Discover 5 hidden attractions, cool sights, and unusual things to do in Leavenworth (United States). Don't miss out on these must-see attractions: Nutcracker Museum, Leavenworth Ski Hill, and Plain Valley Nordic Trails. Also, be sure to include Leavenworth Ranger Station in your itinerary.
Below, you can find the list of the most amazing places you should visit in Leavenworth (Washington).
Table of Contents
Nutcracker Museum
Thousands of nutcrackers in quaint digs. Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum is a museum dedicated to nutcrackers, located in Leavenworth, Washington. Founded by Arlene Wagner and her husband George in 1995, the museum housed over 7,000 nutcrackers in 2020. She taught multiple productions of The Nutcracker, and became enamored of nutcrackers. She began collecting them during the 1960s. The museum's building is of a Bavarian style and has an area of 5,000 square feet;
Wagner came to be known as "the Nutcracker Lady". The Museum was featured on the NBC program Today in 2000. In 2001, the museum became a part of the National Heritage Foundation. David Evangelista favorably reviewed the museum in a piece for an A&E Network special in 2003. Wagner wrote a book, The Art and Character of Nutcrackers, which discusses 1,000 pieces from the museum. In December 2009, the museum was featured on the "Sunday Morning" program of CBS News. On November 8, 2010, Wagner became the first guest featured on Conan O'Brien's late-night television program on TBS, Conan.
The Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum has received favorable reception in the book You Know You're in Washington When..., where the authors recommended it as the best location to learn about the art and engineering of nutcrackers. Wagner's book The Art and Character of Nutcrackers was also given positive mention in the book. Wagner was consulted as a resource for the book Nutcracker Nation. Authors Ken and Dahlynn McKowen recommended the museum in their book Best of Oregon & Washington's Mansions Museums & More.[1]
Address: 700-898 Front St, 98826 Leavenworth
Leavenworth Ski Hill
Ski area in Chelan County, Washington. The Leavenworth Ski Hill is a small ski area and an historic district located at the end of Ski Hill Drive in Leavenworth, Washington, United States. The facility is located inside the Wenatchee National Forest. Operated by Leavenworth Winter Sports Club, the facility includes two small downhill ski hills, 26 km of cross-country ski trails, a ski jump, and a tubing hill.
The Leavenworth Ski Hill Historic District was added to National Register of Historic Places in 2013. It encompasses a 17 acres (6.9 ha) area, comprising a total of 5 contributing properties and 3 non-contributing properties. The contributing properties are:
- The Ski Hill site itself
- The 2 ½ story Ski Hill Lodge built in 1936
- The 90 metre (Class A) Bakke Hill Sky Jump originally built in 1930 and rebuilt in 1957
- The Men's Restroom built c. 1938
- The actual Ticket Booth, formerly a garage, built in 1940.
Address: 10701 Ski Hill Drive, 98826 Leavenworth
Plain Valley Nordic Trails
Ski area, Outdoor activities, Park, Natural attraction, Valley
Address: 18636 Beaver Valley Rd, 98826-9526 Leavenworth
Leavenworth Ranger Station
Building in Leavenworth, Washington. Leavenworth Ranger Station, also known as the Wenatchee River Ranger District, in Leavenworth, Washington was built during 1937-38 by the Civilian Conservation Corps. It was designed by the United States Forest Service's Region 6 USDA Forest Svce. Architecture Group in Rustic architecture. The listing includes nine contributing buildings on a 9.9-acre area.
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.[3]
Leavenworth Properties
Address: 305 US Highway 2, Leavenworth