There is nothing better than springtime in Washington. While there are dozens of destinations that truly shine during this time of year, there is one town that is perfect for a spring day trip. Located in central Washington, Chelan is a small town that is beautiful, packed with activities, and perfect to explore on a spring day (or even a spring weekend!). Whether you come by yourself, with your best friend, or even bring the entire family, this friendly small town in Washington is magical.
Chelan is a small town that sits along the southeastern end of Lake Chelan. Approximately 4,000 people call this beautiful area home.
While this community is delightful any time of the year, spring is one of the best times of year to visit. During the summer months, this town comes to life with thousands of visitors. During the spring, you can enjoy many of the attractions and beauty of the area but without the crowds.
Of course, a big draw to Chelan is Lake Chelan. This 50-mile lake is perfect for enjoying a picnic lunch, sitting along the shore, and enjoying some sunshine and fresh air. Plus, you can view wildflowers in almost every direction.
You can also spend some time at Riverwalk Park, a 12-acre park along the Chelan River. Walk the one-mile river loop, sit on the benches, and enjoy the views — it's pure bliss.
Wine lovers will want to stop and enjoy a glass of wine in Lake Chelan's Wine Valley. Within a short drive from downtown, you can visit dozens of wineries and sample something new.
Spring is also when you can attend the Lake Chelan Wine & Jazz Festival. During this annual event, you can sip wine while listening to acclaimed jazz artists from around the world. This is a four-day event that may make you extend your stay a little bit longer.
No matter what activities you choose during your visit to Chelan, make sure you save some time to explore its quaint and charming downtown area. It's perfect for a spring day.
Have you ever visited this friendly small town in Washington? Share your experiences in the comments. And, if this is your first time visiting Lake Chelan in Washington, be prepared for an incredible adventure and breathtaking views!
I hold a special place in my heart for many of the small towns throughout Washington. Having lived in Idaho’s panhandle for several years, I have spent a lot of time in many of these towns on various road trips and getaways. While there are towns like Chelan, Port Orchard, and Pullman that captivate me, there is another small town that I just can’t get enough of but it often doesn’t get the attention it deserves — Clarkston.
Clarkston, Washington is actually located right on the Washington and Idaho state line. In fact, it’s located just across the Snake River from Lewiston, Idaho. Clarkston isn’t a large town and has a population of less than 8,000 people but it’s a fabulous place for a day trip and a small town I’ve explored countless times.
This Washington town dates back to 1862 when it was first settled by Robert Bracken. It was incorporated in the early 1900s and had many names throughout its history. Today, it is named after William Clark who was part of the dynamic Lewis and Clark duo. They explored the area by canoe in 1805. (Fun fact: Lewiston, Idaho, right on the other side of the river, is named after Meriwether Lewis.)
Clarkston is located in the Lewis-Clark Valley and at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. One of my favorite places to capture views of Clarkston and the surrounding area is the Confluence Overlook on U.S. Highway 95, approximately 8 miles north of Lewiston. It’s a small pull-out in Idaho where you can enjoy views of Clarkston and Lewiston, the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, Hells Canyon, and the Bitterroot and Wallowa Mountains.
Town of Lewiston, Idaho
The river is vital to Clarkston and has been since its early beginnings. Fishing and hunting are popular activities in the Lewis-Clark Valley and you’ll find multiple public boat ramps and marinas where you can receive easy access to the water. In the summer months, you’ll also find people rafting, paddling, and boating on the water. Plus, all along the river you’ll find numerous city parks including Beachview Park, the largest city park in Clarkston.
While there are many things to love about the small town of Clarkston, many people venture to this area as they travel to the breathtaking Hells Canyon. This incredible natural wonder is actually North America’s deepest river gorge and is home to incredible whitewater rafting, hiking, wildlife viewing, and more. While you can always explore Hells Canyon on your own, we recommend booking a tour such as a jet boat or rafting tour. This is one of the best ways to learn more about the geography of the area, history, and the people who called this place home.
Early Morning Sun Rising Across Hells Canyon
And, of course, right in the heart of town you’ll find all types of local shops and restaurants to enjoy. Consider grabbing food at places like Roosters Waterfront Restaurant or Hayes House.
There is so much to explore and enjoy in this small Washington town. It’s perfect for a day trip or even a weekend adventure. And no matter how long you stay, you’ll quickly see why we just can’t seem to get enough of it.
For more information on Clarkston, Washington, visit the City of Clarkston's official website.
Have you ever spent time in this small town in Washington? What are some of your favorite towns to visit in the Evergreen State? Let me know. I’m always looking for new places to explore. And, if you do choose to stay for a while in Clarkston, consider booking a cozy vacation rental like this charming tiny home.
