Entries by Olivia Plew

Lake Chelan Trivia: Five Interesting Facts About the Valley

There Are Over 300 Acres of Vineyards in Chelan Driving down into the Lake Chelan Valley feels like a luxury all on its own! It doesn’t take long to feel the embrace of the outdoor paradise it offers! Orchards, water, rays of sun, and vineyards greet you upon entry. Though Lake Chelan is famous for agriculture and outdoor play, it is also a wine lover’s dream! The first grapes were grown over 100 years ago, but it wasn’t until 2000 when the first commercial winery was established. Not long after this, wine enthusiasts who were eager to create a uniquely crafted bottle of vino, converged on the shores of Lake Chelan and started growing their own grapes. Today, there are more than 30 wineries in the valley and over 300 acres of vineyards. Ruby Theater: The Longest Running Theater in Washington Lake Chelan’s Historic Ruby Theater first opened for showings way back in the summer of 1914 and was at the time deemed “superior to most theaters, far above average.” The theater is constantly showing new films, leaving one movie in rotation for only one or two weeks, all the while sitting comfortably in the center of Historic Downtown Chelan. […]

Spring into Action: Activities to Explore this Spring

We swear we can hear spring calling our name already! As this beautiful season quickly approaches, so does the start of some of our favorite activities in the valley. So whether you visit for spring break, a romantic weekend with your significant other, or a quick getaway, you won’t want to miss these four activities this spring. Golf Lake Chelan is a golfer’s dream destination. With eight courses within driving distance, you’ll have no shortage of places to explore. The two closest courses, the Lake Chelan Golf Course and Bear Mountain Ranch Golf Course boast impressive views of the lake and a challenging landscape at every hole. Hiking As our snow-capped mountains begin to melt, trails that once were unreachable become available again. The Chelan Ranger District contains 422,000 acres surrounding Lake Chelan’s middle and upper lake reaches and offers expansive and challenging trails throughout. Unfortunately, some high elevation hikes may remain closed until summer due to weather conditions. However, our Chelan River trail and Beebe Springs Wildlife Area will be available, and are within a 10-minute drive of downtown Chelan! Cycling and Mountain Biking The Lake Chelan Valley is a beautiful location for leisurely road rides or adventurous mountain […]

Summer in September

Depressed over the end of your favorite season? Lake Chelan isn’t ready to give up on summer just yet! Our warm temperatures make September feel more like a summer bonus than the markings of fall. Wine tasting, live music, and loads of recreational activities fill this month’s agenda. June, July, August–you’ve got nothing on September. Tasting in September Wine tasting in Chelan is on the cusp of its peak season. With crush starting in October, over 30 wineries are gearing up for a tasting marathon. However, a lot of that fun will start in September. With music at several venues, deals on half or full cases, and a climate built for outdoor seating, exploring wine is the perfect September activity. Live Music Wineries are not the only ones with live music during September. In fact, several other establishments will be hosting favorite local bands or other entertainment. A full list of entertainment in the valley can be found on the Lake Chelan calendar of events. Recreational Activities Water Play The average air temperature for Chelan is nearly 72℉ through September, and the lake itself runs around 73℉. Essentially, jumping into the lake this time of year is like jumping into […]

Ditch the Crowds: 5 Secret Spots in Lake Chelan

It’s no secret – Lake Chelan is a popular Washington state destination in the summertime. Temperatures are hot and the lake is a cool, crystal clear reprieve from the heat. In addition to our beautiful lake, there are tons of attractions in and around the valley for you to enjoy. Hiking and mountain biking? We’ve got it. A sophisticated afternoon of wine tasting? Got that too. Fun for the whole family at the waterslides? Yup, you got it. It’s no wonder that the summer season is such a busy one here. We love the hustle and bustle of a lively valley but if you’re feeling overwhelmed or just need a little extra space to spread out, here are 5 “secret” spots where you can ditch the crowds. Rio Vista by the River We know what you’re thinking… A well-known and well-loved winery isn’t exactly a secret. But not everybody knows all that Rio Vista’s location on the Columbia River has to offer. For starters, you can drive, boat, or even fly in to Rio Vista. If you’re driving in, don’t blink or you might miss the dirt road that will lead you to this beautiful riverside winery. Pack a lunch […]

Feel Good Again with 300 Days of Sun

It’s been a weird year, to say the least. It’s understandable that many of us feel stagnant and uninspired these days. After working from home, homeschooling kids, and canceling vacations, we’re ready to go…well, just about anywhere. It doesn’t have to stay that way though. The Lake Chelan Valley gets 300 days of sunshine every year. Take advantage of our year-round sunshine with us and you’ll feel good as new in no time! Vitamin D Vitamin D is a champion of immune function and bone, muscle, and heart health. But it’s also a major mood booster. And thankfully for us, it’s produced in your skin in response to sun exposure. With our 300 days of sunshine, there’s no shortage of that here in the valley. There’s plenty of Vitamin D to go around and you’ll be surprised at the difference a day or two in the sun can make. But don’t take our word for it, come check it out for yourself! Hit the Water Nothing rejuvenates us like a dip in the clear, glacial waters of Lake Chelan on a hot, hot day. It wakes up your system and hits the reset button. You’ll feel alive and inspired again […]

