I LOVE Christmas. I don’t just love it. I am obsessed with the holiday. Everything from the sparkling decorations, too hot chocolate by the fire, there isn’t a time of year that beats it in terms of coziness.

When I moved to Washington, I couldn’t contain the excitement I felt when I realized I was only 2 hours away from one of America’s BEST Christmas Towns. I am talking about Leavenworth, Washington.

It’s a town that makes you feel like a protagonist in a Hallmark Christmas movie (they were even filming one when I was visiting!). It’s a cute town year-round, but during the holidays it is absolutely magical.

If I convinced you to visit thus far, let me take it a step further and say, Leavenworth is a Bavarian-themed town nestled in the scenic cascade mountains, and during Christmas, they go all out with thousands of sparkling Christmas lights, plump German sausages spiced mulled wine, and non-stop Christmas festivities that would get even the Grinch into the Christmas spirit.

As someone who loves European villages and Christmas markets, Leavenworth does an absolutely amazing job depicting a typical Bavarian village during Christmas.

That being said, I created this guide which is really the only guide to Leavenworth Christmas magic you need! Although I can’t guarantee you’ll fall in love with Leavenworth, I can say with 99% certainty that you’ll fall in love with Leavenworth. It’s hard not to, especially during Christmas.

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How to get to Leavenworth

It depends on what you want to do in Leavenworth and if you want to explore the surrounding area. Driving will be the easiest way to get there, but depending on the weather it can also be the most dangerous, so make sure you check the weather before you leave.

You will have to drive over the Snoqualmie pass to get to Leavenworth, and if it snows heavily, the pass closes, and if that happens, you will be stuck. You can check the Snoqualmie Pass weather conditions here.

Driving will allow you more flexibility to explore the surrounding area. For instance, Wenatchee is beautiful during the winter, and about a 30-minute drive from Leavenworth and Icicle Ridge Winery (I talk more about later) is a 15-minute drive.

If you don’t drive or don’t want to there is an Amtrak train that leaves from Seattle, but just know that the train leaves once a day, and if you get the train back to Seattle from Leavenworth, you’ll have to catch it at 6 am (That is the ONLY train).

Greyhound also goes to Leavenworth. There is one bus and costs about $40, but I wouldn’t take the bus in the snow. I did it once, and it was pretty terrifying. I don’t think the bus driver knew how to drive in the snow.

If you do decide to take the train or bus, you can get a taxi from Leavenworth Shuttle & Taxi LLC to get around. I believe Uber is also running in Leavenworth, but I haven’t tried it so not sure how reliable it is.

Things to do for Christmas in Leavenworth 

Visit a Reindeer Farm

Leavenworth Reindeer Farm

📍 Address: 10389 Chumstick Hwy, Leavenworth, WA 98826 | About a mile from downtown

🕒 Season: Open year-round | Holiday tour runs November and December | About one hour

🎟️ Ticket Cost: $60 to $75 per person for the holiday tour. Tickets are sold online in advance only, with no walk-ins. If you cancel more than 24 hours ahead, you get a credit, not a refund.

ℹ️ Good to Know: Only guests 55 inches or taller can enter the main enclosure. Anyone shorter, or using a wheelchair, scooter, or walker, meets the reindeer in Cupid’s Corner, a calmer area of the farm.

The Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is a five-minute drive from downtown Leavenworth, and it’s where you can hand-feed a herd of reindeer. In November and December, the farm runs its Celebrate the Season tour, which includes holding a pair of shed antlers, feeding the herd, and an optional visit with Santa in the historic barn.

If you don’t have a car, you can take a taxi or walk it in about 20 minutes.

The farm itself is cute. Before the snacks come out, a reindeer specialist gives you the lowdown on every reindeer on the farm and how they’re cared for. When I went, everyone got a tiny cup of food, so prepare to be pushed and prodded by a herd of snack-obsessed,reindeer.

