The founders of Chelan, Washington, picked the right spot. The eponymous town has views for days at the southern end of the 50-mile Lake Chelan. This former party spot has graduated to upscale vineyard town, but it still offers a relaxed attitude and all the natural beauty you could want. Beyond getting on the lake—be it boat, kayak, or water wings—things to do in Chelan trend toward life’s finer things: The town’s shop-lined streets, local tasting rooms, and excellent restaurants make Chelan an outdoors destination with undeniable panache.
The quintessential Chelan experience is summer. June through August bring long days to Chelan, with reliably warm weather for the area’s signature activities: boating, wine tasting, and more boating. That being said, spring and fall are lovely, with mild temperatures and the town’s fantastic scenery bursting with fresh greens or aging golds. What’s more, there are smaller crowds in those shoulder seasons—a welcome change from summer’s “playground” vibes.
Most visitors get to Chelan in a vehicle, but you don’t need one once you’re here. Both biking and walking are popular choices for getting around town when the weather is nice, as are wine tours—no driving required there. While you may want a vehicle to access farther-flung places like Lake Chelan State Park, if you rent one thing in Chelan, it should be a boat, kayak, or paddleboard.
Chelan marks the southern end of Lake Chelan—aka the accessible end, which is more like an East Coast lake town. The northern end is like Alaska. Stehekin, the town up north, is only accessible by water, air, or foot, and it’s absolutely worth the trek (the ferry ride along the lake is exquisite, though do book tickets in advance). Get here, and you’re in the high peaks of the North Cascades, with all the ambiance and luxury of Chelan but with a sense of absolute solitude and fewer crowds.
