Need a sunny Washington getaway with riverside trails, science history, and local wine? Head to Richland! Located in southeastern Washington’s Tri-Cities area, Richland blends natural beauty, Hanford history, and Columbia River charm. Whether you're biking along the river, exploring nuclear science landmarks, or wine tasting in nearby Red Mountain, Richland offers a laid-back escape with high desert flair.
Richland, WA Highlights:
- For Adventurous Travelers: Bike or walk the Sacagawea Heritage Trail – A scenic, 23-mile paved loop along the Columbia River connecting the Tri-Cities.
- For History Buffs: Tour the REACH Museum or visit the Hanford Site – Learn about the Manhattan Project and the area's cultural and ecological heritage.
- For Shoppers: Browse Richland Uptown Shopping Center – A retro mid-century shopping plaza filled with local boutiques, vintage shops, and cafés.
- For Couples: Wine taste at Red Mountain AVA – Sip bold reds at boutique wineries just a short drive away, with stunning vineyard views.
- For Families: Play and explore at Howard Amon Park – A riverside park with playgrounds, trails, picnic areas, and summer concerts.
Best Time to Visit Richland, WA
The best time to visit Richland is spring through fall (April–October), when the weather is warm and sunny—perfect for hiking, river activities, and wine tasting. Fall offers beautiful vineyard scenery and harvest events, while summer is ideal for water recreation.
How to Get to Richland, WA
- If you are traveling by car: Richland is located off I-182, about 3.5 hours from Seattle and 2 hours from Spokane or Walla Walla.
- By Air: Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in Pasco is about 15 minutes away and offers flights from Seattle, Denver, and other major hubs.
- By Train: Amtrak serves nearby Pasco with connections across Washington and beyond.
Where to Stay in Richland, WA
- Lodge at Columbia Point – Upscale riverfront hotel with a wine bar, spa, and beautiful Columbia River views.
- Hampton Inn Richland/Tri-Cities – Centrally located with complimentary breakfast and walking distance to parks and the river.
- Home2 Suites by Hilton – Great for longer stays with kitchenettes, an indoor pool, and modern amenities.
Best Things to Do in Richland, WA
1. Take a free tour of the Hanford Nuclear Reservation
★★★★★
The Hanford Nuclear Reservation is a decommissioned nuclear production complex on the Columbia River in Benton County. The nuclear site was established during the Second World War for the production of plutonium. The U.S. Department of Energy offers free public tours of the B Reactor to people of all ages.
2. Take the kids to the playground in Howard Amon Park
Located on the shores of the Columbia River in Richland, Howard Amon Park is a multi-use recreation area with numerous recreational features, including playgrounds for children of all ages, access to the river for fishing, boating, kayaking and swimming, and a pavilion for events. Named after one of Richland's early settlers, Howard Amon, the park also features a paved bike path known as the Riverfront Trail that runs the entire length of the park ending at Sacagawea Heritage Trail. There is a rock-climbing area, a short zip line, four tennis courts, and a half basketball court, and water-based activities range from a small wading pool for young children to boating and swimming in the river.
Address: 500 Amon Park Dr, Richland, WA 99352, Phone: 509-942-7390
3. Take the kids to the REACH Museum (Hanford Reach Interpretive Center)
Located in the Richland Public Facilities District, the REACH Museum (Hanford Reach Interpretive Center) is an educational institution that focuses on the study of the history and geology of the region, as well as science and technology. The 14,000 square-foot center features two main exhibition galleries where visitors can experience and explore basalt lava flows and the geological impact of the Ice Age Floods, as well as and enjoy the spectacular natural scenery of the Columbia River and Badger Mountain.
Other exhibits include the story of the Manhattan Project and its continuous influence on Richland, and the center has an outdoor stage for various events and musicals. Several educational activities and programs are offered for children of all ages, as well as guided tours of the center.
