Be on the lookout for the beautiful “Ellensburg Blue” agate, sold at local jewelry stores uncut or finished and fashioned into earrings, necklaces, and rings. Ellensburg Agate & Bead Shop (201 S. Main St., 509/925-4998, 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Sat., until 6 p.m. in summer) is one of the most well known, and a friend to rock hounds looking for advice and equipment to help them scour the region for a bit of blue to bring home. Also popular are Art of Jewelry (709 South Main St.) and Kim Khap Gems and Jewelry (108 N. Main St.).

There are dozens of other cute boutiques and galleries around these jewelry shops on the main parallel parkways of Pearl and Main (just a block apart). Gallery One (4081/2 N. Pearl, 509/925-2670) features works by some of the best regional artists upstairs in the grand 1889 G. R. Stewart Building. And the quirky Dancing Ewe Yarns & Teas (109 E 3rd Ave., Ste. 1, 509/962-5648, www.dancingewe-yarns.com) is a knitter’s delight.