance in a Zipcar to Leavenworth and back are roughly $120-$180 per day out of Seattle. To find a Zipcar near you, check the website for more details.

You can also consider renting a car in Seattle from Discover Cars to drive to Leavenworth! You’ll get amazing views of the mountain ranges driving into Leavenworth from Seattle, and it’s definitely an awesome mini-road trip!

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. 

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 (festival dates and details can be found on the official Leavenworth website). 

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!

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. 

You can search for inns and hotels available in Leavenworth during your travels dates through Booking.com, or via Google Search.

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!

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! 

Have you ever visited Leavenworth, Washington? Leave a comment telling me about your experience, or send your thoughts to sydney@sydneybrowntravels.com.

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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