Round the bend one last time and the roadway delivers you to Leavenworth. The landscape shifts immediately to that of an alpine village — the scene is reminiscent of the small village tucked into the highest peaks of Europe! The New York Times wrote “It’s like living in a snow globe.” "The Today Show" and Condé Nast Traveler described Leavenworth as a top destination for unique fall foliage. Leavenworth delivers high-voltage Bavarian memories year-round with everything from yodeling to schnitzel. It’s even home to one of the world’s largest nutcracker collections at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum! Intricately detailed Bavarian architecture houses an abundant and growing food scene, including international restaurants and handcrafted foods. Leavenworth is home to a fast-growing wine and cider scene. Several wine tasting rooms can be found on Front Street and many restaurants here stock and serve a wealth of locally sourced wines as well. Guests enjoy festive outdoor beer-and-bratwurst gardens, wine-tasting rooms, and hugely popular festivals such as Maifest, Oktoberfest, and Christmas Lighting. During winter months, the town is transformed into the Village of Lights from Thanksgiving through Valentine's weekend — over a half-million colored bulbs light up the snowy town! During warmer months, enjoy flowers throughout town while you take in the shops on foot or horse-drawn carriage. Visitors have a lot of lodging options to choose from here, including family-friendly hotels, upscale resorts, rustic cabins, vacation homes, and bed-and-breakfast inns.
With more than 800 miles of trails, Leavenworth offers amazing outdoor recreation! Mountain bike Freund Canyon, day hike the Alpine Lakes Wilderness or float the Wenatchee River. There are numerous outfitters to choose from. Rock climbing and bouldering are also huge here. Rock and Ice Magazine named the Icicle climbing network in the neighboring Icicle River Valley among the top five in the nation.
If hiking and climbing aren't your forté, take a horseback ride with Wild At Heart Horse Rides in Plain, instead! Another idea for outdoor fun while in Plain, head up to Leavenworth Ziplines for a little adrenaline and a lot of fun! Arts and culture are also amazing in Leavenworth. Live music is often played from the gazebo on Front Street while Art in the Park can also be found on display. Take in eclectic live music, film and a colorful array of events at Icicle Creek Center for the Arts located next to award-winning, LEED-certified Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort, home to expansive outdoor art installations and a stunning organic garden.
Looking for a truly unique experience for the whole family? Make your way to the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm. Meet, feed and learn about these endangered Woodland Caribou year-round. The farm is USDA-certified and is a member of ROBA (Reindeer Owners & Breeders Association of America). The property is also an excellent place for a picnic stop during warmer months after your visit!
Continue on to the small town of Cashmere and you’ll find a community with a whole lot of heart. Cashmere can only be described as all-American. The town takes its high school sports seriously, the locals know their history and their neighbors, and they love to welcome visitors! Cashmere’s Cottage Avenue Historic District features early 1900s-era Craftsman bungalow homes lined with picket fences and mature trees. Learn about the region’s founding days at the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village. The kids will love the treasure hunt and peering through vintage pioneer cottages! Pay tribute to all who lost their lives and those who responded at the 9/11 Spirit of America Memorial. And finally, indulge your sweet tooth at the Aplets & Cotlets Candy Factory Tour. From slow-cooking their candies in small batches to lovingly packing each tasty morsel by hand, you’ll see and sample the whole process here. When you’re done, hop over to their country store and pick up goodies for the road! - and the next region of the Loop -- Wenatchee and the Columbia River!
