Wenatchee, WA Road Trips

The Wenatchee Valley provides an ideal climate for agriculture, and therefore, the area has become widely known for its produce. There are a plethora of orchards in the valley, especially apple orchards, from which Wenatchee has earned the slogan “Apple Capital of the World.” Archaeologists believe that an ancient people migrated to the Wenatchee area during the last ice, some 12,000 years ago. This is based on many Clovis artifacts that have been found in the area. These ancient people are thought to be the descendants of the Yakama people. White settlers began to move into the area during the late 1800s. The city has grown substantially in the 21st century, to over 100,000 residents. The greater Wenatchee area incorporates East Wenatchee, which lies on the opposite side of the Columbia River, as well as Rock Island and Malaga. Unlike cities in western Washington, it is in the rain shadow of the Cascade Range, which means that Wenatchee gets nearly 300 days of sunshine per year. Its climate is very similar to that of other eastern Washington cities, yet it retains the picturesque views of the Cascade mountains.

1 Ohme Gardens, 3327 Ohme Rd, ☏ +1 509-662-5785. 9AM-6PM, Apr 15-Oct 15. A steep and rocky bluff overlooking the city and the Columbia River, purchased by Herman Ohme in 1929 and incrementally transformed into a tree-filled garden with ponds, waterfalls, overlooks and over 1 mi (1.6 km) of stone-paved walking paths. $8 Adults. (updated Oct 2025) 2 Rocky Reach Dam (Rocky Reach Discovery Center), 5000 State Hwy 97A. The project provides energy for more than 7 million people throughout the Pacific Northwest. The visitor center shows films describing the Columbia River. The "Look a Salmon in the Eye" exhibit is a fish viewing room. The Powerhouse includes exhibits on the fourth floor. Free. (updated Aug 2025) 3 Wenatchee Valley Museum, 127 S Mission St. Exhibits on the history of the apple industry (updated Oct 2024)

Apple Capital Loop Trail. a 10 mile walk along the Columbia River waterfront of Wenatchee and East Wenatchee 1 Wenatchee Convention Center, 121 N Wenatchee Ave. Also home to the Stanley Civic Center, and Numerica Performing Arts Center (updated Oct 2024) 2 Riverside Playhouse and Music Theatre, 233 B N Wenatchee Ave. (updated Oct 2024) 3 Mission Ridge Ski Resort, 7500 Mission Ridge Rd. Mission Ridge has six lifts providing access to 2,000 acres (810 hectares) of terrain. It receives an average of 200 in (5,100 mm) of snowfall and over 300 sunny days each year. (updated Aug 2025) 4 Squilchuck State Park, 2805 Mission Ridge Rd. The 249-acre (101 ha) park offers hiking, mountain biking and cross-country ski trails, group camping, birdwatching, and wildlife viewing. (updated Oct 2024) 5 Wenatchee Confluence State Park, 333 Olds Station Rd. The park consists of 197 acres (80 ha) spanning the Wenatchee River at its confluence with the Columbia River. Park offerings include camping, boating, fishing, swimming, and various sports activities. Discover Pass required. (updated Aug 2025) 6 Saddle Rock Trails, 1155 Circle St (The main trail begins on the north end of the parking lot.). Daylight hours. Historic 2.6-mile trail with an elevation gain of 885 feet. (updated Nov 2025)

Wenatchee is famous for its apples and other fruits. If anything is in season, stop by a fruit stand and try something! 1 Stemilt Growers, 3615 US-97 ALT. (updated Oct 2024)

1 Chateau le Pont Winery, 1 Vineyard Way (north of Wenatchee Confluence State Park), ☏ +1 509 667-WINE (9463). Tu-Sa 11AM-9PM (winery & restaurant); Su-M 11AM-6PM (winery only). (updated Feb 2019)

1 Best Western Chieftain Inn, 1017 N Wenatchee Ave, ☏ +1 509 665-8585, toll-free: +1-800-780-7234, fax: +1 509 665-9745. Check-in: 4PM, check-out: noon. 2 Holiday Inn Express, 1921 N. Wenatchee Ave, ☏ +1 509 663-6355. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. 3 Super 8, 1401 North Miller St, ☏ +1 509-662-3443, toll-free: +1-800-454-3213, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Heated outdoor pool, hot tub, business center, meeting space, laundry facilities. Microwaves, refrigerators and wi-fi in rooms, breakfast included, pets welcome, handicap-accessible rooms available. No extra charge for kids 17 and under staying with an adult. (updated May 2015)

1 Pangborn Memorial Airport (EAT IATA) (15 minutes east). The airport has three Horizon Airlines flights a day to Seattle/Tacoma. The next nearest airports for commercial flights with a greater selection of airlines and destinations are Everett Paine Field PAE IATA and Seattle Tacoma International Airport SEA IATA which is connected to Wenatchee by the Wenatchee Valley Shuttle for those traveling without a car (see below under 'By bus'). Driving is the most common way to get into and around town from the surrounding regions. & passes through town from Peshastin 19 mi (31 km) west, and along the east side of the Columbia River from Orondo, 17.5 mi (28.2 km) north. US-2 continues (51 mi (82 km)) east towards Coulee City from Hwy 97 in Orondo and 4 mi (6.4 km) west to Leavenworth from its junction with Hwy 97 west of town in Peshastin. US-97 continues 26 mi (42 km) north to Chelan from its junction with US Hwy 2 in Orondo and 51 mi (82 km) south towards Ellensburg from US Hwy 2, west of town. Alternatively US Hwy 97 ALT parallels US Hwy 97 along the west side of the Columbia River to Chelan. WA-28 connects Wenatchee to Quincy and Ephrata from the south end of town. WA-285 connects downtown to US Hwy 2 & 97 in the north as N Wenatchee Blvd & Mill St. It goes through downtown as Chelan Ave (SB) and Mission Ave (NB) and crosses the river to connect with SR-28, south of downtown, in East Wenatchee as Stevens St. From Seattle, it is 148 mi (238 km) northeast via I-90, SR-970 (Exit #85 from I-90) and US Hwy 97.