13 Best Things To Do Near the Gorge Amphitheatre Before the Show Starts

Planning a trip to the Gorge and wondering about the best things to do near the Gorge Amphitheatre before the show starts? Then read on!

So I am spending this summer living and working at Gorge Amphitheatre in Eastern Washington again, co-managing the Oasis Glamping on-site for the fifth year.

Between events, I try to escape site and explore more of Washington State as much as possible, doing road trips all over the state, but there are days when I want to stick closer to home. 

It may seem like we are out in the middle of nowhere but there are actually a surprising amount of things to do around Gorge Amphitheater, from hiking and wine tasting to swimming in the Columbia River and exploring nearby towns.

And I have been making it my mission to explore all of these fun things to do near the Gorge Amphitheatre for my own entertainment and to inspire those of you that are planning to attend a show there and want to explore the area in your downtime.

So here are the best things to do near Gorge Amphitheater in Washington.

13 Best Things To Do Near Gorge Amphitheater

Check out my interactive map for the best things to do near Gorge Amphitheatre.

1) Go Wine Tasting

There are a number of wineries close to Gorge Amphitheater, including the award-winning Cave B Estate Winery which you can walk to from the venue.

Cave B Estate Winery

Cave B is the easiest winery to get to from Oasis Glamping – it is only a short walk away! Take the pathway beside the Oasis check-in and you will get there in a few minutes.

Cave B has incredible gorge views and offers a wide variety of red and white wines that are available to buy by the glass and bottle, as well as try by doing a tasting. Tastings during Gorge events are $20 and you do not need to make a reservation.

There is often live music at the small amphitheater on site and there is a pizza food truck set up on the lawn. You are welcome to pack a picnic to eat on the lawn just don’t bring in outside alcohol. You can purchase light snacks including crackers, cured meats, cheeses, and nuts at the winery too.

The winery is open on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday from 12pm – 5.30pm, Friday from 12pm – 6.30pm, Saturday from 11.30am – 6.30pm, and Sunday from 11am – 5.30pm. They are closed on Wednesdays.

Chris Daniel Winery

Located in nearby George, Chris Daniel Winery has a tasting room and offers a range of red, white, and rosé wines. They are open from noon to 5 pm from Friday to Sunday and you don’t need to reserve.

Beaumont Cellars

Visit Beaumont Cellars Tasting Room in Quincy to try their delicious wines, or for something really special, book to attend one of their Crushpad Dinners where their wines are paired with meals prepared by local chefs. Check the schedule for the dinners on their website – reservations are required.

The Tasting Room is open from Friday and Saturday from 12 noon till 6pm and Sunday 12 noon till 5pm. Reservations are not required for tastings.

2) Hit the Hiking Trails

Cave B Waterfall Trail – 2.8 Miles Out and Back

Please Note: This trail is not open during events and there is a sign stating it is only for Sagecliffe guests and members, so do this hike at your own risk.

This is the closest trail to the venue, and you can reach it by walking over to Cave B Winery – use the Alltrails website for the exact starting point. This trail will take you down to the Columbia River and has spectacular views and waterfalls along the way.

Keep your eyes peeled for marmots and coyotes – I have seen both on this trail. Make sure to swim in the river, if you’re lucky you might spot some otters like I have.

One section of the trail, just past the waterfall, is overgrown and impassable. Just go straight over the rock – it’s easy to climb up and over – and rejoin the trail on the other side.

Ancient Lakes Trail – 4.6 miles out and back

This gorgeous hike is a 25-minute drive away and is a lovely trail surrounded by waterfalls, small lakes, and cliffs. Use the Alltrails website for the exact starting point. Be aware there may be ticks and rattlesnakes on this trail.

Frenchman Coulee Trail – 4.8 miles Out and Back

An easy trail through a wide, flat-bottomed canyon with towering basalt columns and steep cliffs to a beautiful waterfall. The trail is mostly flat with a scramble required if you want to reach the base of the waterfall.

Drive further to the end of Vantage Road to swim in the river after your hike, it’s a short walk to a couple of different rocky beaches.

3) Visit Gingko Petrified Forest/Wanapum Recreation Area

This recreation area is home to different types of petrified wood, beautiful Columbia River shoreline, an interpretive center, and 3 miles of hiking trails.

There are three different parts of the park – Wanapum Recreation Area, Gingko Petrified Forest Interpretive Center, and The Trailside Museum and Trees of Stone Interpretive Trail.

You will need to display a Discover Pass to visit the park, you can purchase a day pass for $11.50 (including fees) at automated pay stations.

4) Swim in the Columbia River

There are a number of spots where you can swim in the Columbia River near Gorge Amphitheatre.

One of the closest and easiest to get to is the roped-off public swimming area at Rattlesnake Cove in Sunland Estates, 10 minutes drive from the Gorge.

You can also swim in the river at the end of Vantage Road in Frenchman Coulee, an 18 minute drive.

5) Boat and Kayak on the Columbia River

Explore the islands and coastline of the Columbia River from the community of Crescent Bar, about a 40-minute drive from the Gorge. 

Columbia Jetskis and Crescent Bar Excursions both rent watercraft including jet skis, pontoon boats, and kayaks.

