When you're on vacation, expenses can easily get out of hand. Some people are lucky enough to travel exclusively by way of private jet, and spend weeks on end lounging in thousand-dollar a night luxury suites. The rest of us however, travel on a somewhat tighter budget. Here's a few great things to do in Leavenworth-- without breaking the bank.
10 Things to Do in Leavenworth for Less Than 20 Dollars:
Whether Leavenworth is your final destination, or simply a stop on along the way, this unique little town at the foot of the Cascade Mountains offers a little something for everyone. Located in Central Washington, just east of the mountains along U.S. Highway 2, the Bavarian-themed town could have been plucked right out of Austria or Switzerland. The difference? American Dollars are accepted, English is the language of choice, and you're little more than an hour's drive from Seattle or Sea-Tac International Airport. A haven for outdoor enthusiasts and food-and-drink connoisseurs alike, Leavenworth truly is Washington's playground; and could be yours as well. If you're not exactly traveling in the lap of luxury, or just trying to maintain a budget-- looking to have a good time without breaking the bank-- the following are just a few of your options here in the upper-Wenatchee Valley.
One: The Great Outdoors
Cost: FREE
Leavenworth is a sportsman's Mecca. If you're in the Pacific Northwest and traveling on the cheap, you've likely got a bicycle, kayak, fishing pole, or something else that gets you outside along for the ride. From action sports to hunting and fishing-- any and all are available within just a few miles of town. Getting out in nature is cost-free; mostly. If you're interested but inexperienced, the knowledgeable staff at Leavenworth Mountain Sports will help point you in the right direction regarding equipment rentals, lessons and guided adventures, answering any other questions you might have along the way.
220 US Highway 2 Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-7864
Two: Camping
Cost: $9 - $50 / Night
Saving money on lodging is a great way to free up funds for other aspects of your trip. There are several ways to keep costs down when it comes to staying in Leavenworth. If you know people in the area, then by all means, call in a favor. Or pool with friends or another family on a vacation rental for the weekend. Most rentals that will fit 6-8 people run anywhere from $300 - $500 for a weekend-- decisively out of the $20 range.
If you're really looking to save big on this aspect of your vacation-- go camping. Leavenworth is a beautiful place, and pretty warm in the summer-- with daily highs averaging in the upper-80's during July and August. If you're on a family outing, remember, kids love camping. The KOA Kampground is right in town, and a great place to start your search. With a pool, private beach on the Wenatchee River, and most-- if not all-- the amenities of home, the KOA offers tent-sites starting as low as $22 per night. However, for some people, this type of experience doesn't quantify as "camping." If you'd like to be a bit farther out, there are eight different U.S. Forest Service campgrounds within 10 miles of Leavenworth. All eight Forest Service locations have running water, private sites, and offer nightly rates under $20.
11401 Riverbend Drive Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-7709
Wenatchee River Ranger District
600 Sherbourne Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-2550
Three: Waterfront Park
Cost: FREE
Nestled between downtown Leavenworth and the Wenatchee River is serene Waterfront Park. Accessed either from Front Street, or through Enchantment Park, city officials tout this stretch of river front as "one of Leavenworth's best-kept secrets." It's not really that much of a secret, but it is a pretty nice spot to spend a hot, summer afternoon. The park's prime location has had realtors and developers salivating for a generation now, but has thus far survived unadulterated. Hosting 3 miles of flat walking and jogging trails, numerous swimming-holes and a large, family-friendly beach and wading area, Waterfront Park is a great spot for a picnic, a quick dip, or just a quick getaway from the bustling atmosphere of the town above.
Four: Icicle Brewing Company
Cost: Starting at $5
Rated as one of the top-10 Oktoberfest destinations in the US of A, there is no denying that Leavenworth is a beer-drinker's town. However, until Icicle Brewing opened their doors in Spring 2011, it'd been years since any commercial brewing had taken place locally. In the ensuing twelve months, Icicle Brewing has taken the Pacific Northwest by storm-- winning several craft-brew awards in the process. Today, it's hard to find a bar, tavern or restaurant in Central Washington that doesn't have at least one Icicle offering on tap.
The brewery is located in downtown Leavenworth and open seven days a-week. Icicle offers regular tours of their operations, as well as a bustling and festive tasting room that plays host to regular events and live music. At the other end of Front Street, The Munchen Haus, a local favorite for visitors and residents alike, is under the same ownership, and offers many Icicle Brewing products in addition to domestic and German beers on tap-- not to mention one of the best bratwursts this side of Munich.
At the tasting-room, you can purchase a robust meat and cheese platter featuring local products, with a sample tray featuring 6, 4 oz. glasses of Icicle Brewing's award-winners (or two full-size pints-- if you'd prefer), all for less then $20. Icicle Brewing Co. is a local favorite, and a real must-do, whether you're only in town for the afternoon, or for the entire weekend. Both The Brewery and The Munchen Haus are family friendly, allowing children during the day.
