Chelan is a resort community of 3,800 residents at the edge of the Cascades. Sue Frause photos.
12 Pacific Northwest Getaways by Sue Frause
This is the second of 10 Pacific Northwest Getaways that are fun to explore in the fall and winter -- or any time of year. They're in no particular order or ranking, but range from small island towns to large cities, and from affordable family overnighters to luxe accommodations for two.
Second stop: Chelan, Washington.
Located on the shores of Lake Chelan on the east side of Washington's Cascade Mountains, the resort community of Chelan has long been a getaway for westsiders -- or as eastsiders like to call them, wetsiders. With 300 days of sunshine a year and Washington's deepest lake stretching for 50.5 miles, it's a fun destination for all types of travelers. I've been going to Chelan since I was a kid, and it's aging very well, indeed.
Where to Stay: The Campbell family has owned Campbell's Resort since it opened in 1901 as The Chelan Hotel. Now owned and operated by the fourth generation, it recently underwent a $3 million renovation of its guest rooms. They're much more comfortable and upscale, but the 170-room resort complex hasn't lost its original charm. The decor is very cottage-like, done in warm and sunny blues, teals yellows and beiges. The furniture is modern yet retro, sort of like staying at grandma and grandpa's waterfront getaway. Located on eight acres at the warm, shallow end of Lake Chelan, there's a sandy beach along with two pools, hot tubs and a boardwalk. A full-service spa, Campbell's River Room Spa, features massage, skin care and nail services.
Where to Eat: Campbell's has two on-site restaurants, the Campbell House Cafe and the Veranda Bistro & Bar. I indulged in the fresh and tasty fish 'n chips at the Veranda Bistro and Bar and my friend and I ventured out to two fine dining spots in Chelan for dinner: Andante (chic/cozy atmosphere, low lighting and Italian cuisine), just a few blocks from Campbell's; and Sorrento's Ristorante, a restaurant located at Tsillan Cellars, a quick drive from downtown. Although more formal than Andante, we enjoyed a lovely Italian dinner with Tsillan Cellars wine (of course!) and impeccable service. Oh, Tsillan is pronounced Chelan, and is the original Native American name.
What to Do: Although orchards used to dot the landscape of Lake Chelan, today the fruit has switched from apples to grapes. As Washington state's newest AVA, the Lake Chelan Wine Valley is composed of 14 wineries, with more on the way. I visited a number of them, including Hard Row to Hoe (check out the wine tasting room's wallpaper and ask about the name); Benson Winery (family owned and the only 100% estate winery in the valley); and Lake Chelan Winery (the oldest, started by Bob Christopher, who began growing grapes back in 1998 but no longer owns the winery). The annual Fall Barrel Tasting in the Lake Chelan Wine Valley is Nov. 27-29, 2009.
For more info: For more suggestions on things to do in the area, visit Lake Chelan's website for 101 Things to Do at www.ComeToTheLake.com.
NEXT: Seattle, Washington
Comments
I love the picture Sue took of downtown Chelan with snow-covered Stormy Mountain in the background. I think it really captures the spirit of Chelan.
A group of college friends and I stayed in Chelan in early Sept. and visited Hard Row to Hoe. We can recommend their Edelzwicker, which pairs wonderfully with pears and cheese. If you travel from Seattle, take the scenic route over, and return via I-90.
Yes, good idea Jenny (to take the scenic route via Highway 2, Stevens Pass to Leavenworth). The I-90 route is over Snoqualamie Pass. Of course, it depends where you live ...
Chelan, Washington offers small-town charm (and lots of apple, pairs and cherry , Orchards) All around the Lake. BUT not a small town any more, been growing at a lightning speed for past 25 years. Some 35 year ago was predominantly a small farming town and a family type vacation town, now very expensive wealthy tourists destination, vacation homes have dominated the hill around the lake. Chelan very over crowded in the summer months.
BUT Still all the beautiful Mt, view are very nice, lots of good hiking trails in the Mountains and even more great hiking trail access when you head up lake on the boat. So bring your back pack, tent and sleeping bag, and freeze dried foods too, and expect to see some of the best Mt. in America. The north Cascade Mt. with some of the largest Glaciers in America, just a 10 mile of hiking from the small " Stahicken Village " at head of Lake Chelan, take the " Lady of The Lake " Boat to get there, have your mind " BLOWN AWAY from the Mt. top vistas, you can see for about a 100 miles on a clear day ! Have fun !
" today the fruit has switched from apples to grapes." But the grapes are just a small part of the local agriculture of Lake Chelan Valley Apple, pairs, Cherries, etc. Orchards still dominating the landscape around the Lake. Also apples all up & down the Mighty Columbia River from Canada to Oregon boarder, THANK GOD for apples sold world wide !
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