Around the Valley: with Karen Huwe

Leavenworth Adventure Park

Leavenworth is famous for its Bavarian-style village. Strolling along Front Street, with its restaurants and shops, is a day well spent for visitors; we have been there several times. A new attraction, the Leavenworth Adventure Park, opened on June 1, 2023.

Park developers Dave Moffett and John Sutherland chose Leavenworth as the site for Washington State's first alpine coaster. Alpine or mountain coasters are found in mountainous areas and at ski resorts. No motors are on the track, and the bobsled-like cars travel down the rail propelled by gravity.

My sisters and I reserved tickets to ride the Tumwater Twister Alpine Coaster. Ticket buyers can choose a single ride or a three-ride ticket. We decided to ride three times. The coaster ride is 2,700 feet long with a vertical drop of 234 feet and three 360-degree spiral helix turns. The anti-derailment track is up to 35 feet off the ground.

My husband and brother-in-law chose to sit in the waiting room and watch from the window.

According to the website, riders will get views of Tumwater Canyon, Icicle Ridge, the Wenatchee River Rapids, and the town of Leavenworth. That is if you dare to look around. I mostly kept my eye on the track, ready to brake.

The park says the ride can be scenic or fast. Scenic if you use the brake as I did or fast at 27 miles per hour like my speed demon sister Janet. Sisters Sandra and Joanie did a mixture of scenic and fast.

The wait in line was like being at Disneyland, long even with timed tickets. After fastening your seat belt and giving a thumbs up, you are off for the ride of a lifetime.

The Adventure Park also features a climbing wall, bungee trampoline, and a mining sluice ride. It is open seven days a week until Labor Day.

For more information or to reserve tickets, go to http://www.leavenworthadventurepark.com.