The 9 Best Things to Do in Chelan Washington (From a Local)
This guide to the best things to do in Chelan explains the top activities, places to stay, and restaurants to help plan your next vacation.
Lake Chelan Washington is one of my favorite places in the world. Chelan is a small lake town in Eastern Washington state.
The small town has recently become super popular due to the local wineries, sunny weather, and local charm.
When I was born, my family bought a small 500 square foot cabin in the hills of Chelan. For the past 26 years, I have visited multiple times and view it as my second home.
It’s my happy place, and I am so excited to share what I love about it with you!
Chelan has many great activities for all ages, all interests, and all seasons. Some of my favorite things to do are wine tasting and boating but below is a complete list of what to do.
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What to Do in Chelan Washington
There are so many great things to do in Chelan! This is why I can keep going back and never get bored. What I love about these Chelan activities is that they are mostly outdoors, take advantage of the scenery, and some of them are free.
While list this focuses on what to do in Chelan in the summer or warmer months, I have a complete blog post dedicated to Chelan in the winter. Be sure to check it out if you are planning a cold-weather visit.
1. Boating on Lake Chelan
My absolute favorite summertime activity is boating. If you own a boat, tow it over the pass for your trip. There are convenient boat launches on the river, at the downtown marina, and in Manson.
If you do not have a boat, I highly recommend renting one for at least one day during your trip. Some good places to rent boats in Chelan are Chelan Parasail and Shoreline Watercraft. Â
A full day rental will set you back between $500 and $700, but it is worth it. Most boats can hold around 10 passengers, so if you fill it, it’s a day of fun for $70 per person.
If you spend a day on the lake, I recommend heading up lake. Past Manson, the water is smoother, there are less boats, and the scenery is incredible. Alternate time between swimming in the water and cruising the lake.
On the way back to town, drive along the coast to look at all the beautiful lakefront homes.
2. Rent Jet Skis
If you want to get on the lake, but are not interested in renting a boat, Jet Skis are a great option. You can rent them from the same locations as the boats: Chelan Parasail and Shoreline Watercraft.
The benefit to jet skis versus boats is that you can go faster and be more adventurous by jumping wakes and taking sharp turns.
If you choose to rent jet skis, I recommend getting them for 2 hours. Any longer than this and you will likely get tired.
3. Lake Chelan Parasailing
If you know anything about me, you know I love a good adventure. The best adventure in Chelan, in my opinion, is parasailing. For those you haven’t done it before, parasailing is being towed behind a boat with a large parachute, so you are 50+ feet in the air.
The best company to parasail with is Chelan Parasail. Book your trip online in advance since they sell out most days. On the day of your trip, you will arrive at their shop for a safety briefing, then will board the boat.
Once on the water, groups of two will be hooked into their harnesses and to the parachute, then slowly lifted from the boat. On the way back down, they tow in the rope, so you never end up in the water.
From the top of the parachute, you will have panoramic views of the lake Chelan valley and lake, be sure to soak it in!
4. Hike the Lake Chelan Butte
Another great way to get panoramic views of the lake is by hiking the Lake Chelan Butte. This 8-mile out and back hike will bring you up into the Chelan hills and reward you with stunning views.
I’d consider the hike to be advanced, so skip this option unless you feel prepared. Additionally, there is no shade so try to hike early in the day.
Other great Chelan hiking Trails:
- Riverwalk Loop Trail
- Upper Gorge Trails
- Elephant’s Head
5. Visit the Slidewaters Waterpark
If you are visiting with kids, the Slidewaters is a must-visit! Even if its an adult-only trip, I enjoy the water park. Slidewaters is a medium waterpark with 15+ waterslides for all ages. They also have a lazy river and brand-new surf pool.
If you plan to visit, expect to spend a half day. Arrive early to secure a good spot and miss the crowds. Some of the best attractions are the lazy river, tube rides, and the large racing track. Also, they recently added a large surf pool that is one of few in the entire United States.
The surf pool allows people of all abilities to ride the artificial waves with the help of a trained instructor. If surfing isn’t your speed, it is a ton of fun to watch others try it out.
6. Enjoy Local Music and Wine Tasting
One of the best things to do in Chelan is wine tasting and visiting the local wineries. Chelan used to primarily be an apple farming area.
In the past 20 years, people have converted the orchards to vineyards. Now, Chelan has more than 30 wineries and a ton of great wine.
During the summer, many wineries will host local artists for live music. Be sure to check winery Facebook pages during your trip to see where the live music is.
For a list if the best wineries to visit, keep reading below.
