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Cities - Villages and Towns in the United States (1)

Leavenworth - WA

Leavenworth, Washington, was once a struggling town on the eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountains, facing economic decline after its mines and sawmills closed, and even the railroad left. In the 1960s, the town's business owners, facing a grim future, decided to remodel the downtown in the style of a Bavarian village, taking out loans without state or federal assistance. This bold move eventually turned the town around.Today, Leavenworth draws around 3 million visitors annually, including tourists who come for hiking, skiing, river rafting, fly-fishing, and shopping, with many day-trippers arriving from Seattle. However, the influx of tourists has raised concerns about the cost of living, leading to recent efforts, including state funding for affordable apartments, to support the town's tourism industry workers.Leavenworth's popularity peaks during the holiday season, when the town transforms into a festive German Christmas market, featuring choirs, carolers, food vendors, and a gingerbread house contest. The tradition of turning on the Christmas lights downtown on weekends became so popular that the town now leaves them on from Thanksgiving through February. This seasonal charm attracts visitors from near and far, solidifying Leavenworth's reputation as a top holiday destination.

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