25 Best Things to Do in Yakima, WA

The city of Yakima is the county seat of Yakima county and the 11th-largest city in the state of Washington, home to a population of more than 243,000 within its metropolitan area. It is named for the indigenous Yakama people, who populated the region prior to the arrival of the Lewis and Clark expedition in 1805. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the city served as the site of Catholic missions, the United States Army Fort Simcoe, and a depot for the Northern Pacific Railroad. Today, it is best known as a popular tourist destination for wine enthusiasts, situated within the Yakima Valley, one of the Pacific Northwest’s most fertile growing areas. A wide variety of family-friendly tourist attractions are also offered throughout the area, including museums, performance venues, and outdoor natural attractions. Photo: Aaron/Fotolia

Yakima Area Arboretum and Botanical Garden spans 46 acres throughout the city of Yakima along the Yakima River’s riparian habitat, originally developed in the 20th century as a chicken and vegetable farm site. In 1967, the arboretum was officially established by the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs and has been in continual development since, showcasing more than 1,000 native and exotic plant species throughout its landscaped gardens. Notable gardens include its Joyful Japanese Garden, Carlson Butterfly Garden, and Xeric Garden Demonstration Site. Its Jewett Interpretive Center, which was opened in 1992, features a carillon bell tower, reference library, herbarium and solarium, and public gift shop. Self-guided and guided tours are available seven days a week, including school field trips and private group tours.

1401 Arboretum Dr, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-248-7337 Photo: K.-U. Häßler/Fotolia

Yakima Valley Visitors Center is the go-to first-stop destination for all Yakima Valley visitors, open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays throughout the year. The center offers information on the state’s wine country region, nationally-recognized breweries, outdoor adventure sites, and family-friendly attractions, with travel consultants offered on site to help visitors plan their Washington tourist itineraries. A wide variety of Yakima-produced artisan goods and souvenirs are offered, along with a rotating selection of regional wines and beers, including varieties available for sampling. Yakima Valley-themed gift baskets are also available for purchase, showcasing locally-produced gifts and food and beverage items.

101 N Fair Ave, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-573-3388 Photo: black_kira/Fotolia

Yakima Valley Museum is a 65,000-square-foot museum that showcases a variety of exhibits related to the region’s natural and cultural history, with a focus on its indigenous populations, pioneer life, and early economic development. The museum offers several permanent exhibits, including the Making a Home 1869 pioneer cabin exhibit and Making a Mark Beyond the Valley exhibit, which honors notable area residents of the past and present. The 2,500-square-foot Children’s Underground educational center offers a variety of exhibits and programming geared at children ages five to 15, and the Yakima Memory collection features a digitized exhibit of more than 9,000 relevant cultural photographs. Other artifacts on display include a 1930s-era replica Art Deco soda fountain and large collections of horse-drawn vehicles and petrified Miocene-era trees. A variety of public event programming is offered at the museum’s great hall, including concerts, TED talks, and classic movie presentations.

2105 Tieton Dr, Yakima, WA 98902, Phone: 509-248-0747 Photo: Yakima Valley Museum

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State Fair Park and Yakima Valley SunDome has been a major community gathering and public special event site since 1892, when it served as the site for the inaugural Central Washington State Fair. Today, the 85,500-square-foot facility is the host to a wide variety of public special events throughout the year, including sporting events, circuses, concerts, boxing matches, and a number of major symposiums and conventions. Its 6,195-seat Yakima Valley SunDome multipurpose arena was constructed in 1990 as the second dome arena in the world to feature a concrete sectional roof design. It is nationally known as the host of several major annual high school sporting events, including several WIAA high school basketball state tournaments and dance and drill competitions.

1301 S Fair Ave, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-248-7160 Photo: lapandr/Fotolia

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Yakima Sportsman State Park is a state-managed public recreation facility located in Yakima County, spanning 247 acres along the path of the Yakima River’s floodplain. It was originally opened in 1940 as a private facility overseen by the Yakima Sportsman’s Association and was converted into a state park facility in 1956. Today, it offers a wide variety of seasonal outdoor activities, including areas for hunting, fishing, and camping at the park’s 266-acre campground park. The park is home to more than 140 bird species throughout its marsh, grassland, and pond habitats, including herons, hawks, and red-winged blackbirds. More than two miles of hiking trails are available for use, along with picnic and kitchen shelters, volleyball courts, and children’s playgrounds. An ADA-accessible trail and pier are also offered within the Juan A. Alvarez Outdoor Living Classroom facility.