7. Take a Day Trip to Stehekin
At the far end of Lake Chelan is a small town called Stehekin. It is only accessible by boat, foot, or plane.
The most common way to get to Stehekin from Chelan is on the Lady of the Lake boat. The ride will take a few hours but is very scenic.
Alternatively, you can take the faster and equally scenic route with Lake Chelan helicopters. This method is more expensive, but will definitely be memorable.
Once you arrive in Stehekin, there are hiking and biking trails, Stehekin pastry company, and a lakefront park. If you prefer, you can even camp for a night or stay in a local cabin.
8. Golfing Near Chelan
Chelan, Washington is a great place to play golf. With its wide open spaces, stunning mountain vistas, and lake views, it’s the perfect backdrop for an unforgettable round of golf.
The Lake Chelan Golf Course is one of the best in the area, with its stunning views of Lake Chelan and the Cascade Mountains beyond.
Another great course in Chelan is Bear Mountain Ranch Golf Course which offers a challenging layout and beautiful scenery.
The municipal golf course is less expensive than Bear Mountain, but Bear Mountain is a better course for experienced golfers.
Both courses offer excellent amenities such as pro shop services and restaurants. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced golfer, you’ll find something to enjoy at either course.
9. Shopping in Downtown Chelan
Downtown Chelan is so cute! Spend at least an afternoon here exploring the local shops. Although downtown is really only a few blocks, there are many great shops.
Some of my favorite shops downtown are:
- Lake Chelan Sports – Clothing store focused on casual activewear and leisure outfits.
- Lake Life Chelan – Home goods, trinkets, funny signs, and clothing. This store has so much random stuff and is super fun to check out.
- Woody’s – Boutique dedicated to men’s clothing, golf outfits, and gifts. There is also a barber shop in the back.
- Ruby Theater – Not necessarily a store, but this theater opened in the early 1900’s and is very historic. They show one movie once per day.
- Chelan Museum – The Chelan Museum is operated by the Lake Chelan Historical Society and is dedicated to the history of this popular north central Washington town.
Check with the Lake Chelan Chamber of Commerce for the latest list of events happening during your trip.
Best Wineries to Visit in Chelan
This complete guide to Chelan wouldn’t be complete without mentioning all the great wineries. As mentioned above, wine is a new industry in Chelan and is still growing quickly.
What I love about Chelan wineries is that they are mostly family owned, have a great community feel, sell great wine for reasonable prices, and provide fun events.
The below wineries are some of my favorites in the valley, with each having their unique benefits.
Amos Rome is in the hills with a great view of the lake from their large deck. The winery produces mostly estate wines and even sells their grapes to neighboring wineries.
Tipsy Canyon is up the hill from Amos Rome and has beautiful views of the lake. This winery is the best for groups because they have a large hillside with Adirondack chairs that you can set up however you want.
Cairdeas has some of the most expensive wines, but for good reason. They produce unique varietals that are worth trying at least once.
Benson is a beautiful winery with Tuscan style architecture, a cute café, and the best views of the lake. They often have live music, so be sure to check their calendar when you visit.
Succession is a small family-owned winery that will make you feel like family when you visit. Stop here purely for the great service and conversation.
Wine Girl Wines is in downtown Manson. They host super fun trivia on Mondays and have a lot of great merchandise in their store.
While tastings at most wineries will be $10-$20, Lake Chelan Winery still offers a complimentary tasting. They also have a extensive cheese counter to build your own charcuterie board.
If you get tired of wine, root wood cider is a great place to stop. It honors the apple farming history of the area with delicious apple and fruit ciders. My favorite is the apple cider with honey.
Read my complete guide to wineries in Chelan here for a more comprehensive list and some insider tips.
Where to Stay in and Near Chelan
As mentioned above, Chelan is a small town, so there aren’t a ton of accommodation options. When you are deciding where to stay in Chelan, first consider what location you prefer.
Downtown– The most expensive, but most convenient area to stay. You will be walking distance to the historical downtown, many restaurants, and tasting rooms.
This is where most of the traditional hotels are. My two favorite Chelan hotels are the Worldmark and Campbells. Both are pricey but offer comfortable rooms and great amenities in the heart of Chelan.
Manson– Just pass Chelan, still on the lake, is another town called Manson. There are a few hotels here and some great vacation rentals.
If you want to be walking distance to activities, but save money, stay here.
South Shore vs North Shore– If you are traveling as a group, a vacation rental is the best option. There are many rentals all around the lake and in the hills.
The North and South shores are both great with many nearby wineries. However, the North shore gets afternoon sun, so I recommend staying here if you plan to hangout in the pool or lake.
