Things to do in Leavenworth: A Local’s Guide
Written by Joanna Dunn Yoga, this guide shares a long-time local’s perspective on Leavenworth, Washington. Living here since 2005, Joanna highlights her favorite restaurants, coffee spots, shops, walks, and outdoor places to explore, alongside thoughtful tips on visiting with care and respect for the local community.
I have lived in Leavenworth since 2005. Like many, what attracted me to live in this place was its natural beauty and the access to the outdoors. It is also just 2.5 hours from Seattle, where I grew up and where much of my family still lives.
I also moved to Leavenworth because, as a faux Bavarian Village, it is a tourist destination with over 3 million visitors per year. I felt certain that I could move to Leavenworth and readily find work in the hospitality industry — which I did for the first five years I lived here before transitioning to teaching yoga full time.
After so many years here, I would love to share with you a few of my favorite restaurants, businesses, and local sites to explore what the town and the area have to offer.
Favorite Restaurants
This is often the first thing I am asked from someone that is coming to visit Leavenworth for the first time. What restaurants do you recommend? Usually, folks want to have at least one German meal, then are ready to branch out to other types of food.
German Food
Andreas Kellers is my top choice when I bring visitors to a German restaurant. They are in a basement location right across from the Gazebo in the town park. The decor feels as though you have stepped back in time and across the world to a Bavarian pub. The service is good and fast. They have traditional cuisine such as red cabbage, schnitzel, and German beer.
Munchen Haus is a faster option and fun for a sunny day. You head for the window and order your brat, then grab a seat on the patio or deck. Often, they have live music on certain evenings. Order your beer or wine from a separate booth once you're inside the beer garten while you wait for your number to be called. You can top it off with all kinds of yummy toppings yourself. Vegetarian options are available. All seating is outdoors.
Non-German Food
Yodelin is my go-to for anyone who has dietary restrictions, as they have vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options. They even have a new broth that is low-sodium. This is also a good option for anyone looking for healthy, fresh food made from scratch with an emphasis on local. The fish they serve is wild, and they also have Washington state oysters.
Larch is my go-to for fine dining and good cocktails. They make their own pasta and always have really interesting flavor combinations. Great salads as well. The same owner has two other restaurants: Prusik and a new super upscale restaurant called Carta (haven't tried it… too expensive!).
Mana is more of an experience than a meal. A prix fixe five-course meal full of unusual and interesting flavors — wine pairing or non-alcoholic “elixirs.” A bit pricey, this is usually a once-a-year special occasion place, but definitely where I take my foodie friends when they visit.
Coffee and Breakfast
Argonaut Coffee is my favorite coffee spot, although J5 Coffee is also very good. Argonaut has amazing breakfast sandwiches, and their breakfast burritos are pretty good too. I think they have the best chocolate chip cookies in the valley — if you like more of a soft, gooey, slightly undercooked cookie. Good pastries, too.
They also have a new location with sandwiches, soups, and good coffee out at Sleeping Lady in the old O’Grady’s called Lupine Market.
Ice Cream
Whistlepunk Ice Cream has locally made ice cream with seasonal flavors. Delicious, with great waffle cones. The chocolate chip cookies aren’t shabby either!
Beer, Wine, and Cider
The Munchen Haus owners opened Icicle Brewing Company, and they do a great job with service. Their beers are quite tasty (I’m not much of a beer drinker, though).
Bushel and Bee has good ciders as well as beer. I especially love that they are dog friendly. They don’t serve food, but you can bring your own takeout. My husband and I will walk our dog down there in the afternoon and have a cold one on the deck before dinner in the summertime.
Shops
There are so many shops in Leavenworth, and I’m afraid I don’t know many of them, but there are three that I highly recommend that are a little unusual.
A Book for All Seasons — even if you’re not looking for a good book to read, this is such a great local bookstore and gift store. I love going in and just poking around.
Posy is the place I go when I need to purchase a gift for a friend or family member. The owner focuses on supporting small, boutique businesses, often woman- and local-owned and handmade.
Plant Ally is another wonderful store we are lucky to have, with beautiful jewelry and clothing as well as teas and plants. I can easily spend an hour just poking around. They also host interesting events around personal growth and spiritual exploration.
Hikes, Walks, and Bike Rides
There are so many amazing hikes in the greater Leavenworth area that I’m not going to focus on the bigger, more famous ones like Colchuck Lake or Valhalla. Instead, I’ll share some of my everyday go-tos.
Ski Hill is one of the places I walk several times a week in spring, summer, and fall. The nordic trails become great walking trails, and you can meander around for at least an hour. Trails are multi-use except in winter. If you time it right, the lodge will be open for drinks and snacks, making it lovely to walk and then sit in the shade with a cold beer or wine. They also have live music once a week in summer, usually on Wednesdays.
Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery is my second go-to for walking the dog or meeting a friend at Lupine Market and then heading out for an easy walk along Icicle Creek. While you’re there, I also recommend walking through the Sleeping Lady Mountain Resort grounds, where they have an art walk featuring Pacific Northwest and local Wenatchee Valley artists.
Icicle Gorge Trail is super popular with tourists and families. It’s beautiful and an easy loop that may take about two hours, depending on your pace. A forest service pass is required, and it’s a bit of a drive out of town.
Beyond Town
There are so many things to do in Leavenworth — truly something for everyone — which explains why tourism continues to grow each year. It’s an easy day trip from Seattle, or you can stay a few days.
If you have more time, I recommend heading to Mountain Springs Lodge in Plain (20–30 minutes north of Leavenworth), where I worked for several years when I first moved here. They offer horseback riding and zip lines in summer, and sleigh rides and snowmobile tours in winter. While you’re there, continue on to Lake Wenatchee State Park for paddle boarding or a cold dip on a hot day.
Move Your Body While You’re Here
While you’re in town, be sure to take a yoga or pilates class. Alpine Hot Yoga offers heated and non-heated classes with friendly, excellent instructors. Awake Bodies is our local pilates studio, and again, the instructors are welcoming and well-trained.
A Note on Being a Good Visitor
When you visit, please be a good tourist. Don’t leave trash around town, on trails, or near the river and creek. Be kind to local residents and workers. Please don’t park in neighborhoods or in the grocery store, library, bank, or post office lots — use paid visitor parking. Drive carefully and remember that people live here, just as you do where you live.
Enjoy your visit, and let me know if you use any of my recommendations — I’d love to hear what you think