Fall is the perfect season for local travel. We may not have the long days and warm nights of summer, but there are still plenty of fair weather weekends left for taking a drive. No matter what part of Washington you call home, Cle Elum is a great destination for a day trip or overnight getaway. Its fairly central location makes it easily accessible from practically anywhere in the state—and whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast or you prefer to stay inside and be pampered, you’ll find fun things to do there.
Cle Elum was incorporated as a city in 1902. Back then it had a prosperous coal mining industry and a very successful lumber industry, which brought the railroad to town.
Ann & Peter Macdonald / Flickr A 1918 fire destroyed 29 blocks of mostly wooden buildings and about 250 homes, but the residents rebuilt, mostly with brick.
Its main street still has a historic look. It’s lined with gift shops, antiques, restaurants, coffee shops and other small businesses.
emmett anderson / Flickr
Cle Elum is located right at the base of the Cascade Mountains, so it’s a very picturesque area. Its close proximity to the Wenatchee National Forest makes it a popular place for fans of the great outdoors.
Dean Sepstrup / Flickr
Horseback riding, fishing, camping and hiking the Coal Mines Trailhead are a few of the most popular outdoor activities in the area. The Washington State Horse Park is open through October and has plenty of trails for recreational rides.
Ryan Sweet / alltrails.com
There are also a couple of quirky attractions too, like the Whimsical Wheelbarrow Tower.
YouTube.com Stephen Ristine had a family collection of old wheelbarrows and decided to turn them into a work of art. You’ll find the tower at 704 West 2nd Street.
For such a small town, you’ll find quite a few quality dining options.
donaldluciat / TripAdvisor The Caboose Bar and Grill pays homage to the railroad past, and the Cottage Cafe is a local favorite that serves classic American diner fare.
And don’t forget to stop by the Cle Elum Bakery.
brewbooks / Flickr
You can also taste wine at Swiftwater Cellars.
PhotoCrawler / TripAdvisor
And when nothing but the best will do, enjoy a relaxing stay at Suncadia Resort.
Management photo / TripAdvisor
Set on 6,000 acres of woodland, Suncadia is a sprawling resort with a mountain lodge atmosphere.
Management photo / TripAdvisor With an onsite day spa, golf course, biking trails, pools and restaurants, you could easily spend an entire weekend enjoying the amenities.
Cle Elum is definitely one of Washington’s most charming small towns. Here are some others that would be worth visiting.
Ann & Peter Macdonald / Flickr
A 1918 fire destroyed 29 blocks of mostly wooden buildings and about 250 homes, but the residents rebuilt, mostly with brick.
emmett anderson / Flickr
Dean Sepstrup / Flickr
Ryan Sweet / alltrails.com
YouTube.com
Stephen Ristine had a family collection of old wheelbarrows and decided to turn them into a work of art. You’ll find the tower at 704 West 2nd Street.
donaldluciat / TripAdvisor
The Caboose Bar and Grill pays homage to the railroad past, and the Cottage Cafe is a local favorite that serves classic American diner fare.
brewbooks / Flickr
PhotoCrawler / TripAdvisor
Management photo / TripAdvisor
Management photo / TripAdvisor
With an onsite day spa, golf course, biking trails, pools and restaurants, you could easily spend an entire weekend enjoying the amenities.
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