Bavarian Village, Leavenworth, Washington

We had to take a trip over to Leavenworth today. It is a Bavarian Village that was originally called Icicle Flats was first settled in about 1885 as a trading post. The town thrived until The Great Northern Railway pulled out of Leavenworth. The new route, which would be subject to snow closure less often, bypassed the town, causing the timber companies based along Icicle Creek to fail. The town languished nearly to extinction until the early 1960's when town leaders came up with a plan to convert the town's primary source of income to one based in tourism.

The town thrived until The Great Northern Railway pulled out of Leavenworth. The new route, which would be subject to snow closure less often, bypassed the town, causing the timber companies based along Icicle Creek to fail. The town languished nearly to extinction until the early 1960's when town leaders came up with a plan to convert the town's primary source of income to one based in tourism.

There are flowers everywhere in this quaint town.

Town Bandstand

The May Pole

THE NUTCRACKER MUSEUM

These were for sale in the Gift Shop

Just thought some of you might enjoy this one.

Lee found some friends

Loved this Bavarian outfit

NOW WE ARE ENTERING THE MUSEUM

These nutcrackers were made in the USA.  Notice that some of them don't have mouths that open.

If I remember correctly, this museum has over 7,000 nutcrackers on display.

Elvis

Town of Leavenworth

We bought a couple pastries in here and they were scrumptious!

Outside food vendor

Beautiful Fountain

We took a walk to the public beach and walked behind the downtown for quite awhile.

Public Beach

This hotel looks to be being expanded.  This is the back of the hotel on the River Walk overlooking the river.

After we left the River Walk, we started looking for some ice cream.  We found The Ginger Bread House instead.  We bought some gingerbread cookies and they were wonderful but they were probably the most expensive cookies we've ever purchased.  They cost $9 for six of them.

Of course, we had to visit the Christmas Store.

We had a wonderful day in Leavenworth.  Some day I'd like to come back and see the musical "The Sound of Music" which they do in their outdoor theater.  Since we didn't know we were coming in time, we didn't get tickets and they were sold out.