35 Best Things to do in Yakima!

Nestled in the heart of Washington State, Yakima is a charming city known for its rich agricultural heritage, stunning natural beauty, and vibrant cultural scene. With its warm, sunny climate, Yakima is often referred to as the “Palm Springs of Washington.” Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, a history buff, or a wine lover, Yakima offers everything. In this guide, we’re excited to showcase the best things to do in Yakima during your visit to Washington.

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1. Must-See Attractions

Yakima Valley Museum

Covering 65,000 square feet, Yakima Valley Museum features exhibits on natural history, Native American culture, pioneer life, early city development, and the fruit industry. Visitors can explore a collection of horse-drawn vehicles, including a stagecoach and a hearse, as well as a replica of a 1930s Art Deco soda fountain. It host events and has a Neon Garden exhibit, showcasing vintage neon signs, and a Children’s Underground, an interactive learning space for kids aged 5 to 15. The museum manages the H.M. Gilbert Homeplace, it’s a Victorian farmhouse filled with artifacts and period furnishings.

Capitol Theatre

The Capitol Theatre is a historic performing arts venue that has been a cultural landmark since 1920. It has hosted a variety of events, including Broadway shows, concerts and comedy performances. It was designed by architect B. Marcus Priteca and originally it was called as the Mercy Theatre, once the largest theatre in the Pacific Northwest. After a fire in 1975, the theatre was carefully restored to its original Renaissance-style design, reopening in 1978. Today, it is home to several production companies, Yakima Symphony Orchestra and Town Hall Series, making it an ideal spot for entertainment.

Yakima Valley Trolleys

The Yakima Valley Trolleys operates on original tracks from the Yakima Valley Transport Company, making it the last intact early 20th century interurban electric railroad in the United States. The trolleys run on a seasonal schedule, with rides available on weekends during the warmer months. The fleet includes vintage streetcars built in the 1920s, offering a nostalgic ride through Yakima. The museum at the carbarn provides insight into the history of electric railways and the exhibits highlights on the company. Visitors can take a guided tour, learning about the role of trolleys in city’s development.

Larson Gallery

Since 1949, Larson Gallery is a well-known visual arts venue connected to Yakima Valley College and works closely with local artists and organizations to promote creativity. The gallery hosts solo and group exhibits, featuring works from local and national artists. Each year, it presents the Central Washington Artists’ Exhibition, one of the longest-running juried art shows in the Pacific Northwest. Visitors can explore a variety of art styles, from paintings and sculptures to mixed media and photography. The gallery offers artist lectures and workshops, making it a great place for learning and engagement.

2. Outdoor Adventures

Naches Peak Loop Trail

The Naches Peak Loop Trail is a beautiful hiking route that offers stunning views and a peaceful outdoor experience. The 3.2 miles loop is located near Mount Rainier National Park, with the trailhead at Tipsoo Lake. The hike is best done clockwise, as this direction provides breathtaking views of Mount Rainier throughout the journey. The trail follows the Pacific Crest Trail on the northern side of Naches Peak and then connects to the Naches Peak Trail on the southern side. Along the way, hikers pass through alpine meadows, lakes, and filled with wildflower, making it a great spot for nature lovers.

Yakima Greenway

Stretching 20 miles, Yakima Greenway connects the communities of Union Gap, Yakima, Selah, and Naches. The area includes protected natural spaces, playgrounds, and picnic spots, making it a popular destination for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can explore Rotary Lake, Myron Lake, and Boise Pond, all great spots for fishing and wildlife watching. The Greenway has several boat landings, providing easy access to the Yakima and Naches Rivers. Seasonal events, nature walks, including community clean-ups and family-friendly festivals, bring people together to enjoy the outdoors.