My ticket came with a free hot chocolate. The on-site stand, Blitzen Brew, now sells espresso drinks, lefse, and reindeer sausage. There’s also a shop with local goods if you still have Christmas shopping to do. I bought a candle made by an employee’s sister.

Book as soon as you know your dates. The holiday tour can sell out months ahead. I got lucky booking two weeks out, but they do sell out even 3 months ahead for the holidays.

Get Acquainted with Krampus

Krampuslauf Leavenworth

📍 Where: Front Street and Front Street Park, downtown Leavenworth

🕒 When: Pub crawl Friday, November 27, 2026 | Parade Saturday, November 28, 2026, at 7 p.m.

🎟️ Cost: Free

ℹ️ Good to Know: The Friday pub crawl is mostly all ages. On Saturday, Krampus figures roam downtown all day before the parade, then stick around afterward for photos.

Krampuslauf Leavenworth is a free Krampus parade down Front Street, put on every Thanksgiving weekend by the volunteer group Krampus Seattle, with a pub crawl the night before.

If you have never heard of Krampus, boy, are you in for a treat. Krampus is a half-goat, half-demon creature from Alpine folklore who punishes naughty children, while Saint Nicholas rewards the nice ones.

When I went, the crawl was self-guided, and each participating spot created its own Krampus drink. My favorites were the cranberry margarita at South and a hot chocolate with pecan-infused rum from La Javelina, which has since become Lost Pig Cafe. I can’t promise the same drinks this year, but I’d do the crawl again in a heartbeat.

The Krampuses are a group of performers who haunt Seattleites at holiday events every year, now joined by members of Krampusnacht Bremerton. If you miss them in Leavenworth, Krampus Seattle’s events calendar lists where they’ll show up next.

Eat Traditional German Food

Andreas Keller Restaurant

📍 Address: 829 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826 | Downstairs from the Gingerbread Factory

🕒 Hours: Opens daily at 11:30 a.m. | Closes at 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 9 p.m. Friday and Sunday, and 9:30 p.m. Saturday

ℹ️ Good to Know: There are no reservations, but you can join the online waitlist through Yelp. During the holidays, the online waitlist sometimes pauses, so call (509) 548-6000 or check in with the host. There’s live accordion music, imported German draft beer, and a full gluten-free menu.

Andreas Keller Restaurant is a Bavarian restaurant on Front Street in downtown Leavenworth that has been serving schnitzel, sausages, and Schweinshaxe (roasted pork hock) since 1989.

This is by far one of the best German restaurants in Leavenworth. True to its name (Keller is German for “cellar”), the restaurant is in the cellar below the Gingerbread Factory.

If you have never had German food, you are in for a treat. The portions are massive. We got the pork hock, and it was as big as my head.

The inside is beautiful, with painted murals on the walls, wooden tables and chairs, and servers dressed in dirndls and lederhosen when I went. It was a cozy retreat from the cold outside. Evenings get crowded, especially on weekends, and the wait can stretch past an hour, so get on that waitlist!

Mozart’s Restaurant

📍 Address: 829 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826 | Upstairs, across from Front Street Park

💵 Price: About $31 to $50 per person

🍽️ Reservations: Recommended, especially in December. You can book on OpenTable.

ℹ️ Good to Know: There’s balcony seating, live music on Friday nights, cocktails, and a 1,600-bottle wine cellar. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Mozart’s Restaurant is an upscale Austrian and European restaurant upstairs at 829 Front Street in downtown Leavenworth, with views over Front Street Park. It’s one of the pricier dinners in town.

I booked Mozart’s for the cheese fondue, which I had been craving for weeks, and it arrived bubbling. For my main, I ordered the schnitzel, which came topped with a mushroom gravy.

If you want a nice dinner, this is the place. Ask for a table by the window for a view of downtown.

Rhein Haus

📍 Address: 707 US Hwy 2, Unit F, Leavenworth, WA 98826 | Patio overlooks downtown

🕒 Hours: Opens daily at 11 a.m. | Closing times vary by day, so check before you go

ℹ️ Good to Know: There are no reservations, but the line moves quickly. All ages and well-behaved dogs are welcome.

