Former First Lady of the USA, Barbara Bush once said: "At the end of your life, you will never regret not having passed one more test, not winning one more verdict, or not closing one more deal. You will regret time not spent with a husband, a friend, a child, a parent.” Spending time outdoors with your children is one of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon them. The Cascade Loop affords families with ample opportunity to explore the picturesque natural beauty of Washington State. One area, in particular, stands out as a must-visit family destination, filled with plenty of stops and activities that will be thoroughly enjoyed by both young and old.
Play at the lake
With so many fun-filled tourist attractions located in Lake Chelan the most obvious (and possibly the most exhilarating) of all family activities might be overlooked. There are numerous public access points around the perimeter of the lake which will give you access to various areas such as the Lakeside Park as well as Lake Chelan State Park. During summer, the lake is ideal for swimming although you can still build sand castles, play with a ball or Frisbee or engage in a bout of fishing throughout the rest of the year. You can take to the water in a sailboat, kayak or motorboat that can be rented from a number of outlets situated near the lake or visit the tiny town of Stehekin, which is only accessible by float plane, boat or foot, with the children for a fun-filled day of exploring. If you are unsure of what gear to take along on your excursion to the lake it may be a good idea to sign up for a monthly subscription box that will supply you with a host of gadgets and gear to supplement your lake-side adventure.
Visit the local ski area or water park
If you happen to be journeying along the Cascade Loop during winter, make a point of spending a day at the Echo Valley Ski Area with your family. Echo Valley is entirely volunteer-run and offers a rather unique skiing experience in the heart of Washington. You can choose between skiing, snowboarding or tubing and even the youngest and least-experienced members of the family will be safe on the plentiful gentle slopes. Open between Memorial Day and Labor Day, the Slide Waters water park offers fun for the whole family. The park caters for children of all ages including toddlers and babies that are encouraged to splash around in a few inches of water under the close supervision of their parents. For older children and adults there are a number of slightly more thrilling slides that are bound to get your blood pumping while you enjoy some Vitamin D-boosting fun in the sun.
Spend a day at a farmers market
For some reason, children love farmers markets. Situated on the south shore of Lake Chelan, just 4 miles to the west of Chelan, you will find the Sunshine Farm Market. This quaint gem first opened its doors to the public in 1991 as an unpretentious farm stall. The farm stall has since grown into a full-sized market that not only prides itself on supplying only the freshest fruit and vegetables to the public but on a gigantic variety of specialty foods, gifts and toys as well. Children will love a hay-ride up to the U-pick orchard as well as getting to know the various farm animals a bit better. During the summer vacation, the market offers a variety of special events which includes a farm day camp which the children will undoubtedly relish in.
Whether you spend a day, a week, or even longer at Lake Chelan, be sure to indulge in as much of the scenic beauty and hidden adventures the area has to offer as you can. It isn’t every day that you find a family-friendly destination such as Lake Chelan which will not only afford you with quality time together but will also supply you with memories that will remain long after you have returned back home.
