Moses Lake: History, Shorelines and Water

Moses Lake brings together history, waterfront spots and different kinds of water activities. The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center, the Moses Lake Creative District, two waterfront parks, a seasonal outdoor water park and a BMX track each offer something different. For a family trip, this creates a range of themes rather than a single set itinerary: you can balance culture, water and activity in different ways and choose a vacation rental based on the experiences that interest you most.

Culture and Local History

The Moses Lake Museum & Art Center focuses on the human and natural history of the Columbia Basin, and also houses exhibits on local history. The regional perspective and the story of the town come together under one roof. For families who like to include historical topics in their travel plans, this perspective adds a cultural focus to days by the water or other leisure activities. You can use the two subject areas—the Columbia Basin and local history—as starting points for conversation and discovery, rather than treating culture as just a brief stop.

The Moses Lake Creative District is in the heart of Moses Lake, encompasses the historic downtown and extends to public parks and the lakefront. Its reach from downtown to the water makes the District a distinct city-focused theme alongside the museum and individual recreation spots. If you’d like to think of culture as more than just a museum topic, you can include this urban focus in your plans.

Shorelines and Water Activities

Blue Heron Park is a waterfront park with access to the shore. Neppel Landing is also a waterfront park with access to the water and is part of the Moses Lake trail system. Both spots are connected to the water; Neppel Landing is also part of the trail system. If you’d like to consider the trail system when making your selection, Neppel Landing’s connection to it can serve as a specific point of reference.

Surf 'n Slide Water Park is an outdoor water center in Moses Lake, designed for swimmers of all ages and abilities. Unlike the waterfront parks, it offers a distinct water-park focus that you can match to your group’s interests. Its listed seasonal operating period runs from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend; check opening days for your travel dates before visiting.

The BMX Track also offers its own distinct focus: it is an ABA-sanctioned BMX track with an M-shaped layout. The M layout gives the active side of your trip planning a specific theme, distinct from museum exhibits and water activities. If BMX is one of your family’s interests, you can consider this spot as a focus in its own right.

Choosing the Right Vacation Rental

When choosing your vacation rental, start with your own travel priorities: the museum and Creative District for culture, time by the water at one of the parks, the seasonal water park or the BMX Track each offer a different focus. Compare a property’s location with the specific destinations in your itinerary, and decide which ones you want to shape your days. This way, you can focus your search for a suitable vacation rental on the activities that matter to your group.

Discover more destinations: Electric City, Ephrata, Quincy.

Back to the regional travel overview: Grant County.