935 Front Street Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-2739
709 Front Street Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-1158
Five: Go for a Bike Ride
Cost: Bike Rentals starting at $15
There are an awful lot of trails, and even more scenic roadways in Leavenworth's immediate vicinity. If you've got a bicycle on hand, suit up and go explore! If you've got questions, or would like to rent a bike, hit up the guys at Das Rad Haus-- Leavenworth's very own bike shop!
1207 Front Street Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-5615
Six: Live Music
Cost: Mostly Free
The entire upper-Wenatchee Valley is a haven d'artiste of sorts. With an abundance of local talent, and a reputation for being a good crowd, Leavenworth is a regional vortex for evening entertainment. In the summer months, live music is almost assuredly going on somewhere in town on just about any given night. From the sounds of accordions and oompah, to local bluegrass or reggae, and even the raucous electronic tones of today's palpitating youth, if you enjoy live music-- and the good-time atmosphere it provides-- all you need to do is walk around with your ear to the wind. The city attempts to keep a running schedule of live acts and special events, but with such high frequency-- and often short notice-- it's no wonder that they miss something from time to time. One sure-fire way to find out what's going on in town on a given evening is to duck in and ask a bartender.
Seven: Wine Tasting
Cost: Variable, but mostly under $20.
Over the last decade or so, old apple and pear orchards have been torn up and sold off as firewood at an ever-increasing rate. However, the rich soil and welcoming climate of the Wenatchee River Valley are just too perfect to allow even a single acre to sit farrow. The fruit orchards are being removed with purpose, in favor something a bit more... refined. Central Washington has quickly grown into a reputable wine-producing region, and the numerous, young wineries are eager to show off their product.
With new tasting rooms popping up along Front Street every summer, you can now sample an impressive variety of regional wines without even getting in the car. Nearly a dozen wineries are represented in just a few square blocks of downtown Leavenworth real-estate, and as such, tastings are competitively priced. If you're feeling a bit more adventurous, many area wineries also provide onsite tasting sessions and facility tours. On midsummer Friday evenings, Icicle Ridge Winery hosts a luxurious, outdoor tasting dinner at their hillside winery just a few minutes out of town. At $30 per head, the Ridge dinner isn't the cheapest proposition, but if you're away for a romantic weekend with your special someone; it's worth it.
Eight: Float the River
Cost: $10 - $20 per person
From June through September, Leavenworth's daily high temperatures average between 77 and 89 degrees. It's also completely reasonable to expect a stretch of 100+ degree days in any one of those months. So, unlike the stereotypical "gray-bird" conditions on the other side of Stevens Pass, here, you know it's summertime. In all seriousness, can you think of a better way to spend a hot and humid, eastern Washington afternoon than floating down the river? If you can't, here's some good news: There are three supremely float-able stretches of water on two different rivers in the immediate vicinity of Leavenworth. All three legs are commercially run and serviced by regular convenience shuttles. If you've got your own inner-tube; great! Be safe and have a blast. If you don't there are two different outfits providing cheap tube rentals, flotation devices, and transportation on both ends of the trip-- Tube Leavenworth, and Osprey Rafting. Both companies handle themselves in a professional manner and offer a great experience. Tube Leavenworth operates both in town, and up at Lake Wenatchee, late-May through September. Osprey is primarily a rafting company, they start tubing in mid-July when the water-level becomes more conducive to floating than whitewater. Osprey is also a few dollars cheaper, but generally only provide shuttle service for one section of the river.
(509) 548-8823
(509) 548-6800
Nine: Der Hinterhof
Cost: $2 +
Der Hinterhof, formerly known as the Leavenworth Beer-garden, is a great out-of-the-way spot to take a breather. Two blocks away from Front Street, Hinterhof used to be a bit of a local's secret. Today though, that secret is out. Tucked behind the Adventure Inn at the end of 9th Street, this outdoor venue boasts the cheapest beers in town-- an impressive combination of domestics, local craft-brews and imports from Bavaria. With regular live music, ping-pong, beer-pong, covered seating, fire-pits, snacks and artisan health-food from the newly relocated Gypsy Cafe-- Der Hinterhof has pretty much got you covered.
321 9th Street Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-5250
Ten: Icicle Junction
Cost: Unlimited mini-golf and 50 game tokens for $15
Whether you're visiting with children, or just satisfying your own "inner-child," Icicle Junction is a great way to kill a couple of hours-- and have a pretty darn good time while you're doing it. The Junction is home to a pretty solid miniature golf-course, an assortment of arcade and video games, and a movie theater. This is one of the nicer family fun-centers you'll run into throughout the Pacific Northwest. The theater plays current films, at affordable 1990's prices-- $6.50 for an adult matinee ticket. Located right alongside U.S. Highway 2 as you enter Leavenworth out of Tumwater Canyon, the facility also offers sit-down dining and a full service spa. If mini-golf doesn't cut it for you, there's a real golf-course right down the road.
505 Highway 2 Leavenworth, WA 98826
(509) 548-2400
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