Wenatchee travel guide and discussion

Known as the "Gateway to the Gorge," the hidden gem of Washougal sits at the western entrance of the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, just 20 minutes from Portland Airport✈️! With stunning scenery and convenient access, you'll fall in love with it instantly💕 🌊 Columbia River waterfront: Breathtaking river views 📍Captain William Clark Regional Park & Cottonwood Beach This 93-acre forest park hides a gentle beach called Cottonwood Beach🏖️. It's the historic site where the Lewis and Clark Expedition camped for 6 days! It's perfect for picnics, wading, and photos—every shot looks like a professional masterpiece📸 📍Washougal Waterfront Park & Trail A paved trail nearly 1 mile long stretches along the river, offering unbeatable views of the Columbia River and Mount Hood🌋! With a natural playground for kids and waterfront paths, it's a must-visit for families! Perfect for boating, walking, and cycling🚣 📍Steamboat Landing Park A must-visit for river view lovers! Walk along the floating boardwalk to the elevated viewing platform for sweeping views of Oregon, made even more romantic at sunset🌅. The park also features benches and fishing areas, perfect for relaxing and zoning out for an entire afternoon🎣 📍Eagle View Park A 1-acre linear park featuring paved trails and public art installations that cleverly pay homage to the river landscape. It's a comfortable spot for evening strolls or morning jogs, with a great community feel🏃‍♀️ 🚣 Outdoor exploration: More ways to play Want to get closer to nature? You must visit the Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge! This 1,049-acre wetland, restored on the site of a former Columbia River floodplain, is home to over 200 species of birds. Birdwatchers, remember to bring your binoculars🔭 If you love water sports, go kayaking or canoeing from the non-motorized boat launch at Waterfront Park🎉. Paddling while gazing at the snow-capped mountains on the other side is so therapeutic~

🚘 Rowena Crest Viewpoint Located in Oregon's Columbia River Gorge near Mosier, this viewpoint sits along the historic Historic Columbia River Highway. Its most iconic view features the winding Columbia River from above, alongside the famous Rowena Loops—a section of the highway that spirals down the hillside in a stunning horseshoe curve. Three highlights you shouldn't miss: 🌊 Columbia River Gorge: Breathtaking aerial views of the river and canyon walls 🛣️ Rowena Loops: The most photogenic switchback on this historic highway 🌼 Tom McCall Preserve: Home to spectacular spring wildflower blooms 🚘 Mount Adams Viewpoint Situated on US-12 / White Pass Scenic Byway near Randle, Washington, this is a premier pull-off for admiring Mount Adams. On clear days, the 12,280-foot (3,743 m) peak towers over the surrounding forests and hills, its snow-capped summit offering a magnificent backdrop year-round. The draw here isn't hiking, but the view from the road: a wide-open vista that makes for the perfect quick pit stop while driving the White Pass Scenic Byway. 🚘 Beacon Rock State Park Located in Washington’s Columbia River Gorge right along the river, this is one of the state's most unique parks. Its centerpiece is Beacon Rock, an 848-foot (258 m) basalt monolith. It’s the core of an ancient volcano formed about 57,000 years ago, sculpted into its current towering form by massive Ice Age floods. The highlight is the Beacon Rock Trail: a series of 52 switchbacks built directly into the rock face. The 1.8-mile (2.9 km) round-trip gains 578 feet (176 m) in elevation. At the summit, you’ll be rewarded with panoramic views of the gorge, Bonneville Dam, and the lush surrounding forests. The trail itself is a piece of history, originally constructed by Henry J. Biddle between 1915 and 1918. 🚘 Hood River | The Windsurfing Capital of the Gorge Hood River is a vibrant riverside town in the eastern Columbia River Gorge, Oregon. It’s world-renowned for kiteboarding and windsurfing, thanks to the gorge’s natural "wind tunnel" effect that provides steady, reliable summer winds. The town itself is charming, blending a riverside setting with a historic downtown filled with cafes, breweries, restaurants, and outdoor gear shops. It’s compact and walkable—perfect for grabbing a coffee and watching the kites and sails dance across the water. 📷 Best spots to watch the action: · Hood River Waterfront Park: A riverside park offering close-up views of kiteboarders and windsurfers. · Hood River Event Site: The heart of the local water sports scene. · The Hook: A popular spot for kiteboarding and windsurfing, especially lively in the afternoon when the wind picks up.

