The Cascades - Washington State - page 282

EXPLORING CHELAN & LOWER LAKE CHELAN
Downtown Chelan's Riverwalk Park, which stretches along both shores of the
lake, has a 1-mile paved path and is a pleasant spot for a walk. The park is also
home to the Riverwalk Pavilion, where outdoor concerts are held during the
summer. Lake Chelan history is on display at the Chelan Museum, corner of
Woodin and Emerson streets ( & 509/682-5644 ), open April through October
daily from 10am to 4pm; other months, Friday and Saturday from 10am to
4pm. Admission is $2 for adults and $1 students and seniors.
Chelan has long been one of Washington's main apple-growing regions, but
with low prices for apples in recent years, local farmers have been searching for
other ways to make money. Many have now set up farm stands, while others
have planted vineyards and are now making wine. In downtown Chelan, be sure
to stop by The Harvest Tree, 109 E. Woodin Ave. ( & 800/568-6062; www.
lakechelanapples.com), a shop dedicated almost exclusively to apples and apple
products. At Blueberry Hills Farms, 1315 Washington St., Manson ( & 509/
687-BERY ), you can pick your own blueberries or sit down to a slice of pie. At
the Chamber of Commerce visitor center (see contact information, above), you
can pick up a copy of the “Agri-Tourism in the Lake Chelan Valley” brochure
and head out on a fruit-finding mission.
Wineries on the north shore include Chelan Wine Company, 105 Spader
Bay Rd. ( & 866/455-WINE ), which produces a variety of wines under the Vin
du Lac label. This winery's tasting room, which is in a little yellow house, is set
amid vineyards and orchards and includes a deli case selling artisan cheeses from
around the region. The tasting room is open daily 11am to 7pm. Continu-
ing west from Chelan, you'll come to Lake Chelan Winery, 3519 Wash. 150
( & 509/687-9463 ), which has its tasting room in an old apple-packing shed.
The tasting room is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm. Out
in Manson, you'll find Wapato Point Cellars, 200 Quetilquasoon Rd. ( & 509/
687-4000; www.wapatopointcellars.com), which is located on the grounds of a
condominium development. The tasting room is open daily from 11am to 7pm.
On the south shore, you'll find Tsillan Cellars, 3875 U.S. 97A ( & 877/682-
8463 or 509/682-9463), the area's most impressive winery. Built to resemble a
Tuscan villa, the winery has a gorgeous view of the lake. Call for tasting room
hours.
UP THE LAKE TO STEHEKIN
If you have time for only one activity while in the Lake Chelan area, it should
be an all-day boat ride up the lake to Stehekin, a community accessible only by
boat, floatplane, or hiking trail, and located within the Lake Chelan National
Recreation Area of the North Cascades National Park Complex. This remote
community has been a vacation destination for more than 100 years and is set
amid rugged, glacier-clad mountains at the far north end of Lake Chelan.
The Lake Chelan Boat Company ( & 509/682-4584; www.ladyofthelake.
com), which has its dock 1 mile west of downtown Chelan on South Shore Road
Three Cherries in Apple Country
If you want to try recouping your vacation costs while you're in the area,
stop by the Mill Bay Casino, Wash. 150 ( & 800/648-2946 ) in the town of
Manson, which is on the north shore of the lake. The casino is operated
by the Colville Confederated Tribes.