Are you contemplating taking a Leavenworth walking tour with Bavarian Walking Tours and wondering if it’s worth it? Lemme tell you all about it!
I live in Washington and love taking day trips to Leavenworth, the charming Bavarian town in the middle of the North Cascades. Every time I go I seem to learn something new, including when I took a Bavarian Walking tour!
They are the only guided walking tour company in Leavenworth and offer different themed tours to choose from.
Take a historical-only tour, a wine tasting tour, a beer tasting tour, or the seasonal Christmas tour with Tom or Coco as your guides and you’ll get to know the town better and love it just a little bit more, like me!
Strap on your lederhosen and dust off your dirndl because you’re in for a treat!
In this post you’ll find:
The different tours Bavarian Walking Tours offers
The Pros & Cons of taking a Bavarian Walking Tour
My personal experience on a Bavarian Walking Tour
#1 Pick
Sip & Stroll
I loved this tour! Get a sampling from 3 regional wineries while also learning the history of Leavenworth.
Bavarian Walking Tours offers an entertaining and insightful trip exploring the special charm of Leavenworth. They offer three distinct walking tours (four during the winter season), each lasting about 1-2 hours and filled with a hearty dose of history and local flavor.
Dressed in traditional Bavarian garb, your guide (Tom or Coco) recounts the town’s transformation from a logging town to a top-rated tourist attraction.
For history buffs, the Historical Walking Tour is an informative deep-dive into the past and present of this picturesque town. As you wander the quaint streets you’ll be led in the un-layering of the history beneath the Bavarian façade.
Like Hannah Montana, you’ll get the best of both worlds on one of their Tasting Tours – a condensed history tour intertwined with delectable local tastings:
🍷 Sip & Stroll(21+) – stop at 3 local wineries for a taste of regional vino
🍺 Walktoberfest (21+) – visit 3 local breweries to get “hopped up” on some ales
🎄Christmastown Tour (winter only) – try handmade chocolates, creamy hot cocoa, and of course, a warm cup of glühwein (mulled wine)!
These Leavenworth walking tours are entertaining and delicious, and you’ll make new friends with your tour guide and fellow walkers, making your Bavarian town experience that much better.
Book a Bavarian Walking Tour in Leavenworth
Whether you are looking for just an informational walking tour or one that comes with adult beverages, book one that best matches your interests (you can’t go wrong!):
Discover Leavenworth’s Interesting History: Learn about the fascinating transformation of Leavenworth from a logging town to a Bavarian-style village in the heart of the Cascade Mountains.
Try an Array of Local Drinks: Bavarian Walking Tours offers both wine and beer tasting tours, giving you the chance to try a variety of local adult beverages.
Flight of Goose Ridge Cider
Get the Insider Scoop: With guides who have lived in Leavenworth for years, you’ll get insights you can’t find in any travel brochure. From hidden gems to the best local eateries (thank you for the pizza recommendation Tom!), you’ll get the inside scoop on all things Leavenworth.
Interact with Local Businesses: The tours provide a wonderful opportunity to mingle with the local businesses, engaging in friendly conversations and learning more about their company.
Dog-Friendly Tour: Good news for dog parents! The Historical Walking Tour warmly welcomes your furry friends (and for free!)🐶 . Leavenworth is a popular spot for dog owners, and Bavarian Walking Tours ensures that your beloved pup doesn’t miss out on the fun.
Complimentary Museum Pass: Every Bavarian Walking Tour comes with a complimentary 7-day pass to the Greater Leavenworth Museum to continue learning about the history of the town.
Cost Factor: The price tag for the tasting tours might feel a little steep. But remember, quality experiences usually come with a cost, and this one is comparative to any you’d find in Seattle.
Weather Dependency: Since the tours have you walking outdoors during the history portion, you’ll be exposed to the elements. If it’s hot, you’d need to remember your sun protection and if it’s cold or wet, bundle up! However, if the weather is too miserable, they will cancel the tour and either refund or rebook you.