Rhein Haus is a Bavarian beer hall in downtown Leavenworth with the largest biergarten in town. In winter, every patio table gets its own fireplace. The menu includes haus-made brats, schnitzel, and a giant pretzel served with beer-cheese fondue, obatzda, and chocolate ganache.

This was one of my favorite places to eat in Leavenworth, mostly because of the patio and its view of downtown. The menu also goes well beyond sausages and schnitzel, so it’s a good pick if you need a break from both.

My mom got a kebab and loved it, but since I was in a Bavarian town, I went with the currywurst and the giant pretzel.

Bären Haus

📍 Address: 901 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826 | Corner of Front and 9th Streets

🕒 Hours: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday to Thursday | 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday

ℹ️ Good to Know: There are no reservations, just a same-day waitlist, though large groups can call (509) 548-4535. There’s live music Friday and Saturday from 8 to 11 p.m., plus a kids’ menu and gluten-free and vegetarian options.

Bären Haus is a family-run German restaurant in a historic brick building at the corner of Front and 9th Streets in downtown Leavenworth, open since 1981. The menu covers German classics like schnitzel, sauerbraten, and stuffed cabbage rolls, plus pizza, pasta, and burgers.

We ate here on our last day, and it turned out I liked what my mom ordered and she liked what I ordered, so we swapped plates. I had ordered the schnitzel, and she had ordered the sauerbraten, a German pot roast that’s marinated for days before it’s slow-cooked. The beef was incredibly tender and came with a sweet and tangy gravy. My mom wasn’t a fan of the gravy, but I loved it.

We finished with a German chocolate cake shot, which I highly recommend.

Leavenworth Sausage Garten

📍 Address: 636 Front St #G, Leavenworth, WA 98826 | In the courtyard next to Visconti’s

🕒 Hours: Opens daily at 11 a.m. | Closing times change with the season, so check before you go

ℹ️ Good to Know: Seating is outdoors only, but it’s covered and heated. Dogs are welcome.

Leavenworth Sausage Garten is an outdoor beer garden in downtown Leavenworth, open since 2011. It serves locally made bratwurst, kielbasa, and currywurst with a long list of mustards and toppings.

Leavenworth has two sausage gardens, and this one is run by Visconti’s, a delicious Italian restaurant next door. I thought the bratwurst and the German potato salad were exceptional, and I would recommend coming here for any German sausage cravings.

München Haus

📍 Address: 709 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

🕒 Hours: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday to Thursday | 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday | 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday

ℹ️ Good to Know: Seating is first come, first served, with no reservations.

München Haus is an outdoor Bavarian grill and beer garden on Front Street, open since 2001. It serves charbroiled Bavarian sausages on locally made buns, with over 20 condiments and specialty mustards, an apple cider sauerkraut, and beer from Leavenworth’s Icicle Brewing.

This is the other sausage garden in town, and since it’s been around longer, the line is usually a mile long. I have to say the bratwurst is worth the wait. The outdoor patio is cozy, with fires going at some tables and pretty murals on the walls.

Old World Chophouse

📍 Address: 900 Front St, Suite K, Leavenworth, WA 98826 | Lower level of the Mottler Building, across from Front Street Park

🍽️ Reservations: Strongly recommended, since there are only 20 seats. You can book on OpenTable.

Old World Chophouse is a 20-seat steakhouse on the lowest level of the Mottler Building at 900 Front Street. The menu mixes steaks and charcuterie with dishes inspired by cuisines from around the world.

The entrance looks a little sketchy, since it’s tucked below the shops, but inside it’s cozy and was an ideal spot to end our busy day. When I went, the menu included pork belly lettuce wraps and bison burgers. Everything was full of flavor, and it’s a nice break if you need a quieter dinner away from the beer halls.

