During spring, melting snow streams off looming granite spires overhead, filling the Wenatchee River as it winds through the canyon. During fall and in particular, late September through mid-October, this canyon is awash with fall colors. Travelers and photographers from all around the world trek to this part of the Loop to snag views and photos of the amazing colors and their reflections in the seasonally lower and slower-moving water.
Jolanda Lake, the still area of water just above the dam, is a wildly popular selfie spot. That said, there are many designated pullouts throughout this stretch so plan to spend extra time here.
Round the bend one last time and the roadway delivers you to Leavenworth, and the landscape shifts immediately to that of an alpine village — the scene is reminiscent of the small hamlets 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. Guests enjoy festive outdoor beer and brat 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, flowers flow throughout town and can be enjoyed while taking in the shops on foot or by 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. Be sure to peruse the lodging options on our Lodging pages, and at leavenworth.org/lodging.
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! 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.
Leavenworth is also home to a fast-growing wine 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. If you want to enjoy a truly special wine-tasting experience, head east on Highway 2 toward Silvara Cellars. Look for their sign on the right-hand side of the highway as you follow the Wenatchee River. The winery is renowned for its small-batch, handcrafted wines. The owner is often on-site and the vibe is fun and casual. Wine makes a perfect souvenir so pick up a case or two and treat yourself!
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 getting to peer 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!
