How to Experience Ellensburg as a Student
How to Get to Know Your New Home
Whether you’re new to Ellensburg or entering your senior year at CWU, there are always more local secrets to learn. Explore Ellensburg with a free guided walking tour from the Kittitas County Historical Museum to learn more about the city and get off campus. These tours offer great local insight, focused on public art, community history, haunted legends, and more. Plus, as you’re on the tour, you can familiarize yourself with the historic downtown Ellensburg! Before you know it, you’ll know your way around Ellensburg like the back of your hand. Find more information and sign up for a free walking tour here.
If the guided walking tours don’t fit into your class schedule, consider a self-guided tour of Ellensburg. With historic buildings and public art on every corner of the historic downtown, you could spend a whole day exploring the beautiful architecture, murals, and sculptures on your own! Use the Ellensburg Art Walk Map to view public art on a tour of downtown.


Where to Find Cheap Eats
Ellensburg offers a host of fantastic restaurants for those on a budget. Find a balanced meal at Lunchbox Cafe, offering fresh soups, salads, sandwiches, and more to balance out all those nights of ramen and pizza. Stop by local food trucks, Los Chilangos or Tacos Chalito, for a quick, tasty meal between classes. Round up your friends for a night out at Wing Central or one of these other Ellensburg favorites. These spots and many others offer flavorful food and a welcoming atmosphere without breaking the bank, perfect for college students! Enjoy the tastes of Ellensburg and try one out today.
Where to Study
Having a quiet place to focus is essential to succeed in school, but sometimes it’s beneficial to get out of your dorm and study in a public setting. Coffee shops like D&M Coffee, Winegar’s Homemade Ice Cream and Coffee, and Utopia Frozen Yogurt and Coffee House provide casual settings, large tables, and fantastic coffee to keep you motivated while you work. When you’re done, celebrate your achievements with a scoop of creamy homemade ice cream at Winegar’s or a heaping bowl of froyo piled high with toppings from Utopia, you deserve it! Find more coffee shops in Ellensburg here.

