Two local guides bring depth to Leavenworth tourism

LEAVENWORTH – As thousands of visitors are drawn to Leavenworth each year for the picturesque views and Bavarian attractions, locals Tom 'T-Pot' Potter and Coco Hopkins have made it their mission to guide tourists beneath the surface, revealing the rich history and vibrant community that define Leavenworth today.

“I would say one of the biggest gratifications is just kind of showing people our community, because I think that's a very strong point of Leavenworth…If you're just visiting for a weekend, you might not really get a very good grasp on it,” said Potter, co-owner of Bavarian E-Bike Tours and Bavarian Walking Tours.

Potter and Hopkins first started Bavarian E-Bike Tours in 2019, taking guests on a 16-mile tour of Ski Hill, Icicle Creek Canyon, and downtown Leavenworth. For most up and coming businesses, the pandemic was a fatal start to a new venture. For Bavarian E-Bike Tours, it was the perfect opportunity. Potter and Hopkins could safely offer a fun and intimate outdoor activity to small groups, at a time when not many others could.

“This is the closest thing that you can get [to] Europe without actually getting on a plane. So Leavenworth was actually pretty busy in 2020, all things considered. That was a big leap for our business,” said Potter.

From there, the duo added Bavarian Walking Tours, offering a more accessible option for wheelchairs, strollers, and even dogs. Potter and Hopkins started with a historical walking tour, sharing the story of Leavenworth through the histories of the Native American tribes, logging, the railroad, and of course, how the town transformed into a Bavarian village.

“They go, ‘I didn't realize that was how you were started,’ you know? Because they all have this image that there were like, 12 German families standing around going, ‘Wouldn't it [be] nice to start a German village?’” said Hopkins.

Over the years, they have added other tours, which are a combination of the historical tour “plus an adventure,” as Hopkins puts it. Now, visitors can opt for a tour with wine tasting, breweries, a snowshoe stroll, or a Christmastown theme. 

“It’s funny. When you start a tour, of course, you have a bunch of strangers, and after an hour, everyone’s friends, especially if you get three wine tastings,” said Potter.

As strangers become friends within the confines of the group, Potter and Hopkins have been intentional about extending the connection into the community that exists today. Throughout the tour, the pair introduce business owners and their entrepreneurial stories, make personal recommendations, and stop to say hello to friends and neighbors on the street. 

“I think that's the part that people love. You've got the historical part, but you've also got the community part,” said Hopkins. “It's really sweet, that part. You only spend an hour, hour and a half with them, but it's amazing how they get very entrenched in our community here.”

“You leave here [thinking], ‘Wow, this whole valley is extremely special,’” said Potter.

Taylor Caldwell: 509-433-7276 or taylor@ward.media