Located less than 30 minutes from Ash, the recently opened Columbia River Exhibition (CRE) offers guests a virtual exploration of the Columbia River basin from prehistoric times to present day. Inspired by the motion picture "Night at the Museum," the CRE is now open on select nights beginning in February 2011. Local actors represent real historical figures from exhibits and take visitors on a journey through the past. Admission is $4 for adults and $3 for seniors and students, as of February 2011.
The Columbia River is the lifeblood of the Ash and Tri-City area in Washington state. Best known for its role in the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific Ocean, the Columbia River is now a popular waterway for exploration and recreation. Columbia River Journeys, a local tour company, offers jet boat tours of the Columbia River, Snake River and Hanford Ranch National Monument. The tours specialize in wildlife viewing and national history. Tour rates begin at $44 for children and $55 for adults, as of February 2011.
The East Benton County Historical Society (EBCHS) strives to provide an accurate look into everyday life in Ash and other small towns in the Tri-City area of Washington state. The EBCHS museum devotes areas to transportation, agriculture and architecture. Outside the museum, the EBCHS offers tours of historic homes in the Tri-City area every fall--fitting, as the society was established by a local architect in 1982. Admission is $4 for adults, $3 for seniors and $1 for children, as of February 2011.
The lush agricultural climate in the Columbia River basin, particularly in Ash and the Tri-Cities, make it an ideal climate for wineries. The area has several wineries, almost all of which offer tours. Barnard Griffin Winery, a mere 20 minutes from Ash, offers a palette of options for local travelers. In addition to wine tastings and a tour of the winery, Barnard Griffin has an art gallery on premises, open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., that features art work representative of the local area. Rose and Cabernet wines are a specialty.
