Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery
Travel USA / Canada Washington

Road Tripping The Cascade Loop, WA With Kids – Day 2

Day 2 on the Cascade Loop was a day packed with fun and thrill for the kids! And us adults, had a blast and a fun evening at a local Manson brewery!

But first, we woke up at the Bavarian Lodge in Leavenworth, enjoyed an amazing hot breakfast, and drove over to the nearby town of Cashmere, WA.

Coming from Leavenworth, Cashmere was only a short 15-minute drive away and a very picturesque drive along the Columbia river. It seemed like we drove from one orchard to the next, under bright blue skies, taking in all of the best Washington has to offer!

Cashmere Museum And Pioneer Village

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Our very first stop was one we will cherish for a long time. We absolutely loved our visit of the Cashmere Museum And Pioneer Village!

First, the visiting children can choose to dress up in authentic clothing. While the girls picked some of the cutest dresses and assorted hats, Mark went for a cowboy vest, hat, and bandana!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Then, the kids were handed out a scavenger hunt sheet and set themselves to find everything on the hunt for a promised prize!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

The first part of our visit took us through the indoor museum where we learned more about the native Indian communities. From their history to actual clothing and weapons they used, we loved discovering the amazing people who first inhabited the region.

Once we headed downstairs, the kids loved seeing all of the animals living in the mountains, and discovering a trapper’s quarter as well as every day pioneer goods, such as toys, kitchen appliances, and more.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

But our favorite part of the exhibit really happened outside! Once we walked out of the museum onto the pioneer village, we really got to understand and feel what it meant to live as a pioneer in the Cashmere region!

Actual historical pioneer homes were brought to this re-created village. Everything was incredibly genuine and we all loved walking from the school house to the doctor’s office, the mission, blacksmith, local hotel, the prison, and many more homes.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

At the end of the scavenger hunt, the promised prizes were received and each child picked from a very cute selection of hand-painted rocks! Let me tell you… those rocks are treasured like no other, and have been traveling through the Pacific Northwest with us ever since!

Grabbing Lunch At Weeds Cafe, Cashmere, WA

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

As we decided to picnic near the Rocky Reach Dam while the kids played around outside, we grabbed some yummy sandwiches and fresh fruit smoothies at Weeds Cafe before heading out.

Everything was neatly wrapped, ready to be taken on a picnic, and we all thought the food was yummy! You need to try the fresh fruit smoothies! They are so fresh and delicious…!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

One of my favorite things about Weeds Cafe were the trivia cards we tried answering while waiting for the food! We had so much fun and it was the perfect reading activity for our Kindergartner! He didn’t even realize he was getting some reading in!!

Rocky Reach Dam

The Rocky Reach Dam is one of those very special places we would have never thought of stopping at, if it weren’t for the Cascade Loop telling us about it!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Don’t be afraid to comes off of Highway 97A! The entrance has a security post and may look like a business entrance, but you will be waved right in and the experience is entirely free!

Playground At Rocky Reach Dam

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

We started by enjoying the yummy picnic from Weeds Cafe while the kids let go of some steam at the playground.

Fish Ladder

After that, we headed inside the visitor center to watch the incredible fish ladder! Christian and I had just been talking about the efforts around making sure a dam wouldn’t impact marine animals needing to make their way through the structures. Minutes later, here we were, watching small and large salmon swimming up the man-made fish ladder!

Museum At Rocky Reach Dam

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

The third experience inside the Rocky Reach Dam takes place in the museum. We watched as men repaired a turbine…

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

…and my favorite part was the very far end of the museum where we overlooked the dam and witnessed all of its power!

Back inside, we learned a little more about the Indian natives and the pioneers who called the region home.

Driving North Up To Lake Chelan

Day 2 was not a long driving day, making it the perfect day for kids to enjoy the road trip.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Only a 40-minute drive from the Rocky Reach Dam, our next stop was the Slidewaters Water Park in Chelan, WA.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Before that, the drive was absolutely gorgeous! Alongside the Columbia river, we entered a dry and sunny area, reminding us more of a drive through Arizona that the green state of Washington we had come to know.

We loved seeing people enjoying the lake, and saw many camping and water sport opportunities along the way.

