Top 16 Things To Do In Centralia, Washington

1. Stroll around Historic Downtown Centralia

The best place to acquaint yourself with Centralia happens to be the city’s most charming district; the historic downtown. It has been the heart of Centralia since the city was founded in 1885, and has been added to the National Register of Historic Places. This designation has allowed the historic appearance and buildings of downtown to be preserved. However, the center of town is still a vibrant and modern place, with lots of shops, restaurants, and cafes to explore.

Historic Downtown Centralia

Address: 328 North Tower Ave, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Historic Downtown Centralia

2. Play some bowling at Fairway Lanes

If you’re looking for a fun activity for your family or a group of friends, check out Fairway Lanes bowling alley. Whether your group is new to bowling or you’re an experienced bunch, this is the perfect spot to bowl a few games. Fairway Lanes features inexpensive prices that allow you to have fun without going over your budget. On weekends, they also have cool theme nights like Rock n Bowl and Monte Carlo. Pay a fixed rate and bowl the night away while listening to music and snacking and getting drinks from the alley’s cafe.

Fairway Lanes

Address: 1501 S Gold St, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Fairway Lanes

Opening hours: Sun & Thu: 12pm - 9pm; Fri & Sat: 12pm - 12:30am (closed from Mon - Wed)

Price: From 4 USD

3. See the historic sites in Fort Borst Park

Fort Borst Park is one of the most popular parks in Centralia. It is also home to some historic spots that set it apart from other public parks in the city. You can visit the historic Borst homestead, schoolhouse, and even Fort Borst Blockhouse, which give the park its name. Fort Borst Park is much more than its historic landmarks, though. This spacious park has beautiful gardens and an arboretum that is meticulously cared for and shows off some of the local plants and trees.

Fort Borst Park

Address: Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Fort Borst Park

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

4. Explore the Seminary Hill Natural Area

Another great pick for outdoor adventures is the Seminary Hill Natural Area. This nature preserve sits atop a hill that overlooks Centralia. All you have to do is hike up the trails to enjoy beautiful vistas of the surrounding area. Trails vary from easy to steep, so you can either get a workout or take a relaxing stroll depending on which routes you pick. Along the 2.25 mile (3.6 km) long trail system, read the interpretive signs to learn about the flora and fauna of the area.

Seminary Hill Natural Area

Address: 118 W Maple St, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Seminary Hill Natural Area

Opening hours: 8am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

5. Learn about local farming at King Agricultural Museum

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by laurenashley25 (@laurenashley25)

Centralia is located in a part of the United States that is known for its agriculture and the abundance of crops it produces. See some of the farming tools and learn more about the techniques by visiting King Agricultural Museum! This is the largest agricultural museum between Seattle and Portland, with over 70 tractors and other unique pieces of farming equipment. The collection also includes logging equipment, railroad memorabilia, and pieces of a ferry from Seattle. All of this is housed in the Lewis County Lumber building, which is over 100 years old.

King Agriculture Museum

Address: 213 E Maple St, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: King Agriculture Museum

Opening hours: Thu - Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed from Mon - Wed)

Price: 6 USD

6. Browse vintage finds at The Shady Lady

The Shady Lady is one of the best places in Centralia to shop for unique goods! This two-story boutique features stylish vintage and secondhand clothes. Everything is hand-picked by the store workers, so you’ll know that the items you’re browsing are high-quality, gently worn, and come in lots of sizes. The Shady Lady doesn’t just have clothes; you can also look at vintage accessories, jewelry, handbags, and even home-goods!

The Shady Lady

Address: 216 N Tower Ave, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: The Shady Lady

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 5pm; Fri - Sat: 11am - 6pm (closed on Sun)

7. Taste local beers at Dick's Brewing Company

Whether you’re a beer aficionado or a casual drinker, be sure to stop by Dick’s Brewing Company while you’re in Centralia and taste some of the best beer around. Dick’s isn’t a recent addition to the craft brewery craze; it has been in operation since 1994! The backstory of Dick’s is just as good as their beer. The owner originally opened a deli that served smoked sausage that tasted just like what you would get in Europe. He began experimenting with brewing beer at the back of the deli, but when demand outgrew what he was producing, he expanded the beer side of his business! Stop by and taste the delicious results of both the beer and the bratwurst during your visit to Centralia.

Dick's Brewing Company

Address: 3516 Galvin Rd, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Dick’s Brewing Company

Opening hours: Fri - Sat: 3:30pm - 7:30pm (closed from Sun - Thu)

8. Get in touch with your artistic side at Rectangle Gallery and Creative Space

Rectangle Gallery is the heart of Centralia’s creative scene! This is a creative space where you don’t just view art, you can make it yourself! They offer lots of art classes for all levels, from beginners to experienced makers. Why not just buy a souvenir to remind you of Centralia when you can also make a unique object yourself? Even if you’re not artistically inclined, you can participate in non-art activities like book clubs or explore the artworks on display in the gallery.

Rectangle Gallery and Creative Space

Address: 209 N Tower Ave, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Rectangle Gallery and Creative Space

Opening hours: Tue - Sat: 10:30am - 6pm; Sun: 11am - 5pm (closed on Mon)

Price: Free

9. Bring your kids to Rotary Riverside Park

There are few parks in Centralia that offer as much to do as the Rotary Riverside Park. This spacious park has activities for everyone, whether you’re a kid, an adult, an athlete, or just looking to relax outside. Skate at the skate park or take a stroll on the soft-surface walking paths. Play on the jungle gym or organize a pickup game at the baseball or soccer fields. Rotary Riverside Park is located along the riverside and it even has fishing and water access! In addition to all these activities, you’ll find lots of conveniences like parking, restrooms, and picnic areas.

