Located in central Washington, Leavenworth feels like a picture-perfect German village tucked away in the mountains. Leavenworth has Bavarian-style buildings, a dramatic Cascade mountain backdrop, and an amazing blend of outdoor adventure and small-town charm. In spring there are also tons of wildflowers, making Leavenworth the perfect destination for a spring weekend getaway! In this blog post we cover what to do in Leavenworth, Washington by sharing the perfect spring itinerary. This Leavenworth weekend itinerary is jam packed with good food, hikes, and fun, as well as a cozy and relaxing hotel with a wide range of fantastic amenities.

This itinerary is in partnership with Blue Elk Inn, which we genuinely and highly recommend. All opinions, experiences, and thoughts are our own.

The perfect spring weekend: what to do in Leavenworth

What you need to know: planning a spring trip to central Washington

How to get to Leavenworth, Washington

Leavenworth is about a 3 hour drive from Spokane, a 2 hour drive from Seattle, and a 4.5 hour drive from Portland. You can easily combine a trip here with adventures throughout the Pacific Northwest. I recommend having access to a car for this itinerary, but it’s doable without a car (although, I would probably skip visiting Sauer’s Mountain). There is an Amtrak line that runs into town.

When is wildflower season in Leavenworth, Washington?

Wildflower season changes a bit each year, but the wildflowers in Leavenworth typically begin in early to mid-April. Throughout April and May, many of the local hiking trails are adorned with yellow arrowleaf balsamroot flowers, purple lupine, and yellow lilies! In 2025 we visited in early April and the wildflowers were just starting to bloom. If you’re interested in seeing wildflowers while avoiding the peak season crowds and prices then spring is a great time to visit Leavenworth!

What should I pack for a spring trip to Leavenworth?

Spring can be both warm and cool in Leavenworth, so I recommend packing a variety of layers to ensure you’re comfortable. Be prepared for the possibility of rain.

For hikes, you can find all of our gear recommendations below. A puffer, sun shirt, and pants will serve you well on this trip!

The best hotel in Leavenworth, Washington: The Blue Elk Inn

We highly recommend staying at the Blue Elk Inn, which is a charming boutique inn just off the “main drag” in town. The Blue Elk Inn is cozy, stylish, and thoughtfully designed with great attention to detail. The rooms are bright and airy, and many have views of the surrounding mountains. There’s an inviting outdoor “backyard” area with fire pits and a lounge for relaxing, as well as two private saunas for guests. There’s also a pool and hot tub, as well as a beautiful lawn for weddings and events.

The hotel’s inviting atmosphere and amenities are what REALLY stood out to us. Parking is free, and this inn is dog-friendly as well. The hotel includes breakfast with your reservation, and the buffet was genuinely delicious and well prepared. Throughout the day you can also grab locally roasted coffee and tea at their complimentary beverage station. The hotel has a cozy lobby with a fireplace, free bike rentals for exploring town, a workout room, and they even have a little artwork scavenger hunt to find some of the hidden ‘blue elks’ throughout the property. 

Another big perk of this hotel is that the Blue Elk Inn is a very short, easy walk to downtown without being in the heart of the touristy hustle and bustle. Aside from a few hiking trails, we opted to walk to most of our destinations in this itinerary using the Blue Elk as our basecamp instead of trying to contend with finding parking in the busy downtown core! We would absolutely recommend this charming hotel in Leavenworth. 

Leavenworth spring weekend itinerary

Below we share the perfect two day weekend itinerary for what to do in Leavenworth! In order to maximize your time in Leavenworth I recommend arriving on Friday night so that you can fully enjoy your weekend in town. However, feel free to do what works best for your schedule! 

This itinerary is perfect for spring in Leavenworth, but would also be great for summer or fall! In winter some of these hikes will require snowshoes, or may be inaccessible. 

Day 1: An epic hike, and exploring downtown Leavenworth

For your first day in Leavenworth we recommend doing an epic hike and exploring the charming Bavarian downtown.

Coffee and breakfast at the Blue Elk Inn

Start your day off with coffee and breakfast at the Blue Elk Inn! Their menu rotates, but we enjoyed biscuits and gravy, fresh fruit, homemade whipped cream, french toast, and sausages during our two mornings at the Inn. Their fresh, locally sourced coffee is also amazing, and will help wake you up! The Blue Elk Inn also offers a selection of tea and hot chocolate for those that don’t drink coffee.

Travel tip: Breakfast starts at 7:30 AM each morning and ends at 10 AM.

