If you love Christmas, you will love the charming town of Leavenworth, Washington. It’s a Bavarian themed town that makes you feel like you’re in a Hallmark movie! It was so much fun, definitely a place I would love to visit again!
Best Time to Visit
Thanksgiving until the last day of February, when Leavenworth is decorated for Christmas.
How to Get There
It’s a 2.5 hour drive from Seattle or a 3.5 hour train ride on the Amtrak Empire Builder from King Street Station in Seattle to Icicle Station in Leavenworth.
There is only one Amtrak train per day from Seattle to Leavenworth (and vice versa). The Empire Builder train leaves downtown Seattle at 4:55 pm and arrives in Leavenworth at 8:17 pm. On the return, the Amtrak leaves Leavenworth at 7:23 a.m. and arrives in Seattle at 11:29 a.m. Book your tickets via Amtrak.com.
Transportation in Leavenworth
Leavenworth Shuttle & Taxi is the only shuttle/taxi service in Leavenworth. It’s more of a shuttle service. They don’t have taxis like they do in bigger cities. Once you arrive at Icicle Station, their shuttles will be waiting in the parking lot. They will take you to your hotel for $11 per person. You don’t need a reservation for your arrival at Icicle Station. However, you must make a reservation if you need a ride from your hotel back to Icicle Station. You can either call or book your reservation online here.
In addition to there being no taxi service, there is a minimal number of Uber drivers. While we were there, in the beginning of December, there was only one Uber driver working. The driver told us there was a total of eight drivers in the area but he was the only one working that day.
If you don’t have a car, it’s no problem. The town provides free bus services (Route 22 and Route 32) that take you around Leavenworth. You can find more information here. Our hotel was a little outside of the downtown area so we took the bus everywhere. It was very convenient. The busses are very clean and they make stops around the town quite frequently. Parking in downtown Leavenworth can be difficult to find at times. This is especially true during the busy holiday season, so it may be better to catch the bus.
Tips
It does get very cold so I highly recommend packing some thermals. The temperature ranged from the mid-20s to mid-30s while we were there. We didn’t realize how cold it would be. We ended up buying some Uniqlo HEATTECH Ultra Warm Innerwear in Seattle before heading to Leavenworth. It really made a difference and made it much more bearable to handle the cold.
We visited Front Street during the day and went back at night. It’s really beautiful at night when the town is lit up. Daytime is great for shopping as it is less crowded.
Things to Do
Here is a glimpse of some things you can do in this charming town.
Front Street Park
Front Street Park is where you will find the Bavarian themed village with many shops and restaurants. If there is snow, you can go sledding on the hills in the park.
München Haus
München Haus is a popular spot to try the famous Bratwurst Charbroiled Bavarian Sausage. There was a line but it moved pretty quickly and it was worth the wait. I also recommended trying some garlic aioli mustard with your sausage. It was delish!
Kris Kringl
You will find everything Christmas on the two floors at Kris Kringl. Try to shop earlier in the day as it gets really crowded in the evening.
The Gingerbread Factory
The Gingerbread Factory has so many delicious gourmet cookies and desserts. I had a hard time eating the gingerbread man cookies because they were so cute! This was another place that got really crowded in the evening so try to go during the day, if possible.
Posy Handpicked Goods
Posy Handpicked Goods is such a cute boutique! I really loved it. It’s located on a side street in the village. You will find things such as home decor, jewelry, and accessories made by local artisans.
Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum
The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum showcases over 9,000 nutcrackers from the 12th and 13th centuries to modern day. The founder, Arlene Wagner, started collecting nutcrackers during the 1960s. She and her husband opened the Nutcracker Museum in 1995. They also have a gift shop where you will find German-made nutcrackers, ornaments, and more.
Ludwig’s German Restaurant
Ludwig’s German Restaurant is a Bavarian-style German restaurant known for its live polka music & imported beer. The poutine was delicious!
Danish Bakery
The Danish Bakery serves traditional pastries, soft pretzels, and coffee.
Leavenworth Adventure Park
Leavenworth Adventure Park is located at the end of the town. This is where you can ride the Alpine Coaster, a gravity-powered ride that is common in the Alps. You adjust your own speed, but be careful because it can go pretty fast! It’s so much fun!
Leavenworth Reindeer Farm
You can make reservations for the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm here. Be sure to make your reservations early, especially during the holidays, as they do sell out.
Leavenworth Sleigh Rides
You can make reservations for the Leavenworth Sleigh Rides here. They usually operate only if there is snow. If it isn’t snowing when you plan to reserve, call to join a wait list. This way, you can be notified in case it snows on your chosen date.
Where to Stay
Hampton Inn & Suites Leavenworth
The Hampton Inn & Suites Leavenworth is located 5 minutes away from downtown Leavenworth. See my Hampton Inn & Suites Leavenworth post here.
Happy Travels!
BK Travel Collage 