Things to Do in Wenatchee
The Wenatchee Valley is loaded with treasures to discover. The warm, friendly character of the valley and its people will make you feel right at home. Enjoy!
Watch what you could do with 300 days of sunshine!
Tourism Activities
Saunders Steam Train
Steam pours from the smokestack of this magical miniature railroad during holidays and special events every summer. Children and adults alike climb aboard to enjoy a ride around the rails in Riverfront Park . The depot is accessible from downtown Wenatchee by way of a short stroll over Riverwalk Crossing located at the Stanley Civic Center. For more information call (800) 572-7753.
Rocky Reach Dam
Rocky Reach Dam is not only a primary source of valuable electricity for North Central Washington-it’s a great place to visit. Watch salmon and steelhead make their upstream migration through the windows in the fish ladder viewing room. Tour the museum exhibits or enjoy a picnic on the 30 acres of carefully manicured lawns and gardens. For more information call (509) 663-7522 or visit www.chelanpud.org.
Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center
Amazing what a Ponderosa Pine can tell you. The Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center (CBFIC) is a unique, interactive learning and research center built around two of North Central Washington’s famous fire lookout towers. The CBFIC is the first such center dedicated to the research and interpretation of wild land fire. An outdoor amphitheatre and a full-scale visitor center are among the future plans. You will find the center about one mile north of Entiat , WA , on the west side of US Hwy 97. For information about the center, upcoming lectures or demonstrations, call (509) 662-3035 or visit wildfirecenter.org.
Horan Natural Area
Once a pear orchard belonging to the Horan family at the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia rivers, this 100-acre parcel has been converted into a manmade wetlands preserve. Eagles, owls, herons and kingfishers make this bird-watchers’ paradise. Otters play in the waters visible from several of the 15 viewing stations dotting the two miles of gravel trail winding through cottonwoods and willows. For a guide to the area call (800) 577-7753 or go to www.parks.wa.gov.
Ohme Gardens
Nearly a mile of pathways and stairways hewn from native stone wind through this magnificent alpine oasis perched high on a bluff north of Wenatchee. Reflecting pools, waterfalls and even a wishing well bubble through what is recognized as one of the Northwest’s premier public gardens. A photographer’s paradise, a gardener’s delight, or simply a place to relax in lush surroundings, Ohme Gardens is a Northwest treasure. The gardens are open from April 15th to October 15th. For more information call (509) 662-5785 or visit www.ohmegardens.com.
U.S. Forest Service Northwest Station
Your gateway to the Wenatchee National Forest, the U.S. Forest Service headquarters offers forest passes, trail maps and valuable information for staying safe and getting the most out of your experience in the woods. The headquarters is located on Melody Lane near the junction of Highway 2 and Highway 97. For more information call (509) 662-4335 or visit www.fs.fed.us/r6/wenatchee.
Agricultural Tourism
The Wenatchee Valley and surrounding areas are ripe with Ag tourism opportunities. Plan a trip and tour the many Fruit Stands, Wineries, and Farmland Activities throughout North Central Washington.
Columbia Cascade Winery Association
Twenty-three wineries and more than 1,000 acres planted in wine grapes comprise what is now known as the Columbia Cascades viticultural region. A driving guide leads you on a tour of vineyards and tasting rooms along the shores of North Central Washington’s many lakes and rivers, and on into the foothills of the majestic Cascade Range. Stunning views accompany you along the way, and at each stop you are rewarded with award winning wines. For a Driving guide or for more information call (800) 572-7753 or visit www.columbiacascadewines.com.
Cascade Foothills Farmland Association
The CFFA holds several events each year
including the the Leavenworth Wine Walk in June, the Leavenworth Wine Tasting Festival in August, and the Family Farm Festival during harvest time. Learn more about these events at www.visitwashingtonfarms.com. Request a FREE Ag-tourism/Wineries Driving Map to find out more about the farmland activities in Chelan County and beyond.
The Cascade Foothills Farmland Association (CFFA) is a non-profit organization representing and promoting Ag-Tourism in North Central Washington, providing support, training, and event coordination to tourist destinations and individual related businesses. For more information visit www.visitwashingtonfarms.com or call (509) 548-6784.
Farmers Market
Fresh, wholesome food right from the farmer who grew it. The Wenatchee Valley Farmers Market fills with bounty every harvest season- fresh flowers, crafts, baked goods, pure honey, and, of course, a cornucopia of fruits and vegetables straight from the earth to your dinner table. The market bustles all across the valley in many locations. For specific locations, dates and times, visit www.wenatcheefarmersmarket.com.
Cultural Activities
Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center
From the geologic beginnings of North Central Washington to its Native American heritage to its rise as a global power in the apple industry, it’s all on display at the Wenatchee Valley Museum and Cultural Center . The Museum also hosts countless special programs each year such as the annual Apple Bin Rally or the Fiestas Mexicanas. Located at 127 South Mission Street in Wenatchee . For a schedule and more information call (509) 664-3340 or visit www.wenatcheevalleymuseum.com.
Cashmere Pioneer Village & Museum
Step back into a time when the pioneers were just beginning to discover the wonders of the Wenatchee Valley. Browse the General Store, sift through the miner’s shack or step into the log-walled Mission Hotel. In all, 20 original pioneer buildings filled with authentic period furniture and all the tools of the day transport you back to the late 1800′s. The Museum itself is a treasure trove of historic artifacts and displays on the Native Americans and pioneer people who first inhabited this land. The Museum, located at 600 Cotlets Way in Cashmere , is open from March through December but scheduled tours are welcome year-round. For more information call (509) 782-3230 or visit www.visitcashmere.com.
For more visitor information, please visit the
Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau.