Leavenworth, Washington City Guide
Leavenworth, nestled in the Cascade Mountains, is a Bavarian Village known for its shops, cozy lodging, festivals, music and theater.
Introduction & History
 Just 2.5 hours outside Seattle, Leavenworth is a delightful, if unexpected city located at the base of 8,000 foot high Cascade Mountains. Visitors will experience authentic Bavarian culture every season of the year, right here in Washington State.
In 1890 the original town of Leavenworth was built on the Icicle Flats by settlers who’d come in search of gold, furs, and farmland. At the end of the century, the Great Northern Railway Company created, along with its tracks, an abundance of employment and commerce for the city. When the rail company later re-routed its tracks, the sawmill and prosperous logging industry crumbled virtually overnight. The once bustling town became a shadow of its former self and for thirty years remained more or less dormant.
In a last-ditch effort to bring back commerce and interest to their once thriving city, Leavenworth city leaders and residents created a Bavarian village, using the beautiful backdrop of the surrounding Alpine hills to their advantage. In addition to the complete renovation of the downtown area, community members skillfully planned Bavarian festivals to draw in the crowds. The Autumn Leaf Festival, Maifest and popular Christmas Lighting Ceremony, were the first of many attractions that now draw visitors to this Pacific Northwest, Bavarian village in the heart of Washington State.
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