Shop for Christmas Gifts

Kris Kringl

📍 Address: 907 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

🕒 Open: Year-round

ℹ️ Good to Know: Don’t miss the upstairs. If you see something you love after you get home, the store can ship it, so call (509) 548-6867.

Kris Kringl is a year-round Christmas store at 907 Front Street that opened in 1986. It has grown from 800 square feet to nearly 6,000 square feet of ornaments, nutcrackers, theme trees, and holiday decor.

If Christmas threw up, you would get Kris Kringl. I spent a lot of time gawking at how beautiful it was and the detail that went into decorating it, right down to the giant Santa sleigh hanging above the shop when I visited. You can visit any time of year, but it probably won’t have the same magic outside the holidays.

The store gets super busy, especially on weekends, so if you can, go right when it opens to avoid the crowds.

The Wood Shop | Address: 719 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

This was a cute toy store. They had modern toys and old-fashioned toys that I remember playing with when I was a kid. It’s a building you can’t miss quite literally. On the building, there is a massive painting of a skier jumping off a mountain and it’s one of my favorite murals in Leavenworth. It’s also next to a hat shop which is worth checking out as well.

The Oil & Vinegar Cellar | Address: 633 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

I bet you can guess what Oil & Vinegar sells. If you guessed Oil & Vinegar you would be correct. If not, well… I really don’t know what to say. I will say that Oil & Vinegar has some delicious products. You can taste different ones, and they even offer bread to try with the oils. I am not a huge vinegar person, so I didn’t try any, but I am sure they are just as good. They have over 15 flavors of olive oil and vinegar, so if you are indecisive you may have some trouble. I purchased the garlic & mushroom-infused oil and tried oregano-infused oil, which was equally as delicious.

Cheesemonger | Address: 819 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Cheese. Must I say more? This shop is quite small, but if you love cheese as much as I do, you will want to buy out their entire stock. They have cheese’s from all over the world, and some are a bit more unique than others, like Irish Whisky Cheddar, Buffalo Wing (Which I got!), lavender honey goat cheese, and of course if you want something a bit more generic, they have a double cream brie that’s to die for. I also got a truffle cheddar cheese which, if I am being honest, did not last very long. If I haven’t convinced you, here is an excellent article about the cheese shop. They list some of the best cheeses to get, but I would recommend going in and trying a bunch.

Cup and Kettle | Address: 819 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

This was one of my favorite shops. They sell 150 varieties of tea and spices from all over the world, and I personally bought enough tea and spices to last the year.

Krampus Kave | Address: 900 Front St o, Leavenworth, WA 98826

If you are into comic books, board games, and really anything nerdy, you’ll love Krampus Kave. I especially loved them because they required masks and enforced that rule, but I also love comic books. They had a lot of fun knick-knacks that would make perfect Christmas presents or stocking stuffers!

Leavenworth Boutique | Address: 707-715 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Ahhh, I LOVED Leavenworth Boutique. It’s actually five shops in one building:

• Pine Hill Mercantile
• JT Blue
• Copper Creek
• Paprika
• Mountain Modern Supply

Each one sells slightly different things, but there is one checkout counter so you can browse each store freely. I think what stood out the most was the fact that they color coordinate all their items. It was glorious and made shopping so much fun. They sell the cutest clothes, books, household items, candles, jewelry, and really anything you could possibly want. I bought an adorable narwhal mug that I shall cherish forever.

A Book for All Seasons | Address: 707 US-2 STE B, Leavenworth, WA 98826

I love exploring independent bookstores and supporting them when I can. This is a cute shop that has a wide array of books. I love reading so if it were up to me I would spend hours browsing all the books.

Candle Connection | Address: 725 Front St # C, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Is there a shop that smells better than Candle Connection? Well, Maybe the bakery down the street, but Candle Connection smells pretty darn good! If you are in the market for a specific candle brand or scent, they will probably sell it, or if you are looking to make a candle yourself, they sell everything you need to make that happen. Moral of the story: Candle Connection has pretty much everything your little candle-loving heart would desire.

