Community Spotlight

Leavenworth during the holidays - Photo by BratoDB, Flickr

A Bavarian-themed alpine village in the middle of the North Cascades? While it may seem far-fetched, Leavenworth is certainly one of the most distinctive towns in the Pacific Northwest. Historically a timber and rail town, Leavenworth residents and community leaders banded together to recast the struggling town as an authentic Bavarian village in the 60’s. Now an inspiring success story, over a million tourists flock here each year for a taste of Bavaria and to experience any of a number of annual festivals. For recreationalists, Leavenworth and its surroundings provide four seasons of activity and adventure, with access to rafting, kayaking and hiking in the summer and snowshoeing and skiing in the winter. For more information about Leavenworth and recreational opportunities in the area, head to www.leavenworth.org.