weekender.
Weekend trips from Central Washington
Hidden spots near Ellensburg, day trips and weekend road trips from Central Washington in November, scored 1–10 on price, timing and what's happening, with gas, park fees, a campsite or room and food included.
Plan your own trip from Central Washington →Day trips
Leavenworth
A whole mountain town dressed as a Bavarian village, with river tubing and alpine lakes.
Lake Chelan
A 50-mile glacier lake with sunny beaches and wineries, Washington's summer escape.
Dry Falls & Grand Coulee
The skeleton of a waterfall four times wider than Niagara, left by Ice Age floods.
Hood River
Kiteboarders on the Columbia and a loop of farm stands and cideries under Mount Hood.
Palouse Falls
Washington's state waterfall drops 200 feet into a basalt bowl in the middle of farm country.
Seattle
Pike Place's fish throwers, the Fremont Troll under a bridge and the skyline from Kerry Park.
Weekend trips
Lake Chelan
A 50-mile glacier lake with sunny beaches and wineries, Washington's summer escape.
Leavenworth
A whole mountain town dressed as a Bavarian village, with river tubing and alpine lakes.
Columbia Gorge & Multnomah Falls
A river canyon lined with waterfalls, the tallest 620 feet, 40 minutes from Portland.
Painted Hills
Hills striped red, gold and black that change color with the light. Free.
Silver Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls, where you walk behind several of the waterfalls.
Smith Rock
Golden river cliffs where American sport climbing began; Misery Ridge has the view.
Long weekends
Columbia Gorge & Multnomah Falls
A river canyon lined with waterfalls, the tallest 620 feet, 40 minutes from Portland.
Painted Hills
Hills striped red, gold and black that change color with the light. Free.
Silver Falls
The Trail of Ten Falls, where you walk behind several of the waterfalls.
Smith Rock
Golden river cliffs where American sport climbing began; Misery Ridge has the view.
Bend
Float the Deschutes through town, then a lava tube and a mountain of breweries.
Deception Pass
A high bridge over a churning tidal channel, with madrona-tree trails and driftwood beaches.
Personalize it
Set your budget, how many friends are coming, your car (or no car: train and bus), and what you're into (hiking, beaches, camping, stargazing, food and more), and Weekender re-ranks every trip for you, with a day-by-day plan, directions and campsites.
Find my trips from Central Washington →