We visited Leavenworth in late October and the fall colors were amazing! Here’s our favorite things to do in Leavenworth Washington in the fall.
This season brings fewer crowds and beautiful colors to the area. We flew into Seattle and then rented a car for the 2 hour drive to Leavenworth. Driving through the mountains is an adventure in itself – so pretty!
Things to do in Leavenworth Washington
Stay at Bavarian Lodge
Bavarian Lodge is the top rated place to stay in Leavenworth Washington, and for good reason! It’s located right downtown, offers free parking for guests, has amazing rooms, and an outdoor pool and hot tub! We loved our balcony overlooking town and the fireplace. So cozy.
Explore the Bavarian town
The Bavarian architecture of Leavenworth is what brings people to this little town in the mountains. You’ll want to take some photos of the town and explore all the cute shops. Just make sure to go past the main few streets, there are gems all throughout town! Plus, there’s even horse drawn carriages that will show you around, so fun!
Related post: Best restaurants and beer gardens in Leavenworth Washington
Enjoy the beer garden at Müchen Haus
Even though weather is a little cooler in the fall, the outdoor beer gardens in Leavenworth are full of people! We loved Müchen Haus and it’s outdoor fires. It has a mix of local and German beer, and is known for its sausages with lots of toppings to choose from. Highly recommend the apple cider sauerkraut!
Mini golf at Icicle Village Resort
Another great resort in the area is Icicle Village. It’s not located right downtown, but has great amenities like a fun mini golf course that’s so pretty in the fall! It’s $10 per person and has 18 holes. Like a mini Leavenworth!
See the turquoise water at Colchuck Lake
The hike to Colchuck Lake is insanely beautiful, but it takes a lot of effort to get there! The trailhead is about 30 minutes from Leavenworth and is very popular, so going early will give you less crowds and a better parking spot. It takes around 4.5 hours and 8 miles to get there with amazing views along the way. I highly recommend this hike if you are used to hard hikes and elevation gain – just make sure to pack snacks and plenty of water! Note that you will need a Northwest Forest Pass to do this hike.
Hike to Lake Stuart
We wanted a longer day hike, so we hiked to Colchuck Lake and then Lake Stuart, which is another trail that shoots off from the main Colchuck Lake trail. To do them both took us about 7 hours and 11.7 miles. Another gorgeous lake with way less foot traffic and elevation gain! But heads up, it doesn’t have the turquoise blue water like Colchuck Lake, so you want to see that, head there instead, or do both like us! Note that you will need a Northwest Forest Pass to do this hike.
Grab coffee at Argonaut Coffee & Biscuits
Argonaut Coffee & Biscuits might just be the most popular coffee spot in Leavenworth. They roast their beans on site and also have great breakfast. Definitely try the biscuit breakfast sandwich – they make those fresh as well!
Walk around Icicle Gorge
If you want some pretty views with not a lot of effort, head to Icicle Gorge and take the Icicle Gorge Trail, about 30 minutes from Leavenworth. The trail is a loop and takes just under 2 hours to complete at 4.5 miles. The majority of the trail is tree-covered, with lookout spots of the river along the way. Note that you will need a Northwest Forest Pass to do this hike.
Get a treat at Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co
Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co makes such great ice cream! I loved the pistachio – not your ordinary bright green pistachio ice cream which was so refreshing. Lots of unique and traditional flavors to choose from!
That’s a wrap on the best things to do in Leavenworth Washington in the fall! Now we need to come back in the winter to see this town in all its holiday glory!