If you do a search for the best small towns in Washington, there are so many suggestions that, while it is a compliment to this state, it makes it hard to know where to start. So, let’s begin with a scenic drive around the northwest part of the state that offers a little bit of everything. You’ll travel through the beautiful Cascade Mountains, along the Columbia River, and into Puget Sound, visiting little towns along the way that are full of charm, history, and cool things to do. I’ve included a great option for an overnight stay in each place so you can decide how long you want to hang out in each town, how to break up the trip, etc.
The entire trip covers 367 miles and just over seven hours of driving time, with the towns spaced out along the route and plenty of scenery in between. Click on the map for directions or to customize your trip.
We are starting our journey in the Old West, or at least it feels that way. The remote little town of Winthrop has a long, rich history that goes back well beyond the arrival of gold-seeking settlers in the 1800s. Though most of what you see now was part of a major Western-themed restoration in the 1970s, the spirit of this historic town has remained intact. Stroll the wooden boardwalk to visit the galleries, shops, and restaurants in town, and consider a stop at Old Schoolhouse Brewery for a cold beer and maybe some live music right on the Chewuch River. If you decide to spend the night in Winthrop, check out the comfy cottages at River’s Edge Resort; they each have a private deck with a hot tub overlooking the river!
Next, we head south along the Columbia River and into the mountains. Once a humble logging town, the Bavarian-themed village of Leavenworth is now one of the most charming towns in the state. With the stunning architecture and majestic mountains surrounding the town, you may have to remind yourself that you are not, in fact, in the Alps. As you can imagine, Leavenworth is beyond dreamy in the winter, with snow on the mountains and twinkling lights all over town, but this is a stunning place to visit any time of year.
You’ll enjoy incredible food and drink, horse-drawn carriage rides through downtown, and events happening throughout the year. Make sure you go to The Gingerbread Factory, a 30-year-old landmark bakery offering up all sorts of homemade goodies (and lunches, too!) Carry over those Alpine vibes with an overnight stay at the beautiful Abendblume bed and breakfast, voted “Leavenworth’s Finest Lodging.”
Our next stop is the itty-bitty historic town of Roslyn. If you were a fan of the show "Northern Exposure," (am I dating myself when I say I was?), what most of us thought was a little town in Alaska was, in fact, filmed in Roslyn. It won’t take long to explore the town, but it is definitely worth a stop. From a cool movie theater to a historic brewery to a Sunday farmers market, there is plenty to do for the day. Stop at Basecamp Books and Bites, a coffee bar and bookshop with a speakeasy downstairs. Or grab a bite and a cold one at The Brick Saloon, the oldest continuously operating bar in Washington. If you’re a history buff, be sure to visit the Roslyn Museum.
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Just about halfway between Roslyn and our next town, you could take a short detour (it will add about 4 miles and 15 minutes to your trip) to see the amazing Snoqualmie Falls!
About 30 miles south of Tacoma near the foot of Mount Rainier, you’ll come to Eatonville, a quaint, laid-back town surrounded by natural beauty. The walkable downtown is full of character and home to shops, galleries, restaurants, vintage and antique shops, and more to discover. Just outside of town is a cool opportunity to experience life as it was for Native Americans and early settlers at the Pioneer Farm Museum & Ohop Indian Village. Eatonville is also known as a gateway to Mount Rainier National Park, so there are endless ways to get out and enjoy the natural beauty of this area. You could easily spend more than one day here and a historic townhouse in downtown Eatonville makes a perfect home base.
Poulsbo
Poulsbo’s historic Little Norway is one of the Kitsap Peninsula’s favorite and most popular destination for visitors of all ages and interests.
We’ll end our trip along Liberty Bay in Washington’s “Little Norway,” the town of Poulsbo. Explore the walkable historic downtown area near the water on Front Street. It is incredibly cute and lined with lots of charming cafes and coffee houses, book and vintage shops, art galleries and museums, and boutique shops. Duck into a winery, brewery, or cider house for drinks, grab some treats from a chocolatier, and dine at one of the many restaurants offering nearly any kind of cuisine you’re craving. And be sure to take a stroll along the scenic Liberty Bay waterfront boardwalk. Not ready to head home just yet? Book a Scandinavian-themed stay at the charming boutique inn, Hotel Scandi, right on Front Street.
Are you ready to hit the road? Share this article with a travel buddy, grab the keys and some road trip snacks (a necessity, obviously), and head off on your next scenic small town adventure in Washington!
