"Willkommen" to Washington State's own Bavarian village

[@ericlane3256]

It’s good that the community collectively decided to rebrand their town to tourism rather than a company coming in and rebranding the town which ultimately ruins the livability for locals that is very common in Colorado.

[@Maoilios12]

Don't worry, the airBnB market has caused housing prices to skyrocket there. It's better than Colorado, but not by much and not for long.

[@ericlane3256]

@@Maoilios12 tell me about it. Sometimes I look to hold out hope during a snowstorm but it’s always $450+ for two nights.

[@roxaskinghearts]

also dont forget their medical system starves their disabled fresh out of surgery if you dont have help dont come here they wont treat you like family

[@drain_001]

Washingtonian here, I love that town. One time I drove through omw east late on Christmas Eve, everyone was asleep and it was snowing perfectly. A magical place.

[@saythankyou111]

Awww sweet 👀🇺🇸🎄

[@Djamonja]

Yea, it's a great place to visit, especially in the winter.

[@greggoryrice7046]

Leavenworth isn't the same, it's been ruined by over tourism

[@Beepbopboop19]

Good for them, hopefully it cam grow to accommodate more tourists. ​@@greggoryrice7046

[@Abby-yc7tt]

I live on Washington and have been to Leavenworth many, many times. Yet I never knew the history. Thanks so much for a wonderful story!👍👍👍

[@tootz1950]

Isn't there a prison there?

[@VillelaHN]

@@tootz1950Maybe you are thinking Leavenworth, KS?

[@quintonmiller8266]

No. ​@@tootz1950

[@tootz1950]

@@VillelaHN I had a friend who's son was in prison there and she would drive up from San Diego to see him. At first I thought she meant the Kansas one, as anyone would assume. I think it's minimum security.

[@stephb3321]

Same! It’s one of my favorite places to visit! We used to stay at a lovely B&B just outside of town. Unfortunately, Covid closed them down, but we will have to try one of these other places mentioned in the story.

[@bikingal4283]

this is why CBS Sunday mornings is so popular... they show out of the ordinary wonderful things about our country.... having lived in Germany 18 months and visiting Bavaria it is forever in my mind as one of the most beautiful places in the world...the back story makes this one place in the US I will def visit (in the summer, had enough snow in Germany).. what beautiful minds it took to create such a beautiful place...

[@caspianblue4141]

I am a Bavarian-American and cannot wait to visit this place!

[@dagmarvandoren9364]

Bavarian American. Hoch lebe DEUTSCHLSND

[@laba1574]

Oh cool. Wie kommst es das du nach Amerika gezogen bist?

[@caspianblue4141]

@@laba1574 Destiny 😉

[@catzenhouse]

My family used to camp and fish west of Leavenworth in the Tumwater Canyon in the 60's and 70's. The Bavarian theme was just taking off then - the bakery was pure heaven. Too many tourists nowadays but I am glad that the little town has survived.

[@andrewspielman1921]

I don’t understand people who say, we loved our stay, “but there’s too many tourists”. But that’s the point… tourism is good for business. And if a place is enjoyable, more people want to experience it.

[@dagda3000]

@@andrewspielman1921 Too many tourists can still destroy the experience. Even the most beautiful hike becomes mediocre if you walk in a line with hundreds of other people.

[@andrewspielman1921]

@@dagda3000 so what’s the solution then? If tourism is good for business, but at the same time, we don’t want too many tourists? If a place is desirable, people want to visit…

[@dagda3000]

@@andrewspielman1921 The most common solution is to find spots and/or time slots with as few other people as possible. For example, I went to Madeira in January and it was perfect (needed to postpone my flight for one week due to the weather forecast). If I went in Spring or Summer, the experience would have been less cool due to the way larger crowds. I understand that this flexibility might not be possible for people with school children and/or only very few vacation days.

[@benjamingeiger]

If you can't make it to Washington, Helen, Georgia is another Bavarian-themed village. Kitschy, sure, but charming.

[@hinnantp]

Was just going to mention Helen!

[@STho205]

Nearly the same story and beginning. The old town lost the timber industry and looked nearly just like this simple strip town before the hotel friendly dressup.