You absolutely must visit the Palouse Wheat Fields in Seattle! 🌾 It's a 7+ hour drive from Vancouver, but I definitely don't regret it 🥹 The scenery along the way is like something out of a road movie, and Palouse is truly breathtaking! Rolling waves of wheat, endless fields, the entire wheat field bathed in golden light at sunset—it's so beautiful you don't know where to look! This time, I also included windmills, the Columbia River, Palouse Falls, and the German town of Leavenworth in my itinerary. Two days and one night was just right. Sharing it with you all! 【Itinerary】2 Days 1 Night from Vancouver🚗 Day 1 📍Wild Horse Wind Farm Visitor Center (Photo 10) (Vancouver → approx. 4 hours 40 minutes) ➡️1 hour 44 minutes 📍thatnwbus Graffiti Bus (Photo 11) A classic Palouse photo spot ➡️25 minutes 📍Palouse Falls State Park (Photo 12) Discovery Pass (Day Pass $10) needs to be purchased online in advance ➡️1 hour 30 minutes 📍Steptoe Butte State Park (Photos 1-9) Sunset is a must! A 360° panoramic view of the entire wheat field, breathtakingly beautiful! ➡️25 minutes 🏨Best Western Wheatland Inn For sunrise and sunset views, it's recommended to stay in the town of Colfax near the wheat fields. The hotel is basic, but the service is excellent. Free breakfast is included. You can call ahead to ask about the wheat field colors! PS: For more restaurant options, consider staying in Pullman or Moscow. ➡️1 minute 🍔Dinner: Palouse Brewing Taphouse The burgers were delicious and generously portioned. Day 2 📍Departure from Hotel ➡️2 hours 20 minutes 📍Scenic Overlook of the Columbia River (Photos 13-14) ➡️2 hours 📍Leavenworth, a German-style town (Photo 16) It's recommended to allow 2-3 hours for leisurely exploration of many unique shops. 🍴Ludwig’s (Photo 17) The roasted pork knuckle is highly recommended! I think it tastes much better than another popular restaurant. ➡️ Back to Vancouver (approx. 3 hours) 🛒 Stopped at Trader Joe’s to stock up, perfect ending to the trip! [Tips] 🌟 The whole journey felt like a Windows desktop background (Picture 15) 🌟 Buy your Discovery Pass (Day Pass $10) in advance. 🌟 Steptoe Butte is best for sunset viewing. 🌟 Sunscreen and insect repellent are essential for summer. 🌟 There are many police in Washington State, remember not to speed.

At Fort Vancouver, listen to the military camp and the story of Fort Vancouver, which began with the fur trade and flourished with the military camp. In 1849, when the Hudson's Bay Company moved its headquarters north to Fort Victoria due to border changes, the U.S. military immediately stationed troops here. The Columbia Barracks—later known as Fort Vancouver Barracks—was born. Over the next hundred years, this land transformed from the most important fur trade post in the Pacific Northwest to one of the earliest military strongholds in the American West. After picking up a guide map at the visitor center, I headed straight to the quiet row of officers' houses on the east side of the stockade wall. These Victorian-style white wooden houses are nestled under towering ancient trees, with neatly trimmed lawns in front. It's hard to imagine this was once a military post. The Grant House is the most famous among them. From 1852 to 1853, Ulysses S. Grant, who would later become the 18th President of the United States and a hero of the Civil War, was stationed here as a young lieutenant. At that time, Grant was an obscure quartermaster officer, and it is said he was forced to leave the camp due to accusations of alcoholism—no one could have predicted his future. Stepping into this two-story wooden house, the living room, bedroom, and dining room are restored to their original furnishings—simple furniture, iron-frame beds, kerosene lamps—all reflecting the unique simplicity and resilience of a western frontier military camp. Standing by the window, I imagined young Grant gazing out at the Columbia River day and night, unaware that twenty years later his name would be etched into the nation's history. Leaving the Grant House, I slowly walked along Officers Row. The houses here are numbered from 1 to 9, each home to military families from different periods. Each house has a similar white exterior but unique interior decor. One house is set up as an 1890s officer’s residence, with an organ and rocking chair in the living room and toys scattered in the children's room, evoking images of officers' wives hosting afternoon teas and children running and playing on the lawn. Heading west along Officers Row leads to an open parade ground. Soldiers once drilled and were reviewed here. Today, the parade ground is empty except for a few flagpoles standing on the grass, with the Stars and Stripes fluttering in the wind. Closing my eyes, I could almost hear the steady march of boots, the sergeant’s loud commands, and the military band playing a march. This land feels like a layered history book: the bustle of the fur trade, the hardships of pioneers, the order of the military, and the ambition of the aviation era… As I left Fort Vancouver, I passed the parade ground again. The setting sun stretched the shadows of the white wooden houses long across the grass. Over a hundred years ago, young Grant may have stood here at dusk, watching the Columbia River flow westward. He did not know his fate then, just as the fur traders and soldiers training under military orders did not know they were together writing the past and future of this land. The military camp ruins here are not thrilling battlefield relics but a place to calm the mind and converse with history. They show me that a nation's growth is not only grand narratives but also the countless days and nights of ordinary, resilient people at frontier outposts. Travel Tips · Military History Highlights: For a deeper understanding of the camp’s history, start at Officers Row, especially the Grant House, then cross the parade ground to the Pearson Air Museum. This tour takes about 2 hours. · Guided Tours: On weekends, guides dressed in historical military uniforms often lead tours around Officers Row. Check the visitor center in advance for times. · Best Season: Late spring to early summer is the best time to visit. The ancient trees in front of Officers Row are lush green, and the gardens are in bloom—perfect for photos and leisurely walks.