Rotary Riverside Park

Address: Lowe St, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Rotary Riverside Park

Opening hours: 7am - 10pm (daily)

Price: Free

10. Unleash your inner bookworm at Centralia Timberland Library

Centralia Timberland Library is more than just a place for books; it is also a historical site and a cultural center of the city. The Timberland Library was first established back in 1913. Since then, the library building has expanded to include more books and services. The building itself has lots of great features like four fireplaces, unique folk art, and an antique chandelier. The library also offers tons of free events for kids and adults. Kids can attend storytelling or read to therapy dogs, while adults can view the library’s rotating exhibits and book clubs.

Centralia Timberland Library

Address: 110 S Silver St, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Centralia Timberland Library

Opening hours: Mon & Tue: 10am - 7pm; Wed - Fri: 10am - 6pm; Sat: 10am - 5pm (closed on Sun)

Price: Free

11. Dine on comfort food at Country Cousin Restaurant

As the name implies, going to the Country Cousin Restaurant feels like going to your family’s house for dinner. The restaurant is not only warm and friendly, but they also serve delicious comforting dishes as you remember from your childhood. The Country Cousin has been a staple in Centralia for over 40 years, welcoming both families who have been coming for generations and travelers from out of town. Stop by and try the famous Old Fashioned Pot Roast for dinner or any of the other many items on the menu. They also serve delicious breakfast for the early risers.

Country Cousin Restaurant

Address: 1054 Harrison Ave, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Country Cousin Restaurant

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 5:30am - 9:30pm; Fri - Sat: 5:30am - 10:30pm

12. Have an Irish-pub experience at O'Blarney's at the Gibson House

Centralia may be very far from Ireland, but you’ll feel a little closer to the Emerald Isle at O'Blarney’s. This Irish pub-inspired restaurant serves up classics like fish and chips and corned beef and cabbage. It’s not all traditional Irish food, though; the extensive menu includes many kinds of sandwiches, salads, and soups. If you can’t decide, spring for the seven-course dinner and try lots of things on the menu!

O'Blarney's at the Gibson House

Address: 221 N Tower Ave, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: O'Blarney’s at the Gibson House

Opening hours: Mon - Thu: 11am - 11pm; Fri: 11am - 2am; Sat: 9am - 2am; Sun: 9am - 11pm

13. Visit the historic Fort Borst Block House

Fort Borst Block House is one of the oldest structures in Centralia. It was first built in 1856 by the government with the help of local pioneers. The blockhouse’s log construction is nearly perfect and shows off the skill of the pioneers, who had only axes at their disposal to shape the logs. The blockhouse has served several purposes over the years, including grain storage and as a residence for several families. Although it was never used to protect the pioneers, it is a unique, well-preserved historic structure that is easy to visit in Fort Borst Park.

Fort Borst Block House

Address: Fort Borst Park, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Fort Borst Block House

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

14. Go fishing in Brick Wagner Park

Brick Wagner Park has a waterfront location on Plummer Lake, which is a popular fishing spot in Centralia. The lake is man-made and sits on the site of a former gravel pit. It is well stocked with fish, making it a great place to cast a line. Bluegill, rainbow trout, and yellow perch all can be caught in Plummer Lake. Make a day of your fishing excursion and bring lunch to eat at the picnic tables in Brick Wagner Park. Even if you’re not planning to fish, this is a lovely spot to take in the waterfront vistas.

Brick Wagner Park

Address: 311 Tilley Ave, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Brick Wagner Park

Opening hours: 8am - 7pm (daily)

Price: Free

15. Stroll the spacious lawns at Schaefer Park

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dale Perozzo (@365lewiscounty)

Another popular park in Centralia is Schaefer Park. It is home to spacious green areas perfect for playing catch, throwing frisbee, or running around with your pets and kids. Schaefer also has a lovely wooden bridge that crosses over the Skookumchuck River and it is the perfect spot for taking portraits in nature. You’ll also find basketball courts, picnic areas, and everything else you’ll need for a fun day outside.

Schaefer Park

Address: 822 WA-507, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Schaefer Park

Opening hours: 6:30am - 8pm (daily)

Price: Free

16. Find some bargains at Centralia Factory Outlets

Centralia is rich in green spaces, but also in shopping bargains! Head to the Centralia Factory Outlets for great deals on name brands and designer goods. Pick up a luxury handbag at Coach, spa goodies at Bath and Body Works, and kids’ clothes at the Children’s Place. If you need a rest from all that shopping, grab a quick bite at the outlet’s food court. This is a great place to buy gifts for family, friends, and even yourself!

Centralia Factory Outlets

Address: 003409024007, Centralia, WA 98531

Website: Centralia Factory Outlets

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 9am - 8pm; Sun: 10am - 7pm

Price: Free

A city at the center of it all

Centralia sits at the center of a lot of things: Portland and Seattle, the mountains and the ocean, the past and the present. It balances all these influences beautifully and has created its own unique and charming atmosphere. Whether you’re taking in the vibrant downtown or exploring the beautiful natural areas, Centralia is a great place to spend a few hours or a few days!