A dog-friendly Bavarian adventure in Leavenworth
Leavenworth was on my wish-list well before we left Australia. I was worried that I'd over-hyped up how beautiful, kitschy and cool it would be and then risk being disappointed with the reality… but it totally exceeded my expectations! If you're ever planning on going to Washington State this small town HAS to be on your ‘must do’ list.
Leavenworth is approximately a 2 hr 15 min drive from Seattle and to get there you drive through some pretty spectacular scenery, with the town itself set between some pretty impressive mountains and a large river. As you turn off the main highway and start to enter the town, you see the odd place that appears to be 'on theme' and wonder if that's it….. But keep going as once you arrive in the main part of town, it’s 100% Bavarian whichever way you look.
Leavenworth is obviously also some sort of magical dog mecca too, as I don't think there was anywhere else in the US that we saw more hunds than here!
THINGS TO DO
Main Town
The main town has a stunning amount of Bavarian themed buildings are the star attraction. The town itself is mostly blocked off to traffic which makes it a dog walking paradise with big, wide streets, lots of bars and restaurants, as well as plenty of spots to sit and rest as needed. We found that souvenir and gift stores were mostly dog friendly, but still asked before heading in.
The town itself is an instagrammer's dream - everywhere you look are beautiful and colourful buildings and you can easily spend a couple of hours just walking around with you dog taking it all in. There is a main square area has a traditional Maipole, lots of seating as well as some grassy / shady spots (Front Street Park) and while we were visiting there was live music playing.
As you walk the streets you'll also come across murals and a fountain called 'Die Bergfreunde' with its cute goats. If you go a bit further away from the main areas you'll also see some more modern businesses (McD's, Starbucks etc) which are also Bavarian themed.
It was just as spectacular as I was hoping!
Waterfront Area and Park
Once you're done exploring the main town head towards the river and you'll find Waterfront Park. You can follow the trails through the trees and after about ten minutes you'll reach the Wenatchee riverfront. There are small inlets here where the water is shallow and not so fast flowing - so perfect for letting your pup cool down. I didn't see any specific signs about dogs, but there were some splashing around in the river and Beats enjoyed having a paddle on a hot day. As people also swim in this area, the main thing would be to monitor your dog and ensure it’s well away from anyone swimming or playing near the water.
The river is a great spot to cool off on a hot day
OTHER THINGS TO DO
Feeling thirsty and want to take your dog somewhere they will be welcome? Visit Doghaus Brewery - a small craft brewery that is very dog friendly. For more info visit their website https://www.doghausbrewery.com/home
GETTING AROUND
We visited in summer and stayed at a hotel within walking distance of the main centre, but parking seemed to be ok and we didn't spot cars endlessly circling for parks. The central area is blocked off to traffic, which is great as the streets are busy and it means you and your dog are a lot safer.
Big pedestrian only streets make exploring a breeze
EAT AND SLEEP
Did you really even go to a Bavarian town if you didn't have a pretzel, wiener or schnitzel…? In Leavenworth you are spoilt for choice with lots of options to indulge in hearty German fare. If it’s a hot day, there are also plenty of bakeries and ice-cream stores. If you’re after a more adult beverage, then the main street is also full of taverns and bier houses, with lots of outdoor seating and cold brews on tap. We saw soooooo many dogs here and they seemed to be welcome at any eateries that had outdoor seating. Many of the shops also had water bowls out for thirsty pups. Apologies to the bakery that had hung some dried pretzels outside that Beats tried to eat.
We had a great lunch at Rhein Haus - which was very busy - but they have a big outdoor deck with lots of seating. We were lucky to get a seat at the bar that overlooks Front Street - so an awesome spot that overlooked the main square. Beats was able to join us and there were a few other pups there, all hoping something tasty got dropped on the ground.
Enjoying a cold beverage at Rhein House
We stayed at Der Ritterhof Inn, which was within easy walking distance to town and had a very cool, giant Knight sculpture outside. We had a room on the ground floor which opened directly onto the grass. Breakfast was included and as the weather was nice, Beats was able to join us at one of their outdoor tables. The pet fee is $20 per night, but when we checked in the lovely woman at the front desk said that as Beatle was so cute, she'd waive the fee… Beatle could have put that saving into her piggy bank for another day, but she went straight into town and spent it all on wieners.
This guy makes sure you sleep soundly at Der Ritterhof Inn
IN SUMMARY
Leavenworth is a gorgeous town that is perfect for a weekend getaway anytime of the year. I can imagine that it would also be a magical place to visit in winter, when it’s in full Christmas mode and hosting winter markets etc.
Because the town does host a number of festivals and events, it would be worth checking their event calendar before booking (i.e. during Oktoberfest) as accommodation prices would be higher and it would be less fun to walk through big crowds with a dog.
Also, as the town is located in mountains and you need to travel through forested areas to reach it, if you are travelling in summer, make sure you are aware of the fire risk and any warnings in the area.