3 Best Sights in Southeastern Washington, Washington

The earliest permanent settlement on either side of the Columbia River was established as a trading post in 1824 by Hudson's Bay Company. When Washington fell under complete control of the United States through the 1846 Oregon Treaty, Fort Vancouver became the nation's foremost military post in the Pacific Northwest. This 207-acre site in the middle of present-day Vancouver tells the story of the settlement's early days, and how it's been the home of such renowned military leaders as Ulysses S. Grant, George McClellan, and George Marshall (of Marshall Plan fame). In this impressive and somewhat overlooked component of the National Park System, orient yourself at the park visitor center, where you can watch a film about its history. Then tour the reconstructed fort stockade and barracks, and visit the 22 stately Victorian homes of Officer's Row (including the Queen Anne–style Marshall House, which is operated by the Clark County Historical Museum). The Pearson Air Museum is also part of the park.

This 5-acre park on a 2,100-foot-elevation bluff just north of Goldendale's compact downtown contains one of the nation's largest public telescopes, and the town's remote location, far from the lights of any cities, is ideal. A major renovation and expansion in 2021 added a number of interesting interpretive exhibits to the observatory, and seating capacity has been tripled. Fascinating astronomy programs and sky-watching events are held during the day and evening, year-round by reservation only.

A petroglyph whose eyes seem to look straight at you, "She Who Watches" or "Tsagaglalal" is the logo for this museum. Sitting among the dramatic basaltic cliffs on the north bank of the Columbia River Gorge, the museum explores the life of the Gorge: its history, Native culture, architecture, legends, and much more. Younger guests enjoy the the 37-foot-high fish wheel, a device like a mill wheel equipped with baskets for catching fish, from the 19th century. Historians appreciate studying the water route of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. There's also an eye-opening exhibit that examines current environmental impacts on the area.