11 Best Things to Do in Manson, WA

By VI Staff on December 23, 2019 - Updated

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Manson is a lovely unincorporated community located on the banks of beautiful Lake Chelan, approximately seven miles northwest of the city of Chelan and three hours north of Seattle. The city is located within the lovely Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area, which spans 24,000 acres throughout the greater Columbia Valley American Viticultural Area and is home to 15 wineries. Visitors can taste wines at some of the Pacific Northwest's most acclaimed wineries, including C.R Sandidge Winery, which has been awarded major honors from Wine Spectator and Wine Enthusiast for its boutique varietals and blends. Craft microbreweries and cideries also abound, along with lovely destination farm restaurants serving up fare crafted with produce grown on site.

1.Benson Vineyards Estate Winery

Benson Vineyards Estate Winery is a 100% estate winery in Manson crafting high-quality wines from grapes grown entirely within the beautiful Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area. The winery, which turns over 5,000 cases annually, grows all of its grapes and fruit varieties according to sustainability practices, focusing on the production of grape varietals like Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Syrah, Sangiovese, Merlot, and Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon. The company's tasting room is open to the public daily during the afternoon hours, offering tasting sessions and vineyard tour packages showcasing the history of the winery and its operations. The Bistro at Benson Vineyards, opened in the spring of 2018, serves up delicious gourmet cafe fare at brunch, lunch, and dinner throughout the week.

754 Winesap Ave, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-687-0313

2.Rootwood Cider

Rootwood Cider is a local craft cidery owned and operated by Cheryl and Jim Koenig, producing more than 50 acres of apples and cherries for the production of craft ciders throughout its three orchard facilities. The company produces 10 unique craft cider varieties throughout the year, primarily using locally-grown fruits from the Pacific Northwest. Its tasting room, opened in 2015 in downtown Manson, serves up tasting flights of all the company's ciders and offers bottle sales and growler fills. A selection of tapas are offered to complement all tastings, including housemade salsas and charcuterie from Glondo's Sausage Company. Visitors can also embark on orchard walks to learn the basics of cidermaking or participate in weekly outdoor yoga workshops in the rolling foothills of the orchards' landscape.

45 Wapato Way, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-888-7215

3.Succession Wines

Succession Wines was founded in 2014 by married duo Brock and Erica Lindsay, releasing its first wines to the public two years later in 2016. Today, the winery produces a wide variety of red and white wines throughout the year, including popular varietals like Cabernets Franc and Sauvignon, Malbec, Syrah, Semillon, and Sauvignon Blanc. Visitors can drop in for tasting flights at the company's tasting room seven days a week and split bottles on its lovely family-friendly patio space alongside a selection of delicious meats and cheeses. The tasting room is pet-friendly, perfect for visitors looking to enjoy afternoons with their four-legged friends. Each Sunday afternoon between May and September, live music performances showcase the best of the area's music scene.

78 Swartout Rd, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-888-7611

4.Echo Valley Ski Area

Echo Valley Ski Area is a lovely skiing area near the city of Chelan, located at an elevation of 3,000 feet above sea level, with its highest peaks reaching 3,900 feet. The ski area, which was opened to the public in 1955, is one of the top areas for winter recreation in the Lake Chelan Valley, offering excellent opportunities for skiing and snow tubing throughout the winter months. Ample areas for downhill skiing are offered, along with a four-lane tubing hill, three rope tows, and a 1,400-foot Poma Lift. Skiing and snowboarding instruction is offered for visitors of all ages and ability levels. Delicious concessions are served up from Terri's Treats at the skiing area's day lodge, including hot chocolate for enjoying in front of a massive cozy fireplace.

1700 Cooper Gulch Rd, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-687-3167

5.C.R Sandidge Winery

C.R Sandidge Winery is a privately-owned winery located within the Lake Chelan American Viticultural Area, owned and operated by vintner Ray Sandidge, one of the Pacific Northwest's top winemakers. The winery, which was established in 1999, is one of the Pacific Northwest's most-awarded wineries, receiving more than 50 scores of 90 or above from Wine Enthusiast and Wine Spectator throughout its tenure. More than 1,500 cases of wine are produced annually, including elegant red and white varietals and creative dessert wine offerings. Popular wines include the company's Whistle Punk red blend, Sabrina White Blend, and Glam Gams Rose Syrah. Visitors can taste the company's delicious wines at its lovely tasting room in downtown Manson, which offers wine flights and pours throughout the week.

