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National Geographic
6 days ago
- National Geographic
Here's why you should visit Vail in the summertime
Snow-dusted peaks flanking the Bavarian-style villages, perfect for a day of skiing. Ice skating in the heart of the squares. Cozy cafes and bars from which to enjoy a hot chocolate or hot toddy. These are likely the winter wonderland images that come to mind when you think of Vail. But, after the ski season winds down and the temperatures start to increase, this Colorado resort area makes a great—and less crowded—place for a summer travel adventure. Surrounded by the Rocky Mountains, the two main villages of Vail—Vail Village and Lionshead Village—offer their own charms come the warmer months. From adventurous activities like hiking and mountain biking to gentler pursuits such as river tubing and gondola riding, summertime in Vail brings ideal weather for outdoor fun. And it's not just active amusements; culture vultures will revel in the many music and dance festivals from June to September. Though Vail in the summer offers different types of thrills to Vail in the winter, it's certainly a place where boredom isn't an option. What to see and do The Gore Mountain Range is home to numerous trails for hikers, trail runners, and mountain bikers. Photograph courtesy of Discover Vail/Jack Affleck (Top) (Left) and Photograph courtesy of Discover Vail (Bottom) (Right) Walk the Gore Creek Trail: This paved, multi-use trail follows the banks of Gore Creek as it passes stately red sandstone cliffs, beautiful flower-filled meadows, and groves of aspen trees. Start at Vail Village's Welcome Center, then head along Gore Creek toward the Vail Golf Club. As you continue to meander toward the village of East Vail, hop on or off wherever you'd like to explore the lovely scenery up-close. Go fishing: If you're angling to try fly fishing, Vail just might be your place. Outfitters including Sage Outdoor Adventures, Vail Valley Anglers, and Minturn Anglers offer fishing trips for ages 12 and up, for all levels from beginner to expert; you'll find rainbow, brook, brown, and cutthroat trout in the waters around Vail. Just make sure to get a Colorado fishing license—easily available online—before you head out. Vail has a variety of eateries, including Alpenrose, an authentic Austrian-German restaurant. Photograph courtesy of Discover Vail, Jack Affleck Play at Epic Discovery: Ride up Vail Mountain on the Eagle Bahn Gondola from Lionshead to reach Epic Discovery, a kids' wonderland open June to early September. Kids can test their mountaineering skills on the climbing wall, try the bungee trampoline, or whiz past magnificent scenery on the mountain coaster. For something more low-key, there's also a mini-golf course with a wildlife theme. Enjoy a scenic gondola ride: Ascend more than 10,000 feet up Vail Mountain by taking the Eagle Bahn Gondola from Lionshead or Gondola One from Vail Village. Both offer breathtaking views of the valleys below, the Rocky Mountains above, and fields blanketed in wildflowers all around. Since the weather can turn quickly, be sure to bring a light jacket, wear sunscreen, and sunglasses. It's best to wait a day or two after arriving in Vail before you ascend, to minimize chances of altitude sickness. Eagle Bahn Gondola and Gondola One offer rides up Vail Mountain. Photograph courtesy of Discover Vail, Jack Affleck See the highest Alpine garden in North America: Enjoy wildflowers and waterfalls at the beautiful, high-altitude Betty Ford Alpine Gardens (at 8,250 feet). The gardens focus on conserving alpine plant species, and they also host educational exhibits, workshops, and speakers on topics ranging from how insects support healthy ecosystems to the ways beavers maintain ecological balance. Admission is free, though donations are appreciated. (Not a hiker? That's not a problem at these 8 national parks.) Watch artists at work: The Vail Art Studio, opening summer 2025 in Ford Park next to the Betty Ford Alpine Gardens, not only provides space for a rotation of both international and local visual artists to work, but the zinc-clad structure is also a work of sculptural art in itself, designed by Colorado architect Harry Teague. Visitors can interact with the artists in residence during open studio hours as well as see temporary art installations both in and around the space, starting in June 2025 with Light Forest by Los Angeles-based design duo HYBYCOZO, who specialize in large-scale, illuminated geometrical objects. Listen to music: Vail during the summer months comes alive with arts festivals of all kinds, many set against the gorgeous mountain backdrop. Highlights include the Amp Summer Concerts at Vail's Ford Amphitheater (known as 'The Amp'), showcasing music of all genres from late May to mid-September; the Bravo! Vail Music Festival, featuring orchestras from across the globe from mid-June to late July; the Vail Dance Festival, with 12 days of performances from late July to early