904 University Pkwy, Yakima, WA 98907, Phone: 509-575-2774 Photo: Fotolia.com

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Cowiche Canyon Trails are operated by the Cowiche Canyon Conservatory, a land trust that oversees more than 5,000 acres throughout the Yakima region, including 30 miles of visitor-accessible nature trails. The region spans a variety of natural ecosystems, including sage and grassland areas, oak-lined woodland regions, basalt cliffs, and meadows blooming with native wildflowers. Wildlife present in the area includes beavers, great blue herons, and salmon and crayfish populations within the region’s rivers. The trail system include the main Cowiche Canyon Trail, along with a number of secondary loop and summit view trails. Snow Mountain Ranch trails also offer access for horseback riders, accessible via Rocky Top.

8006 Cowiche Canyon Rd, Yakima, WA 98908, Phone: 509-248-5065 Photo: joda/Fotolia

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Bale Breaker Brewing Company was opened to the public in 2013 and has become the state’s fifth-largest independent microbrewery, showcasing a variety of handcrafted brews created by siblings and owners Meghann Quinn and Kevin and Patrick Smith. The brewery operates a 30 barrel brewhouse within its 27,000-square-foot production facility and taproom, which offers a seasonal outdoor patio. Core brews include its Field 41 Pale Ale, Topcutter and Leota Mae IPAs, and Bottomcutter Imperial IPA. Seasonal brews are also tapped regularly at the public taproom facility, which hosts rotating food truck pop-ups and a variety of public special events. Brewery tours are offered by appointment, showcasing the company’s history and production process.

1801 Birchfield Rd, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-424-4000 Photo: Bale Breaker Brewing Company

Bonair Winery is operated by owners Gail and Shirley Puryear and has been producing fine wines in the Yakima Valley’s Rattlesnake Hills region since 1985. Its signature wines are produced within its home Château Puryear Vineyard, which was originally planted in 1980 and produces grapes for a wide selection of white and red wine variants. Additional wines are produced within the Morrison Vineyard, which was originally planted in 1968 and purchased by the winery in 2001. The winery is open daily throughout the morning and afternoon hours and offers free tastings for all visitors who make wine purchases, with a nominal fee charged otherwise.

500 S Bonair Rd, Zillah, WA 98953, Phone: 509-829-6027 Photo: Bonair Winery

Kana Winery is owned and managed by certified otolaryngologist and plastic surgeon Palmer Wright, who turned his winemaking hobby into a commercial venture housed within Yakima’s Art Deco-style 1931 Larson Building. The winery operates several vineyards throughout the Yakima and Columbia Valleys, including the Coyote Canyon, Elephant Mountain, Stone Tree, Boushey, and Champoux Vineyards. A variety of white and red fine and table wines are offered for sale and tasting at the winery’s Tasting Room and Hospitality Center, which showcases a bistro-style seating area. Happy hour pricing is offered Mondays through Thursdays, and a variety of public special events are presented throughout the year, including open mic nights and live music performances.

10 S 2nd St, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-453-6611 Photo: Mark/Fotolia

Johnson's Orchards is a historic seasonal orchard and fruit packing warehouse dating back to 1904, established by Swedish immigrant Alfred Johnson. The orchard is operated today by fourth-generation Johnson family members and offers seasonal varieties of fruits such as signature cherries, apples, apricots, peaches, pears, and nectarines processed within the facility’s historic 1916 fruit-packing warehouse. The facility opened a commercial kitchen in 2011 that produces its Copper Pot Caramels line and bakes a variety of Little Bake Shop pastries and pies throughout the year. Purple Star Wines are also available on site, crafted and bottled by family member Kyle Johnson.

4906 Summitview Ave, Yakima, WA 98908, Phone: 509-966-7479 Photo: Gehkah/Fotolia

Portteus Vineyards were planted in 1982 by Paul Portteus III, who began crafting homemade beers and wines at the age of 19. At the time of its planting, the winery was one of the first dozen wineries within the state. Today, the winery spans more than 74 acres throughout the Yakima Valley and is one of more than 600 across the region. Bottle sales of a wide selection of red and white wine varieties are available at the winery, along with tastings offered during public special events. All free public special events offer free bring-your-own glass pours without needing to purchase tickets. Special events throughout the year include President’s Day-themed Red White and Chocolate events, Spring Barrel Tastings, and a Thanksgiving new release sampling event.

5201 Highland Dr, Zillah, WA 98953 Phone: 509-829-6970 Photo: Portteus Vineyards

Fort Simcoe State Park is located on the grounds of the Yakama Indian Reservation, preserving one of the final extent pre-Civil War-era forts in the American West. The 196-acre historical park offers an interpretive center with rangers staffed on site that elaborate on the history of the property, which formerly served as a Yakama Nation camping site before its operation as a United States Army fort from 1856 to 1859 and subsequent conversion for use as a controversial indigenous boarding school. Today, it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a top historical site in the Pacific Northwest. A number of officer’s homes and fort buildings have been preserved throughout the site, including its former tribal jail, original blockhouse, and restored barracks. Bird watching, picnicking, camping, and are popular onsite activities, along with hiking opportunities offered on nearly a mile of hiking trails.