Time Consideration: A walking tour will typically take away 1-2 hours of your time in Leavenworth, and with businesses around town having limited open hours, you might worry about missing out on other experiences. However, the tour is so informative and fun that it’s absolutely time well spent.
Bavarian Walking Tours Features
Tom explaining the Leavenworth Maypole to us
The Guides
Meet Tom and Coco, your tour guides who are like having local friends show you around Leavenworth. They embody the spirit of local hospitality while providing an insightful exploration of Leavenworth.
Clad in traditional Bavarian attire, their outfits add a bit of a festive vibe to the tour, setting the stage for an enjoyable exploration of the town’s history and culinary delights.
Having lived in Leavenworth for many years, they have an in-depth understanding of the town, from well-known historical landmarks to locals’ favorite hotspots. Whether you’re curious about Leavenworth’s intriguing past or seeking recommendations for the best place to grab a bite, they have got you covered.
Coco was awesome…the tour was perfect for us to learn about the town of Leavenworth’s history and make us feel more connected to the town and surrounding areas. She was also knowledgeable on all of the local food and activities scene and gave us multiple options for us to experience during our vacation. We even had a 17 year old with us and he was engaged and loved it too!
Indulging in one of their tasting walking tours is a great way to experience the town’s libational offerings. After sampling an array of wines or beers you’ll know which ones you may want to return to and order a full glass later.
Tom chatting it up with a wine server
After strolling through the picturesque streets and receiving a condensed historical overview from their full historical tour, you’ll enjoy tastings at local wineries or breweries.
Have some friendly chats with the people behind the bar as they tell you what makes their drinks unique, and learn more about Leavenworth’s booming craft beverage scene.
Coco was very informative and gave good city history details while keeping it interesting. She knew everyone. Beer was great as well!
Me enjoying a wine sample on the Sip ‘n Stroll Tour
My group was small, just me and one other couple, so it was almost like having a privately guided tour.
We had Tom Potter as our guide and he was fantastic. He asked inquiring questions to get to know more about us and seemed to genuinely want to hear our answers.
I must confess, I was initially a little wary that he might put on an over-the-top performance as a tour guide character because of the Bavarian outfit. But he never played anyone but himself, which was totally chill, friendly, and authentic.
Tom led us through the town, sharing snippets of history and pointing out details hiding in plain sight to the average visitor’s eye.
Tom giving us a history lesson on Leavenworth
As we walked around town and visited the different wineries, what stood out to me was the real affection the locals had for Tom. Their happy greetings and friendly hugs were heartwarming to see and a testament to his popularity and proof that he’s built strong relationships with the different businesses.
After a 15-20 minute history walk, we moved on to the wine tastings. We visited three wineries, each with its own ambiance and flavor palates.
The winery servers were welcoming, informative, and casual.
They even allowed us to individually select our tasting options from the menu, instead of having a predetermined tasting set for the entire group. Because of this, I was able to try more whites than reds.
Milbrandt Winery menu and white wine sample
My favorite wine on the tour was Water From Wine’s Riesling. It’s now on my list of all-time favorite Rieslings as it was crisp and clean, not too sweet and not too dry.
At our last stop, we sat around the table as Tom hung out with us for the perfect amount of time, carrying on friendly conversations until it was time to conclude the tour.
My experience with Bavarian Walking Tours was so much fun. Not only did I enjoy the wine tasting and learning the history of this 150-year-old town but it also felt like I connected a little with the community, making be love Leavenworth just a bit more than I already do.
A Leavenworth walking tour is perfect for the “Cultural Explorer.” If you love learning about the history and culture of a place, visiting local wineries or breweries for tastings, and having an “in” with the locals, then Bavarian Walking Tours is an ideal option for you.
It’s also great if you’re looking for an experience that isn’t just informative but fun as well.
The Historical-Only tour is also really family-friendly. Kids will likely learn just as much as their parents and hopefully appreciate the town more afterwards.
Plus, the complimentary Greater Leavenworth Museum Pass adds value to your ticket for those who like a good bargain, allowing you to continue learning about Leavenworth’s unique history and culture and save money.
