Pack your bags, no itinerary needed. I’ve got your easy travel guide of things to do in Enumclaw, Washington.
This visit was hosted by Visit Enumclaw. All opinions are my own.
Enumclaw, Washington is an easy drive south of Seattle, WA with a gorgeous view the whole way. That is, provided it isn’t too cloudy or there aren’t any fires. Yes, you’ll be heading toward Mt. Rainier and it’s all one can do not to pull out a camera every 2 seconds (especially 2 food and travel blogging friends who can appreciate those lengthy photo ops). But tuck it away and enjoy the view because you’ll have plenty of opportunities for a photo op when you get to Enumclaw.
Enumclaw, WA is pronounced (Long E – num (like num-num) – claw (like bear claw). Okay, now that you can read that Native American name properly, there’s debate whether it means ‘strong winds’ or ‘place of evil spirits’ – perhaps due to the crazy windstorms they get sometimes or perhaps the volcanic Mt. Rainier not so far away. Either way, I thought that was a pretty cool bit of information.
Enumclaw started out as a logging community then became the dairy community it is today. It also is a quaint town that is perfect for a vacation where you want to step outside the hustle and bustle of a more urban lifestyle or simply get away from the cares of everyday life.
Where to Eat When You Visit Enumclaw, Washington
We’ve already given you the scoop on where to stay in Enumclaw, which is the most important thing. Next up, one of the most time-consuming things to do when traveling is figure out where to eat. After all, we want the best food experience, amiright?! The best food experiences are the ones where the locals wholeheartedly recommend the food and the dining area has plenty of activity when you arrive (Usually. This only let me down a time or two in my travels.)
So yeah, I’m making this easy for you because I’d be remiss if I didn’t tell you where you absolutely need to eat when you visit Enumclaw.
Here are some places for you to try out as told to me by locals or by stopping in myself.
Where to Eat in Enumclaw
- Kelly’s Restaurant and Lounge – Locals suggested this before they knew we already had reservations. We asked for recommendations on what to order/not to order. They said everything. It’s all good. They were right. You’d especially be missing out if you didn’t order the Goat’s Cheese Crostini. My mouth is still watering at the thought of it.
- Ranchito’s Mexican Restaurant – this is the hotel’s on-site restaurant. We didn’t visit as we were invited to Kelly’s Restaurant and Lounge, but were told you can get a discount when you stay at the hotel, and you can get room service. Room service is a great perk, especially if you’ve already had a long day traveling or doing fun things in the area (more on that below).
- The Mint Restaurant and Ale House – everything sounded good. If I had room for second dinner I would have popped in here.
Where to Eat Dessert in Enumclaw
- The Pie Goddess Pie Shop – I took a peek inside and bemoaned the fact I didn’t have room for even a piece of pie. They looked amazing. But what blew me away even more was….wait for it…Laura admitting she doesn’t like pie. I told her I wasn’t sure if we could still be friends, but I was only kidding.
- Grab some fudge or a baked good to enjoy with your latte at Ann’s Fudge and Bakery (also on Cole Street).
- Kelly’s Restaurant and Lounge also is a must-stop even if it’s just for dessert. Natalie Vorphal, pastry chef and winner of Cake Wars is dessert-maker extraordinaire, and you’ll want to choose more than one dessert. Take a friend and share a couple…or don’t share. Which also means don’t skimp on ordering dessert just in case your travel companion takes one look at dessert and decides on eating every last bite alone.
Where to Grab a Coffee in Enumclaw
This isn’t a specific place but, Coffee. Coffee. More coffee. There were so many coffee shops along Cole Street , and y’all know I’m a sucker for a cute coffee shop. Skip Starbucks and try one…or two…or three.
- The Local Coffee House and Modern General Store. Also grab some local honey and artisan kombucha here. Just wait until you see their impressive lineup of flavorings. The sky is the limit. I hear a lavender latte is popular as is a Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup latte. Be bold. Try something new.
- You can also stop into the local book shop (The Sequel), which has their own lineup of coffee beverages and grab a vacation read.
- Mission Creek Coffee – if you’re like me and live in the land of no drive-thru coffee stands, you’ll definitely want to stop here. Laura thought I was crazy with my fascination of these little drive-thrus until the truth came out that they have them everywhere in Alaska and we have them nowhere. Not sure why that model didn’t pick up here.
