Pasco Sights and Landmarks Guide, Washington

Pasco may not be as big or as famous as a city like Olympia or Seattle but this does not belittle the city’s significance as a tourism destination. Pasco is not far away from sights like the Wallula Gap or the Hanford Reach National Monument but the city itself has enough to keep you busy for a short break. With its year-round nice sunny weather, meandering rivers, green vineyards and gardens, Pasco is a Nature-lover’s delight. Look beyond these scenic places and there are abundant sporting opportunities for you in addition to Pasco’s cultural aspect. So, visit Pasco and explore Pasco sights. You are bound to fall for the small-town charms of Pasco and when you go back, you will not only carry home nice memories, but also feel fully rejuvenated.

Pasco Sights – Natural Attractions

Speaking of Pasco sights, we must first talk about Pasco’s all-important water-bodies – the Columbia River, Snake River and Yakima River. Pasco, in fact, is the place where the three rivers meet and this confluence has not only positively affected the local agriculture, it also promotes tourism in the form of various water-sports and recreation like angling, boating, swimming and the like.

Then, there is the wildlife area/bird sanctuary named McNary National Wildlife Refuge. A natural spot close to Pasco (on the east bank of the Columbia River), the refuge is home to many rare and endangered avian species, mostly water-fowls. Since some salmon breeding is also done in the waters here, the refuge is well-liked by both birding and fishing enthusiasts.

Pasco Sights – Cultural and Historic Attractions

You can start with the Sacajawea State Park for its historic significance. The park is the site, where Lewis and Clark had camped when they reached Pasco (then a Native American settlement named, Great Forks). Named after the Shoshone Indian woman who had accompanied the explorers during the expedition, the park’s many exhibits unfold before you the entire sequence of events. The park also has a model native village built by the Wanapum Native Americans and this together with the park’s natural surroundings promise you varied engagement.

The Franklin County Historical Society and Museum comes next in order of importance. The exhibits on display in this historical museum throw light on everyday life in Pasco in the early 1900s.

There are two more museums in Pasco – the Three Rivers Children’s Museum and Washington State Railroads Historical Society Museum; while the former is basically a children’s museum, the latter preserves the history of railroads in the state of Washington.

Among other must-see Pasco sights are Pasco’s Esvelt Gallery and the Pasco Memorial Park. If connoisseurs of art have something to look forward to in the Esvelt Gallery, the park appeals to all, across age-borders. If you still have some time left, you can take quick tours of the Ed Hendler Memorial Bridge and the Ice Harbor Dam.

Those of you who are considering a trip to Pasco can book yourselves direct flights from cities like Denver, Las Vegas, San Francisco, Seattle and Tacoma. Pasco also has good road and rail-road connections with important cities like Portland, Seattle and Spokane.