Welcome to the exquisite Palouse region in Eastern Washington! At a first glance, you may be awestruck by the rolling hills and bright, blue sky. Don’t worry! You’re not the only one feeling overwhelmed by the beauty that the Palouse brings. Even us locals appreciate the uniqueness of this area that we call home. Even though the Palouse is a relatively small region where the majority of the towns have less than 1000 people, there are many reasons to come and visit. The first reason is obviously for the site-seeing! There’s more than just hills. The next reason to take a trip out here is to explore the historical sites. Have you ever wondered where Lewis and Clark journeyed? Well, we can show you that in the Palouse and much more. Come on!
QUARTER FINALIST 2013 FTF TEEN TRAVEL WRITING SCHOLARSHIP
So, let’s get the stereotypical image of the Palouse being a hilly region filled with golden wheat out of our heads. Yes, the Palouse is one of the largest wheat exporters in the United States but wait! There’s more The Palouse has some grand landmarks. My personal favorite is Steptoe Butte. The butte stands 3,618 feet tall and you can either take a tedious walk all the way up or chose the easier route and drive. At the top of the butte, you will feel like you’re standing in the heart of the Palouse! You’ll probably notice that the land looks like a patchwork quilt; depending on the time of the year you visit, you’ll see many different shades of brown, green, and gold. You’ll probably notice the vast amount of wildlife too… I used to think deer were cute. Now they’re just pests but hey! If you never get to see deer, moose, hawks, or even cougars, you’ll have a great time checking out the environment. Of course there is so much more to discover but it’s time to move on so say goodbye to the magnificent lands for now.
You should also consider the Palouse your next vacation destination if you enjoy US history, specifically the 1800s-early 1900s, because there are a ton of historical sites to marvel over here. One of the most known is probably the Lewis and Clark trail that is goes through Lewiston, Idaho and Clarkston, Washington right next to the Palouse River. Hmm… I wonder why the towns are named like that. But anyway, one more historical site that I love is the Perkins House in Colfax, Washington. This house was built in the 1870 and is the oldest standing building in Whitman County. Now this house serves as a museum where you can learn a lot more about a classic Victorian lifestyle. Everything, inside and out, is extremely authentic and you’ll be able to explore the entire estate. If you’re lucky, you might even be able to try on classic Victorian attire which is mesmerizing. Oh no! Our little journey together is ending, but fear not, there is a way to learn even more.
Six hundred words are not enough to explain all the splendor and attractions that the Palouse can share. I’m not even going to try to continue to throw any more info at you. Nevertheless, I hope that I got you interested enough in the Palouse by describing just a few of my favorite natural landmarks and historical sites to visit. If you want more facts a, please read more at www.palousescenicbyway.com to discover all the places on the Palouse you should stop by. The next time you’re in Washington, come check out the land of “amber waves of grains” and party on the Palouse!
Dear Reader: This page may contain affiliate links which may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. Our independent journalism is not influenced by any advertiser or commercial initiative unless it is clearly marked as sponsored content. As travel products change, please be sure to reconfirm all details and stay up to date with current events to ensure a safe and successful trip.