Cowiche Canyon Trail

The Cowiche Canyon Trail is part of the Cowiche Canyon Preserve, which covers 20 miles of interconnected trails. The main trail follows an old railroad bed, passing through the canyon beneath steep basalt cliffs and crossing Cowiche Creek multiple times. The trail connects to upland paths, offering scenic views of the surrounding landscape. Visitors can explore different routes, including Lone Pine Trail, Tieton Andesite, and East Uplands Trail, each providing unique experiences. The preserve is open year-round, with a chance to spot wildlife, while snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in winter.

Yakima River Canyon

Stretching 27 miles between Ellensburg and Yakima, Yakima River Canyon features desert hills, towering basalt cliffs, and Yakima River. The area is popular for wildlife watching, fishing, rafting, and camping, with several recreation sites managed by the Bureau of Land Management. Visitors can explore Umtanum Creek Recreation Area, which offers hiking trails and views of wildflowers, sagebrush, and cottonwood trees. The Roza Dam Recreation Site provides access to the river for boating and fishing. Camping is available at Big Pines Campground, with picnic tables, fire rings, and scenic river views.

Yakima Sportsman State Park

Covering over 266 acres, Yakima Sportsman State Park was originally created by the Yakima Sportsman’s Association to support conservation efforts. The park is located on the Yakima River floodplain, making it a green oasis in an otherwise dry region. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, birdwatching, fishing, and camping, with more than 130 species of birds spotted in the area. The park has picnic shelters and playgrounds, making it a great spot for families and group outings. The Juan A. Alvarez Living Classroom features an ADA-accessible trail and pier, offering a closer look at wetland habitats.

Sarg Hubbard Park

The Sarg Hubbard Park is part of the Yakima Greenway, a network of trails and parks that connect different areas around Yakima. It features a scenic reflection pond, walking paths and a playground for kids, making it a great spot for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Visitors can take a walk along the Noel Path, which links the park to nearby attractions like the Yakima Area Arboretum. The park is home to community events, including seasonal celebrations and outdoor activities. The Sarg Hubbard Play ground provides a fun space for children, while open areas offer room for picnics and relaxation.

Golfing Courses

Yakima has several golf courses that offer great experiences for players of all skill levels. Apple Tree Golf Course is one of the most well-known courses in the area, featuring an 18-hole layout with scenic views and a signature apple-shaped island green on the 17th hole. Yakima Country Club is a private course that has been around since 1916, offering a well-kept course and hosting various championships over the years. Suntides Golf Course is a public 18-hole course with a relaxed setting, making it a great choice for casual golfers.

Westwood West Golf Course is another public course, known for its peaceful setting and well-kept greens. Fisher Park Golf Course is a smaller 9-hole course that provides a simple and enjoyable golfing experience. River Ridge Golf Course in nearby Selah offers a 9-hole course along with a restaurant and event center, making it a great spot for both golf and social gatherings. Yakima Elks Golf & Country Club is another option in Selah, featuring an 18-hole course with a mix of challenging and beginner-friendly holes.

3. Iconic Landmarks

Yakima Chief Hops

The Yakima Chief Hops is a grower-owned hop supplier that connects brewers with family hop farms. It has deep roots in the hop industry, working with farmers to produce high-quality hops used in brewing worldwide. The company was founded to support sustainable farming and innovation in hop production. It offers a variety of hop products, including whole leaf hops, hop pellets, and Cryo Hops, which help brewers create different flavors and aromas in beer. Yakima Chief Hops is committed to environmental responsibility, using solar panels and composting systems to reduce energy use.

Yakima Valley Wine Country

The Yakima Valley Wine Country is home to more than 90 wineries and covering over 17,000 acres of vineyards, the valley produces more than half of Washington State’s wine grapes. The area includes five American Viticultural Areas (AVAs), each offering unique growing conditions for different grape varieties. Visitors can explore wineries in Yakima, Zillah, Prosser, and Red Mountain. Popular grape varieties grown here such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Riesling, Merlot, Syrah and Chardonnay. Many wineries offer tasting rooms, vineyard tours, and special events, making it a great destination for wine lovers.