6) Admire the View From Wild Horses Monument

Wild Horses Monument is a scenic lookout right off the highway, only 15-minutes south of Gorge Amphitheatre. You can get a great view over the gorge here and it is a short but steep hike up to the horse statues.

7) Explore Ellensburg, the Nearest City

Ellensburg is the closest city to Gorge Amphitheatre and it takes 45 minutes to drive here. There is a cute historic center that is very walkable and it is home to multiple breweries, street art, free museums, and a wide range of restaurants.

I recommend The Pearl Bar & Grill and the Tap Room at Iron Horse Brewery. There is also a beautiful waterfront park with trails, as well as other hiking trails in the area.

9) Visit a Covered Market and Gardens in Wenatchee

Only one hour’s drive from the Gorge, Wenatchee is a lovely town that is known as “the Apple Capital of the World” due to the large number of apple orchards in the Wenatchee Valley.

Stroll the historic main street and riverside trails, visit the excellent Pybus Public Market or McGlinn’s Public House for lunch, try local beers at the breweries in town like Wenatchee Valley Brewing Co., and take some time out at the peaceful Ohme Gardens.

10) Eat Out at Nearby Restaurants

Tendrils Restaurant at the Sagecliffe Resort

Tendrils is an upscale restaurant within the beautiful Sagecliffe Resort that offers a farm-to-table focused menu and inventive cocktails. The views from the patio over the gorge are incredible too.

Reservations are recommended and they are open for brunch 7 days a week and dinner 5 days a week (they are closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays). It is located a little further downhill from Cave B Winery and is only a short walk from the Oasis Glamping at the Gorge.

For more casual dining, enjoy a drink and a limited menu at The Fox & Quail Whiskey Bar. On Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, you can also get wood fired pizza here from 12pm – 6pm, and there is delicious BBQ available on the patio outside on Saturdays from 3pm.

Please Note: This season, Sagecliffe is closed to non-guests on event days, so give them a call to see if they are taking reservations before heading over there.

Fast Food and Restaurants in George

George, Washington (haha) is the nearest town to the venue and it will take you 15 minutes to drive there. There are a handful of restaurants there including Tacos Chapis – a taco food truck, the authentic and delicious Mi Lindo Guanajuato, and Scalehouse Cafe, which offers diner fare for breakfast and lunch.

For fast food, there is a Subway.

11) Visit the Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village

If you are a history nerd like me, then don’t miss the excellent Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village in the town of Cashmere, a 70-minute drive from the Gorge. I loved strolling the recreated pioneer village with historic buildings including a schoolhouse, a jail, and a train station.

The museum itself was very interesting too and had a lot of information about the Native American and pioneer history from the area, as well as natural history and geology exhibits.

Combine a visit here with lunch at Pybus Market in Wenatchee.

12) Go Hiking and Tubing in a German Mountain Town

Beautiful Leavenworth is an 80-minute drive from the Gorge but oh so worth it if you have the time. This mountain town has a Bavarian theme and it definitely feels more like you are in Germany than the U.S.

There are numerous German restaurants, breweries and beer gardens, and shopping to keep you busy in town, as well as gorgeous hikes in the surrounding mountains, and kayaking and tubing on the crystal-clear Wenatchee River. Or swim and hang out at one of the river beaches.

13) Go For a Round of Golf

If you are a golfer, then it’s your lucky day. There are actually three courses close to the Gorge that accept walk-ins but call them to ensure there is availability first.

• The Links at Moses Pointe – 18-hole course – 40-minute drive
• Colockum Ridge – 18-hole course – 15-minute drive
• Crescent Bar – 9-hole course – 35-minute drive

So there you have it folks! If you are arriving the day before the event starts or you have some time before heading home, do some of these fun things to do near Gorge Amphitheater and get to know this part of Eastern Washington better.

Where To Stay Near Gorge Amphitheatre

The best place to stay around Gorge Amphitheatre is onsite at Oasis Glamping with me and Toby! But if you aren’t lucky enough to nab a tent before they sell out, or if you are looking for something different, there are a few other options offsite.

If you want to splurge, stay at the luxurious Sagecliffe Resort & Spa, also next door to Gorge Amphitheatre. They have a range of accommodation options including yurts, hotel rooms, condos, and lake homes. A more affordable hotel option is Holiday Inn Express & Suites in George.

There are a few highly rated and affordable vacation rentals within a 15-minute drive of the Gorge, here are the best:

• Sunland Funland Tower in Sunland Estates
• Cozy Two-Bedroom Guest House in Sunland Estates
• Brand New One-Bedroom Tiny House in Sunland Estates

If you liked this post, you should check out some of my other US content:

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• How To Spend 3 Days in Portland, Oregon: A Detailed Travel Guide
• 7 Must-Visit Small Towns in Arizona That I Personally Love
• Fun Things To Do in Tubac, A Remote Art Village in Southern Arizona
• How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Denver
• Top Things To Do in the South Bay of Los Angeles
• The Best Things To Do in Telluride in Summer and Fall
• The Best Things To Do in Boston in 2 Days
• The Best Small Towns in Massachusetts

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