August; and the Vail Jazz Festival, with performances facing Vail Mountain over Labor Day Weekend. Vail is home to annual music festivals, from jazz to classical to bluegrass, to name a few. Photograph courtesy of Discover Vail, Jack Affleck Where to shop Farmers markets and art shows: From mid-June to early October, more than 155 vendors offer everything from engraved wooden signs to environmentally friendly candles to handcrafted jewelry—nearly all made in Colorado—along with 40 food vendors. The Thursday Meadow Market runs mid-June to mid-September on Thursday afternoons, featuring a smaller selection of goods like fresh fruits and meats before the larger weekend market. Take home the unofficial symbol of Vail: Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2025, locally owned jewelry shop The Golden Bear creates necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and rings with a golden bear motif, symbolizing the wearer's connection to the Vail Valley. Vail's restaurant scene is booming, from handcrafted cocktails to gastropubs to Michelin-recommended restaurants. Photograph courtesy of Discover Vail (Top) (Left) and Photograph courtesy of Discover Vail (Bottom) (Right) Where to eat Sweet Basil: This Vail stalwart serves up an eclectic mix of cuisine—from French onion lasagna to Spanish octopus to Colorado beef tenderloin—in a warm, lively space. Don't sleep on the seasonally changing cocktails, including a fine non-alcoholic selection; if it's on the menu, try the garden nectar, with gin, aquavit, aloe liqueur, beet, and lemon. Alpenrose: With an interior straight from Austria and Germany, and servers clad in lederhosen, this authentic Austrian-German charmer is worth a visit. Don't miss the tasty mountain climber soup (bergsteigersuppe), a spicy beef stew topped with egg noodle pasta (spätzle) and Swiss cheese, or the smoked salmon with potato pancakes (schweizer rösti)—just be sure to leave room for the apple strudel or one of the other tempting pastries. Mountain Standard: This gastropub has a lovely patio alongside Gore Creek, and specializes in hearty wood-fired dishes. The rotisserie chicken comes with refried beans and cracklins, while the pork chop is paired with candied pecans and grilled collards; wash it all down with a fine selection of craft beers or an artisanal cocktail. Root & Flower: With a choice of more than 20 wines by the glass, this Vail Village favorite has the best wine list in town. There's also a small but smart selection of cocktails and snacks to munch on. Where to stay Four Seasons Resort and Residences Vail: Conveniently located in Vail Village, facing Vail Mountain, this hotel's 110 large guest rooms have gas fireplaces and balconies, plus most include luxurious bathrooms with double sinks and soaking tubs. The spa alone is worth a visit for its indoor and outdoor heated pools, hot tubs, steam rooms, and saunas. Tavernetta Vail has its own 'buzz for spritz' button next to a wine window inspired by Northern Italy. Sonnenalp: Run by the Faessler family, who came from Germany in 1979, this hotel exudes traditional, yet upscale, Bavarian charm, only a short stroll from Gondola One. Continue the European theme with a schnitzel and beer at in-house eatery Swiss Chalet, or try one of their other three restaurants. The semi-private golf course in Edwards, the Sonnenalp Golf Club, is another summertime delight; hotel guests can also enjoy its spa and tennis courts, as well as dine at its New American restaurant, Harvest. The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort: This grand 343-room Lionshead property, close to the Eagle Bahn Gondola, exudes modern alpine splendor, offering contemporary guest rooms with Vail Mountain views. Revel Lounge makes a great hangout for cocktails and local cuisine—like wild game meatballs or Rocky Mountain arctic char—or simply order a whiskey from the inviting lobby bar, in partnership with local distillery 10th Mountain Whiskey and Spirit Company. You'll find rainbow, brook, brown, and cutthroat trout in the waters around Vail. Photograph courtesy of Discover Vail, Jack Affleck When to go A number of hotels, restaurants, and attractions (such as the scenic gondolas) close when the ski season wraps up around mid-April and reopen again on either Memorial Day weekend or in early June. They stay open all summer and on through the fall and winter seasons, though some restaurants may close briefly in October or early November before ski season starts. Summers in Vail tend to be very pleasant, with average temperatures of 75°F during the day and 45°F at night. Vail gets an average of 300 days of sunshine each year, with little humidity. That said, weather conditions can change quickly, so it's good to be prepared with extra layers or a rain jacket. (Explore the best of Colorado's hidden gems on this road trip) Getting there and around Most Vail visitors opt to fly into Denver International Airport (DEN), about a 2-hour drive away. Or you can fly into Eagle County Regional Airport (EGE), though this usually requires a transfer in Denver, especially outside of the peak winter months. EGE is about a 40-minute drive from either airport, you can rent a car and drive into Vail along Interstate 70, or take a shuttle. Shuttle options include Epic Mountain Express and Peak 1 you arrive in the Vail area, both Vail Village and Lionshead are extremely walkable. You can also walk between Vail Village and Lionshead in about 15 minutes, or take a free bus back and forth. Other locations in the Vail Valley are also very accessible by bus, as Vail has one of the largest free municipal transportation systems in the United States. Liz Humphreys is a Canada-born and -bred travel writer who now splits her time between NYC and Europe. She focuses on unique luxury, family, food, wine, and cultural experiences across the globe. See more at @lizhumphreys60.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Yahoo
'Keep the pressure on': Sheriff searches for Travis Decker with SWAT
It's been nearly two weeks since Travis Decker picked up his three young daughters for a custodial visit and they disappeared into the night. In a mountainous area in the central part of Washington, some of the ground still peppered with snow, the manhunt continued for Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran wanted in connection to the brutal slayings of the sisters found dead after vanishing on May 30. "We're going to keep the pressure on," Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told USA TODAY the afternoon of June 12 as he prepared to board a helicopter to help in the search. The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the girls missing on May 30 after the siblings left their central Washington home for a planned visit for their father, the Wenatchee Police Department reported. Wenatchee is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. Officials found the bodies of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8 and Olivia Decker, 5, on June 2, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, the lead agency on the triple murder case, reported. Court papers show a deputy found the sisters with plastic bags over their head and evidence their hands had been zip tied. A medical examiner, officials reported on June 9, ruled all three deaths a homicide. Their father was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time they vanished, according to police. Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached." Court filings obtained by USA TODAY show Travis Decker reportedly exhibited mental health issues prior to the girls' deaths. On Tuesday, June 10, the sheriff's office announced the hunt for Decker had narrowed after officials received a tip about a lone hiker near the Colchuck Lake in the Enchantments. The hiker appeared to be unprepared to be on the trail and seemed to avoid others. Upon responding to the tip, trackers spotted a lone hiker off trail who ran out of sight as soon as a helicopter passed, the agency deployed police dogs to the area and said they tracked the man to the area of the Ingalls Creek Trailhead on U.S. Route 97. As of Thursday, June 12, the sheriff confirmed, he remains on the run. The rugged, mountainous area is roughly 15 miles southwest of the city of Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village popular among tourists and hikers. It's also about the same distance on foot from Rock Island Campground, where the bodies of Decker's daughters were found. Last week in Idaho, the McCall Police Department reported it received reports about a possible sighting of Decker in the western part of the Gem State. The small resort town of McCall is about 450 miles southwest of where the search for Decker is currently focused. Morrison told USA TODAY his office and law enforcement in Idaho had deemed the reports to not be credible. Decker update: Search for Travis Decker narrows near Washington mountains Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8'' and weighing 190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. Police could not say whether he was armed while on the run. Anyone who sees the suspect or with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Tipsters can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit your information online at Contributing: Anthony Robledo Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Decker manhunt continues in Washington
USA Today
12-06-2025
- USA Today
'Keep the pressure on': Sheriff searches for Travis Decker with SWAT
