Lewis & Clark and American Indian Heritage Attractions
The following Tri-Cities attractions should not be missed when discussing Lewis & Clark and American Indian heritage

Lewis & Clark Interpretive Overlook
The Lewis & Clark Overlook is located at the intersection of Columbia Center Blvd. and Columbia Park Trail and looks out onto the Columbia River near Bateman Island. The overlook consists of a concrete plaza with a pergola, two interpretive panels and a 10' x 16' map of the Lewis & Clark Trail cast into the concrete plaza. Additional elements of the overlook include a stone wall, landscaping and an ADA accessible connection to the Sacagawea Heritage Trail.

Columbia Drive--First Federal Highway interpretive sign in the Northwest
Columbia Drive was the first Federal Highway in the Northwest. This was a two-lane road constructed of concrete, which paralleled the Columbia River.. An interpretive sign located at the intersection of Edison Street and Columbia Drive commemorates this significant historic achievement. This historic highway follows the path Lewis & Clark used in exploring this up-river section of the Columbia.

Sacajawea State Park & Interpretive Center
2503 Sacajawea Park Rd., Pasco - 509.545.2361
The center uses the popular spelling--multiple spellings of the Indian maiden's name can be found throughout the journals and interpretive centers. Commemorating the Lewis & Clark expedition's historic visit to our area, the park was named for Sacajawea, the wife of Charbonneau and interpreter for the Lewis and Clark party. This state run visitor center features the story of Sacajawea, the journeys of Lewis & Clark, and native American history.

Sacajawea Roadside Interpretive Marker
Located at the intersection of Hwy 12 and Sacajawea Park Road in Pasco. Roadside marker commemorating the American Indian who served the Expedition as guide, interpreter and symbol of peace.

Lewis & Clark Commemorative Marker
Located at the entrance to Hood Park on the Snake River in Pasco (intersection of Hwy 12 & 124.) This marker was placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution to commemorate the Expedition's journey through the Tri-Cities.

East Benton County Historical Museum
205 Keewaydin Drive, Kennewick - 509.582.7704
See the pioneers who followed the mighty explorers, Lewis and Clark. Colorful displays depict the hardships and successes experienced by the area's founding families. And don't miss the Kennewick Man exhibit! Kennewick Man, the skeleton found on the banks of the Columbia River in 1996 is the center of a display in the East Benton County Museum. The display depicts the skeleton on a river bank with a panoramic view of Rattlesnake Mountain in the background. The skull on display is a casting of the original skull found. Four reader boards and other information that is updated with current information accompanies the display.

Franklin County Historical Museum
305 N. 4th Ave., Pasco - 509.547.3714
Located in a former Carnegie Library, the Museum itself is listed in on the National Historic Register. American Indian, pioneer, aviation, and railroad exhibits give insight into our region's unique place in history. View wartime memorabilia and the local archive of acclaimed Hollywood cinematographer, James Wong Howe.

Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, & Technology (C.R.E.H.S.T.)
95 Lee Blvd., Richland - 509.943.9000
The CREHST Museum tells the history of the Tri-Cities region from the perspective of the mighty Columbia River and its influence on our growth, development and everyday lives. The museum has interactive displays for children and adults; including robotic arms, Geiger counters, American Indian exhibits, and a Lewis and Clark Gallery. This new exhibit features Lewis and Clark: Scientists in Buckskin providing an overview of the Expedition's scientific findings in the local area, and Lewis and Clark as Celestial Engineers plus hands-on activities relating to the Expedition for all ages. and of particular interest is the Wooly Mammoth exhibit--unearthed right in the Tri-Cities. This museum creates a learning environment for families regarding the geology, culture and history of the Columbia Basin. The Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science, & Technology is a state-of-the art center providing a fascinating look into our country's past and education about its future. Open 7 days a week. ASTC reciprocating member.Fee.

Columbia River Journeys
PO Box 26, Richland - 509.734.9941
Escape civilization and experience the Hanford Reach--the last free-flowing stretch of the mighty Columbia River. View American White Pelicans, Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Mule Deer, and many other spectacular animals that still inhabit this unspoiled natural sanctuary. Your captain provides an interesting narrative that includes the history of the former Hanford and White Bluffs townsites, the historic Manhattan Project and the geology of an area only accessible by boat.

Columbia River Journeys also provides group interpretive tours of the Snake and Columbia River following the Lewis & Clark Exploring Expedition's water-route. Other tours may include points of interest along the Yakima, Snake and Columbia Rivers, as well as Sacajawea State Park and Interpretive Center. An on board restroom provided for your convenience. Tours run April through October. Morning and afternoon tours daily. Fee. Group Discounts. Commissionable.