Stuff Yourself Silly with Sweet Treats

Bavarian Bakery | Address: 1330 US-2, Leavenworth, WA 98826

This bakery is about a 15-minute walk from downtown but worth it! They sell some of the best Bavarian pastries in town. I went here twice during my trip and would have gone a third time, but there were so many other bakeries to try. They had these tiny biscotti-like cookies by the register that I recommend getting. They were some of the best cookies I have ever had! The Bee Sting cake, which is a traditional Bavarian dessert is also good. It’s made with Brioche dough, pastry cream and topped with a honey-almond mixture. Bavarian pastries are really something, and it’s hard to go wrong.

Danish Bakery | Address: 731 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

The Swedish in me was so happy there was a Danish Bakery. Many of the pastries they served were familiar to me, but I was feeling basic, so I went with a danish filled with cream and jam. It was so good, I still dream about it.

Gingerbread Factory | Address: 829 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

This is by far the most popular bakery in Leavenworth. On the weekends the line is out the door. Although the pastries are amazing, My favorite part about Gingerbread factory is the decor. It genuinely feels like a fairytale. There is a giant tree smack in the middle with sparkly lights wrapped around the branches and the facade of a tiny cottage with cute little windows. In terms of pastries, I loved the cheesecakes and cookies. You literally can’t go wrong.

Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co. | Address: 707 US-2 suite c, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Who eats ice cream in the winter? I’ll tell you who. This girl does! I wasn’t surprised Whistlepunk had great ice cream. I mean, first off, all their ice cream is made in-house, and the ingredients they use are sourced locally. They create incredible seasonal flavors like pumpkin spice, eggnog, and peppermint. Also, not sure if they hand make their cones, but they tasted handmade, so if you get ice cream, you have to get it in a cone. Finally, I’ve never had a hot chocolate float before visiting Whistlepunk, and now I am determined to recreate it at home.

Schocolat | Address: 843 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Schocolat is a must-stop for every chocolate lover out there. They sell heavenly Belgian chocolate truffles that just melt in your mouth. The workers are so friendly and will even offer free samples. I think I got one of every truffle, plus they have fun Christmas chocolates shaped like a wreath, a stocking (stuffed with peppermint bark), and even Santa.

Icicle Coffee & Chocolates | Address: 900 Front St Suite e, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Fudge, truffles, and coffee are what you will find at Icicle Coffee & Chocolates. They had tons of interesting coffee drinks named after, I assume people who work there, for instance, they would have a drink called “Jacks Drink.” They had a large variety of truffle flavors, with each flavor having a white, milk, or dark chocolate version, and it’s the first place I have ever been to where they sell biscoff fudge.

Warm Up With a Drink

Stein | Address: 801 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Stein is the perfect place to go for that European beer hall experience. They have long wooden tables great for chatting to your neighbors over a pint of beer and a pretzel, and they have over 50 beers and ciders on tap. If you are in the mood for something a bit more festive, I would suggest ordering one of their seasonal cocktails. Since it was cold I got an Irish hot chocolate which was a nice twist on the traditional Irish coffee.

Blue Spirits Distilling | Address: 1310 US-2, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Blue Distilling is such a gem! It’s about a 15-minute walk from downtown. They have a wide selection of whiskeys, rums, tequilas, vodkas, and gin. If you are looking for something more unconventional, they have infused options like mango, espresso, pepper, and even pickle. They also make some pretty killer cocktails. Whenever I visit a distillery, I always have to buy at least one bottle, so I bought two! Their seating area is super cozy, so I suggest getting a drink or two and finding a seat inside or outside if they have the heaters going.

Bushel and Bee Taproom | Address: 900 Front St suite c, Leavenworth, WA 98826

A place with a K-9 ambassador is always high up on my list, especially when said ambassador is at the establishment walking laps around the place, ready to greet every patron who walks through the door. Reason #2 I loved this place is because it’s a cidery. I prefer cider over beer, and they had an excellent selection of ciders on tap. If you decide to sit outside and get cold, they have blankets you can borrow.