'Keep the pressure on': Sheriff searches for Travis Decker with SWAT Show Caption Hide Caption Manhunt for Travis Decker intensifies Authorities warn that Travis Decker, who is accused of kidnapping and killing his daughters, may be capable of surviving off the grid for months. Fox - Seattle It's been nearly two weeks since Travis Decker picked up his three young daughters for a custodial visit and they disappeared into the night. In a mountainous area in the central part of Washington, some of the ground still peppered with snow, the manhunt continued for Decker, a 32-year-old U.S. Army veteran wanted in connection to the brutal slayings of the sisters found dead after vanishing on May 30. "We're going to keep the pressure on," Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison told USA TODAY the afternoon of June 12 as he prepared to board a helicopter to help in the search. The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported the girls missing on May 30 after the siblings left their central Washington home for a planned visit for their father, the Wenatchee Police Department reported. Wenatchee is in Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. Officials found the bodies of Paityn Decker, 9; Evelyn Decker, 8 and Olivia Decker, 5, on June 2, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office, the lead agency on the triple murder case, reported. Court papers show a deputy found the sisters with plastic bags over their head and evidence their hands had been zip tied. A medical examiner, officials reported on June 9, ruled all three deaths a homicide. Their father was homeless and living out of a white 2017 GMC Sierra pickup at the time they vanished, according to police. Police said he is a former military member with extensive training who "may pose a significant risk, if approached." Court filings obtained by USA TODAY show Travis Decker reportedly exhibited mental health issues prior to the girls' deaths. Latest on Travis Decker manhunt On Tuesday, June 10, the sheriff's office announced the hunt for Decker had narrowed after officials received a tip about a lone hiker near the Colchuck Lake in the Enchantments. The hiker appeared to be unprepared to be on the trail and seemed to avoid others. Upon responding to the tip, trackers spotted a lone hiker off trail who ran out of sight as soon as a helicopter passed, the agency deployed police dogs to the area and said they tracked the man to the area of the Ingalls Creek Trailhead on U.S. Route 97. As of Thursday, June 12, the sheriff confirmed, he remains on the run. The rugged, mountainous area is roughly 15 miles southwest of the city of Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village popular among tourists and hikers. It's also about the same distance on foot from Rock Island Campground, where the bodies of Decker's daughters were found. Last week in Idaho, the McCall Police Department reported it received reports about a possible sighting of Decker in the western part of the Gem State. The small resort town of McCall is about 450 miles southwest of where the search for Decker is currently focused. Morrison told USA TODAY his office and law enforcement in Idaho had deemed the reports to not be credible. Decker update: Search for Travis Decker narrows near Washington mountains What does Travis Decker look like? Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8'' and weighing 190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts. Police could not say whether he was armed while on the run. Anyone who sees the suspect or with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Tipsters can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit your information online at Contributing: Anthony Robledo Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
Yahoo
11-06-2025
- Yahoo
Search for Travis Decker narrows near Washington mountains
Officials believe they're on the trail of Travis Decker and have narrowed the manhunt for the Washington father suspected of killing his three young daughters to a mountainous area not far from where the girls were last reportedly seen alive. Authorities received a tip about a lone hiker near the Colchuck Lake in the Enchantments, the Chelan County Sheriff's Office announced to the public in a post on social media on Tuesday evening, June 10. The hiker appeared to be unprepared to be on the trail and seemed to avoid others. Upon responding to the tip, trackers spotted a lone hiker off trail who ran out of sight as soon as a helicopter passed, the sheriff's office said. Trackers later deployed K9s to the area and have tracked the man to the area of the Ingalls Creek Trailhead on U.S. Route 97, the sheriff's office said. The rugged, mountainous area is roughly 15 miles southwest of the city of Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village popular among tourists and hikers. It's also about the same distance on foot from Rock Island Campground, where the bodies of Decker's daughters were found slain on June 2. "As the search continues in the area, we are asking that anyone who may have a cabin, or reside in the area report any suspicious activity, lock your doors and vehicles, and look out for your neighbor's property," the sheriff's office said in a Facebook post. "If you have any cameras, including trail cameras in the area, please check them or submit a tip to the US Marshal's tip line with a location of the camera for law enforcement to check." Late Monday night, the sheriff's office issued an alert announcing