8 Best Sights in North Central Washington, Washington

One of the state's most famous scenic drives, the popular 400-mile Cascade Loop encompasses areas of northwestern Washington from Puget Sound to the Cascades and beyond on a number of roads. Its eastern portion includes towns in the Methow Valley such as Winthrop, the Lake Chelan Valley, and the Wenatchee Valley and Cascade foothills. Winthrop has plenty of outdoor activities as well as a lively downtown; heading south on the loop brings you to the resort area of Chelan, on 50-mile-long Lake Chelan, and then to the fruit-growing center of Wenatchee and on to Leavenworth, with its Bavarian-style architecture and mix of old-style and hip shops and restaurants. Although you could drive this portion of the Cascade Loop in a day, the charming towns, landscapes, and outdoor adventures make it easy to linger for a few days or more.  

One of Chelan's several acclaimed operations with female founding winemakers, this upper North Shore winery with a bordello-inspired tasting room has helpful staff and a pretty outdoor picnic area. The winery's playful approach extends to the interesting lineup, including two crisp and bright rosés that feature Gamay Noir grapes grown in the Chelan Lake AVA, the Blanc de Noir sparkling wine called "Good in Bed," and the Shameless Hussy label with its red blend of Syrah and Merlot and its fresh and fruity Viognier. There's also an aromatic vermouth aperitif that pairs perfectly with light tapas. The winery has a tasting room in downtown Leavenworth, too. 

With a gracious patio, koi pond, and fireplace overlooking the lake as well as a dark and inviting wine cave, this first-rate winery on the South Shore stands out for its superb Brut de Brut Champagne-style wine as well as for its Alsatian grapes, including Gewürztraminer and Riesling. Sparkling wines predominate and are even offered by the can (handy for a picnic).

Tremendously popular in summer, this narrow, 50-mile-long fjord—Washington's largest natural lake—offers striking scenery year-round. The views take in sparkling blue water with snowcapped peaks in the distance. The lake offers swimming, boating, fishing, and a chance to soak up the sun. By road, the only access to the shore is its southeastern end, but you can explore the rest of the lake by boat.

Self-guided tours reveal how chinook salmon are released into the Wenatchee River in the hope they will return someday to spawn and keep the species thriving. Even if nothing's spawning, the view of millions of eggs in the nursery or thousands of small, 4-inch "fries" wriggling in the aquarium is something to see. Be sure to set aside time to walk the pretty, 1-mile Icicle Creek Nature Trail loop, an easy and enjoyable stroll with wildlife viewing platforms, interpretive signs, and great bird-watching. A butterfly garden is in front of the hatchery building.

At this lush green oasis, high atop bluffs near the confluence of the Columbia and Wenatchee rivers, visitors can commune with a blend of native rocks, ferns, mosses, pools, waterfalls, rock gardens, and conifers on a mile of paths. Herman Ohme purchased the land in 1929 as a private family retreat and developed the gardens—now owned and managed by Chelan County—for his wife, Ruth.

Set in a renovated warehouse along the Columbia River, this market hall modeled loosely on Seattle's Pike Place Market has been a cog in the revitalization of Wenatchee's riverfront since it opened in 2013. Inside are several excellent restaurants as well as vendors selling fresh produce from nearby farms, artisanal cheeses and charcuterie, seafood, coffee, gelato, and baked goods.

This 125-foot-tall hydroelectric dam on the Columbia River, about 8 miles north of Wenatchee, supplies power to about 7 million people, and there's much for visitors to see and do here, including an engaging Discovery Center and a 17-acre park with picnic shelters and great river views. Expanded and reopened in 2021, the Discovery Center has four floors of all-new interactive exhibits, including the Sternwheeler Video Game, where guests pilot a sternwheeler through a video of rapids. On the lower floor, displays present Native American artifacts from the former Museum of the Columbia. Three theaters, virtual reality activities, a STEM Center, hydroelectric exhibits, art displays, and a full calendar of learning events make this a must-stop for families and anyone interested in learning more about hydroelectric power and river habitats.