Central Washington Agricultural Museum

Covers 17 acres, Central Washington Agricultural Museum features 29 buildings filled with exhibits showcasing farming history. Visitors can explore more than 150 antique tractors and over 1,000 pieces of historic machinery, learning about how early settlers worked the land. It offers guided tours, allowing guests to see restored equipment and hear stories about farming life. Special events, including Old Steel Car Show, Pioneer Power Show, and Agri-Copia, bring people together to celebrate agricultural heritage. The exhibits highlight the evolution of farming technology and its impact on the region.

Naches Heights Vineyard

The Naches Heights Vineyard is a family-owned winery with a strong focus on sustainability and quality. The vineyard grows a diverse variety of grapes, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Gruner Veltliner, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, Albarino, and Syrah. The owners prioritize organic and biodynamic farming, following programs like Salmon Safe to protect the environment. Visitors can book a vineyard tour to learn about the history and geology of the Naches Heights plateau. The tour includes a visit to the vineyard and a tasting session, where guests can sample wines made from organic grapes.

Cherry Picking in the Yakima Valley

Several farms in the Yakima Valley offer U-pick experiences, where visitors can pick their own cherries. Washington Fruit Place at Barrett Orchards is a popular spot, known for its Rainier and Bing cherries, along with other seasonal fruits. Johnson Orchards, a family-owned farm, sells fresh produce and homemade desserts, making it a great stop for both picking and tasting. West Valley U-Pick offers a variety of fruits and vegetables, allowing visitors to enjoy a full farm experience. Since cherry season is short, checking farm websites or social media for availability and hours are recommended.

Casino Caribbean Yakima

The Casino Caribbean Yakima features Spanish 21, Pai Gow Poker, Double-Deck Blackjack, Four Card Poker, and Ultimate Texas Hold’em, giving visitors plenty of options to enjoy. The poker room hosts live games and tournaments, attracting players. The casino also has a horse racing room, where guests can watch and bet on races. The restaurant and bar serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, with a special prime rib night on Fridays and Saturdays. The gaming tables are well-maintained, ensuring a smooth experience for players. The venue hosts special events, including themed nights and promotions.

4. Family-Friendly Activities

Johnson’s Orchards

The Johnson Orchards is a family-owned farm that has been growing fruit for over a century since 1904. The farm is known for its tree-ripened cherries, which are available in season, along with apples, peaches, and other fresh produce. Visitors can stop by the farm market, which sells locally grown fruit, homemade baked goods, and specialty products from nearby businesses. The orchard’s Little Bake Shop offers fresh pies, cookies, and other treats made from scratch. The farm’s historic 1916 fruit packing warehouse and on-site gift store, giving visitors an idea about Yakima’s agricultural past.

Yakima Family Fun Center

The Yakima Family Fun Center offers go-karts, mini golf, arcade games, batting cages, bumper boats, and virtual reality experiences. The go-kart track is a 600 foot concrete course with banked turns, providing an exciting ride for visitors. The mini golf course features 18 holes with ponds, fountains, and obstacles that make the game fun for all ages. The arcade has over 45 games, including batting cages that offer different pitch speeds for playing baseball games, with helmets and bats are provided. The Omni Arena allows guests to experience virtual reality gaming, moving freely in a 360-degree space.

Yakima County Stadium

The Yakima County Stadium has a 2,800 seat capacity, with 1,500 seats with backs and 1,300 bleacher seats. It is the home of the Yakima Valley Pippins, a collegiate wood-bat team in the West Coast League. The stadium was originally built for the Yakima Bears, a minor league team that played there until 2012. The field has a outfield that is surrounded by a 16 foot wall, having a total distance of 293 feet down the left and right field lines and 405 feet to the center field. Over the years, the stadium has hosted concerts, community events, and baseball tournaments, making it a key venue in Yakima.

