• 1
• 2

This scenic road trip promises recreation, offbeat cultural festivities and learning opportunities for all ages around Leavenworth, at the foothills of the Cascade Mountains in Washington state.

Sometimes I hear about a place via word of mouth, from other moms or vacationing parents, and it sounds so great that I want to research more and share it with others. That's how I feel about Chelan County, a great family destination in Washington State.

This county straddles the famous 400-mile-long Cascade Loop scenic highway, and is located about midway between Seattle and Spokane in the foothills of the Cascade Range. The tourist destination of Leavenworth is located in the eastern Cascades and with all of its services, makes a great base for roadtrips throughout the scenic county.

Leavenworth, Washington: Yodel-odel-eh-ee-oh!

A four-season destination, busy little Leavenworth attracts more than 2 million visitors with its colorful annual festivals and outdoor recreation opportunities. The county's best known town is  known not for its prison but for its Bavarian Village, where they take their German heritage really seriously. Imagine “Heidi”-style white stucco homes with little ornate wood balconies, horse-drawn carriages, guys in lederhosen marching with an oompah band. Yes, you can eat wiener schnitzel and buy cuckoo clocks.

Although we know it as a great roadtrip, in fact, Amtrak's Empire Builder train began service to Leavenworth's Icicle Station from Seattle, Washington in September 2009. It's about a four-hour train ride and a fun way for little (and big) "Thomas the Tank Engine" fans to approach the region.

Under a blanket of snow each winter, the village of Leavenworth also hosts a cross-country ski course at its golf course, a small downhill ski area, snowmobiling and horse-drawn sleigh rides in town. The larger Stevens Pass (206/812-4510) and Mission Ridge (509/663-6543) mountain resorts are each about 35 miles away. Leavenworth itself can be explored by foot, but to make a base for learning more about the region, a car is essential.

Driving Tours & Daytrips

Summer days are spent mountain biking, whitewater rafting, or kayaking on the Wenatchee River, rock climbing or backpacking in the Alpine Lakes Wilderness, horseback riding or hiking.

Note that the four-mile-long Icicle Gorge Scenic Interpretive Trail maintained by the Forest Service is an especially good hike with kids.

Nearby scenic drives can be made to Entiat on the Columbia River, and Chelan or Manson, both on the shores of pretty Lake Chelan and surrounded by national forest and the North Cascades National Park.

One of the best daytrips, when you are weary of the Great Outdoors, is to the Aplets and Cotlets Candy Kitchen (800/888-5696, 509/782-2191) at Liberty Orchards in Cashmere. You can actually see these popular gummy-bear-like candy confections being made daily, and samples are free.

The town of Cashmere on the banks of the Wenatchee, named for its resemblance to the idyllic Vale of Kashmir in northwest India, also boasts a Pioneer Village comprising 20 authentic homes and a Museum with a surprisingly large collection of Native American artifacts.

The Rocky Reach Hydro Project on the Columbia River is an interesting stop for preschoolers because it has exhibits about hydro electricity, a fish viewing room and a fish ladder for salmon to cross, and its own well-equipped playground.