Leavenworth: Have a side of polka with your schnitzel

What's the draw?

These hills are alive with Bavarian-flavored charm, chalets and festivals, but it's the ambience of the Cascade Mountain trails, lakes and streams that attracts most summertime tourists. Accommodations range from downtown hotels to swanky spas to bucolic bed-and-breakfasts.

What's new this summer?

The Barn Beach Nature Center has just opened its doors within the Barn Beach Reserve. It includes space for science labs, art classes, lectures, films and acoustic music performances. The 5-acre reserve, only two blocks from the Bavarian Village, is a popular birding area and home to an art gallery and history museum. More information: www.barnbeachreserve.org.

If you go

Miles from Seattle: 120

Round-trip gas cost for Prius hybrid*: $20

Round-trip gas cost for Navigator SUV*: $50

Lodging worth a look:

• Autumn Pond Bed and Breakfast. Three-quarters-of-a-mile walk to downtown. Mountain views. Hot tub on deck. Large pond with ducks; wood swing and bird-watching. $119-$169 for an August Saturday; two-night minimum on weekends. 800-222-9661 or www.autumnpond.com.

• Solstice Spa & Suites. This is a place to enjoy the country, but in pampering style. Suites typically cost $250 for an August Saturday. Some packages include spa treatment. 888-548-4SPA or www.solsticespa.net.

• Linderhof Inn. One block from Leavenworth's Bavarian Village. Swimming pool, hot tub and other amenities found in most standard hotels. $119-$189 for an August Saturday; two-night minimum holiday weekends. 800-828-5680 or www.linderhof.com

Dining you won't likely regret:

• King Ludwig's is a family-operated restaurant, named after German King Ludwig II, located in the heart of Leavenworth's Bavarian Village. If you want real German food and want to soak up some polka while you are at it, this might be your place. The Gasthaus Platter for Two (featuring such items as schweine schnitzel, kassler rippchen and a thick slice of leberkase) is $34.99. www.kingludwigs.com.

• Kristall's Restaurant. A family-style restaurant with a wide range of moderately priced dishes. The specialty is tender pork ribs broiled in the chef's "secret" barbecue sauce. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. Corner of Highway 2 and Ski Hill Drive; 509-548-5267 or www.kristallsrestaurant.com.

More information: Leavenworth Chamber of Commerce, 509-548-5807 or www.leavenworth.org.

-- Richard Seven, Seattle Times staff reporter