Cle Elum

90 miles east of Seattle on I-90 over Snoqualmie Pass. 30 miles west of Ellensburg. On a good day, the trip from Seattle can be made in about an hour and a half, but in the winter time you will want to check with the Washington State Department of Transportation as the pass is notorious for closing at the most inconvenient times. Other than that the only way in to town is on Highway 97 from Wenatchee.

You really need a car. A small town of less than 1800, there is no public transportation and in the east end of town not even any sidewalks. A bike can work, but getting out of town there are lots of hills and the weather can change really quickly. You will need AC in the summer. In the winter, there is usually snow on the ground and probably ice as well. Having snow tires is the best, but chains are always a good thing to have in the mountains, and a lot of the time you need them to cross Snoqualmie Pass.

• 🌍 Cle Elum Telephone Museum, 221 East 1st Street, ☏ +1 509 649-2880, nkcmuseums@gmail.com. May–Sep Tu–Su noon–4PM, M closed; closed other months. Located in the site of an old Northwest Bell manual switchboard, this tiny building contains exhibits of telephone technology from 1901 to 1975. A highlight is a section of the actual manual switchboard, with cords, plugs, and operator headset. There is a working automated rotary switch in a glass case with a phone. You can dial a number and watch the switch connect. Plus some relics from early 20th century local industry, such as coal mining, insurance, and banking. free (donations welcomed). (updated Aug 2017)

• Suncadia Resort. Golf. 

• Mama Vallone's Steak House, 302 West 1st St, ☏ +1 509 674-5174.  By far one of the best Italian restaurants in Washington. Also a wonderful steakhouse (prime rib to die for). The bagna cauda is one of the most amazing dishes. But be careful, as there is lots of olive oil and butter in the dish and so much garlic you will still smell it 2 days later.

• The Cottage Cafe, 911 East 1st St, ☏ +1 509 674-2922.  24 hour truck stop. Good food, large portions, a little expensive for basic americana, but great at midnight after a night out. Excellent homemade pies.
• Spacones Restaurant, 212 W Railroad St, ☏ +1 509 674-9609.  How did this restaurant wind up in Cle Elum? Amazing pasta, steak everything. They used to have wonderful brunch, but at time of article, could not get in touch with restaurant.

• Best Western Snowcap Lodge, 809 W Davis St, ☏ +1 509 674-0200, fax: +1 509 674-2222. 
• Suncadia Resort, 3600 Suncadia Trail, toll-free: +1-866-904-6300. Located by the Rocky Mountain in Cle Elum, this luxury resort is surrounded by nature perfect for those that one wants to get away from the city. This luxury mountain resort provides outdoor recreation, spa treatments, shopping, fine dining and hiking. 

• Iron Horse State Park, stretching from Rattlesnake Lake to the Yakima River Valley. Cle Elum is one access point.
• Lake Easton State Park, 15 miles west of Cle Elum
• Summit at Snoqualmie - ski resort at Snoqualmie Pass