[@rolandconnor575]

Leavenworth is about 10 times larger that Helen and that's not exaggerating. Have lived close to both towns.

[@InnaGottaDavida]

Looks like a lovely place to visit for Christmas or Oktoberfest.

[@docvideo93]

"Strictest codes in the US" but probably one of the most walkable areas in US!!

[@dianeshelley1282]

My grandparents lived in Leavenworth during my childhood. We went there 2-4xs per year to visit and have family reunions. My siblings and I could walk to "downtown" Leavenworth from my grandparent's home. Many wonderful memories!!!

[@SteffenderNomade]

That can be a good concept for many other towns in the USA. Alpine towns and villages are very cozy and exciting.

[@cathrynandherbeaglebusterc490]

I live in Spokane Valley Washington and I been to Leavenworth WA many times with my family

[@daimonmarioperez9501]

Three words to describe this place . Winter wonder land .

[@sisenor4091]

I was there for one day. I loved 🥰 it. Shame they didn’t mention the drive to get there from Seattle. Just magical.

[@42976675]

I understand you can take a train too!

[@jpunx3133]

Some of the best rock climbing in the state is right down the Icicle River there too. It was my favorite place to climb when I lived in Seattle from the late '80s to mid-90's. Getting food in town and taking a nice stroll was always a treat for us climbing bum campers.

[@dabberdan3200]

DNR Washingtonian here -fought the Icicle creek fire-Love the little town! We are just a half hour drive from there.

[@mr.wallace1074]

Don't forget (and I doubt you would) the Index Town Wall.

[@FalconsEye58094]

I wish America had more towns like this

[@nishiljaiswal2216]

You mean more walkable urbanism?

[@linkly9272]

@@nishiljaiswal2216 Well that, as well as the varied and interesting architecture and a vibrant cultural scene, among other things.

[@STho205]

It has 3 I know of. Georgia highlands, Indiana and Washington.

[@CTJM_Middleton]

Me too.

[@DMTHOTH]

the fake town or the walkable town?

[@sageparra4956]

I used to live in Spokane and I loved going there.

[@jenniferaashiem6165]

Floating down Icicle Creek and the Wenatchee River on inner tubes during the summer is nothing short of breath taking. I’ve done it several times and it’s pure heaven!

[@wolflarson71]

Loved making day trips here when I lived in Seattle. Some great white water rafting nearby too.

[@JP-lu9ed]

Skiing and mountain climbing too.

[@dorothybobo5157]

I love it! Frohe Weihnachten! 🎄

[@ethylmertz54]

I worked in the bakery at Dan’s Food Market at the end of town in Leavenworth. Our boss would rent out part of our parking lot to tourists. He made bank on that move! Finding a parking spot during festivals is a nightmare! It is beautiful, though, during the holidays 🎄❄️

[@taurahelms3068]

I live four hours from Leavenworth. I haven't been in years. I need to get back up that way. Its very beautiful there.

[@funkallectual]

its very hard for the whole community to embrace a new outlandish idea at that time or maybe at any era. but to completely instill a new way of life and culture to save the town is magnificent and indeed a miracle.

[@PatrickMitchell-m7l]

We lived at 411 Front Street in the 50’s. My father, Thomas Mitchell, was a doctor at the Cascade Sanitarium along with Drs. Speer and Hopkins. I remember the steam trains coming by and the aroma of the apple warehouse; Enoch Larsen at Cascade Drug; my mother jumping the curb and driving into the bakery. Great place to recollect both before and after the great transformation.

[@frankpaquet295]

We love going to Leavenworth but it is pretty commercial, but then again, you can get some very unique things there and it's even nice in the summer time. Last time we went, we actually walked around a bit more and found some nice surprises in the area. It's really pretty. (from Sandi)

[@laurelsmith2322]

Leavenworth is one of my absolute favorite places. I love it so much, I got married there in 2009 and try to get up there at least once a year. October Oktoberfest and the Christmas lighting are amazing.

[@BenMonares]

No way I thought it’s known for their Christmas town. I guess I have to check out the Oktoberfest too.

[@JayYoung-ro3vu]

Beauriful story of municipal regeneration.

