Leavenworth Winter Travel Guide: The Coziest Getaway in Washington State

Leavenworth is an idyllic mountain town in Washington State that you’re going to want to immediately add to your travel bucket list. Located just over 2 hours from Seattle, Leavenworth is the perfect destination for a short vacation or weekend getaway. Although you can find amazing things to do in Leavenworth year-round, every Pacific Northwest local will tell you that winter is the best time to visit! Think cute Bavarian style buildings covered in twinkling holiday lights and surrounded by snowy mountains… Leavenworth is a winter wonderland!

In this Leavenworth winter travel guide, we are sharing everything you need to know to plan the coziest getaway in Washington State. Keep reading to find out exactly where to stay, must-do activities, and the best places to eat!

Disclaimer: This blog post is in collaboration with the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce and features some affiliate links. This means we get a small commission if you make a purchase or booking (at no extra cost to you). Learn more about our affiliate policy here. Thank you for the support!

Leavenworth is a super unique town because although it’s located in Washington, it feels like you’ve stepped into the European Alps when you visit. This is because the entire town is Bavarian-themed, including the buildings, many of the restaurants and stores, and even some local activities. It’s a funny story of how this came to be…

The town of Leavenworth was known as ‘Icicle Flats’ back in the late 1800s and early 1900s. The area was booming with railroad access, logging, and the sawmill industry. But when the railroad was re-routed everyone moved out of the area and it almost turned into a ghost town.

Fast forward to the early 1960s and the city leaders decided to spruce up the town’s appearance. Now known as ‘Leavenworth’, the area was turned into a Bavarian-themed mountain town with the intention to attract visitors and stimulate the area’s economy. And it worked! The creation of festivals such as Maifest, Autumn Leaf Festival, and the hugely popular Village of Lights Festival were a huge success and continue to this day.

Leavenworth is now considered one of the top tourist destinations in Washington and is well known for its “Bavarian authenticity and Northwest hospitality“. It truly is a must-visit if you’re a Washington local or planning a trip to the Pacific Northwest.

My husband and I have visited Leavenworth during winter on multiple occasions. During those visits we have stayed both in hotels and cabins, and eaten at numerous local restaurants. This Leavenworth travel guide is based on our own personal experiences as well as expert local opinions. Let’s jump into it!

Leavenworth is an incredible destination year-round, but there’s something just SO special about experiencing the area in winter. The town runs its Village of Lights Festival 7 days a week from Thanksgiving weekend through the end of February. They often have a special ‘Love From Leavenworth‘ Valentine’s Day spin on the lights festival during February, including special live entertainment.

Another reason to visit Leavenworth in winter is for the beautiful snowcapped mountains and the opportunity to partake in cold-weather activities such as sledding, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. And my favorite of all… sipping hot cocoa and eating a warm pretzel by the fire 😊

What is the best month to visit Leavenworth for a cozy winter getaway? Any month is a good choice, but my top recommendation is to visit during January. The reason being is that you’ll experience fewer crowds compared to December and many locals also told us that January is often better for experiencing fresh snowfall.

There will still be plenty of festive vibes (including Christmas decorations) yet accommodations should be more affordable compared to those peak holiday weeks in late November, around Christmas, and during New Years’ celebrations.

Leavenworth is a magical destination to spend Valentine’s Day! You can experience cozy winter vibes together, treat yourselves to a couples spa session, sip mulled wine by the fire, and enjoy the ‘Love From Leavenworth‘ light installments.

To celebrate Valentine’s Day, the city of Leavenworth puts on live entertainment, offers daily prize giveaways in their Love from Leavenworth contest, and offers special packages around town. See more information here.

It does get quite chilly in Leavenworth during the winter months! The “cold season” season lasts for about 5 months and it is typically considered to be from November to March, though you can even get snow in April and May! The coldest month of the year in Leavenworth is December, with lows of around 20°F and highs of around 33°F.

Below, you will find the average “cold season” monthly temperatures in Leavenworth, Washington:

• November: Highs around 44ºF / 7ºC, lows around 28ºF / -2ºC
• December: Highs around 33ºF / .5ºC, lows around 20ºF / -7ºC
• January: Highs around 35ºF / 2ºC, lows around 20ºF / -7ºC
• February: Highs around 43ºF / 6ºC, lows around 22ºF / -6ºC
• March: Highs around 53Fº / 12ºC, lows around 28ºF / -2ºC

Did you know that Leavenworth has their own live webcams across town?! This means you can check the weather conditions and snow whenever you want, easily from the comfort of your own home!