Goose Ridge Wine & Cider | Address: 920 Front St B3, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Goose ridge winery has cute tasting rooms throughout Washington State. Their tasting room in Leavenworth was adorable. The inside looked like it was decorated for a Christmas hallmark movie, but because of worldly viral reasons, we sat outside. It was a really cozy place to grab a drink. They had Glüwein that hit the spot and good wine that we, of course, had to buy! I absolutely recommend getting a drink here because it’s also at the end of the main street, so it’s not as crowded as some of the other tasting rooms.

Icicle Ridge Winery  | Address: 821 Front St # B, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Icicle Ridge Winery is actually about a 10-minute drive from Leavenworth, and we found out about it from the tasting room in Leavenworth, so of course, we had to drive out there and check it out. It just started snowing the morning we went, and I kid you not, the winery looked like a snow globe or one of those Christmas cabins you see in Christmas movies. You know, the ones that look too good to be true. This winery was started by a retired couple who turned their home into a winery because why not! The inside of the winery was decorated to the brim for Christmas, and they had a fire going.

I bought a fruity raspberry wine I tried at the tasting room in Leavenworth. It was one of the best wines I have had. I love sweet and fruity, so it was right up my alley. If you want to get away from Leavenworth for a couple of hours, I recommend visiting this winery. It’s gorgeous.

Wine Girl Wines | Address: 217 8th St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Wine Girl s a women-run winery and a fun place to grab a drink. The lovely ladies working were dressed up in festive attire and seemed to genuinely love working there. They made sure we ordered a wine that we would like. I want to visit their actual winery in Lake Chelan.

Check out the worlds largest nutcracker collection

The Nutcracker Museum | Address: 735 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Did you know Leavenworth is home to the world’s largest nutcracker collection? It’s not located in Germany as you may expect. There are over 9,000 nutcrackers at The Nutcracker Museum. They have nutcrackers for all seasons, holidays, and even showcase what the very first nutcrackers look like, and they have modern nutcrackers that depict Disney and movie characters.

The museum was founded in 1995 as a non-profit by Arlene Wagner and her husband George. Arlene became obsessed with nutcrackers after she was in a ballet production of The Nutcracker. Soon after, she started collecting them. She was eventually given the nickname “Nutcracker Lady.” Arlene has been a guest and featured on multiple shows, including Conan where she gifted him with a nutcracker from her collection.

After a visit to The Nutcracker museum, I have learned that nutcrackers are not just a holiday decoration. There is a nutcracker for every day of the year, season, and holiday. If you want to take home a nutcracker of your own, there is a store. I have a million nutcrackers at home, so didn’t get one, but I enjoyed looking around. There was a lot to take in, in the museum and store.

This is a truly unique thing to do in Leavenworth.

Learn the history behind Leavenworth

Leavenworth History Museum | Address: 735 Front St 2nd Floor, Leavenworth, WA 98826

Did you know Leavenworth wasn’t originally settled by Germans? I had no clue. The cute Bavarian town we all know today was originally a booming mining town. People hungry for gold and timber settled in the area and by 1890 the town exploded with a rail line. Unfortunately, all good thing must come to an end and slowly but surely the town started to decline as timber and gold were harder to find. Leavenworth eventually became a ghost town and stayed that way for 30 years. Then one day a few of the towns folk came up with a brilliant idea.

Why not turn Leavenworth into a tourist destination by creating a theme? They saw the success of Solvang in California, and thought why not do the same thing in our measley town. So In 1960 the idea to create an Alpine Village town emerged. With the cascade mountains overlooking the town, it was the perfect place to create that Alpine experience.

I would say their little experiment worked.

Every year, Leavenworth brings in over 2 million visitors! The town thrives on tourism and wouldn’t be able to function without it.  If you want to learn more about Leavenworth’s beginnings check out the History Museum which is run by volunteers and chalk full of fascinating information about the town and surrounding areas.

