The Gorge Amphitheatre: Local Towns and Information

Town attractions near the Gorge

Ellensburg

Ellensburg — centrally located within the state — was once considered as a possible state capital. Home to Central Washington University, Ellensburg is a charming town surrounded by the beauty of the Kittitas Valley. Its close proximity to a variety of recreational activities — including whitewater rafting, fishing, golfing, hiking and mountain climbing — makes for an excellent place to stay for those taking in a performance at the Gorge Amphitheatre, which is only 30 minutes away. And don't let its smallness fool you. Ellensburg's got a fun nightlife too, with a hip new martini bar called the Starlight Lounge, the Tav with its killer burgers, Gallery One and its wall-to-wall local art plus a lot more.

Location: 2 hours east of Seattle on Interstate 90
Population: 15,414
Founded: 1886
For information: Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce, (509) 925-2002

Roslyn

Roslyn, a small pioneer town, can’t be seen by travelers as they make their way to the Gorge Amphitheatre. It’s hidden within the woods and up the mountains a good three miles off Interstate 90. In the early ’90s, the town became home to the television show, “Northern Exposure.” Since then, this secluded town has drawn a vast number of tourists from all over. During the summer months, Roslyn offers a number of recreational activities, including horseback riding, gold panning, fly fishing and berry and mushroom picking. The Roslyn Cafe, a local landmark with its famous camel mural, has just been renovated and has new owners. After gutting the building, it's got a modern fun feel with a whole new menu, along with some old favorites. Want to drink in the oldest tavern in Washington State? Then check out The Brick Tavern. It's got its own running water spitoon, a great atmosphere and serves up cold glasses of Roslyn's own brew. There's a whole lot more in Roslyn too!

Location: 1 1/2 hours east of Seattle off of I-90
Population: 1,017
Founded: 1890
For information: Cle Elum-Roslyn Chamber of Commerce, (509) 674-5958

Cle Elum

Cle Elum is located below Roslyn in the depths of the Upper Kittitas Valley. Its name is Native American and means “swift water.” Like Roslyn, it too was created out of the coal-mining industry. By the early 1900s, and just shortly after the town was founded, the town population had reached a peak population of 3,000. Today, the town still has the look of its past, with cottages built for miners still standing. Want to try some of the best bread around? Check out the Cle Elum bakery. Nothing beats a warm muffin after a long night of dancing at the Gorge. And there are several good restaurants to choose from.

Location: 1 1/2 hours east of Seattle on I-90
Population: 1,755
Founded: 1902
For information: Cle Elum-Roslyn Chamber of Commerce, (509) 674-5958

Vantage

Vantage sits on the edge of the Columbia River. It’s the last town before crossing the bridge across the Columbia River and entering into Grant County. As small as this town may appear, it provides the passing traveler a number of activities. The unincorporated town’s biggest draw is the Ginkgo Petrified Forest National State Park. This park was founded by the Washington State Legislature in 1935 and, with the Wanapum Recreation Area, has provided visitors with recreational activities such as camping, boating, water-skiing, hiking, sightseeing and fishing year-round. Vantage is a great place for those seeing a show at The Gorge Amphitheatre to stay. The venue is only 20 minutes away.

Location: 2 hours, 15 minutes east of Seattle on I-90
Population: 70
Founded:
Area attractions: the Desert 100 Motorcycle Race, Ginkgo State Park, Grandfather Cuts Lose from the Ponies - metal sculptured ponies overlooking the Columbia off of I-90 east.
For information on camping and accommodations: visit www.vantagewa.com

North Bend

North Bend residents have the comforts of nature with the nearby necessities of city life. Seattle lies only 30 miles west and Sea-Tac International Airport only 35 miles west. The rural town lies at the base of the 4,190 ft. Mt. Si. And as much as this town tries its best to preserve its rural character and the wilderness around it, North Bend is a booming town of economic prosperity. Summer recreation includes hiking, mountain climbing, camping, fishing, horseback riding and hunting.

