Explore the Enchanting German Town of Leavenworth, Washington

The town of Leavenworth, Washington, lies tucked away in the Cascade Mountains. This town in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States offers beautiful sights, exciting outdoor recreation, and a Bavarian Village. Our German town in Washington boasts beer gardens, outdoor activities, events, and more. Read on for everything you need to know to visit the United States’ best German village!  

When you’re ready to plan your trip, request our free Leavenworth Travel Guide. This online guide is filled with local insight into how to explore everything there is to do in our Bavarian village!  

How to Spend Your Day in German Town in Washington 

1. Learn the History of German Town 

Although Leavenworth is the No. 2 Bavarian Village in the United States, it has absolutely no connections to Bavaria. Instead, the land boasts a rich Native American and pioneering heritage.  

Leavenworth was once known as Icicle Flats, a small logging town in the Cascade Mountains. When the sawmill industry began to collapse in the early 1900s, Icicle Flats was on the brink of extinction. The townspeople came together to save their town and birthed the idea of transforming Icicle Flats into a tourist destination. Their extravagant plan worked, and now Leavenworth is one of Washington’s most popular destinations! 

2. Explore the Bavarian Village 

Exploring our Bavarian-inspired village is a must for any Leavenworth itinerary! Our village boasts traditional architecture, fairytale charm, a wide range of unique shops with German-inspired treasures, and restaurants serving up global cuisine. It’s easy to spend an entire day in our Bavarian village! 

Many visitors love to browse through downtown’s museums and boutiques before stopping for a bite of Bavarian flavor at Andreas Keller. This restaurant borrows flavor profiles and ingredients from traditional German dishes like leberkäse, pork wiener schnitzel, and more!  

We also love the Leavenworth Sausage Garden on Front Street. At this sausage and beer garden, you can choose from a variety of house-made sausages, sides, imported brews, and more!  

3. Attend a Local Event 

From food festivals to holiday-themed celebrations, there’s a wide variety of Leavenworth, WA, events that you won’t want to leave off your calendars. Here are just some of the most popular annual events: 

Leavenworth Ale Fest | April: This popular annual event brings some of the region’s best craft beers directly to you! Enjoy entertainment throughout the day with live music, delicious food, and much more. 

Maifest | May: Maifest is one of the spring’s most anticipated events and includes something for any traveler to enjoy. The Bavarian village of Leavenworth taps into its German roots to bring you a full weekend of music, dancing, and fun! Of course, the main event is the traditional dancing around the Maifest pole. 

Kinderfest | July: This Fourth of July tradition is a must for your summer vacation! Some of the most popular activities at Kinderfest include the cupcake walk, the bike parade, and face painting. 

Leavenworth Oktoberfest | September & October: This is one of the largest Bavarian events in the nation and the best in the Pacific Northwest! Visitors from all over the country flock to our village each fall to indulge in traditional festivities, fantastic food, and of course, lots and lots of beer. 

Christmas Lighting Festival | December: This yuletide event takes place each weekend in December and provides plenty of holiday cheer for visitors of all ages. During this event, you can expect plenty of ways to enjoy the winter weather including sledding in the park, meetings with Santa, a holiday choir, and a traditional Gluhwein Tent that offers hot wine and cider. 

4. Discover Outdoor Activities  

Enjoy outdoor adventure during every season in Leavenworth, Washington! The Wenatchee River is just a 10-minute drive from downtown Leavenworth. Here, you can go paddleboarding, hiking, golfing, and more! It’s a perfect stop on your way back to Pine River Ranch from German town.  

Browse our spring and summer activities as well as our fall and winter activities to plan outdoor activities during your trip! 

5. Stay in the Town of Leavenworth