an increased law enforcement presence in a search area including Blewett Pass on Route 97 and the Wenatchee Mountains. "Please secure your homes and vehicles, stay alert, and report any suspicious activity to 911," the sheriff's office wrote in the alert. "If you see something say something." Authorities released photos of Decker that Chelan County Sheriff Mike Morrison says were taken in the county "right around" when the girls disappeared. Last week, the McCall Police Department in Idaho said it received multiple reports about a "possible sighting" of Decker in the western part of The Gem State, but later determined them to be false. The small resort town of McCall is about 450 miles southwest of where the search for Decker is currently focused. Morrison told USA TODAY his office and law enforcement in Idaho had deemed the reports to not be credible. Although Morrison said local, state and federal officials have received more than 500 tips and "well over a dozen" reported sightings, Decker remained missing despite the multi-jurisdictional manhunt. Although Decker was homeless and staying primarily in his truck, officials said he was living in the Wenatchee region of Chelan County, about 148 miles east of Seattle. When asked by USA TODAY what he'd say to Decker if he had the opportunity, the sheriff responded, 'Do the right thing and turn yourself in. Take account for you action and bring some closure to your family." "U.S. Marshals are now aimed on the search effort while we're focused on the homicides,' Morrison said. 'We're certainly hoping he hands himself over." Decker is wanted on charges of kidnapping, first-degree murder, and custodial interference in the murder and kidnapping case that led law enforcement to the bodies of his daughters Olivia, 5; Evelyn, 8; and Paityn, 9, on June 2. The girls' wrists were likely zip-tied, according to a probable cause affidavit, and each sister was found with a plastic bag over her head near their father's truck in a campground. Tennessee prison riot: 4 injured including guard, lockdown in effect The girls had been visiting their father when they were last seen May 30, the Wenatchee Police Department reported. The children's mother, Whitney Decker, reported them missing May 30, police said, after the sisters left their central Washington home for a planned visit with their dad. Washington State Patrol issued statewide alert for the girls on May 31 and following a search, a sheriff's deputy found their father's white 2017 GMC Sierra truck near Rock Island Campground, about 40 miles northwest of Wenatchee. No one was inside, but deputies found the girls' bodies with plastic bags over each of their heads and evidence they had been zip-tied, court papers obtained by USA TODAY revealed. In a June 9 news release, the sheriff's office wrote a medical examiner determined the girls died as a result of suffocation and ruled their deaths a triple homicide. Blood samples taken from the scene came back as that of a male, officials say, and another sample was not human blood. Investigators were analyzing DNA and fingerprints and had collected "a large amount of evidence, many of the suspect's personal items," from Decker's truck, the office wrote. Morrison told USA TODAY that Decker's dog, an adult Husky mix, was found by the river near where deputies discovered the victims' bodies. 'We've turned it over to the Human Society," Morrison said. "It's a friendly dog, it came right up to us, so hopefully they find it a good home.' The sheriff said his office was still handling the case but had turned search efforts over to U.S. Marshals for now so his deputies could rest and focus on the homicides. They were expected to return to the field to aid in the search soon. Police described Travis Decker as a white man with black hair and brown eyes, standing 5'8'', and weighing 190 pounds. He was last seen wearing a light-colored shirt and dark shorts, and police said he should not be approached. Anyone who sees the suspect or with information about his whereabouts is asked to call 911. Tipsters can also call the CCSO tip line at 509-667-6845 or submit your information online at Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund. Anthony Robledo covers national trending news for USA TODAY. Reach him at arobledo@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Travis Decker manhunt: Search narrows to area near Wenatchee Mountains
Business Insider
28-04-2025
- Business Insider
I visited a beautiful mountain town 2 hours east of Seattle that made me feel like I was in Europe
