Wenatchee Valley Chamber of Commerce is home to an abundance of natural beauty, whether it’s the rugged mountain peaks, Ohme Gardens or the Columbia River Known for its distinctive landscape and adventurous spirit, the Valley incites the interest of explorers with its variety of unique activities that promote a connection with nature, provide invigorating experiences and forge lasting memories. Here are a few of our favorites:
Stand-Up-Paddleboard Yoga and Tours:
A yoga class testing their skills on the water. (Photo credit: ILA Yoga)
Stand-up-paddleboard (SUP) Yoga? Yup, you heard us right.
Conducted by ILA Yoga studio in Wenatchee, SUP Yoga classes are taught on a paddleboard instead of a yoga mat, making them much more dynamic. The classes challenge your core strength and help build your balance – all while enjoying a peaceful setting. The connection to nature is just another way to help you take your practice to new heights!
ILA Yoga also provides paddleboard tours, a great way to explore Wenatchee’s local waterways. Practice your balance and paddling while immersing yourself in the wildlife and natural wonders the estuary has to offer. You might even catch a glimpse of rare birds, otters and deer. Worried about falling in? Nothing feels better than soaking in the Columbia River on a hot summer day.
Art on the Avenues Sculpture Walk:
The Perennial Heart by Sabah Al-Dharer. (Photo Credit: Art on the Avenues)
Spread along the Loop Trail and throughout Wenatchee, the sculptures of Art on the Avenues provide a way for visitors to immerse themselves in the works of nationally and internationally renowned artists.
Art on the Avenues (AOTA) began in 1994 with only 24 sculptures. Today, the nonprofit exhibits 88 pieces. A majority are permanent and owned by the city or AOTA while the rest are either privately owned or for sale. The visiting collection rotates approximately every two years, providing tourists and locals with a whole new collection of art to admire.
Looking for a fun activity to do in November? AOTA’s teaching program, called “Beauty of the Bronze,” helps spread artistic awareness to future generations.
A resident artist provides instruction combined with art tours, sketching and sculpting. Over 600 students will be in the program and their pieces will be on display in the Wenatchee Museum for two weeks in November.
Rocky Reach Dam:
The fish ladder at Rocky Reach Dam. (Photo credit: Gord McKenna)
For a more relaxing summer afternoon, head to the Rocky Reach Dam Museum and Visitor Center on the west side of the dam. Complete with a quaint café and panoramic views of the dam and grounds, the visitor center has a lot to offer locals and tourists alike.
Tour the museum exhibits or explore the 30 acres of manicured lawns and gardens, which are perfect for an afternoon picnic. If you’d prefer to stay indoors, the visitor center has a 90-seat theater that shows films throughout the day and upon request.
Rocky Reach Dam also boasts a fish ladder viewing room that allows visitors to observe salmon and steelhead as they make their migration upstream. Between the fish bypass system, Columbia River and Lake Entiat reservoir, there is plenty to interest outdoor enthusiasts and wildlife gurus alike.