East of the Cascade Mountains, Central Washington is Washington state's primary primary vineyard region. The Yakima Valley has more than 60 wineries and an abundance of u-pick farms and fruit stands. Higher in the Cascade Mountains is another one of the state's most popular tourist destinations, the Bavarian-themed Leavenworth with German-style beer halls, a number of festivals and, in the winter, access to cross-country skiing trails.

In the summer, the warm, dry weather east of the mountains offers kayaking, swimming and river rafting in Wenatchee and Chelan. For sight-seers, further east, the ancient river bed of the Grand Coulee, a National Natural Landmark stretches about 60 miles southwest from Grand Coulee Dam to Soap Lake.