Ritzville is located at the intersection of Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 395. If you are considering the town as an overnight stop, you can plan your trip around your own interests: the historic district and several museums offer a glimpse into cultural history, while golf, a walking path, and the seasonal water park offer other options.
Explore the Historic District on foot
Ritzville’s Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The district covers four blocks between Railroad Avenue and Broadway Avenue, and between Division Street and Adams Street. A self-guided walking tour takes you through this historic area on foot. Plaques attached to the buildings correspond to the tour booklet; check whether the booklet is available before your visit.
The museums also tell history through specific places and collections. The Frank R. Burroughs Museum is housed in a well-preserved 19th-century home built in 1889. It contains numerous historic objects, including many original items from the home. The Railroad Depot Museum centers on a collection of memorabilia from around the turn of the century. The museum also includes the restored Northern Pacific Railway Caboose No. 10425.
Both houses—the Railroad Depot Museum and the Burroughs Home Museum—have seasonal opening hours: They are open Thursday through Saturday, 12 to 4 p.m., from Memorial Day weekend in late May through Labor Day weekend in September. Hours depend on the availability of museum attendants; confirm them before your visit.
More cultural sites and public art
The Ritzville Public Library was built as a Carnegie library in 1907. It houses the Heritage Resource Center, with genealogical records and documents on pioneer history. If you would like to use these collections, check access options and library services in advance. The Lasting Legacy Wildlife Museum features wildlife dioramas as well as exhibits from around the world from the collection of Dr. Donald Sebesta.
The Ritz Theatre opened in 1937 and was designed by Bjarne Moe, a cinema architect who worked in the U.S. Northwest. The Ritz Theatre shows current movies three times a week; check showtimes before visiting, as the program may change. The theater is among Washington State’s small, independent single-screen cinemas still in operation; the number it is compared with may change over time.
Metal sculptures by Ritzville-born and raised artist Lamar Thiel adorn streets and business areas. Many of the works contain hidden animals—a small scavenger hunt for visitors and families. The Wheat Land Communities Fair takes place every year over Labor Day weekend, bringing residents from eastern Adams County together for a small-town celebration with an agricultural focus. Exhibits include livestock raised by young participants. Traditionally, the program also includes rodeo performances on Friday and Saturday evenings; exact event dates vary from year to year.
Golf, walking paths, and seasonal swimming
The public Ritzville Golf Course is located at Interstate 90 Exit 220. You can play nine or 18 holes there. Golf clubs and carts are available to rent; check their availability and operating details before your trip. You should also take road conditions into account when traveling there.
The Ritzville Walking Path offers walkers and joggers a three-mile route. The Ritzville Water Park adds to the recreation options with two water slides, a diving board, a lap pool, and a leisure pool and a wading pool. Since operations are seasonal, confirm current opening hours before your visit.
When choosing accommodations in Ritzville, your planned focus can be a useful guide: You can explore the Historic District on your own, while museums, the theater, fair, and water park have specific opening, show, or seasonal hours. Golf and the walking path offer different ways to spend time outdoors.
Discover more destinations: Othello.
For the broader travel overview: Adams County.
