Guidebook for Okanogan
Food Scene
Mostly a drive-thru, just north of the Post Office and the flashing red light. They also have a coffee shop in the new IGA grocery store just two blocks north of the cottages.
Free Bird Espresso
326 2nd Ave N Mostly a drive-thru, just north of the Post Office and the flashing red light. They also have a coffee shop in the new IGA grocery store just two blocks north of the cottages.
For the best breakfast (and good burgers) go to the Livestock Café in Okanogan, where the local ranchers and farmers chow down. And those folks need to burn a bunch of calories, so we're talking LOTS of bacon, not just two measly strips. Their ham steak comes on a separate plate, and you can't see the plate. ALERT: They are only open for breakfast and lunch M-F, (close at 2pm), and only for breakfast on Sat (close at 11am). Closed Sundays -- plan your life accordingly.
Livestock Cafe
For the best breakfast (and good burgers) go to the Livestock Café in Okanogan, where the local ranchers and farmers chow down. And those folks need to burn a bunch of calories, so we're talking LOTS of bacon, not just two measly strips. Their ham steak comes on a separate plate, and you can't see the plate. ALERT: They are only open for breakfast and lunch M-F, (close at 2pm), and only for breakfast on Sat (close at 11am). Closed Sundays -- plan your life accordingly.
For organic produce and artisanal foods (and a shaded deck with a lovely pastoral view) where you can eat breakfast or lunch even on Sundays, go to Smallwoods, 2 miles south of Okanogan. A nice selection of local wines and ciders for sale - and Blue Star coffee beans from Twisp, WA (I adore Blue Star's French Sumatra for my lattes). Smallwoods smoke their own meats, and their sandwiches will make you weep. Try the Porker, or their Rueben. They also have an in-house bakery now. Note: Most of the roadside fruitstand produce in the valley is not organic, but Smallwoods is (and the Farm Stand shop in downtown Okanogan).
Smallwood Farms
23090 State Rte 20For organic produce and artisanal foods (and a shaded deck with a lovely pastoral view) where you can eat breakfast or lunch even on Sundays, go to Smallwoods, 2 miles south of Okanogan. A nice selection of local wines and ciders for sale - and Blue Star coffee beans from Twisp, WA (I adore Blue Star's French Sumatra for my lattes). Smallwoods smoke their own meats, and their sandwiches will make you weep. Try the Porker, or their Rueben. They also have an in-house bakery now. Note: Most of the roadside fruitstand produce in the valley is not organic, but Smallwoods is (and the Farm Stand shop in downtown Okanogan).
It can be mighty difficult getting a good salad in this region, where iceberg lettuce still reigns. But the Breadline will satisfy those craving mesclun, or a specialty cocktail, or ethnic flavors. They have their own bakery (killer pies!) so instead of a salad bar with dinner they offer a bread bar. And on Saturdays they have a brunch where you can get all the usual morning suspects or have a custom omelette cooked for you on the fly. The decor is crazy vintage eclectic, a feast for the eyes. Warning: Closed on Sundays! (And Mondays.) So if you're only out for the weekend, go to the Breadline (or the Livestock Cafe) on Saturday morning and Smallwoods on Sunday morning.
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Breadline Cafe
102 Ash St SIt can be mighty difficult getting a good salad in this region, where iceberg lettuce still reigns. But the Breadline will satisfy those craving mesclun, or a specialty cocktail, or ethnic flavors. They have their own bakery (killer pies!) so instead of a salad bar with dinner they offer a bread bar. And on Saturdays they have a brunch where you can get all the usual morning suspects or have a custom omelette cooked for you on the fly. The decor is crazy vintage eclectic, a feast for the eyes. Warning: Closed on Sundays! (And Mondays.) So if you're only out for the weekend, go to the Breadline (or the Livestock Cafe) on Saturday morning and Smallwoods on Sunday morning.
The Club is the local tavern but also the best place to eat in town imho. Very popular as a restaurant (the lone pool table is nearly always available, go figure). Tender steaks (my husband swears by their Gridiron), amazing burgers (I love the Bulldog bacon cheeseburger with grilled jalapenos, ask for chipotle mayo), and fries I drive hundreds of miles for, they are that good. And check out their Irish Nachos, made with homemade potato chips instead of corn chips. Brilliant! ALERT: Because it's technically a tavern, you must be 21 or older to enjoy their food. Walking distance from the cottages.
The Club
199 Pine StThe Club is the local tavern but also the best place to eat in town imho. Very popular as a restaurant (the lone pool table is nearly always available, go figure). Tender steaks (my husband swears by their Gridiron), amazing burgers (I love the Bulldog bacon cheeseburger with grilled jalapenos, ask for chipotle mayo), and fries I drive hundreds of miles for, they are that good. And check out their Irish Nachos, made with homemade potato chips instead of corn chips. Brilliant! ALERT: Because it's technically a tavern, you must be 21 or older to enjoy their food. Walking distance from the cottages.
Parks & Nature
This lake must be the best-kept secret in the state. First off, it's gorgeous. If you drive halfway down the lake and then double back, there are several pullouts along the cliff road that present postcard-worthy photo ops. At the north end of the lake, there is a wonderful south-facing beach that I have never seen crowded and often deserted. There are outhouses. (The lake is on the Colville Reservation and thus far has been spared a waterfront dotted with McMansions.) You need to drive to another arm of the lake to launch your boat. This is a primo spot for fishing (Lahontan cutthroat) - tribal permit required. Former Pine Cone guests caught more than 20 per day (catch and release).
