Discover Ritzville

Ritzville is located at the junction of Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 395, providing a clear point of reference for planning your drive. The area also offers several reasons to stay: you may be interested in history, museums, water activities, or a round of golf. If you’re considering Ritzville as a destination for a hotel stay, it helps to factor your preferred activities and their seasonal schedules into your plans.

Explore the Historic District on foot

Ritzville’s Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990. The historic area covers four blocks between Railroad Avenue and Broadway Avenue, and between Division Street and Adams Street. The city’s Walking Tour is a self-guided walking route through the district. Historic plaques on the buildings correspond to the tour booklet; check in advance to see if the booklet is available.

The Frank R. Burroughs Museum centers on a well-preserved 19th-century house. Dr. Frank R. Burroughs’s house was built in 1889. The collection includes many historic objects, including numerous original items from the house. Those interested in the history of a home and its preserved objects will find a different way to explore the past here than on a walking tour of the Historic District.

The Railroad Depot Museum is dedicated to mementos from around the turn of the century. The museum also includes the restored Northern Pacific Railway Caboose No. 10425. The Railroad Depot Museum and the Burroughs Home Museum are open Thursday through Saturday, 12 p.m. to 4 p.m., from the Memorial Day weekend in late May through the Labor Day weekend in September. Opening depends on the availability of museum guides; confirm the hours before your visit.

Recreation and activities

The Ritzville Walking Path offers walkers and joggers a three-mile route. The Ritzville Water Park has two water slides, a diving board, a lap pool, and leisure and wading pools. As it operates seasonally, confirm that it is open before your visit.

The Ritzville Golf Course is a public golf course. Rounds of 9 or 18 holes are available, and golf clubs and carts can be rented. The course is located at Interstate 90 Exit 220. Since playing and rental options may change, check the latest details before you arrive. This will help you decide whether a shorter or longer round of golf suits your planned stay.

Theater, library, and local events

The Ritz Theatre opened in 1937 and was designed by Bjarne Moe, a movie theater architect who worked in the Pacific Northwest. The theater shows current movies three times a week. As the program may change, check showtimes before your visit.

The Ritzville Public Library was built in 1907 as a Carnegie library. It houses the Heritage Resource Center, which contains genealogical records and documents on pioneer history. If you would like to use these collections, find out about access and library services in advance.

Lamar Thiel, born and raised in Ritzville, creates metal sculptures that decorate the community’s streets and business districts. Many of the works contain hidden animals—a playful detail for visitors and families. Look out for them as you walk through the relevant areas.

The Wheat Land Communities Fair is held annually in Ritzville over Labor Day weekend; exact dates vary from year to year. It brings residents from eastern Adams County together for a small-town celebration centered on agriculture, and includes livestock shows featuring young participants. Traditionally, performances by the Ritzville Rodeo also take place on Friday and Saturday evenings. Check the dates for the year in question if you’d like to plan your visit around the event.

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Go to the regional travel overview: Adams County.