Camping in Chelan – In addition to some hotels and many vacation rentals, there are a few options for camping in Chelan.
The best campground is the Lakeshore RV Park that is in downtown, next to Don Morse Memorial park. If you want to stay here, plan to book at least 6 months in advance.
Other campgrounds in Chelan include the Lake Chelan state park and BeeBe Bridge Park.
Where to Eat in Chelan
Any great travel guide must finish with where to eat. Let’s be real, trying new foods is like 50% of the reason to travel! The below places are my favorite restaurants in Chelan.
- Lake Chelan BBQ– At Lake Chelan Winery, this tasty BBQ includes favorites like salmon, tri tip, and pulled pork. The seating is family style at long picnic tables under a rustic red barn.
- Wapato Point Cellars– If you are celebrating a special occasion during your trip, the nicest meal in Chelan is at Wapato Point Cellars. My favorite item on the menu is the chicken piccata.
- Marcelas– The best Mexican food in Chelan is at Marcelas on the main street. They serve all of the classic dishes and have a very family friendly atmosphere.
- Stormy Mountain Brewing– This craft brewery serves good bar food such as sliders and tacos. They have a lot of tv’s to catch any sports games.
- Siren Song Winery– Siren song is another great winery that will transport your back to Europe. Their extensive menu includes wood fired pizzas that are some of the best I’ve ever had.
Best Time to Visit Chelan
One of the best things about Chelan is that it is a great destination year-round. While busy season is in the summer, each season has it’s unique benefits.
Fall – Autumn in Chelan is wine harvest season, so it is a great time for fun winery events and wine tasting. Additionally, fall will bring moderate temperatures and beautiful changing leaves.
Winter – Winter is my second favorite season in Chelan because I love the snow! In the winter, Chelan will welcome you with snowy hills and great outdoor activities.
There are also two large festivals: Winterfest and wine and chocolate, that will make your trip memorable.
Spring – Like fall, spring is shoulder season in Chelan, but still a great time to visit. While there may be rain, you are likely to find comfortable temperatures throughout the day.
Take advantage of the cooler weather to enjoy more strenuous outdoor activities they may be challenging in the summer.
Summer – Summer is the most popular time to visit Chelan.
Since the town is centered around the lake, you can truly take advantage of the water with activities like paddleboarding, boating, and swimming.
The only disadvantage to visiting in the summer is bigger crowds and more expensive hotels.
Getting to Lake Chelan from Seattle
Chelan is a three-to-four-hour drive from Seattle, depending on traffic. If you are coming from the Seattle area, you will likely take I-90 or highway 2.
Highway 2 is more scenic, but known as one of the most dangerous highways at night. Based on this, I take highway 2 during daytime and good weather, but stick to 90 the rest of the time.
Another option to get to Chelan from western Washington is via the North Cascade Highway. While this route will take much longer, the road is very scenic, and you can explore a bit of the North Cascades National Park as you go!
If you are from out of state, your best option is to fly into SeaTac airport. There is no great public transportation, so be sure to rent a car for the drive over. Once you are in Chelan, it will be great to have a car as well.
Transportation Around Town
The best and kind of only way to get around Chelan is with a car. Since the best way to get to Chelan is by driving, having a car should be a given.
Although the lake Chelan area is growing, it is still a very small town with only one Uber and no taxis. Plan to drive everywhere you go.
The one exception is for wine tasting. There are companies that will charter limos, jeeps, or other transportation, for a wine tasting day. This is a great option if everyone in your group plans to drink.
Fun Facts about Chelan
- Chelan hosts over 200 acres of wine grapes and 30 wineries
- Over 100 glaciers surround the lake and fill the water level each summer
- Lake Chelan is the third deepest freshwater lake in the United States, deeper than the Great Lakes
FAQ – Things To Do in Chelan WA
These are some of my most frequently asked questions about traveling to Chelan. Have more questions? Leave them in the comments below!
Lake Chelan is very cold, around 40 degrees F. It’s so cold because it’s filled by snow melt and is very deep.
Lake Chelan is 1,486 feet (453 metres) deep.
Chelan is 180 miles from Seattle and the drive takes approximately 3.5 hours.
Summary of What to Do in Chelan
Overall, your visit to the Chelan Valley is sure to be fun and relaxing. Be sure to take advantage of the great local wineries, activities, and the lake to make a memorable vacation.
In addition to hitting all the best things to do in Chelan, take time to soak in the sights of beautiful Lake Chelan. I’ve traveled to nearly 50 cities and think Chelan is one of the most beautiful in the world.
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