LEAVENWORTH
WASHINGTON

 

A healthy logging and sawmill industry created a thriving town until the Great Northern Railway Company pulled out of Leavenworth, and a once-bustling hub of commerce became a hollow, dying community. To keep the town alive, community leaders decided to change Leavenworth’s appearance to bring  tourism into the area. More than a mere facelift, the entire community rallied to create the illusion of Bavaria in the middle of Washington State.

Today, millions of visitors come to Leavenworth for its kitschy charms and fun-filled events including The Autumn Leaf Festival, the International Accordion Festival and the Christmas Lighting Ceremony.

May we suggest visiting the The Cheesemonger’s Shop, Cured by Visconti’s, The Gingerbread Factory, München Haus, Eagle Creek Winery, The Hat Shop, Kestrel Vintners, Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, and Icicle Brewing Company. — Prost!

 

GETTING THERE

 

The Direct Route

A wide, 4-lane highway through Snoqualamie Pass.

(I-90 E to RTE 970/US-97 N to US-2 W, Left on Icicle Rd.)

Snoqualamie
Salish Lodge & Snoqualamie Falls (As seen in Twin Peaks!)

North Bend
Twede’s Cafe (As also seen in Twin Peaks!)

Denny Creek
Natural waterslides. (Whee!)

Roslyn
As seen in Northern Exposure!

Cle Elum
Telephone Museum! (Ring Ring!)

Liberty
Ghost town! (Boo!)

 

The Scenic Route

A narrow, winding mountain road through Stevens Pass.

(I-405 N to HWY-522 E to US-2 E, Right on Icicle Rd.)

Mile 14
Monroe: Serpentarium Reptile Zoo. (Sssss!)

Mile 31
Index: Zeke’s Drive-In. (Picnic with burgers & shakes. Mmm!)

Mile 35
Bridal Veil Falls – 1400’ high. (Wow!)

Mile 36
Espresso Chalet – Bigfoot lurks here! (Grrr!)

Mile 84
Squirrel Tree Resort – Squirrels! Cute! (Bonus: dream catcher collection in the adjacent gas station. Dreamy!)

Mile 95
The Alps Candy Shoppe. Free samples! Ring the bell! (Beware the Candy Bitch!)