Nestled in the heart of the Cascade Mountains lies the Bavarian village of Leavenworth, Washington. This mountainside escape is the perfect destination for outdoor recreation, authentic German cuisine, breweries and unique shopping experiences year round. Throughout this video I will be showcasing a majority of this alpine village including many of the various shops and outdoor decor.
During our time in Leavenworth we stayed at the Bavarian Lodge, which was a remarkable experience. This lavish lodge features an on-site restaurant, hot tub and outdoor pool, German-inspired furnishings and a welcoming staff to ensure your expectations are met. The exterior of our hotel was beautifully decorated with hanging flower baskets perched along each balcony. The attention to the architectural details within the city, as well as the pride Leavenworth takes in conducting annual festivals is remarkable. Visiting this village transports you to another part of the world.
After our full day of touring, we will conclude this adventure by taking in views of the Wenatchee River at the Waterfront Park in town. The trails wind along the Wenatchee River and through quiet riverbank forests. There are benches for sitting and interpretive signs to explain the natural and cultural history of the area. Throughout the park there are small beach inlets that are perfect for swimming on hot summer days. This has also been reported to be a great birding site in the Spring or a place to spot salmon making their upstream journey in the Fall. The trail is accessible from downtown Leavenworth. The trail is completely flat so you can just relax and enjoy the views.
Believe it or not, Leavenworth was not always a Bavarian style village. Instead, the towering mountain peaks and bountiful land was known amongst Native Americans as some of the most plentiful land anyone had laid eyes on. The Yakama, Chinook and Wenatchi tribes all hunted the same land for deer & elk, and also fished Icicle Creek for salmon.
Settlers hungry for gold, timber, and furs soon settled the area, and by 1890, Icicle Flats was born. The area exploded with the arrival of the rail line near the turn of the century. At that point, Leavenworth was a whole lot less Bavaria and a whole lot more Deadwood! The logging and sawmill business was great…until it wasn’t. When the railroad re-routed its rails and moved out of town, it almost turned Leavenworth into a ghost town. The area scuffled along for more than thirty years, always on the brink of extinction.
In the early 1960’s, town leaders had a bright idea: change Leavenworth’s appearance to draw visitors. If the gorgeous alpine hills had no equal except in German Bavaria, the city planned on completing the experience.
This was no mere facelift. In addition to completely renovating the downtown area, community leaders created a series of festivals, drawing revelers into town. From there, the Autumn Leaf Festival, Maifest, and the immensely popular Christmas Lighting Festivals were born and continue to this day. For decades, Leavenworth has been a top tourist destination in the Pacific Northwest. More than a million tourists walk our streets every year, finding “Bavarian authenticity and Northwest hospitality.”
Now that you have an idea of the history of this incredible mountainside village, let’s take to the streets and explore on foot. As always don’t forget to like, comment & subscribe if you haven’t already. Sit back and enjoy the journey.
source: www.leavenworth.com