Leavenworth

After the town of Leavenworth experienced the bust following a boom in the logging industry, city leaders rallied and decided to change the town's image. Today, the town of Leavenworth proudly recognizes itself as a Bavarian Village, and it's common to see residents wearing lederhosen or blowing a morning serenade on an alphorn. Alongside the encompassing Bavarian theme of this tourist town comes several annual festivals.

Perhaps one of the most spirited is the annual Christmas Lighting Festival, where the nighttime streets transform into something of a surreal snow globe scene. Outdoor recreation is also a main draw to Leavenworth. Craggy Cascade mountains backdrop the town to the west, with iconic destinations like the Icicle Gorge and Alpine Lakes Wilderness nearby. These mountain playgrounds comprise several of Leavenworth's best hiking trails, including the world-famous Enchantments Thru-Hike. Leavenworth is known as one of the best places to visit in Washington.

Official site: cityofleavenworth.com

Address: PO Box 287. Leavenworth, WA 98826

Phone: (509) 548-5275

Entrance fee: $10.00-$30.00 per day

Google rating: 4.5/5.0