- Head out of town toward Chinook Pass and stop in at Wapiti Woolies. It’s a family run gift and coffee shop that’s been there for over 40 years. I had a lovely chat with the mother and daughter who were there that day. Her daughter was doing what she did at that age – running register. She told us her story of growing up there, leaving, and coming back. I love learning family stories like that.
See what I’m talking about? All these restaurants, coffee shops, and bakeries – most of them just a block or 2 away when you visit Enumclaw, Washington and stay at the Guest House.
Things to Do When You Visit Enumclaw, Washington
There are a wide variety of things to do when you visit Enumclaw. I’m perfectly fine relaxing, exploring the shops on Cole Street, sipping a latte, and eating good food. But, that isn’t all Enumclaw has to offer. What you’ll want to do really depends on the time of year you visit so I am including things to do in Enumclaw for summer, autumn, winter, and spring. Let’s get planning.
Things to Do in Enumclaw (Summer)
- Fruit picking – There are a variety of places you can go to pick fruit throughout Washington State and in Enumclaw. My friend Laura and I happily visited the Rusty Plow, where “Dave the construction guy” turned blueberry farmer and fell in love with it. Picking blueberries may seem mundane but go. Pick a pound or two for some healthy travel snacks.
- Enjoy an old-time fair – King County Fair is touted as the oldest fair west of the Mississippi.
- Put on those plaids and visit for The Scottish Highland Games (in July).
- For a birds eye view, book a new adventure and try the gliders at Puget Sound Soaring Association (located at Enumclaw airport).
- Visit a farm. Laura and I had the opportunity to visit The Mason Jar Farm, a farm with a small CSA and bed and breakfast owned and operated by Jenni Minnis and Stephen Neason. We both went a little crazy over the whole concept of their farm, but more on that another day. Just keep on the lookout as you drive! You can find farms and produce stands throughout the Enumclaw area.
- Pack lunch and enjoy a picnic at one of many scenic spots in town or on the outskirts. Farmer’s Park near Tracy’s Roadside Produce Stand is a peaceful spot. You can GPS the intersection of SE 436th St and 228th Avenue SE to get there.
- Wild Waves Water Park – 30 minutes away but definitely a fun time whether it’s a getaway trip or a family vacation.
Things to Do in Enumclaw (Autumn)
- Be a leaf peeper! Washington has some colorful autumn foliage (although this New England girl is partial to a New England autumn).
- For a birds eye view and a bit of adventure, book a glider trip at Puget Sound Soaring Association (located at Enumclaw airport).
- Visit a farm for autumn activities.
Things to Do in Enumclaw (Winter)
You might not think of Washington as a place to visit in winter, but there are things to do in Enumclaw for you snowbirds too. My version of being a snowbird is a hot crackling fire, hot drink, and a good book.
- Skiing at Crystal Mountain Resort
- Winter fishing at one of 4 nearby rivers
- Sip a latte while enjoying a book at The Sequel
- Visit at Christmas-time for the Christmas Parade and tree lighting (and some Christmas shopping)
Things to Do in Enumclaw (Spring)
- For a birds eye view, book a new adventure and try the gliders at Puget Sound Soaring Association (located at Enumclaw airport).
- Black Diamond Museum – learn about Black Diamond’s coal mining history. Not in Enumclaw but close.
- See more things to do in spring under “any time of year”
- Go horseback riding
Things to Do in Enumclaw (Any Time of Year)
- Lace up those hiking shoes and take a hike. Mt. Rainier and Nolte State Park are both within a short driving distance. The mountain offers some more strenuous hiking options while Nolte State Park has a loop that circles Deep Lake for a more leisurely walk.
- Sip a latte while enjoying a book at The Sequel (I know I put this under winter. That’s because it is especially fun when it’s cold out, but a latte and good book are…well, good any time of year.)
- Visit Flaming Geyser Park (The geyser is no longer there but it is a lovely day-use park where you can read the history of it.)
- Take a scenic drive on Chinook Pass Scenic Byway (EXCEPT winter – road closed). If you have a healthy (or unhealthy) fear of heights, I gotta warn you, we might have screeched a time or 2 at the spots that had no guardrail.
- Wander the streets and browse the stores on Cole Street. You can do this for hours. The stores are so lovely and people so friendly.
- Visit the Enumclaw History Museum (extremely limited hours).
See the Visit Enumclaw site for so many more things to do in Enumclaw and a directory of all restaurants, which are sorted by category if you are searching for something in particular.
