Pasco is known for its stance on eco tourism, an idea it promotes through the Lewis & Clark Overlook and the American Indian Heritage attractions detailed below.
The Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center Overlook is situated at the junction of the Columbia Center and Columbia Park and it overlooks the River Columbia near the Bateman Island which is how it gets its name. A concrete avenue comprising of a pergola with two panels and a map of the Lewis-Clark Trail engraved into it is on display. Additionally, there is a wall of stone and some amount of landscaping done.
In the Northwest, the first Federal Highway was the Columbia Drive. Comprising of a concretized dual lane road, it competes with the Columbia River. A commemorative interpretive sign indicating this is situated at the junction of Columbia Drive and Edison Street. This highway takes the path earlier taken by Lewis and Clark during their explorations up the river.
The Sacajawea State Park & Interpretive Center is named after Sacajawea, the Indian wife of the expedition member Charbonneau who was also the spokesperson for the Lewis and Clark expedition. Run and managed by the state, this center displays her story and the travels of Lewis & Clark against the backdrop of American Native history.
Directions to the Sacajawea Park are situated at the junction of Highway 12 and road leading to the Park in Pasco. This celebrates the American Indian who also stood for peace.
Another marker commemorating Lewis and Clark stands at the gate of the Hood Park which is on the Snake River in the city of Pasco. It was erected by the Daughters of the American Revolution celebrating the Expedition's travels in the Tri Cities region.
Franklin County Museum is the most famous institution in the region. Situated in the erstwhile Carnegie Library, it finds a place of pride in the National Historic Register. Exhibits on the American Indians, the pioneers, aviators, and railroads being constructed in the area impart tremendous knowledge about the region. Among other things, there are many battle scarred memorabilia and an archive housing the works of famed Hollywood Director of Cinematography James W. Howe.
Additionally, some of the other not to be missed site is the Marmes Rockshelter, Lyons Ferry State Park and Fish Hatchery. This is situated in the east of Washington at the point where the Snake and Palouse Rivers merge together. In 1968 human bones were found here by the researchers of Washington State University. These were deemed approximately 10,000 years old and probably belonged to one of the earliest habitations in North America. This came to be termed the Marmes Rockshelter. Dam building work on the river has deluged the actual site, which is why the graves were transferred to a hill in proximity to the original site which can be reached on traveling three miles. The Lyons Ferry Hatchery is hosts tours through its compound showcasing excellent hatchery conditions and fish culturing.
