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6 Things You Need to Do in Central Washington This Fall
How will you fill your fall? Now that it’s time for a seasonal switch-up, we’re here to offer you all of Central Washington’s essential autumn attractions. Get fall-ready by adding these six seasonal experiences to your upcoming trip itinerary!
ATTEND FALL FESTIVALS
Our area is home to some of the best events in Washington State! Explore our lineup of fall events below, or view our full event calendars to plan ahead for future visits.
October 2, 3-9PM, at Kittitas Valley Event Center
KEEN’s WindFall Cider Fest is back for its third year! Sip some of the best ciders made in our region, enjoy roots music from five live bands, and grab a bite to eat from local food trucks on site. Get your tickets now!
October 2-3 and 9-10, 10AM-5PM, at Nelson Farm
Held at the historic Nelson Farm, Suncadia Resort’s annual Harvest Festival offers two weekends of seasonal events and activities to celebrate the arrival of fall. Festivities include a hay maze, pony rides, archery, face painting, petting zoo, pumpkin patch, food trucks, a Dru Bru beer garden, and more!
Every Saturday, May through October, 9AM-1PM, on East 4th Avenue
The Ellensburg Farmers Market livens up the streets of Ellensburg’s historic downtown every Saturday, from the first weekend in May to the last weekend in October. Stroll past dozens of local vendors to discover seasonal flavors, vibrant flowers, baked goods, and hand-crafted products this fall.
October 9, 1-5PM, at The Roslyn Yard
The perfect event for any beer aficionado, Mountain Ale Festival will be hosting thirteen area breweries in the quaint mountain town of Roslyn on October 9, 2021. Breweries such as Dru Bru, Ten Pin Brewing, Deschutes Brewery, and many more will fill up The Roslyn Yard to offer tastings. Attendees will also enjoy food from Basecamp Books & Bites, plus live music!
October 16, 9AM-4PM, at Kittitas Valley Event Center
Named one of Flea Market Decor’s Top 12 Flea Markets in the U.S., Ellensburg’s Junk-tiquen in the Burg is an essential experience for any antique lover or craft connoisseur. Shop vintage treasures, up-cycled items, and more for over 50 vendors at the Kittitas Valley Event Center on October 16, 2021.
Thursday through Sunday, September 25 through October 31
Enjoy the full fall experience at The Patch, a first-generation family farm located just minutes from downtown Ellensburg. Here you’ll find u-pick pumpkins, hayrides, a petting zoo, a corn maze, and more fun and games. Plus, seasonal fare is available in the Silo Cafe, Bake Shop, and in the farm store as well.
ELEVATE YOUR GOLF GAME
Test out the pristine golf courses of Central Washington this season to experience the unique challenges of our local landscape. Suncadia Resort in Cle Elum is home to two premier public courses, Prospector and Rope Rider. Prospector (pictured), which was created by the Palmer Course Design Company, offers 18 holes of gorgeous mountain golf, with rolling fairways and plenty of challenges for golfers of all abilities. The Rope Rider course features more than 7,300 yards of classic Washington State golf. It also offers family-friendly options with youth tees on every hole and a three-hole short course golf park! Cle Elum is also home to Sun Country Golf Resort, a wonderfully maintained 18-hole course set amongst the Cascade Mountains. For a convenient and affordable family getaway, you can even stay at the Sun Country RV Park to create a relaxing weekend retreat! Take a short drive over to Ellensburg to find our area’s final golfing destination, Ellensburg Golf & Country Club, which features a 9-hole course, restaurant and bar, pro shop, driving range, and putting green.
FRESHEN-UP WITH FALL SHOPPING
Ready to spruce up your wardrobe or home for the fall? Visit the charming downtown communities of Central Washington for a shopping spree this season! Ellensburg, Cle Elum, and Roslyn each offer a unique downtown filled with local boutiques and stores to peruse, plus plenty of dining options when you’ve worked up an appetite. Plus, don’t miss the shopping opportunities located a little further away. Thorp Fruit & Antique Mall, for example, is a must-see, offering an incredible selection of antiques, as well as specialty foods, gifts, produce, and more. Click here to explore all Central Washington shopping opportunities!
SEARCH FOR SEASONAL FLAVORS
Central Washington offers unique culinary experiences for foodies of all kinds, and local eateries love to add a little extra creativity to their menu items whenever they can. During your visit this fall, you are sure to encounter restaurants that are highlighting seasonal flavors in fun, innovative ways, so give them a try! If you’re a pumpkin lover, Twin Pines Drive-In in Cle Elum offers a Pumpkin Pie Milkshake this time of year, and Cle Elum Bakery whips up delicious pumpkin cake donuts. Many local bars feature a seasonal cocktail list, so try the fall flavors being offered at Heritage Distilling, Swiftwater Cellars, Cornerstone Pie, The Mule Cocktail Bar, and more Central Washington establishments. Our area is also proud to support local farmers by using farm-fresh produce, which means you’re sure to find some seasonal fruits and veggies incorporated into your meal. Ellensburg’s Canyon River Grill, for example, highlights fresh, in-season ingredients from local farms, and even the chef’s own garden, in every dish! Explore all Central Washington dining opportunities now to uncover your favorite fall flavors during your visit.
HIKE AMONGST FALL COLORS
Covering diverse landscapes that include lush pine forests and basalt canyon cliffs, Central Washington is a hikers paradise. During your visit, explore our natural surroundings to discover peak fall colors and gorgeous scenery all around. Some of the best nearby trails to enjoy the crisp air and seasonal shading include Umtanum Creek Falls Trail, French Cabin Creek Trail, Davis Peak Trail, and Pete Lake Trail. Explore all Central Washington hiking trails to find your own fall adventure!
TOUR BARN QUILT TRAIL
Our area is known for its beautiful rolling fields and agricultural history, and you can enjoy each by touring the Kittitas County Barn Quilt Trail in search of the county’s famous barn quilts. This drive celebrates the heritage of Kittitas County and is Washington’s first barn quilt trail. Now featuring more than one hundred quilt blocks, this is a beautiful and fascinating Central Washington tradition to experience. The drive is self-guided, but there is a map available that outlines the trail as well as offers information on the history of each barn and the meaning of its quilt block. Although an adventure on Barn Quilt Trail is possible year-round, the fall season will provide you with vibrant scenery throughout your drive!