Enjoy Christmas Town festivities

Leavenworth isn’t called Christmas Town for nothing. All month long, during December, Leavenworth holds festivities that make this town a truly magical place to visit during the holidays. Downtown Leavenworth has live music, festive characters available to take all the Christmas photos you could possibly want which include Santa, The Grinch, and a Snowman.

On the other hand, Leavenworth has a Festhalle event space that is chock-full of fun Christmas activities such as a Gingerbread Competition, an international Santa Clause exhibition, and a station where you or your children can write a letter to Santa. They have a fancy mailbox and everything.

There is nothing quite as magical as a letter-writing station dedicated to Santa

You can find the schedule for all the Christmas events here

Where to Stay in Leavenworth

Bavarian Ritz | Address: 633 Front St, Leavenworth, WA 98826 | Phone: (509) 548-5455

Bavarian Ritz is a simple and affordable hotel located in Downtown Leavenworth a minutes walk to most of the town’s attractions. The building itself is a gorgeous turn-of-the-century architectural gem. Although it’s a simple hotel, I really enjoyed my stay here.

Amenities:

• Free parking (which is HUGE in Leavenworth)
• pets allowed for $20 per night
• high-speed wi-fi
• coffee and tea in the room

For more accommodation choices in Leavenworth, search for hotels below!

Christmas in Leavenworth: FAQS

Should I book in Advance?

Christmas time is the busiest time to visit Leavenworth. Hotels get way more expensive, and the influx of people causes longer wait times for restaurants and experiences to sell out, so I would suggest booking your accommodation and experiences 4-6 months in advance. It is possible to book last-minute, and I only know that because that’s regrettably what I did, but I can guarantee you’ll be stressing a lot less if you book in advance and possibly paying a lot less too.

What is the Parking Situation?

If you plan on driving just be aware parking is a b*tch (excuse my language!). If you are staying in Leavenworth, some of the hotels will have parking included with your room price or for an extra charge, but if you are coming for the day then be prepared to pay about $30 for parking. I would suggest getting to Leavenworth early. I would say between 8 am-10 am. I am a morning person, so that is the ideal time for me, but everyone is different. If you want to visit on the later side just be prepared to spend time looking for a parking spot.

Are weekends a good time to visit?

To be honest, I would avoid the weekends like the plague. I know that isn’t feasible for everyone because of work and weekly responsibilities, but if you can visit on the weekdays, it’s a much more enjoyable experience. Hotels are much cheaper on the weekdays, and there is less waiting for restaurants. I was there for about four days, and one of the days was a Saturday, and I vowed I would never go back on a Saturday.

Can I bring my furry friend?

Yes! Leavenworth is incredibly dog-friendly. We brought our dog, and he was welcome pretty much everywhere. I guess it depends on the size because we were able to hold him when we needed to. He was allowed in restaurants with patios (that were heated!), and he was welcome in all the shops. Some hotels also allow dogs, but usually with a fee, so just check the website or call before booking.

Do the accept euros?

I put this as a joke because my 90-year-old grandmother came with us, and she was confused as to where we were and thought we were in Germany. She asked if they accepted US dollars, and I thought it was the cutest thing. I am putting that question here because I am sure that other 90-year-old grandmas have had the same question. Unfortunately, they do not accept euros.

Is it a feasible day trip from Seattle?

It’s definitely possible, but I would not recommend it. Seattle is about a 2-hour drive, and when it snows, it can be dangerous. I once went for a day, and as we were driving back, we saw about three accidents. Luckily nothing too bad, but the towing companies were busy that night. It helps to have someone that knows how to drive in the snow, but regardless going for a day would not be fun. Plus, Leavenworth is beautiful at night, so you will want to enjoy it! If Leavenworth hotels are too expensive Wenatchee is only a 30-minute drive and has way more affordable options.

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