Do you want to experience what it's like to be in Bavaria without dropping a ton of money and leaving the US? Tucked away in the Cascade mountains of Washington near the cascades is a bavarian-inspired town called Leavenworth. Even though i've traveled to the real Bavaria in and around Munich, Germany this town is fun way to relive some of that without going far. It's not expected to be a truly authentic German experience, so enjoy it for what it is!
getting there
Most, if not all, people will drive from Seattle to Leavenworth, which is around 2-2.5 hours depending on the time of year and road conditions. If it's the winter time, you can except some ski traffic towards Stevens or bad road conditions if there's a snow storm on the pass. During the summer there will be the usual summer hiking crowds, but it's never been too bad compared to living in Denver.
When to Go
This mountain town is popular in every season, but some are more peak than others. Winter has lots of Christmas lights and snow to make for a cutesy little winter wonderland (also great for skiing!). Autumn has oktoberfest which makes this Bavarian-themed down bring its roots to life, with lots of festivals and celebrations, and summer iis when the snow melts and the cascade mountains are ready to be exlpored. My favorite time of year to visit is during fall because you're close to fall foliage hikes (think larches like at Colchuck trail) and you can celebrate Oktoberfest with your friends. Temperatures are mild in the PNW in the fall, so it's not too hot or cold for your dog either. If you're visiting in spring (which isn't as common, you can still enjoy lower elevation hiking and wine-tasting).
Where to Stay
If you want to save a lot of money and don't mind a short commute (30 minute drive) then you can stay in Wenatchee; i've stayed at this cheap hotel here. There's also a non-dog friendly marriot here too. This will be more affordable if you're planning to just spend a half day in Leavenworth or hike the Enchantments and don't care about comfort.
If you want to spend the weekend there, especially for Oktoberfest, then you should stay in the town and plan to book early (this is a super popular time for locals and tourists to visit). Der Ritterhof Inn is a pet-friendly stay in town, and LOGE Leavenworth allows pets to stay for free! (up to 2 dogs). Linderhof Inn is a non-dog friendly stay also in town. A lot of the accommodations feel somewhat outdated and old, but the options are slim, so you're stuck with what they have.
One of my favorite kinds of stays are A-frame homes! There is no shortage of these on vrbo and honestly this is such a cute experience if you're visiting the pacific northwest and looking for that classic cozy cabin experience. This vintage a-frame cabin has 2-bedrooms and so does this a-frame and both are pet-friendly, so if you're with a group of 2-4 this is a great option and not too far from town! A larger pet-friendly stay (non-aframe) but still a cute cabin with a hottub by the river is this one, suitable for a slightly larger group (4+).
exploring the bavarian village of leavenworth
The town is dog-friendly, but always keep in mind some places won't allow dogs, so if you're bringing your dog, it's really convenient to be able to drop them back off in the hotel when you cant bring them along! I've stayed in the town before and loved waking up in the morning to run or walk along the Wenatchee River; it is gorgeous in the fall and you can grab a coffee then walk to the water directly from the town; it's all too convenient and scenic.
Since the town is bavarian-themed, you can plan to eat lots of pretezels, hotdogs (you can get a Vegan dog at Munchen Haus restaurant!), and lots of german beer. The Doghaus brewery is dog-friendly and so are most of the restaurants outside on the patio, of course. The town is slightly narrow on the sidewalks and inside the boutique shops, so a reactive dog might struggle here during peak visiting time. We had a delicious brunch at Louie's cafe (i always love when there's a croissant with egg/cheese/avocado!). The starbucks also has an adorable wall for polaroids of all the dogs that visit and their pup cups, you can maybe find Sora's photo there!
In the town you can also enjoy local beer from Icicle brewing company or wine-tasting if that's your thing (it's definitely mine!). Popular places in town are Icicle Ridge Winery and the Patterson Cellars tasting room.
Hikes near Leavenworth
This hike is fairly moderate in my opinion. The views are stunning though when you reach the lake. There's a blend of red and orange colors that you see throughout the hike and at the lake. In the summer you can even try an alpine swim.
Colchuck Lake + Enchantments
Colchuck Lake is one of the most famous hikes in Washington; the gorgeous blue tones of the lake are what draw visitors in! Many washington hikers also have a goal to complete the Enchantments thru hike. Colchuck is the first stop before you hike up Aasgard's pass, so you can just hike to Colchuck lake if you want a more managable day hike. I have an entire blog post here devoted to learning more about the Enchantments thru hike. It's one you shouldn't miss, but you should also be prepared for. There are NO dogs allowed in this area, be respectful to the law. Check out my entire blog post devoted to this beautiful hike and preparing you with all you need to know!
Hidden Lake Trail
This is a lot shorter and easier of a hike than the others mentioned. It's a cool spot for bringning your paddleboard, I have the weekender from retrospec.
Heybrook lookout
Another hike on the way to or from Seattle is Heybrook lookout. I actually scored a permit to sleep in this lookout tower (and my reel I made on instagram about it went viral which was pretty exciting). It's only 1 mile long and right off the highway, so it's easy to make a stop here.
winter-themed activities near Leavenworth
You're not far from one of Washington's best resorts on the EPIC ski pass, Stevens Pass. This is a large ski resort for all different skill levels. If you're visiting in the winter, it's a must! In the winter time you can also visit the Leavenworth Reindeer Farm for a more kid-friendly activity.
