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 second year.

Between events, I try to escape site and explore more of Washington State as much as possible 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 $15 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 at the winery too.

The winery is open from Sunday to Thursday from 11 am – 6 pm, and from Friday to Saturday from 11 am – 7 pm. On Gorge concert days the winery closes at 6 pm.

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 through Sunday 12 noon till 5 pm. Reservations are not required for tastings.

2) Hit the Hiking Trails

Cave B Waterfall Trail – 2.8 Miles Out and Back

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.

Please note that 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.

Dusty Lake to Ancient Lakes Trail – 5.3 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.

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 $10 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 Wanapum Recreation Area that is listed above. It’s around a 20-minute drive.

You can also swim in the river when hiking the Cave B Waterfall trail, and there is a roped-off public swimming area at Rattlesnake Cove near Phoenix Pizza Company.

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 Seng Tong Thai, 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 for lunch, try local beers at the breweries in town, 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 breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week. It is located a little further downhill from Cave B Winery and is only a short walk from the Oasis Glamping at the Gorge.

Sagecliffe is closed to non-guests for some events so give them a call before heading over there.

Phoenix Pizza Company

This pizza place in a pretty lakeside community is only a 12-minute drive from the venue and offers a variety of delicious pizzas, sandwiches, and apps. They are open Thursday to Saturday from 4 – 10 pm.

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 which is 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 Fatburger and Buffalo’s Express which offers burgers, fries and wings.

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 a 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.