The snowiest months of the year are typically December and January. Annually, there are on average 74 days of snowfall in Leavenworth and 57.99″ of snow is accumulated. On average, the town of Leavenworth gets about 202 sunny days annually.

There are two main ways to get to Leavenworth during the winter months, drive or catch the train.

Most visitors drive to Leavenworth from the greater Seattle area via one of these routes:

• Option 1: access Leavenworth via I-90 E and US-97 N (Snoqualmie Pass)
• Option 2: access Leavenworth via US-2 (Stevens Pass)

Before setting off, we recommend you check out the Mountain Pass Reports for the latest updates on road conditions. Winter weather in the Pacific Northwest can be unpredictable and often VERY different compared to the weather in Seattle. Do some research on the different routes, road conditions, and weather forecasts before choosing which mountain pass to take on your journey to Leavenworth.

Another way to get to Leavenworth in winter is to catch the train. Amtrak offers access to and from Seattle via Icicle Station:

• Amtrak Train No. 7: Departs 6:08 AM – Westbound (from Chicago) to Seattle and all intermediate stations
• Amtrak Train No. 8: Departs 4:40 PM – Eastbound (from Seattle) to Chicago and all intermediate stations

You can purchase tickets over the phone or via www.amtrak.com. For Train status please call (800) 872-7245 – (1.800.USA.RAIL).

There are many choices for accommodations in the town of Leavenworth, as well as in nearby towns like Wenatchee. It can be a little challenging navigating all the options and knowing where to start.

We recommend thinking about the following factors when choosing your accommodation:

• Do you want to be located in downtown Leavenworth and within walking distance of the main street?
• How many people are in your party?
• How much privacy would you prefer?
• Do you enjoy a resort style atmosphere or cabin vibes?
• What kinds of activities would you like to participate in?
• Would you like to cook your own food?

We will cover a range of lodging options below, including advice for which scenarios/types of travelers they would suit best.

Staying in downtown Leavenworth is really special. It’s convenient to be able to walk to restaurants and stores and you can easily access the Wenatchee River and Waterfront Park. Many hotels also offer complimentary parking, which is very appreciated in the cold winter months. Below are our top recommendations for Leavenworth hotels and resorts.

• Posthotel Leavenworth: Our absolute favorite! This adult-exclusive hotel is located in downtown and has an incredible spa and wellness center, complimentary breakfast, lunch, and dessert, free underground parking, and stunning rooms.
• Bavarian Lodge: Lodge style downtown hotel with a pool, hot tub, free parking, and breakfast included.
• Enzian Inn: Charming downtown hotel with a pool, hot tub, parking, and dining options.
• Hotel Pension Anna: German style downtown hotel with a hot tub, breakfast included, and free parking.
• Loge Leavenworth Downtown: A more affordable downtown option with modern rooms, an onsite restaurant and bar, and complimentary parking.

If you have a larger party and want extra room + privacy, booking a cabin close to Leavenworth is probably your best option. Renting a cozy cabin also allows for homestyle cooking and they often come with perks like outdoor hot tubs and fire pits. Below are our top recommendations for cabins and treehouses near Leavenworth.

• Icicle Road Haus: Sleeps up to 10 guests. This beautiful cabin has a hot tub and cathedral ceilings and huge windows that let in plenty of light and views across the Leavenworth Valley.
• Das Tree Haus: A treetop bungalow overlooking the Wenatchee River and Icicle Ridge, sleeping up to 2 people. Guests have access to a private deck, hot tub, fire pit, grill, and cozy living spaces.
• The Lookout: A recently remodeled charming cabin located 10 minutes from Lake Wenatachee and 30 minutes from Leavenworth. The Lookout sleeps up to 4 guests and has a private hot tub in a tree house gazebo, a fire pit, wood-burning stove, and fiber optic WiFi.
• Camp Howard: Located about 20 minutes north of Leavenworth and sleeps 6 guests.This beautifully designed, modern bungalow is surrounded by ponderosa forest and has floor-to-ceiling windows to take in the views. Included is an outdoor barrel sauna and fire pit!
• Guten Log Cabin: Located about 25 minutes north of Leavenworth and sleeps up to 8 guests. This rustic log cabin has a woodstove, outdoor hot tub, fire pit, and all the modern conveniences you could need.
• Wenatchee River Cabin: This quaint cabin sleeps 6 guests and boasts an outdoor hot tub, fire pit, and cozy fireplace.
• Creekside Cabin: Sleeps up to 6 guests. Visitors can enjoy the sound of the nearby brook from the deck and soak in the hot tub amongst the trees.
• Alpine River Hideaway Cabin: Sleeps up to 6 guests and rests on 2 acres along the Chiwawa River. This cabin has super fast fiber optic WiFi, hot tub, and covered deck.
• River Meadow Cabin: Located 15 miles from downtown Leavenworth and sleeps 6 guests. This cabin has an outdoor hot tub, fire pit, and vintage arcade games.
• Black Bear Cabin: Located 35 minutes from Leavenworth and sleeps 8 guests. This cabin has a nearby sledding hill, a hot tub, and nearby snowmobiling trails.

There are so many great restaurants in Leavenworth that it’s honestly a little overwhelming choosing somewhere to eat and drink! Below we have outlined the best places to eat and drink in Leavenworth, plus some food stores to check out while you are in town.

• Rhein Haus: Arugably the best pretzel in town and has amazing views from the patio bar. We love the “fire pit” tables during the winter months and recommend the hot apple cider for a cozy afternoon or dessert drink.
• Munchen Haus: Pet friendly on the patio, has over 50 beers on tap, and Bavarian specialties like bratwurst, currywurst, kelbassi, sauerkraut, and pretzels, as well as apple cider, side soups and chips.
• Andreas Keller Restaurant: A Bavarian-styled restaurant featuring nightly musical entertainment and authentic German recipes made with the highest quality ingredients possible. 
• King Ludwig’s: A family-owned restaurant famous for yummy German food, and in particular their giant pretzel (as big as your head!) which comes with beer cheese dipping sauce.
• Mozart’s Steakhouse: Upscale German, Austrian and French fare with a Northwest twist. This steakhouse has a beautiful atmosphere filled with live music and an extensive wine list.

• Sulla Vita: The highest reviewed restaurant in town on TripAdvisor and well-known for its relaxed vibes, great food, and top-notch service.
• Visconti’s: Delicious offerings using premium ingreidents. We LOVE their complimentary fresh bread and herb olive oil. Weather pending, guests can dine on the third-floor balcony, which provides picturesque views over Leavenworth.
• Larch: Known for their yummy pastas and cocktails, Larch has rave reviews and a cult-like following. It’s on our list for next time we visit Leavenworth!

• Mana: A special dining experience served on the weekends (Friday through Saturday). Mana offers a five-course prixe-fixe menu that focuses on local organic and sustainable ingredients. Reservations are required.

• Valley Cafe: Amazing burgers, fries, soups, salads, and sandwiches made with ingredients sourced as locally as possible. This cafe used to be called ‘Fresh Burger’.
• Yodelin Broth Company: Healthy food option with sustainable practices (no plastic, no teflon pans, 100% electric kitchen – no fossil fuels). The menu includes burgers, sandwiches, AMAZING garlic bread, rice bowls, artisanal bone broth soups, desserts, and cocktails.

• The Danish Bakery: Grab yourself a pretzel, struedel, florentina, cheesecake, and more.
• Gingerbread Factory: Running since 1989, the Gingerbread Factory offers sweet treats and tasty breakfast & lunch 7 days a week. The bakery even resemles a gingerbread house and boasts the cutest gingerbread tree full of ornaments and a cottage. They also offer glutten free options, shakes, ice cream, and espresso too.

• Icicle Brewing: Offers both inside and outside seating (with built in fires on the tables) along with numerous beers on tap. Try their classic favorites and new, experimental releases.
• Leavenworth Cider House: A relaxed atmosphere with a great selection of ciders and beers to try. You can also order pretzels, pizzas, sandwiches, and brats.
• WooHoo Winery Tasting Room: Stop by for a glass of Gluhwein (warm mulled wine).
• Pika Provisions: An ambient cocktail bar hidden among a group of wine tasting rooms off the main street. Known for their impeccable cocktails, small plates, and light bites.
• J5 Coffee: Known for their hand-crafted drinks made with J5 organically grown espresso blend. Try their bourbon maple latte!

