Leavenworth shines bright in the early summer months. Set on the sunny eastern slopes of the Cascade Range, Leavenworth’s mild, dry climate invites all to get outdoors and explore the region’s natural gifts. Whether your itinerary involves exploring the birding hotspots, hitting the links at one of the area’s scenic golf courses, backpacking the Enchantment trail, or staying in town to check out the local happenings—Leavenworth has so much to offer.

BACKPACKS, BOULDERS, AND BIRDS

Backpack the best trails in the Pacific Northwest. There’s no shortage of forest and mountain trails in the Leavenworth area, and summer is a great time to hike, bike, or backpack—just pick your mode and hit the trails! The options are abundant, some of our favorites include The Icicle Ridge Trail, Minotaur Lake, and Lake Caroline. Don’t forget to check the forest service website for required permits and up-to-date trail conditions.

Break out the binoculars for some world-class birding. Pick up a copy of Audubon’s Great Washington State Birding Trail map at the Visitor Center to explore the Leavenworth birding scene. Waterfront Park is a great site to spot the birds that flourish in the riverside vegetation. Or head to the Wenatchee River and Icicle Creek and view the variety of waterfowl, and be on the lookout for Osprey.

Bouldering in Leavenworth is big. Ditch the ropes, harnesses, or other climbing hardware, and opt for bouldering next time you’re in Leavenworth. If you are a bouldering beginner, head to Icicle Creek, where there is an array of bouldering areas. Better yet, hire a local guide to show you the best spots and teach you the fundamentals, then try your hand at bouldering in the Tumwater Canyon.

WATER PLAY

Raft the nearby waterways. Take a leisurely float into town on the Icicle River, or up the adrenaline on the Wenatchee River with its array of class III rapids and the class IV “Triple Shot” and “Tinley Falls”. Professional guides are always the best way to float, guaranteeing a safe trip high on adventure. If you are traveling with little ones or prefer to stay on the dry side, you’ll find options for everyone in the family with one of the area’s local rafting outfitters.

Paddleboard at Lake Wenatchee State Park. Or settle into a camping chair and soak your feet in the alpine lake. Lake Wenatchee is a Northwest icon, a clear blue lake surrounded by majestic Cascade peaks. The 5-mile-long lake is 244 feet at its deepest point and a popular destination for boaters and windsurfers. But the shallow lagoon is perfect for pint-sized swimmers.. Beginning kayakers and standup paddlers can rent boats and boards at the lake and navigate the calmer waters near the shore.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES

Leavenworth Adventure Park is the place to be in 2023. The new outdoor adventure park has something for everyone, from the first alpine roller coaster in Washington state to a bungee trampoline and mining sluice, adventure awaits for the whole family!

Ziplining is great for family and just plain fun. At Leavenworth Ziplines your crew can zip from ridge to ridge nearly 200 feet above the Beaver Creek Valley while taking in some of the most spectacular views in Washington. Ride up to nine ziplines with certified guides to assist each exciting step of the adventure.

Grab your clubs, tee it up, and enjoy the view. The region has an abundance of championship golf that will test the skills of any player, with breathtaking views of the Wenatchee River, Cascade Mountain Peaks, and local wildlife. Or enjoy an 18-hole putting course with its own version of local wildlife and waterfalls. Extend the day and take advantage of stay-and-play golf packages at Kahler Mountain Club.

ARTS & CULTURE

Bring on the Bavarian music. Leavenworth is known for traditional, homemade Bavarian food and steins filled with German beers. It’s also the place to go for the best live Bavarian music in the Northwest. Enjoy live alphorn music from the old country on most weekends, and a friendly greeting that Germans call “gemütlichkeit.”

Stroll historic Leavenworth and see history come alive. The Greater Leavenworth Museum offers informative guided walks through historic Leavenworth. On the fourth Saturday of each month from May through October, catch a Historical Leavenworth Town Tour and learn about how it’s evolved from its early days as a lumber and railroad town into an idyllic Bavarian-style village.

It takes a village…Village Art in the Park. If you want to see what’s happening at Washington’s longest-running open-air art show, check out Leavenworth’s Village Art in the Park. Every summer weekend (Friday through Sunday)artists from near and far converge downtown to display and sell their handcrafted work. Explore the paintings, photographs, metalworks, and exquisite jewelry, all made by the hands of local artists. You’ll also find a dose of goodwill. Village Art in the Park is a nonprofit that supports the arts and artists in the community, and a portion of the proceeds support scholarships for art degrees and financial support for local arts programs.

Whatever you choose, you’ll find fun and adventure, and beat the bustle by planning an early summer vacation to Leavenworth!