Enjoy a morning hike at Sauer’s Mountain or Icicle Ridge

Next, hit the road for a short 5-10 minute drive to the trailhead for Sauer’s Mountain or Icicle Ridge! Both of these hikes offer stunning views of the town and surrounding mountains, and they’re both a great choice for early April and beyond. Below, I describe both hikes. Both hikes are easily accessible and don’t require parking permits. Just make sure to pack plenty of water and sunscreen since these trails can feel pretty exposed in the sunshine. 

Hiking Sauer’s Mountain in Leavenworth

Sauer’s Mountain in Leavenworth would be my top pick for adventurous hikers! This stunning hike is 5 miles and nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. The effort is worth it, though: you’ll get STUNNING views of the town, surrounding orchard and vineyards, and of the mountains. 

Sauer Mountain Trail is a 13 minute drive from the Blue Elk inn. This is a moderately challenging hike with wildflowers, panoramic views of the surrounding snow-capped mountains and forest, and a rewarding summit. It’s especially beautiful in spring as the hillsides come alive with color. 

When we visited in early April, the wildflowers on Sauer’s Mountain were just starting to bloom, and will likely continue through the end of April. We did the hike in early April and the yellow avalanche lilies were in full bloom, but the majority of the arrowleaf balsamroot had not yet bloomed. I suspect the flowers of Leavenworth generally start to hit peak bloom in mid-late April.

Hiking Icicle Ridge Trail in Leavenworth 

Icicle Ridge is similar to Sauer’s Mountain in that the hike is 6 miles and nearly 2,000 feet of elevation gain. However, this trail feels a bit more gradual. We enjoyed the stunning views of the river and town as we ascended up the mountain. 

This hike is just a 5 minutes drive from the Blue Elk Inn. It offers a steady climb through a Ponderosa pine forest with sweeping views of the valley, the Wenatchee River, and the town of Leavenworth below. When we visited in early April, the wildflower buds were just appearing – full blooms will likely appear in mid to late April. When they do bloom, expect to see flowers like the bright yellow arrowleaf balsamroot, purple lupine, yarrow, and yellow avalanche lilies! 

Grab lunch and a drink at Blewett Brewing

For lunch we recommend Blewett Brewing, which is a local favorite known for their wood-fired pizza and beer! We ordered their ‘Delancey’ pizza – a classic cheese pizza with homemade chilli oil, which was a satisfying post-hike meal (we added basil and red sauce, which was a pro move). This brewery is well-loved by locals and visitors, and can get busy, so go early or a bit late to avoid the lunch rush. We also highly enjoyed their ‘Big JJ’s Love Stout,’ which was a collab with a local chocolate business. Blewett Brewing also offers non alcoholic drink options, including an in-house hop tea.

Travel tip: parking in downtown Leavenworth can be complicated, and expensive. I recommend parking at the Blue Elk Inn after your hike and walking to downtown, which is less than a half mile. 

Explore downtown Leavenworth

After lunch I recommend wandering through downtown Leavenworth. The town’s Bavarian architecture makes every block feel like a German fairytale. We especially loved the quirky and charming Nutcracker Museum and gift shop, and watching the horse drawn carriages. Posey Handpicked Goods is also a favorite.

Grab an herbal elixir or coffee at The Plant Ally in Leavenworth

While you’re downtown I recommend swinging by Plant Ally for a to-go coffee or ‘herbal potion.’ This plant shop and café is adorable, and offers delicious coffee drinks surrounded by beautiful plants and local crafts. Their herbal potions are a mix of flavorful herbs, teas, and steamed milk – and are unlike any drink I’ve had before!

I ordered the Blue Butterfly herbal potion, which was lightly sweetened Blue Butterfly pea and camomile tea with Tahitian vanilla maple syrup and milk. Opting for a twist on a classic coffee drink, Gwyn got the Heartbeet Latte, made of French Press coffee, cacao, beet powder, milk, honey, and garnished with rosy beet powder. 

Stroll through Waterfront park on the way back to the Blue Elk inn

Once you’re done exploring downtown I recommend returning to the hotel by meandering along the riverside trails in the waterfront park and Blackbird Island in downtown. This is a peaceful green space along the Wenatchee River. You’ll see great views of the mountains, and you might spot some wildlife! There are also several play structures and areas for kids throughout the park, as well as public bathrooms. 

Relax in the saunas and hot tub at the Blue Elk Inn  

After a full day of exploring, spend the late afternoon relaxing in the saunas and hot tub at the Blue Elk Inn. The hotel lets you reserve the saunas for 30 minute sessions (they’re complimentary), and they pre-heat them for you! We really loved relaxing on the hotel’s lush grounds, and this was the perfect way to wind down after a full day of adventure in Leavenworth. 

