Vantage Area Sights - Things To Do

Vantage is well known because it is on Interstate 90 at a major road junction at the Columbia River. Although the area is not exactly a destination for your next vacation, it does hold several sights that are worth seeing. Vantage might be most popular for those looking at a day away from the rain on the west side of the Cascades. The city itself is very small, with a few gas stations, two restaurants and a private RV park/campground.

WillhiteWeb.com - Vantage Sights & Attractions

For insight to Indian, trapper, soldier, miner and rancher life of the early 19th century. Take the Highway 243 exit south off I-90 just east of Vantage Bridge. Steamboating diorama, fish viewing, and a petroglyph display are other highlights of this interpretive center.

Right next to the Vantage Bridge on the Columbia River is a small park. Reach it by taking the Vantage exit and follow the signs. There is not much there but if you need a break and it is hot out, go for a swim. Sometimes a large fountain is shooting water high in the air.

Wanapum Dam Heritage Center

Frenchman Coulee

Located 5 miles southwest of George along the old Vantage Highway, Frenchman Coulee is also known as the areas with names like The Feathers, Sunshine Wall, and Middle East Wall. Rock climbers will find a mix of traditional and bolted sport routes up to 90 feet high on unusually clean basalt. You can climb here year round. To reach Frenchman Coulee, turn off I-90 at exit 143, curve north about one-quarter mile, and turn left at the intersection onto the old highway.

Old Vantage Highway

Vantage City Park

Horses on the Hill

Before I-90 was built, the main road from Ellensburg to Vantage and beyond took a different canyon. The road is paved, scenic and rarely used. It makes for a good bike ride as the elevation change is a thousand feet. It also just allows a different and scenic way to drive between Ellensburg & Vantage than the freeway. On both sides of the Columbia River, the road just goes into the water, where you can now park and go for a swim.

One of the most unusual fossil forests in the world, this site claims over 200 species of trees, including the rare ginkgo, in an area that was once lakes and swamps. There is a visitors center in Vantage explaining all the history and showing exhibits. A display of petroglyphs was also transported to the location for viewing. The vista from the visitors center is worth the stop as well. Click link for more info and pictures.

Just over the bridge from Vantage, just up the hill on Interstate 90, is some art high on the hill created for the Washington Centennial in 1989. A nice viewpoint is off the highway and allows access to the wild horses monument. The sculpture is called Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies. If you want a closer look, a steep trail leaves from the parking area up to the display. Access is only from eastbound travel. The view of Lake Wanapum (Columbia River) is excellent from the viewpoint.

It was built in 1985, located on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. The amphitheatre provides a spectacular backdrop for the 20,000 guests. Performances in the natural amphitheater are so good, people come from far away for this venue far removed from any major city. Take exit 143 off I-90 near George and follow the signs.

The Gorge Amphitheatre

Wild Horse Renewable Energy Center

Between Ellensburg and Vantage off the Old Vantage Highway is Whiskey Dick Mountain where wind turbines and solar arrays generate electricity. Puget Sound Energys Renewable Energy Center offers displays for a first-hand look at how these elements are turned into electricity. It is open daily from April to November. For more, free guided tours depart daily from the Renewable Energy Center. On the tour, you can get better views of the wind turbines and solar arrays from a 3,500-foot ridge with great views of the Cascade Range and the entire Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility.