Thanks to its unique Bavaria-like appearance, Leavenworth has become a popular tourist destination for people from America and the rest of the world.
Particularly popular during the holiday season, tourists travel from up and down the country to see the Leavenworth Christmas Lighting Festival.
However, Leavenworth is also popular in spring, when the town comes to life with vibrant flowers.
If you’re lucky enough to be planning a vacation to Leavenworth, you’ve come to the right place. In today’s post, we’re going to show you 10 amazing things to do in Leavenworth worth the money (see also “Amazing Things To Do In Spokane Worth The Money“).
We’ll show you what this gorgeous town has to offer for every kind of traveler so you can start planning the perfect trip.
We’ve got a lot of attractions to look at so let’s get started!
By far the most popular thing to do in Leavenworth is attending the Village of Lights and Christmas Lighting Festival. This week-long attraction takes place every year in the lead-up to Christmas.
It will cost you more to visit the town during this time of year as demand for accommodation increases, and you will spend quite a lot of money on food and refreshments, but the experience is well worth the money (see also “Amazing Things To Do In Ocala Worth The Money“).
There’s something going on in the town every day during this festival.
Perfect for children and adults, you’ll be treated to traditional food, themed activities, Christmas arts and crafts, Christmas shows, and of course, the Christmas lights switch on.
One of the most popular things to do in Leavenworth for adults is wine tasting. Leavenworth has a number of fantastic wineries that provide exceptional wine-tasting classes and fine-dining food options.
Not many people realize it but Washington State is fantastic at making wine. The state specializes in Syrahs and merlots. Icicle Ridge Winery is one of the best wineries in Leavenworth to visit.
Here, you can explore the winery to learn more about how the wine is made before taking part in a wine-tasting class that will give you the chance to sample locally-made wines.
Compared to wineries in other states, Icicle Ridge Winery is very well-priced.
The key to the best Leavenworth vacation is finding the right balance between adventure and relaxation. A great way to bring more relaxation to your vacation is to visit Aspen Leaf Spa.
Found at Sleeping Lady Resort, Aspen Leaf Spa is a popular Leavenworth day spa that provides visitors with luxurious treatments, delicious food and drink, a relaxed setting, and charming overnight stays.
Perfect for solo travelers and couples, a spa treatment and overnight stay here will leave you feeling invigorated, rejuvenated, and ready to take on the world, so what are you waiting for?
Those of you that love adventure have to visit the Osprey Rafting Company during your time in Leavenworth.
The ideal location for anyone that seeks an adrenaline rush, Osprey Rafting Company is a local adventure company that offers a wide range of whitewater rafting activities.
Operating on the Wenatchee River, you can take part in exhilarating rafting and tubing excursions, boat trips, and fun floating trips that will see you race down the river.
This isn’t an activity you would do in the winter but it’s the perfect thing to do in the summer. If rafting isn’t something you like, you could always try paddleboarding and swimming at Lake Wenatchee State Park instead.
The activities at Osprey Rafting Company are designed for children and adults, making this a great attraction for families.
In our opinion, there is no better holiday season attraction than a sleigh ride through the snow.
Perfect for couples looking for a romantic activity or families looking for a unique experience, riding in a sleigh is possible in Leavenworth.
Thanks to Icicle Outfitters, visitors can ride in a sleigh through the town’s dense forested landscape. Sadly, the sleighs aren’t pulled by reindeer but the horses that pull the sleigh still help make the experience more magical.
Aside from being a super festive way to travel, you have a great chance to see wildlife on a sleigh ride in Leavenworth.
Spotting large birds of prey and deer isn’t uncommon. It is worth noting that the sleigh rides in Leavenworth only operate when there’s enough snow.
The sleigh rides in Leavenworth might not be pulled by reindeer but that doesn’t mean you can’t still see them during your visit to the winter wonderland.
The Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is a fantastic place to visit all year round. Of course, a visit to the farm during the Christmas season is more magical though. If you have young children, they’ll absolutely love it here.
Your children will have the chance to get up close and personal with Santa’s reindeer before then seeing Santa Claus himself. A cup of hot cocoa and a warm cider will then top off the experience.
You might want to book this attraction in advance because it can get very busy.
The next thing to do in Leavenworth on our list is to visit the Gingerbread Factory. If you’re a big foodie, you’ll be very pleased to hear that Leavenworth has its very own gingerbread factory.
As if the town couldn’t get any more Christmasy, this factory helps take things to another level. As soon as you step foot through the door, you’ll be hit in the face with delightful gingerbread smells.
As you would expect from a gingerbread factory, there is a huge range of different gingerbread snacks to choose from. You can even have a gingerbread personalized.
Gingerbread cookies aren’t all the factory sells either. The factory also makes homemade dessert breads, cinnamon rolls, tarts, and cookies.
The penultimate Leavenworth attraction on our list is the Leavenworth Summer Theater. The Leavenworth Summer Theater is a brilliant place to visit if you want to take in a live show during your time in the town.
Based at the outdoor Ski Hill Amphitheater, popular shows like The Sound of Music and Cinderella are performed here throughout the year.
Watching Bavaria-themed shows like The Sound of Music in a Bavaria setting is a wonderful experience.
Shows at the Leavenworth Summer Theater usually take place between July and August and start at 8 pm.
The final Leavenworth attraction we have for you is the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum. This is one of the more unique things to do in Leavenworth so make sure you visit the museum.
This quirky museum is home to more than 7,000 different nutcrackers. It will probably come as little surprise that this is the largest collection of nutcrackers in the world.
Admission to the museum is only cheap and the Christmas spirit throughout is amazing. You’ll learn quite a lot about different nutcrackers from around the world too which is surprisingly interesting.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, 10 amazing things to do in Leavenworth worth the money (see also “Amazing Things To Do In Tacoma“). In this post, we’ve shown you the best things to do in Leavenworth during your vacation.
Whether you want a relaxing vacation, an adventure vacation, or simply a festive getaway with your family, there’s something for everyone in Leavenworth.
While Leavenworth is best known for its holiday season attractions, there’s a huge range of different things to do here throughout the year.
Now you know what Leavenworth has to offer, why don’t you decide what you want to do when you visit?
Frequently Asked Questions
When Is The Best Time To Visit Leavenworth?
The best time to visit Leavenworth is between November and February. This may be the off-season but you’ll have the chance to experience the holiday season as if you were in Bavaria.
How Long Should You Stay In Leavenworth?
To make the most of your visit to Leavenworth, we recommend staying for 2 or 3 days. This will give you enough time to explore the town and take part in a wide variety of activities.
When Is Leavenworth Most Busy?
Leavenworth is most busy in December as this is when the Christmas season truly kicks in. You can expect large crowds and trouble parking during this time of year.
Hello, it’s great to have you here. My name is Julia and I am a travel blogger! I have been writing all of my life, and previously worked for a travel agency where I would recommend the best places to visit in the states.
If you are ready to take on the world, explore the sights, and see some of the most incredible places on offer, then take a look at some of my articles!
