Centralia is located along the I-5 corridor. The city offers more than one focus when choosing a destination for your stay: murals in the historic downtown, a brick depot dating from 1912, historic sites, woodland walks, river views and cultural attractions each offer something different. Consider whether you would like to focus more on city history, nature or activities for children.
Murals, the Depot and Downtown Shops
Hand-painted murals in historic downtown Centralia depict the city’s history. Their subjects include George Washington, Buffalo Bill and the 1919 Armistice Day, also known as the Wobbly War. The mural locations may change; if you want to seek out specific murals, check their current locations.
Today’s Centralia Train Depot was built of brick in 1912. It is used by Amtrak passengers and serves as a stop for local public transit. If you are planning your arrival around Amtrak or public transit, check the current service connections.
The Downtown Centralia Historic District has antique and boutique shops as well as places to eat. Shops and galleries in the historic downtown include locally run businesses selling handmade jewelry, handmade furniture, homemade chocolates and antiques. Individual businesses and offerings may change. This means city views, shopping and dining are different facets of a visit, without any one theme needing to define your stay.
Historic Sites and Planning Your Visit
Historic sites in Borst Park include the Borst Home, the One Room School House and the Block House. Advance reservations are required for group and special tours of the Borst Home. They are offered Monday through Friday from April through September; three weeks’ notice is required.
Borst Home open-house events are free to attend; donations are accepted, and Living History programs are planned for each event. These events are distinct from the tours: if you plan to take a tour, you will need to make a reservation and allow for the required advance notice; for an open house, the dates of the events are what matter. Check the dates before your visit, as they may change.
Woodland Trails, River Valleys and Trees
Seminary Hill Natural Area invites you to take a peaceful walk through the woods and offers views of Centralia and the Chehalis and Skookumchuck river valleys. Fort Borst Park is located at the confluence of the Chehalis River and the Skookumchuck River. The park offers water access along the adjacent riverbanks, at Fort Borst Lake and via a concrete boat ramp on the Chehalis River.
Fort Borst Park Arboretum features more than 285 trees representing over 150 species, as well as rhododendron and azalea gardens. Visitors can walk its paths and learn about the trees. Its focus differs from that of Seminary Hill Natural Area: there, the emphasis is on woodland walks and views, while here it is on tree species and gardens.
Another option is Rotary Riverside Park, with paved and unpaved walking paths and public access to the water. When choosing nature spots, you can weigh a woodland setting and river valleys against a focus on trees or a park with different path surfaces and water access.
Activities for Children, Sports and the Market
At the Discover! Children's Museum, children can touch, play with and explore interactive exhibits. In the Dinosaur Discovery Zone, they dig up fossil replicas and learn about prehistoric life. The two offerings have different focuses: the exhibits invite exploration, while the dinosaur zone combines digging with a specific learning topic.
The Sports Hub at the Sports Complex at Borst Park is a 99,000-square-foot sports facility. It hosts events in indoor volleyball, basketball, fastpitch and wrestling. As the event schedule may change, it is a good idea to check specific dates before your visit.
A seasonal market in Centralia takes place on Fridays and offers fresh local produce, baked goods and handmade crafts. The seasonal schedule and vendors may change, so check the current market day and offerings if the market is important to your plans.
Discover more destinations: Napavine, Glenoma, Packwood, Chehalis
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