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12 Pacific Northwest Getaways: Chelan, Washington offers small-town charm (and wine!) on Lake Chelan
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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 12 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
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