Location: 30 miles east of Seattle
Population: 4,700
Founded: 1889
Area attraction: Mt. Si, visited by mountain climbers from all over
For more information: contact (425) 888-1211

Snoqualmie

Located in the foothills of the Cascade Mountains, Snoqualmie attracts its visitors by the beauty of its surroundings. Founded in 1903, this town was for a time the only settlement east of Seattle. It’s home to Snoqualmie Falls, one of Washington’s most visited tourist sites. This natural landmark stands at 270 feet, beating out Niagra Falls by a hundred feet. Snoqualmie’s downtown area keeps a historic look with a modern flare. A number of fun shops dot the main strip, including a candy shop with an antique lunch counter and a micro brewery. And if visitors want to make sure they take in all Snoqualmie has to offer, the Snoqualmie Valley Railroad is available for a round-trip ride.

Location: 28 miles east of Seattle on I-90
Population: 3,410
Founded: 1903
Area attractions: Snoqualmies Falls; The Snoqualmie Valley Railroad
For more information: contact (425) 888-1211

Yakima

Yakima, the county seat of the largest county in Washington State, rests in the Yakima Valley — an area rich in volcanic soil. Yakima County is home to the Yakama Indian Reservation, which takes up 1,074,174 acres of the county land. During the summer months, the city is hot and humid, receiving little rainfall. Summer recreational activities include visiting the local Sportsman and Fort Simcoe State Parks, fishing, hunting, golfing, river rafting and attending one of a number of local performance venues. Yakima is also recognized by its active performing arts scene. It boasts the Yakima Symphony Orchestra and Chorus. Several famous wineries surround the area and are only minutes by car.

Location: South central Washington, 145 miles south east of Seattle
Population: 73,040
Founded: 1886
Area attractions: the Yakima Convention Center; the Yakima Sun Dome, the Yakama Nation Cultural Center and Legends Casino
For more information: contact (509) 248-2021

George

The little agricultural town of George, once known only for its extravagant Fourth of July celebration and President’s Day birthday celebration, is now on the map as the neighbor to one of America’s most popular music venues - The Gorge Amphitheatre. Because of its fertile landscape and agricultural diversity, George is often considered by some as the bread basket of America. It was incorporated in the mid-1900s after a local pharmacist, Charlie Brown, won the bid for the town. For a time, Brown’s town was 339 acres and composed of dirt and a farmhouse. Its local hangout, Martha’s Inn, still stands today as the town’s social hub. The town name honors America’s first president, George Washington. Recreational activities include water sports, fishing, hunting, rock climbing, golf and snow skiing.

Location: 2 and a half hours east from Seattle on I-90, exit 149
Population: 530 (population escalates to 5,000 on Fourth of July)
Founded: 1963
Area attractions: The Gorge Amphitheatre - six miles west of George, the town expects 250,000 concert goers to visit each summer.
Neighboring towns: Quincy and Ephrata
For more information: contact (509) 785-5081

Moses Lake

Home to the largest, natural body of fresh water in Grant County and Washington State’s third largest natural freshwater lake, Moses Lake provides a wealth of activities to visitors. Summer activities include swimming, boating, water-skiing, fishing, hunting, golfing and picnicking. Originally named Neppel in 1910, the citizens voted in 1938 to rename the town Moses Lake, in honor of Chief Moses - an influential Eastern Washington Indian leader. The town, in the early part of the 20th Century, stood as an agricultural crossroads but now is more of a commercial hub. The Grant County Airport in Moses Lake is a major training port for large commercial aircraft and has the capacity to accommodate the landing of the NASA spaceshuttle.

Location: 3 hours east of Seattle, 2 hours west of Spokane on I-90
Population: 15,544 in city limits
Founded: 1910 (Neppel); 1938 (Moses Lake)
Area attractions: The Gorge Amp hit heat re - 30 miles west; the sand dunes; the Potholes Reservoir; the Centennial Amp hit heat re (downtown Moses Lake).
For more information: contact (509) 765-7888