30 Underrated West Coast College Towns You’ll Want to Visit This Summer

29. Ellensburg, Washington: Rodeo Spirit, Central Washington Vistas

Offering a different Washington flavor east of the Cascades, Ellensburg is a historic town with a distinct Western character, home to Central Washington University. Surrounded by rolling agricultural lands and with views of distant mountain ranges, it boasts a charming downtown core listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is famous for its annual rodeo. CWU brings a youthful energy and diverse academic programs, creating a unique blend of frontier heritage, college-town vibrancy, and access to central Washington’s drier, sunnier landscapes.