• Whistlepunk Ice Cream: Most people agree that Whistlepunk has the BEST ice cream in town. They are known for their small batch, super premium ice cream made with the simplest, natural ingredients.

There are numerous activities to enjoy in Leavenworth during the winter months. Some visitors prefer to sit back and relax by the hot tub, and others prefer to get out adventuring in the snow. There really is something for everyone! We are sharing some of our top recommendations for the best winter activities below.

• You can sled in downtown Leavenworth right on Front Street Park! This is subject to fresh snowfall but it’s a really magical experience when the holiday light festival is running and Bavarian music is being played across the town.
• Leavenworth Winter Sports Club offers sledding terrain at their Golf Course venue. You need to bring your own sled or purchase one on site and the entrance fee is $10 pp or $31 for two adults and their dependents. You can also go tubing at their LT Michael Adams Tubing Park for $25 pp.
• Lake Wenatchee State Park is another good option for sledding fun. The South Park offers a tubing hill, designated snow play area and day-use area. A Sno-Park Permit is required during the season.

We recommend bringing your own sled and below are our top suggestions.

• Icicle River Snowshoe Adventure Trail: This beauitful 3 mile round trip trail meanders through forests and meadows, taking you up close to Icicle Creek in many locations. There is a trail fee of $12.
• Eagle Creek Snowshoe Trail: This 4 mile round trip trail offers scenic vistas and a good chance to get the blood pumping.
• Snowshoe Trails in Lake Wenatchee State Park: Easy 1.8 mile loop along Wenatchee River, Nason Creek and Lake Wenatchee plus a more challenging 2-mile climb up Nason Ridge, offering great views of the Lake Wenatchee Valley and surrounding mountains
• Skyline Lake at Stevens Pass: This is a stunning 3 mile round trip snowshoe hike located at Stevens Pass, 35 minutes from the town of Leavenworth.

New to snowshoeing? Check out our in-depth Beginners Guide to Snowshoeing. If you want to bring your own snowshoes to Leavenweoth then we recommend the Tubbs Xplore Snowshoe Kits. They are the perfect option for beginners!

Looking to rent snowshoes near Leavenworth? Click here to find out where to rent snowshoes

We recommend using a GPS trail tracker on your phone when adventuring outdoors, such as Gaia GPS. Click here to get 20% off a premium subscription. It’s also a good idea to have an emergency satellite device in case you get lost or injured and need rescuing.

• The Leavenworth Winter Sports Club has 16 miles of nordic skiing tracks across 3 different locations near Leavenworth. The Icicle River Trails best for beginners and have excellent scenery. The Golf Course trail network offers intermediate terrain tucked along the scenic Wenatchee River. Their Ski Hill location is home to their more advanced Nordic trail system and the option for night time skiing (until 10pm).
• There are numerous cross-country ski trails in Lake Wenatchee State Park, inclusing four loop trails as well as 15 miles of groomed cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.  
• Plain Valley Ski Trails offers 15 miles of skate and classic cross-country ski trails, including some easy terrain for beginners. You can rent gear at their location and kids under 17 years of age ski for free!

Don’t forget warm clothes if you are spending prolonged time outdoors in winter! We recommend being prepared with thermal base layers, mid-layers, outerwear, wool socks, gloves, and a beanie. Refer to our winter packing list further down in the blog post.

• Leavenworth Ski Hill is located just a mile from town and offers both downhill and Nordic skiing, as well as snowshoeing and fat biking.
• Mission Ridge Ski & Board Resort has over 2,000 acres of ski and snowboard trails, amazing views, and plenty of fun for the whole family.
• Stevens Pass has 1,125 of ski and snowboard terrain with plenty of beginner trails right up to advanced runs. The resort offers both day and night skiing (9am – 10pm) during peak season.

Remember to always wear a helmet when skiing and snowboarding, it’s not worth risking a brain injury!

