Leavenworth

Leavenworth's transformation from a failing sawmill town to a thriving Bavarian-inspired tourist destination is one of the more remarkable economic turnarounds in Pacific Northwest history. In the 1960s, the Icicle Creek valley's German-immigrant heritage gave local business leaders the idea to rebuild the entire commercial district in a Bavarian alpine architectural style. The result, a main street of half-timbered facades, flower boxes, and carved wooden signs has attracted millions of visitors and spawned a genuine food and beverage culture built around Bavarian cuisine, German beer, and Washington wine. The Christmas Lighting Festival in December fills the town with half a million visitors over three weekends. Summer brings the Washington State Autumn Leaf Festival (largest in the state), the International Accordion Celebration, and the Great Bavarian Ice Fest. Beyond the village, Icicle Creek Canyon provides world-class rock climbing at Snow Lakes trailhead, while the Wenatchee River offers Class III - IV white-water rafting through a steep canyon north of town. The surrounding Wenatchee National Forest has over 50 trailheads accessible from town.