Omak Lake
This lake must be the best-kept secret in the state. First off, it's gorgeous. If you drive halfway down the lake and then double back, there are several pullouts along the cliff road that present postcard-worthy photo ops. At the north end of the lake, there is a wonderful south-facing beach that I have never seen crowded and often deserted. There are outhouses. (The lake is on the Colville Reservation and thus far has been spared a waterfront dotted with McMansions.) You need to drive to another arm of the lake to launch your boat. This is a primo spot for fishing (Lahontan cutthroat) - tribal permit required. Former Pine Cone guests caught more than 20 per day (catch and release).
If you're going to Omak Lake (see above) -- which you should be doing -- drive halfway down the lake, then take the road that goes east along the lake (instead of continuing south) and you will see a dirt track going up the hill to Balance Rock. You can drive part way up (depending on your vehicle) or walk up all the way. It's a pleasant hike, and the view from the rock is outstanding. Plus you get to take a photo of yourself next to a really cool big boulder perched on a wee pedestal of granite. I saw white lupines blooming up there in July, and lots of mariposa poppies.
Balance Rock
If you're going to Omak Lake (see above) -- which you should be doing -- drive halfway down the lake, then take the road that goes east along the lake (instead of continuing south) and you will see a dirt track going up the hill to Balance Rock. You can drive part way up (depending on your vehicle) or walk up all the way. It's a pleasant hike, and the view from the rock is outstanding. Plus you get to take a photo of yourself next to a really cool big boulder perched on a wee pedestal of granite. I saw white lupines blooming up there in July, and lots of mariposa poppies.
Entertainment & Activities
Okay, this is not anywhere near the Okanogan valley, but if you are driving over the Cascades via Hwy 2 (Stevens Pass) then you will be driving right be the biggest reptile zoo in the northwest, and it is worth seeing. Alligators (even an albino), lizards, really really big snakes, tortoises you can pet, a two-headed turtle (named Pete and Re-Pete) -- i regret having driven past it for 40 years. Put it on your en-route bucket list right now.
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Reptile Zoo
22715 US-2Okay, this is not anywhere near the Okanogan valley, but if you are driving over the Cascades via Hwy 2 (Stevens Pass) then you will be driving right be the biggest reptile zoo in the northwest, and it is worth seeing. Alligators (even an albino), lizards, really really big snakes, tortoises you can pet, a two-headed turtle (named Pete and Re-Pete) -- i regret having driven past it for 40 years. Put it on your en-route bucket list right now.
I'm not sure there are any bowling alleys left in Seattle, but if you have a hankering for old-fashioned fun, you can still find one out in the Okanogan. Call ahead to make sure there isn't a league event going on, but every time we've decided to go we've had the place mostly to ourselves. Who needs the gym when you can get a workout having such a good time.
Valley Lanes
740 Riverside DrI'm not sure there are any bowling alleys left in Seattle, but if you have a hankering for old-fashioned fun, you can still find one out in the Okanogan. Call ahead to make sure there isn't a league event going on, but every time we've decided to go we've had the place mostly to ourselves. Who needs the gym when you can get a workout having such a good time.
Sightseeing
You don't have to be into model trains to appreciate this amazing place. This Danish family has created a series of mini worlds, and we are talking mini mini -- 1:87 scale. The people are about 3/4 inch tall, and there are a bazillion of them, doing everything from skiing to ziplining to nude sunbathing (on a beach the kids aren't tall enough to see). The dioramic settings for the trains (the trains are pretty cool too) are beyond amazing. Detailed does not begin to describe these scenes. My jaw dropped when I walked in and I didn't close my mouth until I was outside again. ALERT: This is just across the border in Canada, so you need your passport or an enhanced drivers license to return.
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Osoyoos Desert Model Railroad
11611 115th StYou don't have to be into model trains to appreciate this amazing place. This Danish family has created a series of mini worlds, and we are talking mini mini -- 1:87 scale. The people are about 3/4 inch tall, and there are a bazillion of them, doing everything from skiing to ziplining to nude sunbathing (on a beach the kids aren't tall enough to see). The dioramic settings for the trains (the trains are pretty cool too) are beyond amazing. Detailed does not begin to describe these scenes. My jaw dropped when I walked in and I didn't close my mouth until I was outside again. ALERT: This is just across the border in Canada, so you need your passport or an enhanced drivers license to return.
The best ghost town in north central Washington has to be old Molson. There are still many building standing, and lots of rusty farm equipment and mining machinery you can get up close and personal with. The old school a few blocks away is now a museum. Plus the drive up there and back is stunning (do it as a loop to see more knock-your-socks-off scenery, and possibly dozens of deer). This is right up by the Canadian border (one road back down to Oroville actually goes right along the border (but don't sneak across, we spotted a camera in the trees, there must be more.; I wonder if they were put up after 2016). On July 4th you can go to the Chesaw rodeo and then Molson afterwards.
Molson
The best ghost town in north central Washington has to be old Molson. There are still many building standing, and lots of rusty farm equipment and mining machinery you can get up close and personal with. The old school a few blocks away is now a museum. Plus the drive up there and back is stunning (do it as a loop to see more knock-your-socks-off scenery, and possibly dozens of deer). This is right up by the Canadian border (one road back down to Oroville actually goes right along the border (but don't sneak across, we spotted a camera in the trees, there must be more.; I wonder if they were put up after 2016). On July 4th you can go to the Chesaw rodeo and then Molson afterwards.