Experience Chehalis by Night

It’s Friday night, and you have no plans. You open Google, type in “things to do in Chehalis,” and pray that the search results will guide you to the perfect evening activity. It’s time to get familiar with Chehalis’s nightlife options and save your thumbs the trouble of searching every week! Enter: Experience Chehalis with the “insider” knowledge you need to discover fun evening activities in Chehalis.

Live Events and Experiences

Courtesy: PNW Axe House

Downtown Chehalis is home to several venues with live shows and experiences, and our calendar is always full of special events. Nighttime visitors can find live music, comedy shows, DJ parties, film festivals, benefit events, and more at the historic McFiler’s Chehalis Theater. The menu and entertainment are always changing, so check out their website to see what’s on the schedule each week. Their sister location, McFiler’s Restaurant, also frequently hosts live music, trivia nights, and more. The theater is open Wednesday through Sunday evenings, and the restaurant is open seven days a week.

Fancy a classic popcorn-and-movie experience? Cinema enthusiasts can get their movie night fix at Midway Cinema, located just five minutes from downtown Chehalis. On the way there, you might spot Shankz Blacklight Miniature Golf Course – an electrifying place to find fun in the afternoons and evenings, Wednesday through Sunday. In addition to the mini golf course, they also have an arcade. For more fun on your feet, you might also enjoy the thrill of tossing an axe at the newly-opened PNW Axe House in downtown Chehalis, which is open Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings. Reservations are highly recommended for this popular spot!

Or, how’s this for an experience? Interact with local history, peaceful scenery, and a fresh, local dinner on the move… by booking a dinner train at the Chehalis-Centralia Railroad & Museum! This “living museum” has three classic dinner trains on the calendar this year – March 16, April 20, and July 27, as well as many other events throughout the year. See their website for a complete list of train rides, including themed dinner trains, holiday rides, escape rooms, and other experiences.

Restaurants & Bars

Courtesy: McFiler’s Chehalis Theater

Don’t need a special excuse to go out? Downtown Chehalis also has numerous bars and restaurants for your date nights, family dinners, and outings with friends. Some of our taverns have their own regular rotations of live music and activities, so pop in and ask the locals for tips.

For a small town, Chehalis has an impressive selection of fine dining options, casual fare, and local bars – each with a slightly different flavor. There are five taverns in town and 14 full-service restaurants that are open after 8pm for your evening dining, many of which have their own in-house bars and local specials.

For a full list of dining and beverage options, consult the Experience Chehalis Dining Guide.

Lodging + Overnight Trip Planning?

Courtesy: Holiday Inn

Due to its convenient central location, Chehalis is a fabulous place to stop along your route or lay your head before the next leg of your journey. If you are staying overnight for one of our local events or simply resting and refueling here on the way to a bigger destination, take advantage of one of Chehalis’s several lodging options. From hotels like the Best Western or Holiday Inn, to the Relax Inn motel, or the nearby RV parks, we have many options to suit your needs.

There’s no shortage of things to do in Chehalis, WA if you know where to look! We can even help you plan a romantic date. If our regularly scheduled evening activities don’t cut it, check out the Experience Chehalis events calendar for a comprehensive list of things to do in Chehalis, day or night! Local shops and restaurant staff are also great resources to discover what’s happening in town, or what other attractions and adventures might be found nearby. Have a great evening in Chehalis, and don’t forget to share your adventures on social media with the #ExperienceChehalis tag to spread the word.

Written by Chelsea Sonnenberg