Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum

Located approximately two hours east of Seattle, Washington, the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum is a must-visit for even the novice collector of Christmas decorations. If you are getting any push-back from your significant other, mention that there are authentic German biergartens and modern breweries within walking distance of the museum. The two-hour scenic drive through the Mt. Baker-Snoqualmie National Forest will transport you to Bavaria without ever boarding an airplane.

Meet Karl

The museum’s world-famous ambassador is Karl, you will meet him at the entrance to the museum. You might be surprised to find out that the collection here includes over 7,000 nutcrackers, some dating back to Roman times. Some of the earliest items in the collection were hand-forged of metal— the craftsmanship is incredible for mechanical objects that serve a household purpose. Before perusing the collection, watch the 14-minute video to get an excellent background on nutcrackers and then go find your favorite in the galleries. If you have children in your group, ask about the “Nutcracker Hunt” and add a little friendly competition to your visit.

Antique Wooden Toy Soldies

According to the experts at the museum, some of the rarest nutcrackers are the ones that look like wooden toy soldiers from the early 20th century. The fragile nature of the pieces is why there are not as many older examples and even more reason to visit the museum to see the craftsmanship of these vintage nutcrackers.

Did you Know? Visit the Nutcracker Museum on Nutcracker Day, April 18, 2020 and admission is free.

The main event at the museum on Nutcracker Day is the Nutcracker Making Contest! There are plenty of gingerbread house competitions, but we have never heard of another Nutcracker competition in the United States.

Bonus: Have lunch or dinner at München-Haus, a traditional German Beer Garden with German food and beer. Another great food and beverage option is the Icicle Brewery, where you will find great beer and a menu featuring snacks and sharable small plates. Leavenworth is a very user-friendly small town, so spend the day exploring all of the shops and find your perfect lunch or dinner spot.

Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum
735 Front Street
Leavenworth, WA 98826

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