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#1 Christmas Town In The U.S.: Leavenworth, WA

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Education & Training with Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals.

"Leavenworth is a perfect example of an economically struggling town that put together a revitalization plan that went on steroids."
-Carol Williams

In my blog post published Friday, I mentioned the nearby Bavarian resort town of Leavenworth, Washington.  Leavenworth was originally a small timber community on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains in Central Washington State.  It was incorporated in 1906.  The Great Northern Railroad headquartered in Leavenworth for about 20 years before relocating to Wenatchee. 

In 1962, a committee was formed to figure out ways to revitalize the struggling economy of Leavenworth, and that was the beginning of what is now a very popular and prosperous Faux Bavarian Village that strikingly resembles one you might find in the Swiss Alps. 

The picture above was taken in the Spring but I wanted to show you a picture from a live performance of an authentic Alphorn being blown on a narrow ledge of a 4th floor balcony at the Enzian Inn.  Bob Johnson does this twice daily.  Here is a link to an article about it from our local newspaper, the Wenatchee World: A musical life on the ledge..."

There is almost always something going on in Leavenworth but Christmas is a truly magical time there.  They are now listed as the #1 Most Festive Christmas town in the United States by House Beautiful. 

If you'd like to get a feeling for the winter wonderland and Christmastime in the Leavenworth area, please watch the 2:12 video below. If you have time after watching the video, read the comments below the video in YouTube:




Happy Holidays Everyone!

Posted by

Carol Williams

"Information is FREE.
Knowledge, Experience & Integrity Are Priceless."
- Carol Williams

Retired: Real Estate Broker/Owner, Property Manager 
Coaching, goal setting, and marketing consultant

Active: Golf & Travel Blogger
"Golf isn't a sport. It's a lifestyle."
SeniorWomenGolfers.com
TopTeamCarol@gmail.com 

Happy March !




Comments(34)

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Jeff Dowler, CRS
eXp Realty of California, Inc. - Carlsbad, CA
The Southern California Relocation Dude

Carol

Sounds like a very cool town and especailly fun to visit over the holidays. I love hoe different communitie like this around the country have special reputations at holiday time. I think of Frankenmuth, MI as just one example.

Jeff

Dec 02, 2018 11:12 AM
Grant Schneider
Performance Development Strategies - Armonk, NY
Your Coach Helping You Create Successful Outcomes

Good afternoon Carol - that certainly is a magical Christmas Village.  It must be a sight when the snow falls.

Dec 02, 2018 12:36 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

Back in 1994, my son's aircraft carrier, the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk found its way to Seattle for the Sea Fair.  We had a free day to kill before the ship took off again on return to San Diego.  I was down in the hotel lobby when I saw a brochure about Leavenworth, and I was intrigued.  I said, let's go to Leavenworth.  My son asked how far is it.  I looked at the tiny segment of a Washington State map on the brocure, and said, "It can't be more than a few minutes away.  Alas, that snippit of a map didn't disclose that it is actually half way across the state.  Hours later, after driving through the spectacular Cascades, we arrived.  I truly am glad I was "tricked" into the journey.  It was worth every minute.

Dec 02, 2018 01:27 PM
Myrl Jeffcoat
Sacramento, CA
Greater Sacramento Realtor - Retired

CONGRATULATIONS Carol, on having this blog FEATURED in the Old Farts Club group!  

Dec 02, 2018 01:37 PM
Kathy Streib
Cypress, TX
Home Stager/Redesign

Oh my gosh, Carol- I too watched the video and I would love to see it at Christmas!!! I had a smile on my face the whole time I watched it. 

Dec 02, 2018 03:44 PM
Debe Maxwell, CRS
Savvy + Company (704) 491-3310 - Charlotte, NC
The RIGHT CHARLOTTE REALTOR!

Oh WOW! What a lovely town, Leavenworth WA is, Carol! I love how the revitalization has turned this place into a magical place to live AND to visit.

I LOVED the video - we have nothing like that here in Charlotte! A nearby town has houses that we drive through every Christmas to see the lights on the houses but, otherwise, it's nothing like this at all. And, of course, we don't have cross-country skiing anywhere within 2 hours of us either! LOL

Happy Sunday...

Dec 02, 2018 08:54 PM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Nina Hollander ,
We've never done a lot on the outside either but if I could find someone who would do it for me, I'd gladly pay them. 

Dec 03, 2018 10:31 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Debb Janes EcoBroker and Bernie Stea JD ,
Knowing you love to decorate, you would love it.  It's very festive and the lights are amazing. 

Dec 03, 2018 10:41 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Will Hamm ,
Syncing music to the light decorations seems to be coming more common.  Very fun. 

Dec 03, 2018 10:42 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Ron and Alexandra Seigel ,
Some people truly go all out with their decorations.  It's definitely a labor of love.

Dec 03, 2018 10:44 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Jeff Dowler, CRS ,
I was able to visit Frankenmuth when our daughter was living in Canton, Michagan.  There was ayear round Christmas store there.  I was specifically looking for a nativity scene at the time and their choices were mind boggling. 

Dec 03, 2018 10:46 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Grant Schneider ,
Yes, the snow is definitely the icing on the cake, so to speak.  I don't think there have been many Christmases in Leavenworth without snow. 

Dec 03, 2018 10:47 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Oh Myrl Jeffcoat , that's funny.  I'm glad you found the trip worthwhile!!!  The drive over should have been lovely too.  I occasionally go to Leavenworth for the drive and to have a Bratwurst and beer. 

Dec 03, 2018 10:50 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Kathy Streib ,
Thanks for watching the video.  It was short but sweet, wasn't it? 

Dec 03, 2018 10:57 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Debe Maxwell, CRS ,
Thanks for watching the video.  Leavenworth is a pretty amazing town.  Due to it's location it is a great destination for year around activities.   It's also fun just to go there and wander through the shops and get lunch or dinner. 

Dec 03, 2018 11:10 AM
Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS
Fathom Realty Washington LLC - Tacoma, WA
South Puget Sound Washington Agent/Broker!

My wife and seven of the women in our family took a charter bus to Leavenworth last week and had an awesome time. It was crowded Carol Williams 

Dec 08, 2018 10:04 PM
Dorie Dillard Austin TX
Coldwell Banker Realty ~ 512.750.6899 - Austin, TX
NW Austin ~ Canyon Creek and Spicewood/Balcones

Good morning Carol Williams,

I'm glad you posted your weekly roundup as I missed the wonderful post on Leavenworth. I love the revitalization that has taken place. Such a magical place to live AND to visit. I love how different communities like this around our country have special festivities at holiday time. The video is wonderful.

Dec 10, 2018 04:57 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Hi Paul S. Henderson, REALTOR®, CRS 
Yes, it is a very popular time of year.  I joke that it's so crowded you couldn't fall down if you wanted to.  Glad your family enjoyed it!

Dec 10, 2018 07:13 AM
Carol Williams
Although I'm retired, I love sharing my knowledge and learning from other real estate industry professionals. - Wenatchee, WA
Retired Agent / Broker / Prop. Mgr, Wenatchee, WA

Good morning Dorie Dillard CRS GRI ABR ,
It's a lot of work to put on all the festivities, and Leavenworth has a lot of them.  It's been an amazing transformation for them over the last 50+ years.  The current mayor is an ex appraiser friend of mine.  I think she's in her 3rd term now.

Dec 10, 2018 07:16 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Is this where the prison is located, Carol? LOL.

Very beautiful and magical. We have a Danish town in California called Solvang. Not as gorgeous as this place though.

Dec 10, 2018 01:24 PM
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