Instead of Leavenworth, This Washington Town Is Where You Should Take Your Next Trip

I love to visit Leavenworth. This Bavarian-themed town in the Evergreen State immediately transports you overseas with its alpine-style architecture, German restaurants, and festivals that draw in thousands of people. However, if you are like me, you would rather escape to a destination with a slower pace and a quieter atmosphere. Cle Elum is a Washington town like Leavenworth in many ways. Sitting at the base of the Cascades, this mountain town has a rich history, countless world-class outdoor activities, and a community that makes you want to stay for a while—all without Leavenworth's heavy crowds.

Why This Town Feels Like Leavenworth

Leavenworth is a mountain town that sits on the east side of the Cascade Mountains, approximately 2.5 hours from Seattle. It’s a beautiful community with mature trees, the Wenatchee River running through it, orchards and vineyards scattered around the area, and Bavarian-inspired architecture housing unique shops and German restaurants. It’s also a popular base camp for adventure-seekers heading to the Enchantments, home to stunning mountain peaks and crystal-clear alpine lakes.

While I believe that every traveler should spend some time in Leavenworth, Cle Elum is just as worthy of a visit. Like Leavenworth, Cle Elum is a beautiful mountain town and a gateway to countless outdoor adventures, sitting at the base of the Cascade Mountains in central Washington. This small town of 2,300 residents is approximately 80 miles east of Seattle and dates back to 1902. The town has a rich coal mining and railroad heritage, and its name means “swift water” in the Kittias language.

Similar to Leavenworth, Cle Elum’s downtown area features walkable, tree-lined streets with locally-owned shops and restaurants. You’ll even find specialty butcher shops, like Owens Meats, where you can find yummy meats from sausages to jerky, and famous bakeries like the historic Cle Elum Bakery.

What You Can Do Here

When visiting Cle Elum, an underrated town in Washington, you’ll never be bored. You can spend hours walking throughout the downtown area, browsing the many shops, dining on yummy food, and even admiring the colorful murals painted on the sides of buildings. History buffs will find plenty to love about Cle Elum, as there are nearly 20 buildings throughout this small town on the Register of Historic Places.  Make sure to step inside the Carpenter House Museum, a preserved mansion where you can step back in time and learn about the stories of the area throughout the decades.

However, when visiting Cle Elum, you’ll want to spend as much time outdoors as possible. This Washington town is unique as it averages up to 250 days of sunshine each year. One of our favorite things to do here is visit Cle Elum Lake, where you can boat, fish, and paddle on the water. Cooper Lake is another option that’s approximately 25 miles away.

Of course, if you don’t want to spend time on the water, head into the mountains on one of the many bucket-list-worthy hiking trails, such as the Carlson Creek Loop and the Coal Mines Trail. Another trail you don’t want to miss is the Palouse to Cascades State Park trail. A portion of this 251-mile trail runs near Cle Elum, providing an excellent option for cyclists, hikers, and equestrians.

Plan Your Visit

There is no bad time to visit Cle Elum. The summer is one of the most popular times, as the outdoor activities are endless, and you’ll have many nearby campground options if you wish to spend a night under the stars. In the winter months, the entire area becomes a winter wonderland, full of snowshoeing and cross-country skiing opportunities.

No matter when you plan to visit, there are several vacation rentals, along with locally owned bed and breakfasts, inns, and even ranches where you can set up base camp. One popular place to stay in the area is Suncadia Resort, which is a destination in itself with rooms offering Cascade Mountain and Cle Elum River views, on-site dining, more than 40 miles of outdoor trails for hiking and mountain biking, multiple golf courses, and a full-service spa.

Cle Elum is a beautiful place to visit, regardless of the time of year. It’s a mountain town with outdoor adventures, historic sites, charming shops and restaurants, and beautiful views everywhere you look. It’s easy to see why this is one of the best small towns in Washington State—it’s the perfect dupe for the busy Leavenworth. Of course, if you are looking for even more travel inspiration, check out these quirky towns scattered around the U.S. Each one is worth the detour—just like Cle Elum, Washington.