What to know before you go
- 01
Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed village in the Cascade Mountains, with Bavarian-style shops along Front Street, festivals through the year, hiking and biking trails in summer and snow sports in winter.
- 02
It's a long way from Seattle. The Chamber puts the drive at about two and a half hours from SEA, on US Highway 2, one of the most scenic drives in the country, over Stevens Pass.
- 03
In winter, read the pass report before you go. WSDOT can post "Traction Tires Required: All passenger vehicles must have approved traction tires", and "Approved traction tires must have at least an eighth of an inch of tread and be labeled M+S, All Season, or have a Mountain/Snowflake symbol." WSDOT also says "Anyone traveling through high elevations or winter conditions should carry chains in their vehicle."
- 04
Christmastown runs from Thanksgiving weekend to Christmas Eve, and the half a million lights stay on every day through the end of February. The lights and the gazebo music are free. January and February are quieter.
- 05
Oktoberfest takes over three weekends in October. You must be 21 to drink, and some areas are 21 and over.
- 06
Without a car: Evergreen Escapes runs a winter Leavenworth day tour, November through February, with downtown hotel pickup, a short forest walk or snowshoe on the way and about three hours in town. It's for ages 10 and up, and lunch is on your own.
- 07
Northwestern Stage Lines runs a daily bus to Leavenworth, and Amtrak's train between Seattle and Chicago stops at Icicle Station, an unstaffed station in Leavenworth. Either one makes an overnight easier than a day trip.
Festival dates, buses and pass conditions change. Check the Leavenworth Chamber's site and WSDOT's mountain pass reports before you go.