A Week In the Life of A Local

Are you curious how the locals of the Lake Chelan Valley live in a typical week? Living in Lake Chelan means you likely have a tight knit group of friends and community members. A strong sense of belonging can be hard to find, but Lake Chelan locals do it right. It’s not uncommon to know most of the people you see while grabbing your morning coffee or to run into pals at the bar for a drink after work. This month, we’re taking you through a week in the life of a local. Sunday Ah, Sunday Funday. It’s the day of the week where half the locals are relaxing and the other half are working hard, serving the crowd brunches, late lunches, and extravagant dinners. On the clock, your local servers are giving their all to provide you with excellent and timely service. Off the clock? They’re probably planning to head to a winery themselves to decompress after a busy week. Monday Besides holiday weekends like Labor Day and Memorial Day, Mondays are notoriously quiet. Some restaurants even take this day off to recoup from the weekend and prepare for the coming week. You can find locals taking full advantage […]

Top 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Lake Chelan

Summer is on its way, and with it, plans of summer getaways to picturesque lakeside towns (hey, that’s us!) If you’re planning a trip to the valley this year but don’t know where to start, here are our top 10 things we think you’ll want to know before visiting Washington’s favorite lake. 1: Where to Hit the Water One thing you’ll want to know before you go is where you’ll get that sweet beach time. Finding the right place to spread out for the day can be difficult on hot, sunny days when everyone wants to post up by the water. But there are plenty of public parks along both north and south shores where you can lay your towel out and go for a swim. Check out Lake Chelan State Park, Lakeside Park, Don Morse Memorial Park, the Willow Point Park in Manson, or Manson Bay for public beach access. Or consider renting a place that includes beach access like Wapato Point Resort, the Lookout, or Darnell’s Lake Resort so you’re never far from lakeside fun. Click here to find more places to stay! 2: How to Get Around The population of Chelan and Manson may be small, but […]

Reset in Lake Chelan

Have you fallen into a mundane daily routine? Are you feeling tired of the same thing day in and day out? Do you ever daydream about just getting away from it all? Trust us, you’re not alone. We know how easy it is to slip into a routine without ever realizing how much you need a break. Now more than ever, you deserve to set aside some time to break out of your day-to-day routine. Here’s what we recommend for a spring break reset in Lake Chelan that will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed! Pick Your Dates – Seriously. Pull out your planner or open your calendar app on your desktop or smartphone and find a time that you can take off from work. Getting something on the calendar is the first step to breaking out of your routine and will give you something to look forward to! Whether it’s a two-week trip or a weekend getaway, knowing you have Lake Chelan in your future may provide some much-needed motivation. Have a Plan but Stay Flexible – Too many choices can be overwhelming and that’s no way to spend your hard-earned time off. Having a loose idea of how […]

Secluded Stehekin… A Perfect Fall Getaway

If you haven’t been to Stehekin, it is about time to plan a visit! You’ll fall in love with this remote village that allows you to unplug, escape the buzz of everyday life, and take in the beauty from the head of Lake Chelan and the surrounding Cascade Mountains.   Getting There        Considered one of the most remote places in the lower 48 states, Stehekin is only accessible by boat, air or hiking from a variety of directions. The most popular way for visitors to travel to Stehekin is by ferry boat through The Lake Chelan Boat Co. They have a fleet of 3 boats that travel uplake, but the itinerary you choose depends on your desired length of stay. You can also visit their sister company, the Stehekin Ferry, which departs from Fields Point Landing. The Lake Chelan Boat Co. offers two combo options along with other day trip options: the Cascade Flyer Combo, which includes the Lady Liberty up and the Lady Express down, or the Speedway Combo, which consists of the Lady Express up and the Lady Liberty down. Explore other combo trips to find the best itinerary for you! To get the most out of your […]

Out On The Water

The days are long and hot and the water that’s waiting for you is crystal clear and oh so refreshing. Sure, you could jump or wade in from a beach or a dock. But there are countless other ways to beat the Lake Chelan heat! Get the most out of your lake days by hitting the water by boat or jet ski. Here are our favorite watersports to try on the lake!   Waterskiing Waterskiing is just what it sounds like – using skis to ride the waves behind a motorboat. Glide across the surface of the water while you feel the wind in your hair and the cool water on your skin! See just how long you can stay upright as you make your way around the waters of Lake Chelan. The best condition for waterskiing is when the lake is quiet and calm. We recommend hitting the water in the early morning or around sunset for optimal riding!   Wakeboarding Are you a surfer in need of some waves? Or just want a new challenge on the water? When wakeboarding, you’ll ride a single board being towed by a boat and surf the crest of the boat’s wake […]