Leavenworth is a Bavarian-style town in Washington that feels like a slice of Europe. The town has great German food, specialty shops, and buildings with European-inspired architecture. It's also surrounded by alpine views, waterfront trails, and incredible foliage in the fall. There are spectacular mountain views just about anywhere you go in the Pacific Northwest. However, the small mountain town of Leavenworth may just be one of the best spots to enjoy them from. Just over a two-hour drive from Seattle, the Bavarian-style town is one of my favorite awe-inspiring places to visit for just a day or a whole weekend. Leavenworth didn't always look like a Bavarian village. In the late 1800s, this area was booming with a railroad and thriving logging and sawmill industries. A few decades later, the railroad was rerouted, and this area spent decades on the verge of becoming a ghost town. However, in the 1960s, town leaders made a plan to draw in visitors by modeling Leavenworth after Bavaria, Germany, a popular spot with similarly stunning alpine views. And so, Leavenworth was fully renovated and reborn with Europe as its inspiration. Today, it is one of Washington's most frequented tourist attractions. The town is wonderful to visit during any season, but fall is my favorite. As someone who lives in the Pacific Northwest, I'd say Leavenworth is a fantastic place to visit all year. Spring brings sunny days with views of snow-covered peaks, and summer offers plenty of recreation opportunities on the nearby Icicle Creek and Wenatchee River. In winter, the town sparkles with plenty of fresh snow and thousands of Christmas lights dressing up trees and buildings throughout town. Fall is my favorite. You can see mesmerizing colors of autumn foliage throughout town while also enjoying pleasantly moderate temperatures. It's also when the town celebrates Oktoberfest. The architecture is beautiful to look at. When town leaders made the choice to turn Leavenworth into a tourist destination in the 1960s, specific architectural design requirements were put in place. Every building in the downtown core has either been remodeled or built to match the town's Bavarian theme. Many are colorful A-lined buildings with large overhanging roofs, small windows with adorable shutters, balconies with hanging flower baskets. Strolling through town to admire the details of the charming buildings is a lot of fun. The main downtown street is closed to motor vehicles. In 2020, the city of Leavenworth closed its main downtown street to motor vehicles. It was initially a response to the COVID-19 pandemic and the need for more room for social distancing on crowded streets, but the closure has stayed in place years later. This has provided more outdoor seating for restaurants and tasting rooms. I think it's also made strolling through town more pleasant. Although this decision means there are fewer parking spaces, there's still ample street parking a few blocks away, plus several public lots a short walk down the road. Wandering into the unique shops is one of the best parts about visiting Leavenworth. The town has specialty shops devoted to just about everything, including a Christmas store filled with ornaments, one dedicated to hats, one devoted to nutcrackers, and plenty of jewelers. As you wander the shops, don't skip The Cheesemonger's Shop. Cheese lovers will find over 90 different types of cheese, along with a selection of salami, mustards, and crackers. Don't miss a stop at The Gingerbread Factory. The soft-iced gingerbread cookies from The Gingerbread Factory in Leavenworth are so good I'd never even try to recreate them at home — and I'm a former bakery owner. The soft, flavorful heart-shaped gingerbread cookies with frosting and rainbow sprinkles are the perfect treat for enjoying in the downtown park or taking home. The shop, which has been open for nearly 40 years, also makes plenty of other goodies, including gingerbread people, cupcakes, and incredibly intricate gingerbread houses. You can't leave Leavenworth without trying a giant soft pretzel. As a Bavarian-themed town, multiple restaurants serve German food and giant soft pretzels. The best spot I've found to sit and enjoy a pretzel is at München Haus beer garden. It only has outdoor seating, but there are fire-pit tables and heaters to keep visitors warm on chillier days. Menu highlights include a warm pretzel with a side of cheese sauce made from Washington's Beecher's cheddar, Bavarian sausages, a wide array of mustards, and plenty of options for beer on tap. If you're staying in town, take a walk along the waterfront. Just a few blocks from downtown is Waterfront Park, a stunning accessible space to take a stroll. True to its name, most of the park's trails are along the waterfront. In summer, you can watch people floating or paddleboarding the Wenatchee River. In fall, spot spawning salmon and take in all the golden autumn hues of the trees. Plus, there are more wonderful views and outdoor experiences just minutes from downtown. You could easily spend a whole day or weekend in downtown Leavenworth, but the area is also a major destination for hikers, rock climbers, and those who love whitewater rafting. Even just five minutes from downtown is one of the most accessible hikes in the area, the Old Pipeline Bed Trail. It's a relatively flat 2-½-mile trail along the Wenatchee River. It makes for a nice escape into nature just before heading into town for lunch or dinner.