• Leavenworth Snowmobile Tours offer guided adventures from 1- 4 hours in length. Their tours have amazing views of the Cascades, no experienced is needed, and all gear is provided
• Leavenworth Snowmobile Rentals offer both guided tours and snowmobile rentals (2, 4 & 8 hours in length). They deliver snowmobiles directly to your cabin!
• CJ Rentals offer snowmobile rentals (including multi-day and delivery options) and guided tours.

• Leavenworth Reindeer Farm is open year round but is particularly busy during the winter months. Located just 1 mile from the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth, visitors can tour the farm, feed reindeer, meet Santa Claus, and sip hot apple cider. Reservations are required.
• You can also visit a local animal rescue and meet horses and goats, pet pigs, and feed alpacas!

• Northwest Mountain School offers guided ice climbing tours, avalanche courses, and backcountry sking adventures.

• Leavenworth Sleigh Rides offer private daily rides for couples, families, and all the way up to groups of 16 people.
• Eagle Creek Ranch provides memorable horse-drawn sleigh and wagon rides 8 miles northeast of Leavenworth (december through February).
• Icicle Outfitters & Guides offer daily sleigh rides along Icicle River from December – February (10 am – 4 pm).

• Walk along the Wenatchee River and check out the Waterfront Park.
• Enjoy the Village of Lights Festival in downtown Leavenworth (runs 7 days a week from Thanksgiving weekend through the end of February). Specifically for Valentine’s Day, the city puts on live entertainment and extra light installments for the ‘Love From Leavenworth‘ Festival.
• Visit nearby Lake Wenatchee and walk along the lakeshore.
• You can take a Self-Guided Audio Tour around the town of Leavenworth. Do it all in 35 minutes or linger at stops along the way with complete control over when you start and finish.

• Nussknacker Haus, aka “Nutcracker House” in English, is a must visit during your trip to Leavenworth. It is home to one of the largest selections of Nutcrackers in the United States and above the store you will find the famous Nutcracker Museum.
• Kris Kringl, “Where It’s Christmas All Year Long!” Stop by for Christmas ornaments, nativities, cuckoo clocks, nutcrackers, and other Christmas themed home decor.
• Mountain Modern Supply Co has some really cute Pacific Northwest mountain lifestyle goods and apparel.
• The Hat Shop and nextdoor Wurlygigz Wood Toy Shop specialize in men’s and women’s hats and locally handmade wooden puzzles and toys made in the U.S. and around the world.
• Copper Creek has a wide range of gift ideas, local art, PNW themed items, t-shirts, and jewelry.
• Schocolat is a classic European style chocolate shop, using only the best ingredients and working with small batches to provide quality confections..
• Cup and Kettle is Leavenworth’s premier tea shop. You’ll find over 120 loose leaf tea, herbal tisanes, and tea accessories. Plus over 100 BBQ rubs, sauces, salts, peppers, spice blends and sugars.
• A Book for all Seasons is a cute bookstore located in a picturesque part of downtown Leavenworth. Home to a surpringly wide array of new and used books.
• Village Alps has specialty foods with 75 flavors of salt water taffy, homemade brittles, and over 130 types of hot sauces, gifts, and dolls.
• The Cheesemonger offers a wide variety of specialty cheeses from all over the world, as well as several local beers to pair with your favorite cheeses.
• Pine Hill Mercantile is another great store to find gifts like candles, t-shirts, flasks, jewelry, and many locally made items.
• The Bubblery is home to an array of bath and body care products, perfumes, lotions, and scrubs made on location with local ingredients.
• The Oil and Vinegar Cellar is home to over 25 high-quality infused olive oils and aged balsamic vinegars, along with a complimentary tasting room to entice your tastebuds and senses.

We added all these winter Leavenworth travel locations to a handy map, see below or click here. Click the square box in the top left hand corner and you can expand the destinations list. We have broken this map into four categories: where to stay, places to eat, things to do, and the best Leavenworth shopping.

---

You need to prepare for cold and unpredictable weather when visiting Leavenworth during the winter months. All visitors should have warm layers, waterproof boots, gloves, and a beanie. We will cover those and some other essentials in this Leavenworth packing guide.

Before choosing what clothing to pack you should have a think about the activities you have planned. If you are planning to mostly stay around town then the below essentials are likely all you will need, along with some casual indoor outfits. If you plan to ski or snowshoe then I would suggest adding on any activity-specific items such as waterproof pants, a helmet, etc.