145 Wapato Way, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-682-3704

6.Radiance Winery

Radiance Winery is a delightful family-owned winery in Manson, located overlooking the banks of beautiful Lake Chelan. The winery, which is overseen by winemaker Jeff Crowder, is known for its highly drinkable handcrafted red and white varietals, including classics like Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Viognier, and Syrah and unique styles like Hanalei. Visitors can stop in at the company's downtown tasting room or its vineyard historic barn facility for samples throughout the week and enjoy light bites paired with wine flights. An all-seasons covered patio is offered at the downtown tasting room for enjoying gourmet snacks like smoked salmon, twice-baked hand-seasoned pretzels, and Pacific Northwest cherries.

546 Klate Rd, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-687-4142

7.Ancestry Cellars

Ancestry Cellars is a charming Lake Chelan AVA winery offering two locations in downtown Manson and Woodinville, owned and operated by winemakers Jason and Erin Morin. The winery produces delicious boutique wines throughout the year, including favorites like Sangiovese, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. Visitors can taste Pacific Northwest grape varietals and Bordeaux-style blends at the company's two tasting rooms, including its downtown Manson tasting room, overlooking the banks of beautiful Lake Chelan. Its original Woodinville tasting room and production facility is open on the weekends, offering tastings and production tours.

19510 144th Ave NE Suite C-1, Woodinville, WA 98072, Phone: 206-607-9115

8.Four Lakes Winery

Four Lakes Winery is a family-owned winery founded in 2009 by father-son duo Don and Karl Koester, who purchased 63 acres of estate vineyards in 2004 within the gorgeous Chelan Valley. Today, the winery has found its niche with the production of bold red wines and crisp, drinkable white table wines. Visitors can sample wines at the company's lovely tasting room, including favorites like its Estate TNT Bordeaux-style blend, Girl's Got Rhythm Orange Muscat and Gewürztraminer blend, and 100% Estate White Merlot. Visitors can chat with the winery's owners throughout the week and sip wines on its outdoor patio, which offers 360-degree views of nearby Lakes Chelan, Wapato, and Roses.

11 Wine Garden Ln, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-687-0726

9.Harmony Meadows Tennis and Event Center

Harmony Meadows Tennis and Event Center is a lively all-seasons recreational destination in the Lake Chelan Valley, offering excellent opportunities for world-class tennis play on its eight outdoor tennis courts. All tennis courts are Laykold Masters 8 courts, the same surface courts used at prestigious events such as the Miami Open. Two outdoor pickleball courts are also offered, along with instruction for beginner and professional tennis players. The center's delightful Love-All Cafe serves up all-natural smoothies, Blue Star espresso beverages, artisanal gelato, and light cafe fare throughout the day. Concerts are presented at the center throughout the year, open to club members for free and non-members for an additional charge.

4848 Green Ave, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-888-2344

10.Lake Chelan Brewery

Lake Chelan Brewery is a laid-back gastropub and brewery in Manson, owned and operated by Kelly, Tony, and Lee Medina. The family-owned brewery, which overlooks the banks of beautiful Lake Chelan, was founded in 2012 as a 10-gallon brewing operation. Today, it produces six flagship and 11 seasonal brews throughout the year, including signature brews like its Mackinaw Red Amber, Manson Beach Blonde, Prize Fighter Irish Stout, Devil's Trail IPA, and Heaven's Lager. Delicious made-to-order pub fare is served up throughout the week, crafted with ingredients sourced from local businesses and producers. Menu items include signature brewhouse sliders, blackened salmon burgers, coconut prawn platters, and grilled pork chops in cucumber mango sauce.

50 Wapato Way, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-687-4444

11.Blueberry Hills Farm and Restaurant

Blueberry Hills Farm and Restaurant was opened in 2002 on the Sorensen family farm, which has stood on the banks of Lake Chelan since the beginning of the 20th century. The restaurant, which is operated by restaurateur Kari Sorensen, was named as one of Washington State's best destination restaurants by King 5's Evening Magazine and The Seattle Times. Visitors can enjoy delicious fare throughout the day crafted with farm-sourced ingredients, ranging from signature sloppy burgers and chicken stackers to breakfast specialties like coconut cream waffles and house eggs Benedict. Fresh fruit pies are baked daily, along with delicious pastries, blintzes, and other sweets crafted with blueberries grown on site.

1315 Washington St, Manson, WA 98831, Phone: 509-687-2379