Leavenworth day trip from Seattle: Bavarian town and Bigfoot stop

The Bigfoot souvenir stop and a 265-foot waterfall on the way to a Bavarian town in the Cascades

This eight- to nine-hour guided day trip from Seattle takes you east across Lake Washington through Bellevue and Woodinville to Leavenworth, a German-themed town in the Cascade foothills. You stop at a Bigfoot watching area with photo ops and a 14-foot wood carving from the movie Harry and the Hendersons, see a waterfall and the Iron Goat Trail, then spend two hours exploring Leavenworth's 90+ shops, galleries and German restaurants. A driver guide handles the route. Bottled water and snacks are included. Lunch and museum entry are on your own.

Step-by-step itinerary

Leavenworth day trip from Seattle

• Cross Lake Washington via floating bridge
• Pass through Bellevue city
• Pass through Woodinville town
• Pass through Monroe area
• Stop at Bigfoot watching area
• Visit Iron Goat Trail entrance and caboose
• Pass by Stevens Pass ski resort
• Stop at Deception Falls waterfall
• Lunch and explore Leavenworth town

The experience

The drive east from Seattle crosses one of the floating bridges that span Lake Washington, then passes through Bellevue (a tech hub where companies like Microsoft and Expedia are headquartered), and Woodinville, known for its wineries and craft breweries in the Sammamish River Valley. The route climbs into the Cascade foothills, where Monroe sits at the confluence of three rivers surrounded by dairy farms, berry fields, cedar forests and river valleys that frame the landscape all the way to the mountains.

The Bigfoot watching area is the tour's signature stop. You get souvenir photos with a Bigfoot figure at the Espresso Chalet, see the 14-foot wood carving of Harry Henderson from the 1987 film Harry and the Hendersons (the actual movie location), and take in a 265-foot waterfall and panoramic views of the Skykomish River Valley. Gourmet coffee and espresso drinks are available for purchase. The Iron Goat Trail, a converted railroad grade built over the Cascades in 1893, runs nearby if you want to stretch your legs on a gentle walk.

Leavenworth itself is Washington's second-most visited destination after Seattle. The two-hour stop gives you time to walk through the town's 90+ shops: wine shops, art galleries, and German-style restaurants serving Schweinshaxe, sausage and Munich beer. The Nutcracker Museum houses over 7,000 nutcrackers from around the world if that catches your interest, though entry is separate. On the return, you pass Deception Falls, a multi-tiered waterfall where the creek makes a distinctive 90-degree turn.

What’s included

• Transport by driver guide from Seattle pickup to drop-off.
• bottled water.
• snacks.
• two hours in Leavenworth to explore shops, galleries and restaurants.

Information

Lasts 8h–9h, runs every day at 09:00, from US$ 195 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

GroupUp to 25

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Book up to4h before

AgesAdult (13 to 65 years) · Senior (66 to 95 years) · Youth (7 to 12 years) · Child (2 to 6 years) · Infant (under 2): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Oktaytours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want a full day out of Seattle with a mix of scenery, quirky stops and time to wander a themed town: the Bigfoot photo op and waterfall views are the draws that set it apart from a straightforward scenic drive, and the two-hour Leavenworth window gives you real time to eat and shop instead of a rushed pass-through.

Traveler reviews

4.68★★★★★★★★★★

564 verified traveler reviews

5 ★475

4 ★41

3 ★19

2 ★15

1 ★14

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (7 to 12 years); Child (2 to 6 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is the Bigfoot watching area like on this tour?

The Bigfoot watching area includes a souvenir photo stop with a Bigfoot figure at the Espresso Chalet and a 14-foot wood carving of Harry Henderson from the movie Harry and the Hendersons, filmed at that actual location. You'll also see a 265-foot waterfall and panoramic views of the Skykomish River Valley, with gourmet coffee available for purchase.

How much time do I have to explore Leavenworth itself?

You have two hours in Leavenworth (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) to walk the town, shop at its 90+ stores, visit galleries, and eat lunch at one of the German restaurants. Lunch is your own expense.

What's included in the price of this tour?

The tour includes transport by a driver guide from Seattle pickup to drop-off, bottled water and snacks. Lunch, museum entry tickets, alcoholic beverages and tips are not included.

Does this tour stop at any waterfalls?

Yes, you see two waterfalls: a 265-foot waterfall at the Bigfoot watching area in the Skykomish River Valley, and Deception Falls on the return drive, a multi-tiered waterfall where the creek makes a distinctive 90-degree turn.

What towns do we pass through on the way to Leavenworth?

The route crosses Lake Washington on a floating bridge, then passes through Bellevue (a tech hub) and Woodinville (known for wineries and breweries in the Sammamish River Valley) before climbing into the Cascade foothills toward Leavenworth.

Is there a hiking option on this tour?

The Iron Goat Trail, a converted railroad grade built in 1893, runs near the Bigfoot watching area and offers a gentle walk along the old Great Northern railroad route over the Cascades if you want to stretch your legs during the stop.