- Hike: Gold Creek Pond
Gold Creek Pond is a hike that is 1.5 hrs from Leavenworth, so I did this hike on my way to Leavenworth as a halfway stop for my dog and I to get out of the car and stretch our legs. The trail is located in the Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest. The forest road to the trailhead is closed in the winter. so you must park just outside the forest road gate. There are only about 4 car parking spaces there, but you can also park along the road. There is a porter potty in the “parking lot” outside the forest road gate. This trail is a 1.2 mile loop, but walking the forest road adds about 0.5 miles each way. This is a very crowded and popular trail, even in the winter months. The views around the pond are just gorgeous. Max had so much fun exploring the trail and pond, and playing in the snow. We came across many other dogs, some on leash and some not. Between the pond and the rivers running alongside the trail, he had plenty of opportunities to drink water if he needed to.
2. Sip: Icycle Ridge Winery
While there is an Icycle Ridge Winery located in downtown Leavenworth, I recommend visiting the location just outside of town in Peshastin. This tasting room is located inside a beautiful log home that overlooks a pond and is surrounded by a vineyard. There is a large back deck where Max enjoyed bathing in the sun and watching the ducks in the pond. The staff was very dog-friendly and even provided a water bowl for Max. In addition to wine tasting, they also offer an assortment of cheese and cracker options.
3. Explore: Downtown Leavenworth and Waterfront Park
Downtown Leavenworth is famous for its Bavarian winter wonderland from Thanksgiving through February. The town is decorated in over half a million Christmas lights. Most of the shops downtown allowed Max inside while I shopped. Of course, we had to stop by A Paw Above, a pet store located downtown. They gave Max a milkbone and he got to pick out some treats. They have some really cute bandanas made locally. Max’s favorite part about exploring downtown was watching the horse pull people around in a carriage. Easily accessible from downtown is Waterfront Park that also connects to Riverfront Park. You will find the entrance to the park behind Blackbird Hotel. The sandy trails of the park are a perfect spot to walk your dog to do his business, as it is a wooded section of the town just outside downtown. They provide lots of barrels for dog waste.
4. Stay: Mrs. Anderson’s Lodging
Mrs. Anderson’s is located right downtown, but provides you with your own designated parking space and parking pass behind the hotel, which is very convenient and helpful. They have dog-friendly rooms for a $25 fee and what I liked most was the balcony overlooking downtown, where Max liked to sit and people watch. The room was quaint and comfortable and the bed was very comfortable. We really enjoyed our stay here.
5. Eat: Bear Bear Cafe, Munchen Haus, and Whistlepunk Ice Cream
The best place to eat breakfast with your dog in Leavenworth is Bear Bear Cafe. Conveniently, it is located next door to Mrs. Andersons’ Lodging, so if you stay there you only have to walk right next door for the best breakfast of your life! Bear Bear Cafe has an outdoor patio that is both tented and heated in the winter months. Your dog is free to join you on the patio where I had the best breakfast of my life. For lunch or dinner, a great dog-friendly spot is Munchen Haus in the downtown area. This restaurant is also an outdoor beer garden. You order your drinks and food at a window, then pick it up at a counter and choose a seat at one of the many outdoor picnic tables. The restaurant provides water bowls for the dogs, which I appreciated. In the winter, they even have little gas-lit fires in the center of some of the tables. Lastly, you don’t want to miss Whistlepunk Ice Cream for dessert! Also located in the heart of downtown Leavenworth, Whitslepunk Ice Cream allowed Max inside while I ordered and then we sat on a bench outside to share our ice cream.