Benton County Historical Museum
7th and Paterson, Prosser- 509.786.3842
This wonderful museum showcases more than 20,000 items and "brings the past into the future." Items of interest include 1843 - 1920 gowns, a wildlife diorama, a general store, and numerous Indian artifacts. Tuesday - Saturday 10 - 4; Sunday 1 - 5 p.m.

Yakama Nation Cultural Center in Toppenish
200 Spiliyay Lp., Toppenish - 509.865.2800
Learn the culture of the Yakama Indian Nation via a first-rate interpretive center and cultural exhibits.  Enjoy Pow Wows, colorful dances, and the rich culture of this proud people. Adjacent RV park offers tepee rentals, and the cultural center gift shop offers quality Native American Indian crafts.

McNary Wildlife Refuge & McNary National Wildlife Center
600 E. Maple, Burbank - Refuge 509.547.4942 / Center 509.543.8322
The McNary Wildlife Refuge is located just southeast of Pasco, off US Highway 395, just south of the Snake River, and provides an excellent chance to view many species of animal, songbird, waterfowl, and migratory birds including tundra swans, snow geese, green-winged teals, Northern shoverlers, canvasbacks, redheads, ring-necked ducks and lesser scaup. The refuge includes 15,000 acres of water and marsh, croplands, grasslands, trees and shrubs, and is an important resting and feeding area for up to 100,000 migrating waterfowl in the Pacific Fly-way. The most favorable viewing opportunities occur between October and December. Nesting activity commences from March through Late July. More than 212 species of bird are regularly sighted at the Refuge, including several endangered species (Peregrine Falcon, Bald Eagle.) Phone (509) 943-OWL to hear about sightings of rare or unusual birds seen recently.

The McNary National Wildlife Center is staffed by knowledgeable Audubon and Ornithological Society representatives that offer education and interpretive assistance regarding native flora and fauna. Walk the wetlands nature trail and view the habitat used by many species of waterfowl, upland birds and animals. The Center offers workshops and group sessions including "The Nature Safari"--a two hour nature walk that includes hands-on learning stations. The interpretive center also offers life-like mounts of 70 birds and animals, and a chance to handle real feathers, bones and pelts. Working with the Wanapum People, the Refuge recently installed a traditional Tule Mat Lodge as a station for study of culture, history and meditation.

The Walla Walla and Cayuse were just several of many tribes that interacted with the Lewis & Clark expedition. And the Expedition's return route was a land route that follows close to the present day city of Walla Walla. Many additional attractions and points of interest are to be found along this route including:

Fort Walla Walla Park & Museum
Fort Walla Walla Park, Walla Walla - 509.525.7703
Constructed on what was an 1857 military reservation, this museum showcases a pioneer village using original and replica buildings. Exhibits feature early harvest techniques, and include a 33-mule team and wheat combine. Many activities take place throughout the year, including a Mountain Man rendezvous in July, a harvest festival in September, and musical and theatrical events during summer months.

Tamastslikt Cultural Institute
72789 Hwy 331, Pendleton, OR - 800.654.9453
The Indian owned museum on both the Oregon and Lewis and Clark Trails. Experience our world through elder's stories and songs, artifacts and exquisite gifts.

Whitman Mission
Rt. 2, Walla Walla
In 1836 Marcuss and Narcissa Whitman built a mission among the Cayuse Indians that became an important stop on the Oregon Trail. The Whitmans and 11 others were eventually killed by the Cayuse in the Whitman Mission Massacre. A hilltop monument has been erected at the site. The museum tells the fascinating story of western development and although the original buildings did not survive, their locations are outlined on the grounds of this national historic site. Pioneer demonstrations and films supplement Indian and pioneer artifacts and museum displays.

"Grandfather Cuts Loose the Ponies" is an American Indian legend in art. High above Vantage on cliffs overlooking the Columbia River, metal sculptures featuring life-size horses running over the hills--breathtaking at sunset.

Lyons Ferry State Park, Marmes Rockshelter, and Fish Hatchery
Located in a remote section of eastern Washington at the confluence of the Snake and Palouse Rivers. In 1968 Washington State University researchers discovered human bones in what came to be known as the Marmes Rockshelter. The bones were determined to be at least 10,000 years old--and one of the earliest known human occupation sites in North America. Damming on the river has covered the actual site with water, but the graves were moved to a nearby hill that is accessible via a three-quarter mile trail (509) 646-3252. The nearby Lyons Ferry Hatchery has self-guided tours available of the fish rearing ponds and hatchery (509) 549-3551.