Drift over the Methow Valley as you gaze at the peaks of the North Cascades. Morning Glory Balloon Tours offers hour-long flights for a sky-high view. Back on the ground, explore TwispWorks. Inside are glassblowers and other artisans, alongside a center about the area’s Native tribes.
Old Rodeo
One of the last of it's kind, the Ellensburg Rodeo takes place every Labor Day weekend. As one of the country's top ten professional rodeos, you can enjoy watching over 600 contestants compete for prize money.
Dogsled in the North Cascades
Skim through the snowy woods with The Flying Furs—canine racing teams that include Iditarod veterans. Rides leave from Fish Lake Sno-Park near Leavenworth, January to March. If you’re here in December, don’t miss the holiday tree-lighting festivities in the city’s Bavarian downtown.
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
This road-trip network traces how ancient torrents blasted 65 miles per hour from Missoula to the coast, gouging deep lakes. Preview one of its highlights 10 miles southwest of Coulee City: the Dry Falls, a long-extinct cascade that would have dwarfed Niagara.
Gaze up at this nearly milelong dam, or shuttle across the top on a guided tour. Historic walking trails tell the region’s story, while nightly laser light shows are electrifying.
--Amanda Castleman
