Chehalis: Discover History, Trails, and Train Rides

Chehalis combines local history, railroad culture, and a wide range of outdoor activities. Anyone looking for a vacation rental or vacation home in Chehalis can tailor their stay to their own interests: exploring museums and historic buildings, taking a ride on a historic rail vehicle, heading out on the Willapa Hills State Park Trail, or visiting the farmers market.

Discover Local History and Museums

The Chehalis Historic Walking Tour is a self-guided tour of the city's history. In the downtown area, it passes historic preserved buildings and traces the development from a pioneer settlement into a thriving community. This makes the tour especially suitable for anyone who wants to get to know Chehalis not only through individual sights, but also through its evolving urban history.

Another important stop is the Lewis County Historical Museum. It is housed in the historic 1912 Northern Pacific railroad depot and features exhibits about early settlements and pioneer life in Lewis County. An HO-scale model railroad layout also depicts the major railway stops in Lewis County during the 1970s. The Veterans Memorial Museum focuses on people who served honorably in the armed forces during times of peace and war. On display are memorabilia, artifacts, and historic military equipment ranging from the Civil War to the present day.

Trails for Hiking, Cycling, and Horseback Riding

The Willapa Hills State Park Trail offers an active side of Chehalis. The route runs east to west from Chehalis to South Bend, a river town near the ocean. Between Chehalis and Pe Ell, the trail is 22 miles long and fully developed for hiking, cycling, and horseback riding. From Chehalis, the paved path heads west through the farmland around Adna. Depending on how you want to spend your travel day, you can plan a longer route or focus your stay primarily on historical experiences and individual excursions.

The variety of options makes choosing your accommodation a matter of personal vacation style: Would you like to take a self-guided walking tour of the city in the morning, spend a day at the museums, or set aside time for a longer cycling and hiking excursion? When choosing accommodation in Chehalis, you can therefore take your personal preferences for local history, train rides, or tours into account.

Train Rides and Special Experiences

The Chehalis-Centralia Railroad departs from Chehalis for scenic rides through the surrounding area aboard historic rail vehicles. During the ride, passengers see forests, farmland, and the Chehalis River. The railroad also offers a live murder mystery experience aboard a restored 1920s rail vehicle. The program thus ranges from an observational ride through the landscape to a themed experience on a historic train.

The Chehalis Theater also adds a cultural accent. The historic 1923 Art Deco theater is located in the heart of downtown Chehalis. For families with children, Penny Playground is another destination to consider. It has been transformed into a modern, inclusive, and accessible play area for children of all abilities.

Local Products in the Historic Downtown

The Community Farmers Market at Chehalis brings together local produce and handcrafted goods. Offerings include fruit, vegetables, cheese, fresh farm eggs, honey, artisan breads, and organic personal care products. The market takes place every Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from May through October in historic downtown Chehalis.

Include Additional Destinations

If you would like to plan your stay beyond Chehalis, you can also include Centralia, Packwood, Glenoma, and Napavine in your broader travel plans. This leaves room for a combination of local history, landscapes, train rides, and regional discoveries.

Back to the main travel overview: Lewis.