I was super excited to visit Leavenworth in Washington State after seeing photos online of this adorable Bavarian town. It definitely lived up to my expectations! If you are planning a visit than three days is all you need to see the highlights. However, I think this is a great town to serve as a base for doing some amazing outdoor activities, especially skiing in the winter. Here are my top five things I recommend during your time in Leavenworth:
1. Visit the Nutcracker Museum (735 Front Street)
As a huge fan of the Ballet, I was intrigued to check out what I expected to be a small, quaint museum with a few nutcrackers on display. Afterall, with an entry donation of $2.50, I didn’t have very high expectations. I was so WRONG! This is perhaps one of the most amazing museums I have been to… and I have been to so pretty respectable ones (British Museum…). The visit starts with a 14 minute movie about the history of the Nutcracker and the start of the museum. Afterwards, you can walk around and be absolutely flabbergasted by the amount and variety of nutcrackers on display. They are all thematically and historically arranged so it is an easy journey through the various displays. So just how many are there? Apparently more than 6000! I believe it as they have every imaginable version of a nutcracker.
2. Drink Beer at Munchen House (709 Front St)
My foray into Munich, Germany was over the winter months when the thought of sitting in a beer garden and drinking a nice beer was highly unattractive. To make up for it, I visited Munchen House beer gardens. With amazing beer and bratwursts on the menu, this spot is a must. It’s laid back, boasts outdoor heaters to keep you toasty and delivers an authentic Bavarian experience. There is also live music throughout the day, so don’t hurry through. Sit back and relax!
3. Hike trails
Nestled in the mountains, Leavenworth is surrounded by amazing scenery and an abundance of hiking trails. However, if you are not an avid outdoors-person, you may want to stick to the easier paths that line the river in the city such as Waterfront Park. The river is part of a conservation project for specific fish species, so it’s common to see to trout jumping out of the water. It also provides spectacular views and there are sports fields and playgrounds if you want to be more active. The only thing to be wary of is that many trails require a permit. Therefore, make sure you check out the requirements before heading out.
4. Self-guided food tasting tour
I have already written a post (click here) about the great food shops around Leavenworth. If eating out at restaurants, take full advantage of the happy hour specials. You can save a ton of money that way!
5. Attend a festival
This small town has a number of festivals taking place throughout the year to draw visitors. One of the most popular is obviously Oktoberfest taking place over two week-ends in October. Another extremely popular is the Lighting Festival when the entire city is covered by twinkle lights creating a magical aura against a snowy backdrop. For the musically inclined, there is an International Accordion Festival in June. Definitely check the local calendar when making your plans.
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