[@jamespyle777]

Close to where I live it's Hermann, MO. It was a German settlement with people from the Rheinland who even started the vineyards there and still retains that charm.

[@Donknowww]

Awesome! I'm from Europe and didn't know that such a Town exists in the US! It looks so cozy and cute!

[@SparklyStoner360]

I LOVE Leavenworth! It’s such a fun little town to visit. I feel so luckily to live only a few hours away.

[@marge3157]

The hat and toy store was my favorite when i was a young child. I am 48 now.😊

[@monicapincombe5282]

My dad used to take my mom's German family there when they came to visit the states back in the 70's. I thought that a bit odd but we all had a good time, the town was cute and the mountains are spectacular!

[@elicpsescorter5590]

I broke my neck and back diving into the river that runs through the town while at a summer camp. The people in Leavenworth were great and the hospital was very nice. Six years later, I have made a full recovery!

[@kellyro77]

I love Leavenworth! I've only been there once several years ago in the summer. It was so beautiful. I bought a cuckoo clock from one of the shops there and a cute little wooden squirrel ornament from a Christmas shop. I want to go back.

[@GianniBarberi]

There are places like that in Brazil, Argentina, Guatemala, Chile etc. Some that i know have Tyrolean heritage, which is a region of Austria. Interestingly, they share with Bavaria the catholic main religion, while the rest of Germany, generally is protestant.

[@dfindy]

Our family visited the place just a few months before Covid shutdown, for nearly two years, that was our memory of last vacation, we had very good time there.

[@rubytuesdayphoenix]

As a huge cozy mystery fan who gets really into the settings (I'm still impressed by Jess Lourey's ability to construct a whole fictional world of Battle Lake MN with a sleuth librarian, when the real Battle Lake is basically just an intersection and not a library in sight!) it was so cool to realize that the setting of the Sloan Krause mysteries is in fact real! The author of the series Elle Alexander really makes you feel like you're there in the town

[@Timetraveler1111MN]

How amazing this is wonderful what a great story you did to you showed a lot of different aspects. I love how your interview that boy in the beginning he was a good marketing piece. Should do something like this in Minneapolis St. Paul.❤❤

[@Mikejguevarra]

Washingtonian here: Leavenworth is awesome, it’s always bustling as a tourist destination but still has pacific northwest town vibes due to all the surrounding nature. one of my favorite memories was riding the tobogan in town then swimming with friends at the local river - the most pristine water!

[@sheafan1971]

Leavenworth, Washington has Live cams on you tube

[@johnnyboy55]

First saw Leavenworth on their KZbin live stream with the holiday lights and kids sledding etc. What a beautiful picturesque town. I’m way out here in New Jersey but I’d love to visit sometime. Definitely on the bucket list now!

[@dandouglas5706]

Love this! Must go! Love Germany!

[@BlahBlah-q1b]

It's in America Foo

[@smrk2452]

I love this. Thank you!

[@MrArod356]

Please do a segment on Fredericksburg, Texas, that’s an authentic US-German town

[@jeank8061]

Leavenworth is an extremely successful tourist destination - such that I avoid it because it is almost always too crowded! Good for the local merchants, though

[@theck672]

Great place! Come visit❣️

[@marydawkins4190]

SO, the most wholesome theme and motivation for rebranding an entire rural town was bc of a gay male couple!! Beautiful example of why being inclusive and not censoring anyone leads to more love for everyone. More love More love!!

[@dougcargill6730]

Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas had a lesbian couple at neighbors in Eastern Washington as well.

[@kevinpoole1543]

Yes, proud of those guys! And let’s face it, being a gay couple in the 50s was not easy.

[@InnaGottaDavida]

Just goes to show that gay men know how to do kitsch appeal better than anyone else. I bet they would be thrilled to see how their little project has prospered.

[@mjhmn]

Also, this was back when there was nasty discrimination against gay couples. So glad everything worked out!

[@Belynda]

Figures someone would have to bring homosexuality up, who gives a crap, that’s personal. Geez.

[@chrissoren3521]

Thank goodness! A normal place where history and respect for the people and the community exist in America!