Enjoy a patio dinner at La Javelina in Leavenworth 

End your day with dinner at La Javelina in Leavenworth. Located just a half mile from the Blue Elk Inn, La Javelina is a warm and welcoming spot serving up inventive Southwest-inspired dishes, for meat-eaters and non-meat eaters alike! All of their main dishes are served as your choice of tacos, wraps, or bowls. The atmosphere is lively but not overwhelming, and their outdoor tables have cozy in-table fire pits, perfect for springtime in Leavenworth! The tables overlook the town and mountains. 

We both ordered the Caulifornian – as a wrap and as a bowl – which was a delicious combination of roasted cauliflower, sweet potato, pickled onion, lentil, peanut salsa macha, and savory pepita granola – the mix of flavors and fantastic textures honestly made it one of the best meals we’ve had in a long time! Their Thai basil peppercorn margarita was also delicious, and we loved their desserts (which aren’t too sweet!).

Day 2: fun and food in Leavenworth, Washington

Start your day off at the Blue Elk Inn with a delicious breakfast. After checking out, head into town for hiking, fun, and good food.

Hike or Mountain Bike at the Leavenworth Ski Hill

After breakfast at the Blue Elk Inn I suggest heading to the Leavenworth Ski Hill to hike or mountain bike. While this spot is known for winter skiing and tubing, it transforms into a network of scenic trails during spring. The area offers gentle inclines, forested paths, and occasional views through the trees. It’s a great Sunday morning option—invigorating but not too demanding.

This area was covered in wildflowers in early April, and has a wide range of trials for a variety of skill levels and comforts. Whether you’re looking to mountain bike or hike, this is the PERFECT way to spend your morning! 

Lunch at Yodelin

After exploring the Leavenworth Ski Hill I recommend heading to downtown Leavenworth to get lunch at Yodelin. This charming downtown spot is known for their brothy soups and amazing salads. It was raining when we visited, but on sunny days their outdoor patio is one of the best dining views in the city: you’ll overlook the river and the mountains.

We’ve eaten at Yodelin before and I always appreciate how fresh and flavorful their food is. I rarely order salads, but find myself ordering them here because they’re hearty, delicious, and vibrant! 

Relax at The Springs in Leavenworth

After lunch head to The Springs, which is a new spot in town that offers outdoor soaking tubs, fireplaces, and a sauna. This spa-like hot spring retreat is designed for relaxation, with beautifully maintained soaking pools surrounded by natural stone and greenery. The ambiance is calm and peaceful, with ambient music, robes and towels provided, and an adults-only policy. Spending an hour or two here feels like pressing pause on everything.

We were incredibly impressed by the facilities and attention to detail. They have two warm pools, as well as a cold plunge option. They also provide showers, lockers, towels, and even a bathing suit dryer! We enjoyed soaking with views of the surrounding mountains. The setting is natural and peaceful, and I’m sure it would be especially pretty in winter with a layer of snow!

Ride the Leavenworth Alpine Rollercoaster

After visiting The Springs, get your heart racing again by riding the Alpine Coaster, located at Leavenworth Adventure Park. This mountain coaster is a surprisingly thrilling ride that zips and winds down a scenic hillside, offering panoramic views and a rush of adrenaline. Riders control their own speed, so you can take it easy or go full tilt for a fast and fun finale to your trip. This is an especially good activity for families!

Dinner at München Haus

After riding the coaster grab an early dinner downtown at München Haus. This Bavarian-style grill offers delicious brats and beer at reasonable prices in a charming German-style setting.

München Haus has bratwurst options for meat-eaters and non meat-eaters, and an impressive selection of over 14 mustards, and freshly made sauerkraut. Enjoying a laid-back German-inspired biergarten like München Haus is a bucket list activity visiting Leavenworth. They have extensive outdoor seating, and the location is pet friendly.

Cocktails at Blue Spirits Distilling 

End your time in Leavenworth with a cocktail at Blue Spirits Distilling! The distillery is light and bright, with plenty of outdoor and indoor seating.

We got one regular sized cocktail, ‘Saturday Morning Cartoons,’ which was delicious! It featured whipped cream and fruity pebbles, making this a unique and memorable drink. We also got a flight of three mini cocktails, which I loved as a way to try a multitude of their award winning spirits. The spicy pickle vodka was my favorite!

I hope you found our Leavenworth weekend itinerary helpful! If you plan a trip based on our recommendations let us know– we love hearing about your adventures! The Blue Elk Inn was truly the perfect base camp for adventure, and we can’t recommend it enough! Looking for more Washington travel inspiration? Click here!