This Is The Friendliest Small Town in Washington
Today, Leavenworth is one of Washington’s most popular and welcoming tourist destinations, but that wasn’t always the case. This central Washington town underwent a remarkable transformation in the 1960s. It reinvented itself as a warm and inviting Bavarian hub for visitors—a vision that proved highly successful. Now, with over two million annual visitors, Leavenworth attracts those eager to experience its Bavarian traditions, winery culture, and lively theater scene. From its warm hospitality to its welcoming agricultural community, here’s what makes it the friendliest town in Washington.
The Surprising Story of Leavenworth's Bavarian Roots
Contrary to popular belief, Leavenworth was not settled by German immigrants. The story goes back to the late 19th century when settlers arrived in the area in search of timber, gold, and furs. Although the sawmill and logging business was successful for several decades, the railroad that once ran through town later rerouted its rails, resulting in Leavenworth nearly becoming a ghost town. In the 1960s, town leaders proposed changing Leavenworth’s appeal to a German Bavaria-themed town, in honor of the lush alpine hills that surrounded it. Following a total renovation of the downtown area and the addition of several German festivals, Leavenworth became one of the Pacific Northwest’s most popular tourist destinations.
Several times a year, the Leavenworth community welcomes visitors with its German-themed festivals, including the Maifest, Oktoberfest, and Winter Karneval. Maifest celebrates the arrival of spring, featuring activities like yodeling, authentic instruments from the Alps, Maypole dancing, a May Flower Run, and a live chainsaw carving event. In the fall, visitors can look forward to Leavenworth’s annual Oktoberfest, which features Bavarian bands, craft beer from local breweries, and a Kinderplatz game area for the kids. Travelers should also consider visiting Leavenworth in the winter, during its Winter Karneval. During this annual event, the town becomes filled with a warm and festive atmosphere, offering activities like fire dancers, live ice carvings, a pub crawl, and a fireworks show.
Local Restaurants
Much like its festivals, Leavenworth's restaurants are at the heart of the community, offering everything from Bavarian specialties to farm-to-table dishes that support local farmers. A town favorite, München Haus serves high-quality Bavarian sausages, its famous apple pie cider kraut, and an array of locally crafted beers. The Bavarian Bakery is another staple, known for its traditional German pretzels and pastries. Local cafes, such as the Watershed Cafe, work with the local agricultural communities by sourcing ingredients from nearby farms and crafting one-of-a-kind seasonal dishes. At this cafe, guests might find offerings like bacon-wrapped chicken breast, oven-roasted pork chops with herbs, or Asian-style Alaskan sockeye salmon.
Art & Theater
While part of Leavenworth’s appeal to visitors is its Bavarian-themed village, another large aspect of its culture and community revolves around the arts and theater programs in town. For a live concert, opera, play, or dance, travelers can attend an event at the Â鶹AV-class Icicle Creek Center for the Arts. Some of the upcoming shows, for example, include drumming shows, quartets, and Hispanic music performances. The center also periodically holds classes for those wanting to learn a music or art skill, such as beginner guitar and vocal classes. Each summer, the Leavenworth Summer Theater hosts an array of shows for the public as well. Attendees can enjoy shows like The Sound of Music, The Little Mermaid, and Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Carousel.
If you are looking for a unique souvenir, stop by the Village Art in the Park event from May through October. This outdoor market showcases the work of both emerging and professional artists. The work covers a wide variety of mediums, ranging from hand-crafted jewelry and metalwork to photography and paintings.
Agricultural Community & Vineyards
Panoramic view of winery near Leavenworth, Washington.
Leavenworth values its strong, close-knit agricultural community. Its warm summers and crisp spring and fall seasons create ideal conditions for pear, cherry, and apple orchards, along with vineyards. There are plenty of places to buy some of this fresh fruit and support the local farming community. Prey’s Fruit Barn, a rustic market located off of US Highway 2, is a farm-to-table style market that sells all kinds of fresh and seasonal produce, ranging from pears and peaches to pumpkins and asparagus. Those visiting in the summer can stop by the Leavenworth Community Farmers Market, which takes place on Saturday mornings at Lions Club Park.
The numerous wineries and tasting rooms that surround Leavenworth are another popular gathering spot for locals on the weekend. Silvara Winery sources its wines from Washington vineyards and offers travelers the opportunity to sip a glass of Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, or Chardonay in its scenic hilltop tasting room. In the winter, the winery offers an Igloo Winter Wine Experience, in which guests can enjoy their wine in a heated igloo, appreciating views of the snowcapped Cascades in the background.
Washington’s Bavarian Wonderland
Leavenworth is a town that didn’t just embrace hospitality, it built it from the ground up. While others might have faded away, this small community came together in the 1960s to reinvent itself, creating the welcoming festivals, restaurants, and wineries that define it today. That spirit of warmth and resilience lives on, resulting in it becoming one of the friendliest towns in the state. Experience it for yourself and add Leavenworth to your 2025 travel plans!