[@fredrm6023]

been to this when I first moved to Washington. Awesome time and its worth it.

[@elliscrane]

I live in Seattle and finally made it out to Leavenworth in October. The 2.5 hour drive was gorgeous with all the fall colors and Leavenworth is so much fun! It's a beautiful town with really friendly people. It was a blast. Would love to get there for the holiday season sometime. FYI, if you like beer, Icicle Brewing Company, based out of Leavenworth, has some absolutely extraordinary brews (and great people working there who know and love beer).

[@BenMonares]

Is that town attracts a lot tourists all year round even during spring and summer?

[@elliscrane]

@@BenMonares - absolutely! It's hugely popular in summer. Lots of hiking in the area. Rafting trips. Leavenworth's farmers market. It's a year round destination.

[@geisalagordon9966]

Love this about my childhood state! I hope to visit soon!

[@pongop]

I love and miss Leavenworth. We used to do an annual field trip there in my German class in high school.

[@chaselim3963]

Finally - we need more authentic European heritage, art, architecture in America.

[@thegatesofdawn...1386]

Looks wonderful!❤ 🎄 ❤ 🎄 ❤

[@carportchronicles1943]

My wife and I were married there 21-years ago on the winter solstice. It's a great place to visit anytime of the year.

[@sybiliana]

It’s a lovely place. I was there and fell in love with it.

[@gs225109]

was just there....ITS AWESOME!

[@teresalegler2777]

How lovely!

[@maserati925]

As a German and American, I love this ❤️🤩

[@derkies2133]

People love interesting architecture and walkability? Who would have thought?

[@stargazer5073]

Smart look at Solvang, California too.

[@wildflower2092]

We love Leavenworth! See you again in February 2024 ♥️🎶♥️⛄️⛄️♥️🎶♥️

[@davek3692]

One of the best places I’ve ever been.

[@joannehiggins5593]

Love this town. We have been going to Leavenworth for 15 yrs. My favorite place to visit when we come to Washington every year.

[@dianetribble-zm7ue]

Ann Osborne Peavey was interviewed and did a great job!

[@keouine]

Helen, Georgia did the same thing when it was facing hard times.

[@Trebuchet48]

I live just outside another Washington State tourist town, Port Townsend. The Victorian Seaport. It's a bit less busy and successful, but also a bit more authentic. I've been too Leavenworth many times, but I'd rather live here.

[@TheresaPowers]

The Best German city in America is Frankenmuth, Michigan. They have the largest Christmas store in the world.

[@nwsportstilidie]

Apparently, Georgia has a Bavarian themed town.

[@alyssagriffin5781]

I LOVE LEAVENWORTH!!!!! I WANT TO BE THERE AGAIN!!!

[@pattioertl7524]

Grew up in Wenatchee 22 miles from there. Spent alot of time there growing up. Even had my tonsils removed at the hospital in Leavenworth.

[@mjtc866]

My dad's sister, Laverne Tritle peterson, was one of the five original business owners to start the Bavarian village. Or the Bavarian theme. She was the first woman in the city to be granted a business loan. She remodeled the corner building into the Eldeveis hotel and restaurant. Her son, Melvin Wiles, was the owner of the Post office tavern as well as mayor.

[@lightyagamis]

Well done folks, no matter what these cultural aspects should be kept alive.

[@tparbs]

Shhhhhhhh! I wish it wouldn't get advertised! Too many people have discovered it! Glad we found it over 20 years ago!

[@alpinelassalpineca7573]

They have a marvelous Oktoberfest! Also, my friend and I just visited this past October and ran the Leavenworth Half Marathon. Highly recommend this destination race if you are a runner.

[@beedoggs]

crazy to me that walkable neighborhoods at the time would only be made for tourism reasons

[@STho205]

I lived in a walkable town for 55 years. Authentic town, always built that way. Lived near downtown, walked everywhere. My wife didn't get a license or car till 38 when our daughter was born. She biked to work downtown.

[@salaamsalaam9568]

Was the film first blood shot in this town itself?

[@jaredh2011]

Great story!