5150 Fort Simcoe Rd, White Swan, WA 98952, Phone: 509-874-2372 Photo: vrabelpeter1/Fotolia

Gilbert Cellars are a small family-owned Yakima winery that offers award-winning handcrafted white and red wines. A tasting room is operated on the city’s historic Front Street, open to the public seven days a week by appointment for wine tastings and sales. Gourmet cheese plates with cheese crafted by Tieton Farm and Creamery are available for sale as complementary tasting plates. Winery tours are available by appointment between April and September, showcasing the winery’s operations and history. A barrel room is also offered, along with a lawn-style amphitheater that showcases live music performances throughout the year as part of the Music in the Vines concert series.

5 N Front St, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-249-9049 Photo: Gilbert Cellars

AntoLin Cellars is owned and operated by local residents Linda and Tony Haralson, who cultivated their winemaking passion for more than a decade before opening the boutique Yakima winery in 2007. The winery is a combination of its owners’ names and offers a tasting room facility that is open to the public Wednesdays through Sundays within the city’s historic North Front Street district. A variety of white and red wines cultivated from the winery’s five-acre estate vineyard are offered, including several award winners at the San Francisco Chronicle Wine Competition. Public special events include First Friday tasting events, which offer art showcases and live music performances.

14 N Front St, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-961-8370 Photo: AntoLin Cellars

The Tasting Room was opened in downtown Yakima in August of 2000 and has become a local institution today, offering regional cuisine with a unique European flair. Brunch is served on Sunday mornings, featuring classic dishes such as Eggs Benedict, lobster chowder, and a variety of omelets, along with bottomless mimosa and bloody mary offerings. Signature lunch and dinner entrees include roasted monkfish, house crab cakes, Colorado lamb rack, and sushi-grade tuna steak. A variety of alcoholic beverages are available for purchase, including wine, brandy, scotch, and craft hot cocktails. European-style desserts are also available, including creme brulee, blueberry cheesecake, carrot cake, and craft ice cream and sorbet.

101 N Market St, Frederick, MD 21701, Phone: 240-379-7772 Photo: The Tasting Room

Hyatt Vineyards was opened by Lynda and Leland Hyatt in 1983 and has grown to span more than 180 throughout the Yakima Valley region, encompassing the distinct Cherry Hill, Roza Ridge, Three Rocks, and Estate Vineyard regions. Each vineyard produces a variety of white and red wines under its unique brand label, including award-winning merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, zinfandel, and riesling variants. A seasonal taproom is open to the public during the spring, summer, and fall months, overlooking the Eastern Cascade Range and offering a variety of current and limited reserve wine releases for sale and tasting. Public special events are offered throughout the year, and the winery’s grounds are available for rental for private special events.

2020 Gilbert Rd, Zillah, WA 98953, Phone: 509-829-6333 Photo: Hyatt Vineyards

Hop Nation Brewery is a Yakima-based microbrewery opened by master brewer Ben Grossman, offering a restaurant and taproom that opened to the public in 2017. Its beers are brewed with Yakima Valley hops and Columbia Valley-produced grain, showcasing the superior flavors of the region that has been called the “hop capital of the world.” Core brews offered on draft include its Daily Weisse, Cream On Oat-Infused Pale Ale, Grossman’s Scottish Ale, and EGO IPA, with seasonal beers showcasing barrel-aged, imperial, and unique European brewing styles. A variety of bar appetizers and contemporary American dishes are offered, including house-made barbecue, craft sandwiches, and German-style bratwurst.

31 N 1st Ave, Yakima, WA 98902, Phone: 509-367-6552 Photo: Hop Nation Brewery

Berchman's Brewing Company is a Yakima nanobrewery that opened to the public in 2015, named for owner Doug Robinson’s late father. It is housed within the former 1889 Opera House Building, which formerly housed the North Yakima Brewing and Malting Company. The brewery emphasizes natural production techniques and sustainable business practices, striving to be 100% waste-free in its fermentation and production process. A variety of its year-round and seasonal brews are offered at its taproom facility, including its Summer Graze Golden Ale, Little Scot Scottish Ale, Wide Hollow Pale Ale, Hoppy Harwood IPA, and Dark Pony Chocolate Coffee Stout. Public special events hosted at the brewery include Downtown Summer Nights events and festivals such as the Fresh Hop Ale Festival.

