Thinking about owning a vacation rental? Lake Chelan is a great choice for many reasons. The average number of nights homes are rented per year in the Lake Chelan area is 110, with June-September being the peak season. As an owner, those numbers can provide you with enough income to cover all your holding costs and still have over 200 days a year to enjoy the home yourself. There are three different zones (Chelan, Manson, and unincorporated Chelan) and each have their own set of rules regarding property rentals. If you want to learn more about the different regulations, just give me a call.
Besides all the water recreation activities and its great weather, Chelan is also home to over 35 wineries, great hiking, cross country skiing in the winter, a casino, and a great small-town vibe. The two towns of Chelan and Manson offers a wide range of eating experiences, shops, a bowling alley, and movie theater. There are festivals year-round and it’s a beautiful place in all seasons. Below are a few of my favorite spots to hit when I’m in the area.
Located in Mason, the Sunset Bar and Grill is a great spot for a casual night out. They have a full menu with items like burgers, pizza, and pasta to go along with your beverage of choice. They also have plenty of TVs if you’re looking to catch a game and during the summer you can sit out on the patio and enjoy the weather.
Blueberry Hills Farm and Restaurant
It’s a family owned and operated 20+ acre farm with more than 16 different types of blueberries. At the farm, you can buy plants, pies, tea, and more. But my favorite part of Blueberry Hills is their restaurant, which is open Wednesday through Sunday 8am-3pm. They have a great breakfast, which is served all day, and my go-to is their Danish yeast Waffles. During the warm months, you can sit outside in the middle of the field and enjoy the view of the mountains while you eat.
As I mentioned earlier, there are no shortage of wineries in the area, but I’ll give you my top three recommendations: Cairdeas Winery, Lake Chelan Winery, and Hard Row to Hoe Vinyards. While they’re all great spots for a glass of wine, Hard Row to Hoe has the best story for how it was named – in the 1930’s a Manson resident ran a rowboat service between Lucerne and Point Lovely for the miners to get to the brothels.
Located in the heart of the North Cascades, take a trip to Stehekin on the Lady of the Lake. You can explore for the day, traveling on the red bus to see the 312-foot rainbow falls or take a guided fly fishing tour, or stay the night at The Lodge.
If you’ve read this and are sold on a trip to Chelan for the weekend to test the waters and see what you think, I’ve got a place you can stay, just click here. And if you’re ready to look at buying a vacation rental for yourself just give me a call, I am here to help!