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Leavenworth, Washington is one of those rare places that feels like a storybook with Bavarian buildings tucked against towering mountains, sweet shops along every street, and endless outdoor adventures right outside your door. It’s truly one of the best family-friendly towns in Washington.

If you’re planning a quick getaway, here’s our 2-day kid-friendly Leavenworth itinerary packed with biking, river floating, crepes, and our kids’ absolute favorite: the local swimming-hole beach.

See the full itinerary at a glance plus a map at the bottom of the post.

🌄 Day 1: Bavarian Town Fun + Mountain Biking + Swimming Hole

Check In: Bavarian Lodge (Highly Recommend for Families)

We based ourselves at the Bavarian Lodge, which is perfect for families. It’s directly across the street from the main town square, so you can walk everywhere. The parking lot alone was a huge perk, we could leave the van in one spot and forget about it for the weekend.

Morning: Explore Downtown + Sausages & Pretzels

Leavenworth’s Bavarian Village charm pulls you in immediately. Start with a walk through the main square, peek into the shops, and grab:

Sausages & Pretzels from Leavenworth Sausage Garten (this is a great place to be able to try all the different types of sausages)
And if your family loves sweets, swing by the Crêpe Café Sisters Leavenworth for a sugary treat (we did — no regrets)

It’s the perfect slow way to settle into vacation mode.

Midday Adventure: Mountain Biking at Leavenworth Ski Hill

Just outside of town is the Leavenworth Ski Hill, which turns into a kid-friendly mountain bike spot in summer.

Why we recommend it:

Short, approachable trails
Flow sections that make kids feel confident
A great way to burn energy before afternoon river time

Bring your bikes if you can, but rentals are available in town if needed.

Afternoon: Local Pump Track Session

Before you head to the water, stop by the Leavenworth Pump Track. It’s free, fun, and perfect for kids who love bikes or scooters. Ours could have stayed here all day. There are public restrooms and a small playground all at the same location.

Late Afternoon: Swimming Hole Beach (Our Kids’ Favorite Spot!)

There’s a little swimming-hole beach right along the river where local families gather on warm days. It’s shallow, calm, and perfect for kids to splash, swim, and cool off. It’s a sandy beach, so bring buckets and shovels for added fun.

Our kids said this was their favorite part of the whole trip — simple, old-school summer joy.

🚣‍♀️ Day 2: River Floating + More Town Time

Morning on the River: Floating the Icicle or Wenatchee River

One of the best things to do in Leavenworth with kids is floating the river and we made it a full morning adventure.

Bringing Your Own SUP or Tubes (What We Did)

We brought our own stand-up paddleboards, and it ended up being the perfect choice. The water is gentle in the summer, and the float itself is calm and relaxing with stunning mountain views the entire way.

On summer weekends, the town offers free river shuttles, which makes logistics way easier. We floated in late July when the river level was at an all-time low, so we launched from the Icicle Road Bridge. Parking is limited at the put-in, so arriving early is definitely best.

Floating the River in Leavenworth with SUPs

We drove our van to the start, pumped up the boards, and then my husband returned the van to the East Leavenworth Boat Launch, which is a large riverside parking lot in town (small fee required). He caught the shuttle back to the launch point while the kids and I played by the water. Even with a 30–45 minute wait, the kids were happily entertained.

The shuttle driver mentioned that on Saturdays more than 800 people float the river. And yes, it was busy — but the river is wide, the current is mellow, and everyone spreads out quickly. You can absolutely go at your own pace, so don’t let the crowds scare you off.

The total float time really depends on the river flow, and you can make it as fast or as slow as you’d like thanks to the many little beach pull-offs along the way. Toward the end of the float, you’ll reach a V-shaped split where you can go left for a slightly longer route or right to head straight to the take-out. Both paths lead to the same exit, and you won’t miss it — there are large signs guiding you in.

Once you’re out of the water, you’ll need to carry your gear a short distance back to the parking area, or you can wander over the small hill and spend more time playing at the swimming hole. Just note that there are no showers for rinsing off, and the only restrooms available are porta potties.

Tips if you’re bringing your own gear:

Bring life jackets for everyone
Start early to avoid afternoon crowds
Pack a lunch, snacks, and drinks
Bring an oar, paddle, or frisbee to help paddle yourself in the right direction
Bring a few dollars for parking and tip money

Here are links for more information of the free river shuttle:

Renting SUPs or Tubes in Town (Easy Option!)

If you don’t have your own boards or tubes, Leavenworth makes it super easy:

Rentals + Shuttle:
Local outfitters offer:

SUP rentals
Tubes
Life jackets
A shuttle that picks you up at the take-out and brings you right back to your car or rental shop

This is ideal for families because you don’t have to coordinate vehicles or worry about carrying gear.

It’s one of the most affordable and kid-friendly floats in Washington.

Afternoon: Return to Town for the Der Snow Cave + More Exploring

After floating the river, head back into town for lunch at the Andreas Keller Restaurant. It was pricey but we had a lovely lunch sitting outside on their patio. Afterwards, we stopped by the Der Snow Cave for some dippin’ dots and pictures with the life-sized Yeti.

Evening: Relax at the Lodge or Wander the Village

One of my favorite things about staying at the Bavarian Lodge was how easy it was to walk everywhere. After a packed day, we simply strolled around the square again, listened to live music including some yoddeling, and called it a night.

These are a few walking tours if you wanted some more history on the town. These are Viator affiliate links. If you book a tour or activity through these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

📍 2-Day Leavenworth Itinerary Summary (Quick Guide)

Day 1

Walk the Bavarian Village
Sausages + pretzels in the main square
Mountain biking at Leavenworth Ski Hill
Ride the pump track
Cool off at the swimming-hole beach
Explore downtown + crepes

Day 2

Float the river (bring your own SUPs or rent with shuttle)
Lunch + Der Snow Cave
Explore the shops
Play at the park
Relax at the lodge and wander the village

Map

Why Leavenworth Is Perfect for Kids

Leavenworth is one of those towns where everything is within a few minutes of everything else. You can bike, float, swim, snack, and explore — all without long drives or complicated logistics. For families, that’s the dream.