Leavenworth has some of the best rafting, kayaking and tubing in Washington state. Checkout the Wenatchee River, Chumstick River or Icicle River to start your adventure! Locals tip - Join one of the rafting companies for your first trip and scout out good drop in spots for your second trip.
We love the crew at Osprey Rafting. They have such good humans.
Leavenworth is home to 700+ miles of hiking. Start with the popular Icicle Ridge hiking trails and then move off the beaten path. Locals tip - Make sure to stop by Dan's Food Market to get a forest day pass before you go.
A super easy starting hike is Icicle Gorge. 4 mile loop hugging the Icicle Creek with amazing scenery and limited climbs.
Icicle Ridge Winery is a gorgeous stop off of North Road in Peshastin. Perfect for a summer bike ride. You can find several more wine tasting rooms on Front Street in downtown Leavenworth
One of our friends has his own site on local beer and breweries with much better tips than I can cover here. Check it out!
Leavenworth is known for its mountain biking. Check out some local paths. Derby Canyon has the most popular mountain biking. We have neighbors who can't say enough good things about it.
I'm personally a road biker. I love taking a ride along North Road up to Derby Canyon almost every summer morning. Its some gorgeous scenery. I also enjoy cycling Icicle Road. Just be sure to wear good hi-visibility gear as there are some corners that cars have harder time seeing around.
Steelhead, salmon and trout abound in Wenatchee National Forest. Lake Wenatchee and Fish Lake are great summer stops, especially in the morning. Fish Lake has ice fishing for winter enthusiasts. Locals tip - Both lakes get very windy in the summer afternoons, so be sure to visit in the morning.
You can rent pontoon boats on Lake Wenatchee, but be sure to reserve.
Christmas shopping is available year round in Leavenworth. We started a family tradition of buying an annual nutcracker from the Nussknacker Haus on Front Street. It now houses the museum of over 7,000 nutcrackers. Its nutty!
Another favorite is Kris Kringl. Almost anything you can imagine on your Christmas tree can be found here. We buy our annual ornament here each year.
Leavenworth is equidistant from the popular Stevens Pass or Mission Ridge ski resorts. Locals tip - Mission Ridge has more than 50 runs and 2250 of vertical feet. It also tends to be less crowded than Stevens Pass.
Arlberg Sports Haus in town rents out skis and boots cheaper than the passes.
Closer by, there are many cross country ski options. For cross-country skiers, the nearly 5-mile Icicle River Nordic Trail has gorgeous mountain views along woods, meadows, and rivers. The 3-mile River Snowshoe Adventure trail takes in the same scenery. For bigger adventures, check out Plain Valley Ski Trails with about 15 miles of groomed nordic trails.
Arlberg Sports Haus rents out skis and boots.
Leavenworth isn't just ski slopes. Kids will enjoy the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm where visitors can pet, feed and take photos with reindeer. Santa Claus is known to stop by in November and December.
Bundle up and take a horse-drawn sleigh ride into the surrounding mountains with hot cider or chocolate.
For sledding head just outside of town to the Leavenworth Ski Hill which boasts a 100 foot tubing hill and rope tow with tubes on site, and hot cocoa waits at the Ski Hill Lodge after. Enchantment Park in downtown Leavenworth offers free sledding with parent supervision.
If you have brought your kids bikes, check out the Leavenworth pump track in Enchantment Park. So fun!
Javelinas - Sit down or take out Mexican inspired restaurant in Leavenworth on Hwy 2. This is our family favorite. Great cocktails. I love the carnitas tacos.
Los Camperos - Sit down traditional, Mexican restaurant. I love the carne asada plate and the skinny margarita since its all the tequila with much less sugar
Heidelburger - Great burgers, fries and shakes on Hwy 2
Little Reds - Our coffee shop. Best damn butterscotch cookies in Washington State
Mana - Special occasions, prix fix menu with wine or non alcoholic pairing
Andreas Keller - German schnitzel, wieners, beer and pretzels. Delicious! Don’t make the mistake and order the shank. It looks dramatic, but the flavor is meh. Order more wieners and beer instead. But never order this to go! Its dry and mushy.
El Taqueria Morlina - Taco truck on the corner of Highway 2 and Main Street (Peshastin)
Blewett Brewing - Hands down the best pizza takeout. I like the Hot Mama. They have temporarily stopped their pizza service, but still offer great beer for pick up
Dans Grocery Deli Counter - The “Danwich” is a family favorite. Go in around 11:30 to beat the rush. Daily specials are the best. The horseradish is made in house. Also, don’t miss the Bosket baked goods in the morning. The local baker, Spencer, lives just up Rabbit Ln.
Cheese Monger - High quality diverse selection of cheeses. Get the Roquefort. The kids who run the shop are hilarious!
Cured by Visconti - High quality cured meats. You won’t be disappointed with their prosciutto
Sage Mountain Natural Foods - Organic and natural food market. It is smaller, but has good fresh supplies. Pro-tip: Pre-order your fruits and veggies from them via email. On Hwy 2 east of downtown
Dan's Grocery - Best combo of organic, local and regular super market choices. Good beer selection. On the eastern edge of town on Hwy 2
Safeway - Full service grocery shopping. On Hwy 2 east of downtown