Touring nearer to house has opened my eyes to the unimaginable variety of hidden gems now we have on the West Coast. After taking a whirlwind Pacific Northwest Street Journey, I’d been dreaming about getting again to the realm through the winter.

On the prime of my checklist was Leavenworth, Washington.

This quaint little city is the right Pacific Northwest winter weekend getaway, particularly should you can go to through the vacation season. If you happen to’re trying to embrace all these European Christmas market vibes with out leaving the US, Leavenworth is sort of a little Bavaria.

When you would see one of the best of the city in 24 hours, I might advocate making a weekend out of it to actually get the possibility to soak all of it in.

Prepared to get gentle the hearth and begin feeling these cozy cabin vibes? Right here is your information to a weekend in Leavenworth, Washington.

Getting There

Fast disclaimer earlier than we get began: This could be a scary driving journey within the winter and it’s not for the faint of coronary heart.

As a California woman, I’ve solely ever pushed within the snow a handful of occasions. If you happen to’re like me and never used to dealing with tough winter climate, it’s important to come ready, each mentally and bodily.

Though it’s a doable journey (and beautiful even, should you’re not getting snowed out), you most positively don’t need to be caught off guard.

Whereas the journey is simply two hours from Seattle throughout good climate, it took us 4 hours as we hit a snowstorm on the best way in. Coming from Seattle, we went East on 2 (Stevens Move HWY) and traveled via Sultan, Index, Gold Bar, and onto Stevens Move.

I discovered on the journey that this go is understood for its excessive climate circumstances. Earlier than you go, examine the climate and street circumstances for Stevens Move.

My suggestion is to arrive in Seattle within the morning so you’ll be able to drive through the day. It is going to make the journey a lot safer and simpler. We positively didn’t need to drive this space at midnight.

I’d additionally extremely advocate renting an AWD automobile and find out about driving within the snow should you’re a relative beginner like me. Having that primary information beneath your belt will make you extra assured and secure on the street.

For a Espresso Break

Plan for a pitstop! My knuckles had been as white because the snow attempting to drive in a storm and Espresso Chalet was the right espresso break spot.

It was a sasquatch espresso hut in the midst of nowhere, but it surely may give any fashionable hotspot a run for its cash. From coconut to hemp milk to oat milk to goat’s milk, they’d a drizzling array of milk options.

With greater than 100 totally different syrups and flavors, you’ll be spoiled for selection!

I liked their vacation espresso flavors and I’d extremely advocate attempting a sampling should you’re right here through the winter. We tried their sugar-free brown sugar cinnamon latte and eggnog on the best way up and repeated our order on the best way down the mountain.

The place to Keep

We stayed in a picture-perfect cabin on Lake Wenatchee. Nestled within the forest 30 minutes outdoors of Leavenworth, it was a dream place to get away from all of it. We adored our enormous quiet home, and we seen fairly a number of attractive vacation leases within the space.

At Lazy Bear Lodge, you get up to a glowing lake beside a snowy mountain. It’s distant, in fact, so plan to spend your time making home-cooked meals, enjoying board video games, and simply getting cozy.

Whereas it was a dreamy spot, it’s distant. You’re not off the grid however there are frequent electrical energy blackouts round right here. After eight hours of journey, we arrived at a spot with no lights. Worse but, we had no heater within the useless of winter and even the water was gone as a result of it relied on an electrical pump.

The energy did come again and all was positive, however I might advocate coming ready. Arrive earlier than darkish and do your grocery buying on the best way right here.

Whereas this was an ideal place for household (you’ll be able to sleep up to eight folks), you would additionally take a look at the Posthotel should you’re touring as a pair. It’s situated in Leavenworth so it is a little more handy.

Listed here are another locations to keep in and round Leavenworth:

Be aware: While you ebook via these hyperlinks I earn a small fee as an Airbnb Affiliate, which helps me run my weblog + help my workforce. There isn’t any further value to you—thanks for supporting!

Day One

We arrived on the home round four pm. After dropping off our stuff, we went to Leavenworth for dinner then did our grocery buying.

When you get into city, you’ll find a wide selection of eating places and grocery shops. Coming from a protracted drive, I might need opted to simply hand around in the cabin however we wanted to eat and seize some fundamentals so we made one of the best of it.

Throughout the holidays, the city is gorgeous. I’d advocate going into Leavenworth no less than as soon as after darkish to take a look at all the vacation lights and festivities!

Day Two

After having breakfast on the cabin, we drove into Leavenworth for the day. We arrived round 1 pm and wandered round till we acquired to Rhein Home for lunch.

This Bavarian-inspired eatery has severe Oktoberfest vibes.

We had Bailey together with us, so we had been glad to uncover that they’re a dog-friendly spot with a heat outside patio. Well-known for his or her large pretzels, they’ve a scrumptious vary of German picks with a variety of vegan and gluten-free choices.

It’s an ultra-popular however socially distanced restaurant. If you happen to can go in through the week, you’ll have the option to beat the crowds. If you happen to go to through the weekend, plan no less than 15 to 30 minutes to wait in line (but it surely’s price it!).

With a inhabitants of round 2,000 folks and fewer than two sq. miles, you’ll be able to cowl Leavenworth in a day.

When you replenish on large pretzels, seize your digicam and snap a number of photographs of the stunning European-inspired structure.