Washington state -- not outdoorsy

[GCA1996]

We'll be in Washington state in late spring visiting family. They are in central WA, the Wenatchee area. I'm trying to find activities that are NOT outdoorsy, i.e., not hiking, biking, so on. We want cute towns, museums, zoos, antiquing, shopping, etc. We've been to Leavenworth many times. Any suggestions for other places? Anywhere in the state, not only central; we can park the RV and make day trips. I lived in Seattle for many years and know what to do there, so we're looking for other areas. Suggestions?

[Jim_HiTek]

It's 1.5 hour drive Wenatchee to the Ancient Dry Falls. Spectacular area. You could head to Coulee Dam too for a visit. Good days excursion. Not to mention fascinating.

[R.Wold]

You could take the tour at the Gran Coulee dam. Its interesting to see the below-ground inner workings of a hydro-electric facility. About 100 miles east of Wenatchee.

[Bill Gail]

Here are some amazing towns with a ton of history , shops and restaurants around Wenatchee .

Leavenworth , modeled after a Bavarian village . Only 20 mi. West of Wenatchee on Highway 2 . It is circled by the Cascade Mtn's. Great restaurants featuring German cuisine , shops galore and a river front walk along the Icycle River. For a world class drive , continue West in Hwy. 2 . As you leave Leavenworth you'll enter Tumwater Canyon , a breathtaking drive along the wild water of the Wenatchee River . Goes about 10 mi. .

Chelan , located 30 mi. from Wenatchee . Situated on the South shore of Lake Chelan . The lake is basically a freshwater Fiord , with the mountains sloping directly into the lake with no shoreline . The town is like a old traditional summer community . Family restaurants , shops , great beach . Plus there's a town at the North end , Stehenkin that's only accessible by boat or float plane . It's a 55 mi. ferry ride , but well worth the time for the experience of a town trapped in time.

My favorite is Winthrop , a cowboy town with wooden sidewalks and hitching posts . About 60 mi. North of Wenatchee on Hwy. 97 . It's full of shops and restaurants lining the Methow River . For the full experience go up to the Sun Mountain Lodge for lunch . Just outside of town , on the top of Sun Mountain with incredible views of the valley and the Cascade mtns. Also have Hot Air Balloon rides up the Methow valley.

Have fun !

These can be day trips or over night adventures .

[GCA1996]

Originally Posted by Bill Gail

Here are some amazing towns with a ton of history , shops and restaurants around Wenatchee .

Leavenworth -- For a world class drive , continue West in Hwy. 2 . As you leave Leavenworth you'll enter Tumwater Canyon , a breathtaking drive along the wild water of the Wenatchee River . Goes about 10 mi. .

Chelan -- Plus there's a town at the North end , Stehenkin that's only accessible by boat or float plane . It's a 55 mi. ferry ride , but well worth the time for the experience of a town trapped in time.

My favorite is Winthrop , a cowboy town with wooden sidewalks and hitching posts . About 60 mi. North of Wenatchee on Hwy. 97 . It's full of shops and restaurants lining the Methow River . For the full experience go up to the Sun Mountain Lodge for lunch . Just outside of town , on the top of Sun Mountain with incredible views of the valley and the Cascade mtns. Also have Hot Air Balloon rides up the Methow valley.
...

We've been to Leavenworth and no doubt we'll visit again. I've heard of Tumwater Canyon but haven't taken that drive. We'll definitely go.

We have a friend who lives in Chelan so we've been planning the Lady of the Lake boat ride. I had the impression that Stehenkin had nothing to do/see but you're saying there are things to do?

Winthrop is definitely on our must-do list. Sounds exactly up our alley.

I lived in Seattle for several years myself but other than visits to family in Wenatchee/Cashmere, I spent most time in Seattle. Thank you so much for this info.

Cindi

[Bill Gail]

Originally Posted by GCA1996

We've been to Leavenworth and no doubt we'll visit again. I've heard of Tumwater Canyon but haven't taken that drive. We'll definitely go.

We have a friend who lives in Chelan so we've been planning the Lady of the Lake boat ride. I had the impression that Stehenkin had nothing to do/see but you're saying there are things to do?

Winthrop is definitely on our must-do list. Sounds exactly up our alley.

I lived in Seattle for several years myself but other than visits to family in Wenatchee/Cashmere, I spent most time in Seattle. Thank you so much for this info.

Cindi

I read you had been to Leavenworth , but I included in my response for readers who haven't been there.
To add to the Tumwater Scenic drive , you can continue West to the turnoff to Lake Wenatchee and follow that to the turnoff to Plain . Plain is a small scenic town located in the valley North of Winthrop . If you follow the road it will take you back to the East end of Leavenworth. It is a compete loop and around 20 mi. It's a beautiful drive .

Regarding Stehenkin , it hasn't been commercialized . It's a small old mountain village with marina and store . In it's case , it's the journey , not the destination.

Enjoy.

[twogypsies]

Do a Google for certain towns or central washington on things to do and a lot of good information appears.

https://www.myellensburg.com/play/shopping/

https://www.visityakima.com/yakima-valley-museums.asp

https://www.scenicwa.com/poi/central...ultural-museum

https://www.visituniongap.com/things-to-do.php

https://heyantiques.com/Union_Gap/Ce...ltural_Museum/

https://www.experiencewa.com/article...on-what-see-do

https://centralwashingtonoutdoor.com/spring/

https://centralwashingtonoutdoor.com/summer/

.... and much, much more!

[rgvtexan]

Grand Coulee and the loop around Lake FDR. Republic, WA. The North Cascade Hwy.
The small town celebrations. Davenport, Pioneer Days. Reardon, Mule Days. Wilber, Wild Goose Days. Odessa, Deutschesfest. and many more,.

[scubadude62]

Take a trip down to the Tri-Cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland - wineries and D's Wicked Cidery!


There's also Walla Walla, about an hour east, with a nice history museum.

[scrapperjohn]

Ohme gardens just outside Wenatchee. Rocky reach dam.
Cashmere has a nice museum, also applets & cottlets factory.