is Leavensworth worth a day trip(and 2 hour drive)? (Vancouver: theater, living in)

[semidevil]

A friend of mine told me about Leavensworth and how it is a Bavarian themed village. Have you guys been there and exactly how big is this 'village?' I'm interested in going, but I want to know whether it is worth the 2 hour/way drive and whether there is enough things to see/do to make it an entire day trip.

Is the whole town Bavarian theme, or is it just a street corner that is themed? Is it walkable, and are there many sights/shoppes to see? we probably plan to go towards the end of next week.

[Ruth4Truth]

The whole town is done to a Bavarian theme, or the whole of downtown, anyway. It's walkable. Lots of shops, some of them filled with cheap junk, a few have high-end items from the Alpine region. There may be a Christmas program of some sort, like a Christmas-themed festival, Bavarian-style. Look it up to see if there's something special like that going on. Although I'd prefer to go in the middle of the week, away from any tourist crowds there might be. Parking can be impossible, when they have a special event going on.

I've gone there on a day trip. There's not really enough to do for a whole day, or even a whole afternoon, but there are interesting coffee shops and pie stands to explore on the way there, that help fill out the day.

Better go when the weather's clear; I wouldn't want to get stuck in a snowstorm up there. The drive, itself, is scenic.

[pnwguy2]

It is a popular weekend destination throughout the year, and gets very crowded on good weather weekends, mostly from Western WA residents. It is quite Bavarian, (even the McDonalds has that theme), and there are some decent restaurants and bars. If I had the option, I would visit mid-week and not around Christmas or the height of the summer season. It is a fine getaway for a weekend, but this is probably the worst time to visit.

[Jane917]

It is Leavenworth, not Leavensworth. We used to live about 30 minutes from Leavenworth and loved going there for the walking, wineries (lots of tasting rooms), food, special activities. There is almost always something musical going on at Sleeping Lady. Christmas is magical with the lighting, but the crowds are very heavy during Christmas season. I also stay away during Oktoberfest. The history of how a dying railroad town turned into a Bavarian village is very interesting. The summer theater season is very special.

[Diana Holbrook]

Go when the weather is good... either sunny or snowy in winter (if you are safe to drive in such conditions) because the drive up to Leavenworth is not time wasted, it's beautiful when you can slow down, even stop, and see it.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Jane917

It is Leavenworth, not Leavensworth. We used to live about 30 minutes from Leavenworth and loved going there for the walking, wineries (lots of tasting rooms), food, special activities. There is almost always something musical going on at Sleeping Lady. Christmas is magical with the lighting, but the crowds are very heavy during Christmas season. I also stay away during Oktoberfest. The history of how a dying railroad town turned into a Bavarian village is very interesting. The summer theater season is very special.

I read recently that small towns throughout the Midwest are adopting similar economic development strategies. One town featured in the article had a couple of old Dutch-style windmills they turned into a central theme for their "tourist village" project.

What's a bit sad about Leavenworth is that the obligatory Bavarian oompah quartets that come out for the major festivals are a bit lacking in musicianship, a bit bedraggled and anemic. Clearly just going through the motions for the benefit of tourism. But this is what the town has to do, to keep the crowds coming.

[bloom]

No not worth it, as touristy.
I stopped by on way to Stehekin which was most definitely worth it.
For more authentic food, go to Europa in Black Diamond (on way to M. Rainier).
Lev. seemed to have some tubing on the river but prob other places have too more convenient, scenic.

[Hemlock140]

That’s an easy day trip, we do it going up on 2, then 97 to 90 back, stopping for some fresh fruit at the big stand in Thorpe. That’s one of the great things about living in this area, we can also do Portland or Vancouver, BC on a day trip.

[flyingsaucermom]

I've been numerous times.

I think it *could* be a nice trip to do once, for sheer holiday novelty, but then again... maybe not depending on one's standards (and it sounds like you might be a little more discriminating in expecting more than a block of Bavaria)

BTW: It sorta is just one street.

So I read up on it last summer... I think historically was an important stop along a rail line or water way.. one of the two.. and basically industry changed and the town was struggling with how to survive and the townspeople decided at that point to reinvent themselves as a new Bavaria. The buildings were constructed 35-ish years ago, and honestly, it's really starting to show.. I think it's mighty time for them to address the aging infrastructure. It needs capital improvement.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

I've been numerous times.

I think it *could* be a nice trip to do once, for sheer holiday novelty, but then again... maybe not depending on one's standards (and it sounds like you might be a little more discriminating in expecting more than a block of Bavaria)

BTW: It sorta is just one street.

So I read up on it last summer... I think historically was an important stop along a rail line or water way.. one of the two.. and basically industry changed and the town was struggling with how to survive and the townspeople decided at that point to reinvent themselves as a new Bavaria. The buildings were constructed 35-ish years ago, and honestly, it's really starting to show.. I think it's mighty time for them to address the aging infrastructure. It needs capital improvement.

Actually, the bavarian theme started in the mid to late 60's, so that would make it close to 50 years old. But I agree the infrastructure needs to be improved for this "tourist town". However, many in this area only see the current profits, (which are strong), and perhaps are not looking to the future.