[@ianparsons9053]

It's a really fun town. Don't think of this as a 'maybe' town. Think of this as a 'must do' town in Washington state

[@FoodNerds]

When I lived in Washington I wish i knew about this!😊 I used to be fluent in German!

[@CTJM_Middleton]

The town looks great.

[@h.p.brownsaucecraft7966]

Very nice place. I enjoyed my time there.

[@iamcoreilly]

Yo should see it this week! Super winter wonderland.

[@8gti9]

Live 30 mins from here. It's a great little town, on weekends parking is a PITA!

[@STho205]

Same situation in Helen, GA and the narrow road in bottles up on weekends except the 4 months of off season.

[@cathrynandherbeaglebusterc490]

Also that hotel where that man's blowing that horn that's the hotel my family stays at

[@Brian_yeah_that_brian_Strang]

Very cool. Nice story

[@Thetacodile117]

Looks and sounds like a lovely place to live in or retire.

[@jeanpabon2948]

we need to build traditional walkable communities across the usa

[@G4M3R524]

Great stuff. Although the lack of foam in the beer glasses at 0:57 is frankly alarming, but the only real visible caveat.

[@Nicoleoliver294]

I can't wait to have a drink

[@tayvahturner8115]

I love this story. It reminds me of Veva too!

[@Higgins8]

If only all of America was like this.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Philadelphia actually has a neighborhood called " Germantown". And once upon a time German immigrants were the largest immigrant group in the city. The real Bavaria is where Hitler and National Socialism started.

[@yvonneplant9434]

Real America is the place where people, mostly likely from Asia, came to thousands of years before anyone who looks like you.

[@theotherohlourdespadua1131]

​@@yvonneplant9434Bavaria hates Hitler, and Hitler hates Bavaria. Bavaria loathes the Vienna man who was out there to destroy Bavarian culture in place of a homogenized "German" culture. Hitler hates Bavaria because it's one of the most independent-spirited German states...

[@SeaTurtle515]

So true, Yvonne!

[@Affalterbach1967]

Nice town to walkaround.

[@lhooq]

I visited this place when I was a Bluebird or Campfire Girl.

[@pprehn5268]

As a resident, living in a 100 year old house, I can only curse the traffic

[@marciasuminski8455]

Come to Michigan we have Frankenmuth, our little Bavaria AND Holland a taste of the Netherlands. So. WA isn't the only place.

[@benjamingeiger]

Helen, Georgia is yet another.

[@markhuru]

Don’t forget new glarus wisc...

[@PJChgo1]

@@markhuru Definitely very authentic - we heard Swiss German being spoken when we were in New Glarus.

[@auntiefan4202]

We spend a week here every December!

[@wendysgobbo8242]

I went on a rock climbing trip there and it was beautiful ❤

[@vincebaker3384]

I would love to see also do a store about the Bavarian in California called SOLVANG

[@dennismorris7573]

Actually Danish in origin/architecture, but yes, Solvang is a charmimg town near beautiful Santa Barbara.

[@AlbertFu]

Solvang is actually the inspiration for Leavenworth iirc

[@dagmarvandoren9364]

Nein. Das ist danisch....solvang. sonnental....nix bayern

[@erik_griswold]

Solvang is Danish, and it was actually founded by Danes from Denmark. It’s real, Leavenworth is an invention, but Leavenworth is charming and a story of resurrection to be admired.

[@dagmarvandoren9364]

Solvang used to be Danish. But people working there are more, and more Mexican. Including food I was there

[@elle5031]

I'm thinking it is close to impossible to get a hotel room because of it's popularity....

[@kristifreeman8613]

Plan far ahead....

[@michaelbenson2121]

And expensive too... I stayed 20 minutes away in Wenatchee, reasonable prices and not a bad drive either.

[@elle5031]

​@@michaelbenson2121Thanks for the tip. Sounds like a good idea...

[@vickicarlson553]

Staying at the Enzian, the man blowing his horn and breakfast with the snow falling are memories that my children, now in their forties, are trying to repeat with their children. 18 of us will go together in January.

[@elle5031]

​@@vickicarlson553Sounds wonderful.......

[@rikasringo7928]

It’s similar place in CA, the city name Solvang with Danish influenced.