Slidewaters Water Park

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

The long awaited Slidewaters Water Park had finally arrived! Three very excited kiddos exited the car, running towards the entrance.

We were so fortunate with the warm and sunny weather and enjoyed a beautiful time at Slidewaters Water Park.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Set on the hill and looking right into Lake Chelan from everywhere in the park, the views are breathtaking and we loved the natural feel of the park. We set ourselves right on the grass and enjoyed the water slides.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Most slides are accessible to children of all sizes. A few require kids to be 4 feet tall, but most are lots of fun for the entire family!

Lake Chelan Winery

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Being in the Lake Chelan area in mid-June, we were very fortunate for the opportunity to join Lake Chelan Winery in their yearly Falling Cow Festival.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Our wonderful host Kim, from the Mountain View Lodge & Resort, told us about the festival and we are very thankful to the owners of Lake Chelan Winery for hosting us!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Even if you are not near Lake Chelan around that time of year, I urge you to visit Lake Chelan Winery.

Located on the other side of Lake Chelan, in Manson, WA, there is so much to love about the winery!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

With plunging views of Lake Chelan…

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

…and a summer BBQ indoor/outdoor restaurant on its property, you will love tasting the local wines and apple ciders while munching on yummy BBQ. They have been receiving awards for their ciders, and the ones we tasted, mixing in cherries and raspberries, were delicious. My favorite wine was a sweet Riesling, but you will find a wine for every taste.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

The sunset from the winery is beautiful and if you can make the Falling Cow Festival, you will be mind-blown by the hundreds of flying cows falling from the sky – reminiscent of a local accident involving a cow 12 years ago!

Mountain View Lodge & Resort

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

The Mountain View Lodge & Resort is one of those places that make you feel good, and you’ll wish you’d be staying longer!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

The owners’ hospitality is unbeatable and you will feel a part of their family as soon as you step foot on the ground. Owned by the same family for 4 generations and counting, you will feel like a part of the lodge’s history.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Located steps away from Lake Chelan, you will love the easy access to one of the cleanest lakes in North America.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

The resort is extremely family-friendly. For the pool and hot tub, you will find pool toys in the reception area. A little bit like hitting grandma’s house – everything is there to make sure you fully enjoy your stay!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

At night, grill on one of four beautiful grills or roast some s’mores on the fire pit! And in the summer, get a free helicopter tour above Lake Chelan if you stay 5 or more nights!!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Make sure to ask for room 50 if you want a private deck overlooking Lake Chelan, with your own BBQ grill!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

We had such a wonderful time at Mountain View Lodge & Resort and only wished we’d been able to spend more time. We hear from the locals that you need to swim in Lake Chelan while there. Maybe some other time… but our time around the lake was absolutely wonderful!

Day 2 On The Cascade Loop

Every single one of our expectations was beaten on our second day on the Cascade Loop!

The Cashmere Museum and Pioneer Village was one of our favorite museums of all times! The picnic lunch from Weeds Cafe was yummy and the perfect way to enjoy a road tripping day. The Rocky Reach Dam was so much more than we had expected, and our time at Slidewaters water park was thrilling and fun.

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Lastly, spending the evening with locals, enjoying wine, cider, and delicious BBQ was an unbeatable way to experience Lake Chelan. And our stay at the Mountain View Lodge was a great way to end the day, watching the full moon rise on Lake Chelan in the warm summer night!

Thank you again so much to the Cascade Loop for hosting us on this beautiful road trip with kids!


Pin this for later!

Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery
Roadtripping the State of Washington with kids on the Cascade Loop | Traveling with kids | Washington state road trip with kids | Lake Chelan | Cashmere | Leavenworth | Manson | #roadtrip #roadtripwithkids #cascadeloop #washingtonstate #washingtonwinery

Related articles you will enjoy:

ROAD TRIPPING THE CASCADE LOOP, WA WITH KIDS – DAY 1
MOUNT RAINIER: OUTDOORS FAMILY VACATION + ALTA CRYSTAL RESORT REVIEW
ALTA CRYSTAL RESORT – PERFECT FAMILY GETAWAY NEAR MOUNT RAINIER

If you enjoy reading us, make sure to sign up for our newsletter below!

50 Comments