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World photo/Don Seabrook Clendon Allen, Peshastin, working for the Yakama Nation at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery, rolls up netting that protects juvenile coho salmon from birds. He said the hatchery releases 700,000 of the five-inch fish late neat the hatchery. Craig Thomas, Assistant Manager at the hatchery said they release 1.2 million spring Chinook as well.

Leavenworth

“A burgeoning winery scene has brought a Pinotand-brie refinement to the brats-and-brews style of this Bavarian-inspired village, just east of the Cascades.” — National Geographic Adventure magazine

Surrounded by rugged mountain landscapes, Leavenworth is a place outside of time. The small tourist-town simply oozes Old World charm. Visitors from around the world go out of their way to visit the small Bavarianstyle village in the Northwestern United States.

It wasn't always this way, however. The success of Leavenworth Washington is a testament to the hard work, determination and creativity of its early residents.

In the early 1960s, Leavenworth was no more than a run-down mill town on the verge of becoming a ghost town. Rather than sit back and accept their fate, the town leaders came up with a plan — to harness the power of the areas' beautiful, alpine location and draw in tourists from around the globe. The “little village that could” now greets hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

There’s almost never a weekend without entertainment of some sort — the town has more than two dozen public festivals each year — and if you happen to visit on a day that isn’t filled with festivity, there is still more than enough to keep you occupied.

Things to do

Travel westward on Highway 2 and you will find plenty of fruit stands and wineries. Smallwood’s Harvest in nearby Peshastin offers a huge petting zoo, a gift shop and fruit stand, and is a must-stop location for anyone with kids in tow. Just down the road, Prey’s Fruit Stand is also worth a visit.

For a bit more adventure, take a ride on the whitewater of the Wenatchee River or watch the rapids as they roar through Tumwater Canyon. The dam is a good spot to see kayakers and leaping salmon. If you are interested in rafting, you can find a list of rafting companies on the Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce website: leavenworth.org.

To the north, Lake Wenatchee’s sparkling waters are perfect for an afternoon of windsurfing or resting on the shore for a picnic. To the south, the Alpine Lakes Wil-

derness is an excellent spot for a daytime hike. Grab a permit at the trailhead or check in with the U.S. Forest Service in Leavenworth for an overnight permit.

If you are looking for something tamer, an easy stroll along Icicle Creek at the Leavenworth National Fish Hatchery is also a great choice. The hatchery releases 1.6 million salmon each year, so they can make the 500-mile journey back to the Pacific Ocean. It is open year-round and offers tours, fish and wildlife viewing, and picnic grounds.

Nutcracker Museum nutcrackermuseum.com

If you are interested in all things nutty, you won’t want to miss the Nutcracker Mu-

World photo/Mike Bonnicksen Actor Adelaide Turnage, who plays Maria Rainer, sings “The Sound of Music” to a full house during Leavenworth Summer Theater’s presentation of “The Sound of Music” at the Ski Hill Amphitheater.

seum in downtown Leavenworth. The museum, which has been featured on network television and newspapers across the U.S. and Europe, is all it’s cracked up to be. This quirky museum features informational exhibits, such as the top five ways to crack a nut, nutcracker themed activities for children and contains over 7,000 nutcrackers originating from over 50 countries. If you are in the area, make sure to drop by during Nutcracker Day, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Icy art sleepinglady.com

The sparkling glass of the Dale Chihuly Icicles at Leavenworth’s Sleeping Lady Resort looks more like a natural collection of hoarfrost than a sculpture — albeit in gigantic proportions. The sculpture is a 1,200-piece outdoor installation created by one of the world’s top glass artists and stands just outside the Sleeping Lady Chapel. Chihuly and his team of glassblowers assembled the 12-foot-high masterwork during the 1996 holiday season.

More hikes

Icicle Gorge Trail, near Leavenworth: This easily accessible trail is perfect for beginners and families. Mostly flat, the 4-mile trail loops around Icicle Creek, crossing the scenic Icicle Gorge. You can find it about 16 miles up Icicle Road from Leavenworth.

Penstock Pipeline Trail, near Leavenworth: The trailhead for this one is a bit unusual — right on top of an old, historic bridge. The trail itself is an easy hike with an unusual start over a historic bridge that crosses the Wenatchee River. If you are lucky, you may spot Coho salmon spawning in the waters below. The three-mile, back-and-forth hike offers great views and fabulous fall colors along the river, and access to some good beaches if the weather is still hot enough for a dip.

World photo/Mike Bonnicksen Village Art in the Park returned for the 2021 season in downtown Leavenworth. The outdoor art market happens from May through mid-October.

ARTISAN PIZZA • CRAFT BEER • OUTDOOR PATIO