Address: 1943 Columbia Park Trail, Richland, WA 99352, Phone: 509-943-4100
4. Visit the tasting room at J. Bookwalter Winery
J. Bookwalter Winery is one of Washington’s oldest wineries and most recognized boutique wine brands that produces exceptional wines through world-class vineyard sources and meticulous winemaking. The winery has a flagship tasting room in Richland, where visitors can sample some of the world-class wines produced under the J. Bookwalter label. The Richland venue also has a renowned, full-service restaurant that serves contemporary cuisine paired with wines from the estate, as well as other global vintages.
Address: 894 Tulip Ln, Richland, WA 99352, Phone: 509-627-5000
5. Visit Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery
Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery is a family-owned and operated winery and the largest contiguous estate vineyard in Washington State.
Boasting over 2,000 acres of estate vineyards, Goose Ridge grows world-class wine grapes and produces over 40,000 cases of wine each year through five company brands and several other wineries. Nestled in the heart of the estate’s 2,500-acre vineyard is the Richland Tasting Room, where visitors can sample some of the winery’s world-class wines in an elegant and laid-back setting.
Address: 16304 N Dallas Road, Richland, WA 99352, Phone: 509-628-3880
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
6. Take a free tour of LIGO Hanford Observatory
The LIGO Hanford Observatory is the world's largest gravitational wave observatory featuring two gigantic laser interferometers that detect and understand the origins of gravitational waves through the exploitation of light and space.
The interferometers are located in Hanford and Livingston, Louisiana, while two primary research centers can be found in Pasadena, California, and MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which are part of the Observatory.
LIGO Hanford offers free public tours of the observatory on the second Saturday of each month, which includes a public talk by a LIGO staff member.
Address: 127124 N Route 10, Richland, WA 99354, Phone: 509-372-8106
7. Stroll along the Sacagawea Heritage Trail
The Sacagawea Heritage Trail Project is a 23-mile, family-friendly, recreational, and educational trail along the banks of the Columbia River. <
Dedicated to the only woman on the Lewis and Clark expedition, the bi-modal trail offers an environmentally sound and unique shrub-steppe habitat for outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy in a variety of ways from walking, jogging, and running to hiking and mountain biking.
The non-motorized loop runs along the riverfronts of the Columbia, Yakima, and Snake Rivers in the Tri-Cities area, linking waterfront parks and offering interpretive signs and sculptural elements about the local habitats, fauna, and flora along the way.
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
8. Enjoy Allied Arts Gallery in the Park
Established in 1948, Allied Arts Gallery in the Park is an art festival that showcases local artists' works, promotes art education, and encourages the community to take a more profound interest in the field of art.
The show is held in the Gallery in the Park, which was built in 1909 and always coincides with the beginning of the Water Follies hydroplane races that take place on the Columbia River. The family-friendly annual event attracts thousands of people who come to enjoy browsing the works of hundreds of Northwest artists, live entertainment, great food, and a vibrant atmosphere.
Address: 89 Lee Blvd, Richland, WA 99352, Phone: 509-943-9815
9. Discover USS Triton Submarine Memorial Park
Located at the end of Port of Benton Boulevard on the banks of the Columbia River, the USS Triton Submarine Memorial Park was built to honor the USS Triton, a United States Navy radar picket nuclear submarine.
The famous ship was the first vessel to complete a circumnavigation of the Earth underwater in 1960, and her sail superstructure is on display in the park along with a wealth of information on the submarine and its rich history.
The park is part of the Richland Riverfront Trail, a marked hiking trail that connects to the Sacagawea Heritage Trail and focuses on the state’s contribution to the nuclear history of the United States.
Address: 3250 Port of Benton Blvd, Richland, WA 99354, Phone: 509-375-3060
10. See a performance at the Richland Players Theater
Founded in 1944 to provide the community with live theatrical performances of dance, music, drama, and comedy, the Richland Players Theater has been doing just that for the past 70 years.
The theater presents a full season of live performances every year, ranging from old classics by famous playwrights to contemporary works by emerging playwrights with five plays per year, presenting eight performances for each production.
The Richland Players Theater also provides educational workshops and community outreach programs for all ages throughout the year and plays host to several special events such as the Washington State Community Theatre Association Kaleidoscope Competition.
Address: 608 The Pkwy, Richland, WA 99352, Phone: 509-943-1991
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