Though the lake and mountains are the main attractions of this area, the presence of several bronze foundries in Joseph and Enterprise has turned the area into something of a Western art community. Along Main Street in Joseph, you'll find several galleries that specialize in bronze statues and Western art. You'll also find more than half a dozen life-size bronze wildlife and Western art sculpture in sidewalk gardens along Main Street. Joseph's Valley Bronze of Oregon has a gallery at 18 S. Main St. (tel. 541/432-7445; www.valleybronze.com), and is one of the largest bronze foundries in the country. Tours of the foundry ($15 per person) are offered daily and begin at the gallery. Parks Bronze, 331 Golf Course Rd., Enterprise (tel. 541/426-4595; www.parksbronze.com), offers foundry tours Monday through Thursday. Tours are $10 per person, with a $30 minimum. For more information on area artists, visit the website of Joseph Oregon Artists (www.josephoregonartists.com).

At the Wallowa County Museum, 110 S. Main St., Joseph (tel. 541/432-6095; www.co.wallowa.or.us/museum/index.html), you can see pioneer artifacts, displays on the Nez Perce Indians, and other items donated to the museum by local families. This old-fashioned community museum is housed in a former bank building and is open daily from 10am to 5pm between Memorial Day and the third weekend in September.

On Saturdays between June and the end of October (and a few other dates between Mother's Day and early Sept), you can go for a train ride on the Eagle Cap Excursion Train (tel. 800/323-7330 or 541/963-9000; www.eaglecaptrain.com). Trains run between Wallowa and Joseph or between Elgin and Minam, and fares range from $65 to $70 for adults, $55 to $60 for seniors, and $25 to $30 for children.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.