So if you’re looking for an unforgettable experience while visiting this charming village in the Cascades, then book a Bavarian Walking Tour today!
There really isn’t an alternative to taking a walking tour in Leavenworth besides with Bavarian Walking Tours.
Icicle Tours offers audio tours where you can listen to a prerecorded narration as it takes you around town. But then everyone in your party is in their own world while wearing headphones, not truly soaking in the town’s surroundings. Plus you can’t ask questions to your guide because there isn’t one.
Don’t get me wrong, I like audio guides but prefer them while driving in the car.
Leavenworth is very walkable. In fact, some streets are blocked to traffic and pedestrian-only. The main stretch of Leavenworth is less than a mile long, making it easy to see most of the town by foot.
Is Leavenworth a day trip?
Depending on where you are coming from and what activities you want to do, Leavenworth can be a day trip. From Seattle it is a 2-2.5hr long drive. If you can, it is better to spend at least a weekend in Leavenworth to make the most out of your time there. Find my favorite stay here!
Why is Leavenworth Washington so famous?
Visitors come from all over the state and world to visit Leavenworth because it is a little slice of Bavaria in America. It’s fun and a little over the top but has many photo-ops, shopping galore, delicious cuisine, and a theme-park feel.
Where is the small town of Leavenworth?
Leavenworth Washington is on Hwy 2 on the eastern side of the North Cascades. Seattle is about 120 miles away to the west and Wenatchee is only 23 miles to the east.
Is Bavarian Walking Tour in Leavenworth Worth It?
Yes! Whether you’re planning a day trip, a weekend getaway, or a longer stay in Leavenworth, a Bavarian Walking Tour is definitely worth it and should undoubtedly be on your itinerary.
They are fun, informative, and when booking a tasting tour…delicious!
Staying Overnight in Leavenworth?
There are plenty of places to find a good night’s rest in Leavenworth.
My favorite is theLoge Leavenworth Riverside. It’s on the edge of town, away from the busy-ness, but more importantly you have your own modern cabin with a private deck overlooking the Wenatchee River.
YES — I recommend Travel Insurance Master because you can compare multiple options with one click. With plans starting at $5/day per person, why not give yourself piece of mind? Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it!
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in Washington?
YES — It’s totally safe to drive in Washington. And unless you are planning to just stay in Seattle, renting a car is pretty much a necessity! Beware of tolls whether crossing bridges or driving in HOV lanes. I recommend Discover Cars as they have some of the best prices around.
📞 Will my phone work in Washington?
YES — All major cell providers work in Washington. However, be prepared for some dead spots in the more remote parts like in the middle of the cascades.
🛏️ What’s the best way to book my Washington accommodations?
For Washington hotels, Booking.com is amazing because you can often reserve your room with no money down. If you are looking at Airbnbs for a more home-like stay, don’t forget to check VRBO for potentially better prices and options.
✈️ What’s the best site to buy Washington flights?
I recommend looking at Skyscanner for finding cheap flights. Pro Tip: check if flying into Everett is cheaper than flying into Seattle.
🛂 Do I need a passport to visit Washington?
NO — If you are a US citizen, you do not need a passport as Washington is part of the United States. If you are from out of the country, the same passport and visa requirements are the same as entering anywhere in the United States from your country.
🧳What should I pack to Washington?
Layers! Layers! Layers! Weather can get finnicky, so prepare for both rain and sunny warm days. Wear comfortable walking shoes that can go from city strolls to mountain hiking.
Aloha! I'm Tabitha, an ex-travel agent turned travel blogger. I've lived from fire (Big Island Hawaii) to ice (Alaska) to the lukewarm (Washington State). I've traveled Europe, Scotland and England being my favorite, Costa Rica, Cancun, Canada, various US states, and more. No matter if it's a staycation or international vacation, every trip I take there are things to explore and discover! I'm here to take what I learn and help others think outside the box when composing their own travel itineraries.
