VISITOR INFORMATION

Cashmere started out as "Mission" in 1873, named for the log church built by the Catholic missionary Father Grassi. In 1904 a name change was necessary because there was another "Mission" in Washington State, and the post offices kept getting the mail mixed up! Judge James H. Chase suggested the name Cashmere, comparing the town's natural beauty to the Vale of Kashmir in India.

Seeking the heart of small town America? It’s here at the geographic center of Washington state! Stroll down Cashmere’s quiet tree-lined streets and travel back in time to simple, carefree days. Downtown sidewalks, shaded from over 300 days of sunshine, are lined with family-owned bakeries, shops and restaurants whose friendly owners will greet you with a smile. Local orchards line the hills and banks of the Wenatchee River, as it winds through the valley, providing a spectacular blanket of color throughout the growing season. If you’re craving a sweet treat, don't forget while visiting to stop by and visit the world famous kitchens of Liberty Orchards, home of world-famous Aplets and Cotlets.

The Cottage Avenue Historic District features early 1900s-era Craftsman bungalow homes, lined with picket fences and shaded by the many mature trees that earns Cashmere the official designation, “Tree City USA.”

We are only minutes away from the mighty Columbia River which is ideal for all water sports and activities and several hydroelectric dams. We are surrounded by state and federal forests and at the edge of the Central Washington desert. Just 45 miles to our north is beautiful Lake Chelan, another area for recreation and relaxation. To our west is the Bavarian Village of Leavenworth and to the east is Wenatchee. We are approximately 2 1/2 hours east of Seattle, Washington, 3 hours west of Spokane, Washington, and about 4 hours from the Canadian border.