Located along the Columbia River, Fort Vancouver National Historic Site is a captivating destination for history enthusiasts. This former fur trading post and military facility offers self-guided tours and immersive 19th-century blacksmith demonstrations. The site’s reconstructed fort and historical reenactments provide deep insights into the Hudson’s Bay Company’s influence in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can explore carefully rebuilt structures such as the Chief Factor’s House and the Accounting Office, vividly glimpsing colonial-era life. Highlights of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site include knowledgeable staff dressed in period costumes, interactive exhibits, and a sense of stepping back in time. The site features reconstructions of various buildings like the blacksmith shop and kitchen, along with educational experiences about 19th-century fort life. Visitors appreciate the informative, family-friendly interactive activities, clean facilities within the fort walls, and historical displays through signage and videos. Address: 1001 E 5th St Vancouver, WA 98661, USA Sunday: Closed Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Show hours People typically spend 3 hours here

#hellohalloween Naturally scenic: The upper stretches offer forested slopes, canyons, and mountainous terrain. The river scenery is dramatic, especially around the Tumwater Canyon and near Leavenworth. Outdoor recreation hub: Plenty of opportunities for rafting, kayaking, tubing, fly‑fishing, hiking along the river corridor, and more. Contrasting landscapes: The river flows from alpine mountainous regions into more arid orchard/valley lands, so you get varied visual and geographical experiences. Cultural & recreational infrastructure: Near towns like Leavenworth (a popular tourist town) and Wenatchee, you’ll find access, guides, amenities.

Two-Day Tour of Leavenworth & Wenatchee, Seattle and Surrounding Areas|||You may have heard of Leavenworth. This time, I stayed there for one night and visited the nearby town of Wenatchee. It was a great experience! The itinerary is not too rushed. I would like to share it with you. 😘 DAY 1: 🚗 9AM Departure. For safety reasons, we took I-90 to avoid the mountain roads on Highway 2! 🎿 11AM Leavenworth Ski Hill. You can ski or go tubing. We bought a $37 tubing ticket, which allows you to go tubing six times! If you can get up early, I suggest you come early. The later it gets, the more people there are. 🍕1PM Blewett Brewing Company. The pizza is super delicious. We ordered the January special, Cranbus, which is an unexpected combination of pork belly, arugula, and cranberry sauce! I love it! 😋😋 🛍️ 2PM Time to visit the German town. There are many small shops, and we walked until our legs were sore. I would like to recommend Whistlepunk Ice Cream Co, which we visited when we were hungry. The ice cream is big, creamy, and delicious! 🎢 4PM Leavenworth Adventure Park. We booked tickets online for 4:30. We went to line up at 4:00 and didn't get on until 5:00. I suggest you book an earlier time, or it will be dark. The roller coaster snow scene is beautiful, and you can control the speed yourself! As long as the weight does not exceed 330 or 375 lb (depending on the weather that day), two people can sit in one car. ☺️ 🐽 6PM Ludwigs. It is best to book in advance to avoid queuing. We couldn't finish a large pork knuckle, so we ordered a Gasthaus Platter for One, which was enough for two people. It includes pork chops, sausages, mashed potatoes, and sauerkraut. The mashed potatoes are quite special. 🏠 Hotel: Residence Inn Wenatchee DAY 2: 🍳 9AM Wake up naturally and enjoy the hotel's free breakfast! 📍 10AM Pybus Public Market. You can walk along the Apple Capitol Recreational Loop Trail behind the hotel. It is a replica of Pike Place. The things are not expensive. There are vinegar, oil, cheese, fruit, meat, and so on for sale, as well as several small restaurants. 🚗 12PM Go home. At the end of the video, I will share a parking tip for the German town. There is free parking at Waterfront Park, and there are many spaces. 🤭

@Travellodge#trip

Very nice hotel very friendly staff and I love the shampoo#mytripvlog

Address: 2202 Easy St, Wenatchee, WA 98801 Atmosphere/Facility: Cherry, apple, grape, etc. farm Key Points: Calculated by weight after fruit harvest Price: $2.50 per pound of black cherries Rating: 🌸🌸🌸🌸 This farm is 3 hours away from Seattle, and it's the beginning of July, so it's black cherry harvest season. You can pick cherries by paying $5 per person, and there were so many pretty cherries hanging from the trees. Even though I ate them while picking them, I quickly filled up two boxes! It was so much fun, and I bought black cherries for a cheap price. After a while, you can harvest apples and grapes too💕 #Traveling the Western US #Black Cherry Harvest #Cherry Season #StutzmanRanch