Columbia River Valley
Wenatchee, East Wenatchee, EntiatThe city of Wenatchee is crowned the “Apple Capital of the World.” It is the home of world famous apples and premium wine grapes. As you arrive in the Valley you’ll pass acres and acres of lush green orchards – apple, pear and cherry- flanking the confluence of the Wenatchee and Columbia Rivers. You’ll see numerous fruit stands along the highway selling local fruit and produce along with numerous boutique wineries open for tours and wine tasting.
As you’d expect in a city with two rivers, water sports are some of the summer’s leading activities. Winter brings out the ski, snowboard, snowshoe and snowmobile enthusiast with some of the best powder snow conditions in the state. Mountain biking and hiking trails in the foothills around the valley are excellent and easily accessible. There is also the 11 mile paved Apple Capital Recreation Loop Trail skirting the shores of the Columbia River on both banks with parks, habitat areas, playgrounds and swimming holes.
Daily train access via Amtrak’s Empire Builder is available. There is a local bus service (LINK) and a downtown trolley. Pangborn Memorial Airport provides daily flights to Wenatchee from Seattle.
Things to See & Do in the Columbia River Valley (see events page as well)
- Ohme Alpine Gardens – 70-year old Alpine oasis perched high on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River and Wenatchee Valley. (April-Oct)
- Rocky Reach Dam Tour & Visitor Center – Take a free tour of the dam and visit their Columbia River & Hydroelectric Power Generation Museum then picnic in their extensive park with playground and restrooms. (Mar-Oct)
- Lake Missoula Ice Age Flood Geological Trails Driving Tour – Pick up a driving Tour map or CD to view what’s remaining of this catastrophic flood that scoured the landscape.
- Mission Ridge Ski, Snowboard & Snowshoe Resort – 20 minutes from Wenatchee, 6,770’ elevation, 2500 acres of runs, ski school, ski shop, snowshoeing tours and lodge.
- Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center – Featuring Apple Industry, Pioneer & Indian heritage, 1st Transpacific Flight & Art Gallery, working model railroad.
- Columbia Breaks Fire Interpretive Center – Self-guided “Trail of Fire & Forest” in Entiat explains the role forest fires play in the environment. 17-acres with Forest Service Fire Lookout towers and interpretive signage.
- Art on the Avenues – Walk Wenatchee’s historic downtown on your stroll to see 64 outdoor public sculptures and artwork.
- AppleSox Baseball – West Coast Collegiate League (June-Aug)