Renegade Raceway

The Renegade Raceway is a well-known dragstrip that has been a part of the racing scene for over 50 years. It hosts a variety of events, including street legal drags, jet car races, and nostalgia drag racing. The track is known for its quarter mile dragstrip, where racers compete in high-speed runs. The raceway is open for weekend events, with gates opening a few hours before races begin. Special events, such as the Funny Car Frenzy and Nitro Nights, bring exciting performances to the track. It offers “test-and-tune” sessions, provides drivers a chance to practice in track and fine-tune their vehicles.

Yakima YMCA Aquatic Center

The Yakima YMCA Aquatic Center is a community-focused facility offering swimming programs, fitness classes, and recreational activities. The center provides a welcoming space for people of all ages to enjoy water-based exercise and leisure. The facility includes a lap pool, lazy river, therapy pool, and child play structure, making it a great place for both serious swimmers and families. The rec swim sessions allow visitors to enjoy the water with access to slides and play areas. Water fitness classes, such as river walking and aqua aerobics, provide low-impact workouts for those looking to stay active.

5. Natural Attractions

Yakima Area Arboretum

Covering around 46 acres, Yakima Area Arboretum is a peaceful green space that features gardens, tree collections, and natural areas. The site was once a wetland before being developed for farming and later transformed into an arboretum in 1967. Today, it is home to more than 1,000 species of native and exotic plants, including butterfly, rose, iris, Japanese, and perennial gardens. Visitors can enjoy walking trails, educational programs, and seasonal events, making it a great place for families and nature lovers. It hosts gardening classes and workshops, helping people connect with the environment.

Ahtanum State Forest

Covering 75,000 acres, Ahtanum State Forest is managed by the Washington State Department of Natural Resources and provides space for camping, hiking, horseback riding, off-road vehicle riding, mountain biking and snowmobiling. Located about 30 miles west of Yakima, the forest includes Green Dot Roads, which allow vehicle and off-road access. The land was officially established as a state forest in 2005, after a land exchange consolidated ownership. The forest’s elevation ranges from 3,150 feet to 6,981 feet, creating diverse landscapes with dense forests, open meadows, and rugged terrain.

Buchanan Lake

The Buchanan Lake is a unique body of water with floating islands and a local history. The lake’s history dates back to the early 1900s, when the land was used for cattle grazing and agricultural waste disposal. Over the years, Buchanan Lake has been managed with a focus on water quality and habitat preservation, ensuring a healthy environment for wildlife. The surrounding landscape includes cottonwood trees and wetland areas, creating a peaceful area for nature lovers. The lake’s management works on habitat restoration projects, including efforts to reduce pollution and maintain clean water.

Rimrock Lake

Located about 40 miles west of Yakima, Rimrock Lake was formed by the construction of Tieton Dam in 1925 as part of the Yakima Project, which helps with irrigation in the region. The lake sits at an elevation of 2,926 feet and covers 2,546 acres, making it a popular spot for boating, fishing, camping, and hiking. Anglers can catch kokanee, rainbow trout, and cutthroat trout, with fishing allowed year-round. The lake has public and private campgrounds, along with boat launch sites managed by the Forest Service. The surrounding Wenatchee National Forest provides trails for hiking and exploring nature.

6. Day Trips & Excursions

Yakama Nation Cultural Center

Located about 20 miles southeast of Yakima, Yakama Nation Cultural Center is easy to reach by car along Highway 97. A standout feature is the Yakama Nation Museum, showcasing exhibits on the tribe’s history, tradition and way of life. Visitors can see artifacts, photographs, and traditional clothing, gaining insight into the Yakama people’s connection to the land. It features a large diorama, it narrated the daily life and challenges of people in Yakama village. The Heritage Theater offers films and presentations about tribal history, while the Cultural Center Gift Shop sells handmade crafts and souvenirs.

Fort Simcoe Historical State Park

Located about 35 miles west of Yakima, Fort Simcoe Historical State Park sits on the Yakama Indian Reservation and covers 196 acres. The fort was built in 1856 by the U.S. Army to manage conflicts between settlers and Yakama people. It was later used as an Indian Agency and boarding school until 1922. Visitors can walk through the five buildings, including the officers’ quarters, blockhouse, and tribal jail, which offer a glimpse into the past. The park has picnic areas and walking trails, making it a peaceful place to relax. The site’s history is preserved through educational programs and guided tours.

Hanford Reach National Monument

Located about 117 miles east of Yakima, Hanford Reach National Monument is known for its untouched landscapes, wildlife, and remnants of the Hanford nuclear site. The area was once restricted due to its role in the Manhattan Project, but today it is a protected space with scenic views, hiking trails, and river access. Visitors can explore the White Bluffs, which offer stunning overlooks of the Columbia River, or take a guided boat tour to see the monument from the water. The Hanford Reach Interpretive Center in nearby Richland provides exhibits on the area’s history and conservation efforts.

Mount Hood National Forest

Located 150 miles from Yakima, Mount Hood National Forest covers over a million acres and is home to Mount Hood, Oregon’ s highest peak at 11,239 feet. The drive is around 3 hours, following Highway 97 south before connecting to Highway 26 west. The forest has hiking trails, lakes, waterfalls, and campgrounds, making it a great spot for nature lovers. Popular spots include Trillium Lake, known for its mirror-like reflection of Mount Hood, and a historic Timberline ski lodge built in 1937. The Salmon River Trail is a good choice for an easy hike, while Mirror Lake Trail provides great views of the mountain.

Northern Pacific Railway Museum Toppenish

From Yakima, a day trip to the Northern Pacific Railway Museum is a great way to explore railroad history. The museum is ho used in a historic 1911 railroad depot that once served as a key transportation hub. It showcases railway artifacts, restored locomotives, and vintage passenger cars, giving visitors a glimpse into the early days of train travel. Exhibits include a telegraph station, and freight room, showing how railroads operated in the past. Guided tours walk you through the exhibits of Yakima Valley Rail and Steam Museum Association, which helped restore the depot with special events.

How to Reach Yakima

If you prefer driving, Interstate 82 connects Yakima to nearby cities like Ellensburg, Richland, and Kennewick, while Highway 97 runs north-south, linking Yakima to Oregon and Canada. For those flying, Yakima Air Terminal (YKM) is the primary airport serving the Yakima Valley, offering daily flights through Alaska Airlines with connections to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA). Bus services like Greyhound and Bellair Airporter Shuttle provide transportation to and from Yakima, with routes connecting to Seattle and other major cities.

Train travel is not available directly to Yakima, but Amtrak stops in nearby Pasco, about 80 miles away, where travelers can take a bus or rent a car to reach Yakima. The drive from Seattle takes about 2 hours, offering a pleasant and scenic journey, while a trip from Portland in Oregon, takes around 3.5 hours. Interstate 82 runs directly through Yakima, making the drive convenient for visitors. For a greener option, travelers can use the Greyhound bus service, which connects Yakima to various cities in Washington and beyond.

Local Transportation

Getting around Yakima, is simple with plenty of local transport options. Yakima Transit is the city’s main public bus service, operating for over 35 years and serving more than 1 million passengers annually. The system includes fixed-route buses, Dial-A-Ride services, and commuter routes connecting Yakima to nearby areas. The buses run on a set schedule, with stops throughout the city, making it easy for residents and visitors to travel without a car. Dial-A-Ride is available for eligible riders who need door-to-door service.

Yakima Valley Transportation specializes in van and reefer loads, focusing on freight transport rather than passenger services. Pegasus Transport provides additional transportation options, though details on its services are limited. For those who prefer driving, Yakima has well-maintained roads and highways, including Interstate 82 and Highway 97, which connect the city to other parts of Washington. Parking is available throughout Yakima, including downtown and near major attractions.

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FAQ’s (Frequently Asked Questions)

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