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Community Corner

Bringing the Journey of Lewis and Clark Alive

Families can visit many Northwest locations connected to this essential part of American history.

f you’ve had a fourth grader in a local public school, then you've probably heard a great deal about the historic journey of Lewis and Clark and Sacagawea, their Native American interpreter.

Explorers Meriwether Lewis and Williams Clark set off by request of President Thomas Jefferson to explore and map the western part of the United States in 1803. They made their way from Missouri and traveled to the mouth of the Columbia River, near present day Seaside, Ore.

But there's no need to limit these fun and educational stories to the classroom. Here are three areas with a Lewis and Clark-related historic site or museum, along with great places nearby to stay and fun things to do on a family vacation.

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Get acquainted with Sacagawea in the Tri-Cities

My family recently visited the Tri-Cities and the Sacajawea State Park and Interpretive Center. The Tri-Cities consist of the cities of Richland, Kennewick and Pasco, located in the heart of Eastern Washington wine country, which enjoys a average of more than 300 days of sun a year.

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Sacajawea State Park and Interpretive Center is located in Pasco, at a historic Lewis and Clark campsite where the Snake and Columbia rivers meet. It is part of the state park system, so make sure you have your Discover Pass displayed when you visit or pay the $10 fee for the one day pass at the park. Note that the day use only park is closed Nov. 1 through March 14 every year.

The highlight of the park is the Sacajawea Interpretive Center, open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the months the park is open. This unique museum tells the story of the Lewis and Clark expedition through the viewpoint of the members of the Corp of Discovery, Sacagawea and the Native Americans they met along the way, without whose help they would not have survived the difficult journey.

Admission is free, but a donation of $1 per visitor is suggested. My kids loved this museum and as they moved through it they frequently connected what they had learned in school to the museum's displays of historic artifacts. Sacagawea Heritage Days are coming up at the park Sept. 23-25, when local tribe members are among the re-enactors who demonstrate in person the skills needed to survive in Sacagawea’s day. More information is available online.

Aside from the museum, the Tri-Cities area also offers many other great family friendly activities. In downtown Richland, you can stay at the riverfront Red Lion where kids love the outdoor pool. From there you can walk to the nearby Friday Farmer’s Market, go kayaking with Columbia Kayak Adventures, rent bikes from Greenies and visit the CREST - Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science and Technology museum, featuring hands on science and history exhibits. Also within walking distance is the Atomic Ale Brew Pub and Eatery offering family-friendly dining with incredible pizza, delicious chocolate cake and hand crafted ales brewed in house.

Visit the Country Mercantile in nearby Pasco for to watch the making of chocolate candy and many delicious locally made and grown items for sale including salsa and fresh produce. In October, Country Mercantile will host its Fall Harvest Festival featuring rides, a pumpkin patch, a petting zoo, hay pyramid and maze, corn maze and great food.  For a truly unique view of the landscape over which the Lewis and Clark party traveled, book a hot air balloon ride for your family with Wine Country Balloon Tours. The owners are very accommodating of kids of all ages. You can learn more about all the outdoor activities in this area offers and plan ahead for your trip by visiting the the Tri-Cities Visitor and Convention Bureau website.

Catch your first glimpse of the ocean in Long Beach

Another great museum to visit with your kids is the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center in Cape Disappointment State Park on the Washington coast, located off Highway 101, four miles southwest of Illwaco. 

This museum is open year-round. Admission into the center is $5 per adult and $2.50 per child ages 7 to 17, with free admission for kids 6 and younger. This interpretive center features a series of mural-sized panels that guide visitors through the westward journey of the Lewis and Clark Expedition using sketches, paintings, photographs and the words of the company’s members themselves. The center also features short film presentations, a gift shop and a glassed-in observation deck with beautiful views of the river and ocean. 

Nearby Long Beach is a great place to stay with your family for the weekend. The kid-friendly Breakers resort has a playground and indoor pool and is located within an easy walk to the beach. Nearby the town of Long Beach offers great food and fun. The Cottage Bakery is a favorite of both locals and tourists with its huge glass display case of every type of pastry and dessert imaginable.

If you kids enjoy flying kites, they will love Long Beach, home to the annual Washington State International Kite Festival, held the third week of every August. Older kids might enjoy a horseback ride along the beach with Back Country Wilderness Outfitters or Skipper’s Equestrian Center. You can also rent bikes and mopeds from Long Beach Mopeds, Surrey and Bicycle Rentals or enjoy a spin at Long Beach Go Kart. The area also offers several fishing charters, eco tours and kayak adventures. More information on all the attractions in the area is available on the region's visitors website

Cross the Columbia for more coastal adventures

Just over the Columbia River in Astoria, Ore., is Fort Clatsop, home to another great hands-on learning center. This is where the Lewis and Clark party wintered over in 1805, and the park includes a visitor center with exhibits, a bookstore, theater and historic canoe landing. Admission is $3 per adult and free for kids under age 16. The fort is open year round with the exception of Christmas Day.

You will enjoy staying with your kids at nearby Seaside where the Funland Arcade draws kids of all ages, along with many dining options including the Pig ‘N Pancake. The new Holiday Inn Express in Seaside offers a free hot breakfast and an indoor pool and is within walking distance of the town and the beach.

Just a few minutes south on 101 from Seaside, popular Cannon Beach is a charming beachfront town of galleries and shops with a gorgeous beach. Cannon Beach Vacation Rentals can connect your family with your own beach house for the weekend or a whole week, including places that welcome dogs.

Be sure to stop by the Local Grill and Scoop in town for a “family size” hot fudge sundae and the Cannon Beach Book Company for a great assortment of books for toddlers to teens. If you forgot your bucket and shovel, you’ll find one at Geppettos Toy Shoppe, along with sock monkeys and all sort of other great toys. More information is available online to plan your visit to Seaside or Cannon Beach.

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