25 N Front St # 2, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-225-9610 Photo: Berchman's Brewing Company

The Nob Hill Casino was opened in 2001 and is operated by Yakima Hotels. Today, it serves as Yakima’s premiere entertainment and nightlife complex for visitors ages 18 and older, offering seven game tables for table and poker games such as blackjack, pai gow, and Spanish 21. Progressive table games offer head-to-head competition opportunities, and a Crazy 4 card room offers the only opportunity to play the game in the state of Washington. Pull tabs and a race book are also offered, along with a full bowling alley facility. The casino’s Last Frontier Steakhouse offers a variety of traditional American fare, along with a casual cocktail lounge.

3807 West Nob Hill Boulevard, Yakima, WA 98902, Phone: 509-966-6607 Photo: The Nob Hill Casino

The Hogue Cellars were founded in 1982 by Gary and Mike Hogue and are located within the state’s Columbia Valley growing region, one of the premiere wine growing areas in the Pacific Northwest. The winery produces a wide selection of red and white wines with rich fruit flavors, designed to complement and pair with a variety of food pairs. Wines offered for tastings and sales at the winery’s public tasting room include selections within the winery’s Terrior, Genesis, Hogue, and Reserve series. Several wine club signups are also offered for local and national wine enthusiasts, sending out quarterly selections of the winery’s most popular red and white varieties.

2800 Lee Road, Prosser, WA 99350, Phone: 509-786-6108 Photo: The Hogue Cellars

The Capitol Theater is Yakima’s primary performing arts venue, originally opened in 1920 as the Mercy Theatre. At the time of its opening, the historic theater, which was designed by architect Marcus Pritecaiteca, was the largest of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. It was fully restored in the 1970s by the City of Yakima and the Allied Arts Council, reopened to the public with a gala ceremony in 1978. Today, the 1,500-seat venue is home to performances for a number of local organizations and event series, including home performances by the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. More than 175 performances are showcased annually, including touring Broadway musical performances and community concerts.

19 S 3rd St, Yakima, WA 98901, Phone: 509-853-2787 Photo: PRASERT/Fotolia

Wineries Express was opened in 2013 by Eric G. Miller and has become the Yakima Valley region’s premiere wine tour company today. A variety of private tours are available for booking for small groups and organizations, including private car and van tours for up to 15 participants that can pick visitors up at their place of lodging for exploration of the region’s best wineries. Deluxe all-inclusive tours waive winery tasting fees and include complimentary charcuterie plates at some of the region’s top wineries. A variety of brewery tours are also available, showcasing top regional breweries such as Bale Breaker Brewing Company and Yakima Craft Brewing Company.

115 S 2nd St Suite E, Selah, WA 98942, Phone: 509-654-9505 Photo: stokkete/Fotolia

Horizon's Edge Winery is a family-owned winery that was established in 1983 on 18 acres within the Rattlesnake Hills American Viticultural Area. The boutique winery, which is operated by David Padgett, produces approximately 1,500 cases of wine annually in varieties such as chardonnay, pinot noir, muscat canelli, and cabernet sauvignon, including wines that have been honored at the Capital Food and Wine Festival’s annual wine competition. The winery’s loft-style tasting room offers spectacular views of nearby Mount Rainier and Mount Adams, allowing visitors to sample the company’s wines for a nominal fee and purchase to-go bottle sales. Large groups are welcome at the winery for group tastings with reservations made directly through the winery.

4530 E Zillah Dr, Zillah, WA 98953, Phone: 509-829-6401 Photo: Horizon's Edge Winery

Claar Cellars is a family-owned estate winery originally established in 1980 by Audrienne and Russell Claar. Today, the winery is operated by the family’s second generation and showcases more than 120 acres of premium production vineyards along hillsides facing the Columbia River in the White Bluffs growing region. The winery’s award-winning varieties include riesling, merlot, sauvignon blanc, syrah, and sangiovese variants, crafted using certified sustainable winemaking practices and released under the Claar Cellars, Ridge Crest, Le Chateau, and Nicola’s Redmark lines. Tastings are offered at the winery’s 10,000-square-foot production facility, and a Lion’s Pride wine club offers exclusive selections and discounts to members.

1081 Glenwood Rd, Pasco, WA 99301, Phone: 509-266-4449 Photo: Claar Cellars

Willow Crest Winery was founded in 2003 and has become the Pacific Northwest’s largest privately-owned wine producer. The winery is operated under the Precept Wines production umbrella and sells a variety of wine brands, including Apex Cellars, Battle Creek, Washington Hills, Red Knot, and Canoe Ridge Vineyard wines. Several tasting rooms are operated throughout the Yakima and Seattle regions, offering winery tours, tastings, and information from knowledgeable staff guides. A wide variety of year-round events are offered at the winery’s locations, including Patio Pop-up Dinner events at several wineries and a Farm-to-Fork Dinner Series. An annual Pay It Forward summer concert series is also presented during the summer months.

590 Merlot Dr, Prosser, WA 99350, Phone: 509-786-7999 Photo: Rido/Fotolia