Looking Good in Lederhosen in Leavenworth, Washington
In one of the more bizarre small-town attempts at resuscitation, Leavenworth has remodeled itself as Washington's Bavarian Village. As the timber industry and the railroads that serviced it waned, the Leavenworth waned along with them. But the town pulled itself up by its lederhosen and made itself into a destination that lures 2.5 million visitors a year. Dance around the Maipole during Maifest, hear the sweet strains of the International Accordian Celebration in June, and buy holiday gifts at the Christkindlmarkt in November. The culinary courageous will want to stop in King Ludwig's for the Schweinshax'n (don't worry -- it's just pork hocks).
Cancel your weekend flight to Munich. Bavarian bedlam is alive in Leavenworth, Washington, just a couple hours from Seattle, without time-zone or language games. The mandatory polka bands, dirndls and schnitzels are on duty in America’s identical Teutonic twin, with unrelenting parties each weekend and festivals designed from a host of astonishingly flimsy pretexts: The Annual Chicks on Sticks (skis) Race, Empty Bowls Festival, Spring Bird Fest, Accordion Festival.
To all this wurst and lederhosen, Leavenworth adds year-round recreation and very Alpish scenery; ski, sled, snowshoe, sleigh ride or ice-sculpt in winter or hike, bike, camp or river raft in warmer times. Every known form of covered human accommodation is packed into town and the Wenatchee and Icicle Rivers are camping Edens.
Boredom is barely tolerated in Leavenworth, with its fabulous German food, classical, rock or Oompa music, Summer Theater, museums and art shows. Whiny kids can be dropped off by the town gazebo to build snowmen and sled, or at Icicle Junction for mini golf, arcade games, basketball and movies. Get started on leavenworth.org.
Leavenworth is a cozy town nestled in the cascade mountains with no shortage of cabins to rent for a romantic getaway. In the winter months you can sit outside in a hot tub while the snow patters on your head. Or you can cruise into town which was transformed into a Bavarian themed village in 1962 to revitalize the economy. Just walk down the friendly streets and experience the smell of the pork hocks or the sound of the accordion coming from King Ludwig’s restaurant. Don't forget to visit the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum and skiing at Steven's Pass is a short hop away. Just be careful where you park, because you could get snowed in.
If all that spending you did at Christmas time has you on vacation lockdown, consider a weekend retreat to lovely Leavenworth. Located near Steven's Pass (a popular destination for skiiers and snowboarders), Leavenworth is a Bavarian winter wonderland that you don't need a European plane ticket to enjoy. In the heart of downtown, kids decked out in winter wear navigate (baby) slopes on sleds while parents and other visitors enjoy the backdrop of twinkly, light-strewn trees and glowy shop fronts. When you've satisfied your shopping craving for kitschy souvenirs, enjoy dinner ("Abendessen") at Cafe Crista on Front Street where hearty portions of German fare (and a variety of German ale) will leave you full, happy, and ready for sleep in your chalet-style inn.
In one of the more bizarre small-town attempts at resuscitation, Leavenworth has remodeled itself as Washington's Bavarian Village. As the timber industry and the railroads that serviced it waned, the Leavenworth waned along with them. But the town pulled itself up by its lederhosen and made itself into a destination that lures 2.5 million visitors a year. Dance around the Maipole during Maifest, hear the sweet strains of the International Accordian Celebration in June, and buy holiday gifts at the Christkindlmarkt in November. The culinary courageous will want to stop in King Ludwig's for the Schweinshax'n (don't worry -- it's just pork hocks).
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