Leavenworth, Washington: Nutcracker Museum

The Nutcracker Museum in Leavenworth, Washington, is a must see if you are in the area. At a mere $2.50, you can view 5,000 nutcrackers, some dating back 6,000 years (for instance, two stones with an indent)! Unfortunately, pictures are not allowed, except with the larger nutcrackers (copyright reasons -- they are coming out with a book at the end of the year!) And don't miss the video...if you laugh easily, avoid the part where they mention that nutcrackers used to be called "nut biters, because they bit the nuts."

There are many themed nutcracker exhibits from holidays (Veteran's Day and Hallowe'en) to films (The Wizard of Oz, A Christmas Carol) to strange ones, including two Mormon-themed nutcrackers. Most are designed by firms in Europe, but the older ones found from medieval times are the most breathtaking.