Those visiting Leavenworth during winter should pack an insulated jacket, either made from synthetic insulation or sustainably sourced down feathers. For women, our top recommendation is The North Face Gotham Down Parka, and for men we suggest the Black Diamond Belay Parka. If you plan to be out in the snowfall for prolonged periods then be sure to choose a waterproof jacket or bring a shell to layer on top.

Having a midlayer to wear underneath your parka will come in handy for those super chilly days, or when you take your jacket off to dine. Fleece layers or wool sweaters are good choices. For women, we recommend the prAna Polar Escape Fleece Pullover or the Patagonia Wool Sweater.

For men, we suggest the Pendleton Shetland Crew Sweater or the Patagonia Shearling Fleece.

Whether or not you need thermal base layers really depends on what activities you are planning to do in Leavenworth. If you are mostly walking from store to store and spending time in restaurants, you probably don’t need thermal baselayers. If you are going to be doing more walking or snow sports then we highly recommend you invest in some merino wool baselayers.

For women choosing baselayers, we suggest a wool-base long-sleeve top like the Smartwool Merino Long-Sleeve Baselayer. For layering underneath pants, we recommend the Smartwool All-Season Merino Baselayer Bottom.

Merino wool baselayers are also the best choice for men. We recommend the Smartwool Merino 150 Long-Sleeve Baselayer for a top layer, and for layering underneath pants we suggest the Smartwool Merino 150 Baselayer Bottom.

If you plan to go sledding then we recommend packing a pair of waterproof pants. If you choose ‘ski style’ pants then they will also likely have some nice insulation to keep you warm while you play in the snow. For both women and men we recommend the Stoic Shell Pant. Here is a link for the women’s version, and here is a link for the men’s version.

Wool socks will be your best friend in the cold weather! They are moisture-wicking, warm, yet breathable, and will help prevent blisters. For women, check out the Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion Crew Sock. For men, consider the same pair but in the men’s version: Smartwool Classic Hike Full Cushion Crew Sock Mens.

Similar to clothing, you will need to pack the right accessories for the activities you plan to undertake. Below are some must-have accessories every visitor should bring on a Leavenworth vacation, and you can add additional items as needed.

We recommend you pack a pair of warm and waterproof / water resistant boots for your visit to Leavenworth. The town often has quite a lot of snow and your feet will get cold very quickly if your shoes aren’t insulated or if your socks get wet.

Our top suggestion for female travelers is investing in a pair of Sorel boots. In particular, we like the Sorel Tivoli IV Boots, the Sorel Caribou Boots (for when you want your feet to be super toasty), or the Sorel Explorer II Joan Faux Fur Boots.

For men, we recommend the Danner Cloud Cap Boots or the Sorel Caribou Boots (again, these are a great choice when you will be experiencing very cold temperatures).

Most kinds of gloves should work for your winter vacation to Leavenworth. If you plan to mostly be around town then pack a standard fabric pair, like the North Face E-tip Recycled Glove. If you plan to be picking up snow then you’re best to bring along a pair of waterproof gloves, like the Hestra Heli Mitten.

It’s important to keep your head warm whilst exploring outside and sitting out on the patio sipping hot apple cider. We recommend a basic beanie like the Carhartt Acrylic Watch Beanie or Pendleton Cable Hat.

A neck warmer isn’t necessarily a must-have, but you will appreciate it on cold or windy days! We recommend one of the classic Wool Buff or a cozy Fleece Neck Gaiter.

Below are some extra packing items that I like to take with me on winter getaways. Pick and choose what best suits your needs.

• Portable phone charger because your battery life won’t last long in the cold!
• Insulated travel mug for takeaway coffees, hot cocoa, and hot apple cider
• Swimsuit for hot tub soaks or for swimming in your hotel’s heated pool
• Kindle or a hardcopy book for reading by the fire
• Cozy wool blanket for outdoor patio dining
• Cozy winter pajamas, slippers, and a soft robe (if your hotel doesn’t already include them)
• Snow sled, either toboggan style or saucer style

Now you have all the knowledge and insiders tips on planning a trip to Leavenworth during winter! Remember that some hotels book out a couple of months in advance, so it’s always best to plan ahead. Don’t forget to check out our other Washington State travel guides and USA travel destinations!

---