COME TO THE SOURCE Drive Times TO THE Yakima VALLEY Seattle The source of what, you may ask? Pretty much the source of everything. Our valley produces more hops, grapes and produce than anywhere else in the Pacific Northwest. We are the birthplace of Washington s wine industry. We supply 7% of our nation s hops. We grow over a thousand varieties of fresh fruits and vegetables. And that s just what we grow. That s not to mention all there is to do. But we re not going to tell you everything. We want you to get out and explore it for yourself. That s what this guide is for. It s got trip ideas for all four seasons, because no matter when you decide to come visit, we guarantee you ll find plenty to do in the Yakima Valley! GO TO VISITYAKIMA.com TO PLAN YOUR STAY Rattlesnake Hills Cowiche Canyon hrs Spokane hrs Tri-Cities. hrs Walla Walla. hrs Boise, ID hrs. hrs DOWNTOWN YAKIMA The vibrant heart of the Yakima Valley, its wineries, breweries, restaurants, hotels and shops take great pride in making Yakima s downtown a wonderful place to explore. YAKIMA RIVER CANYON HOP COUNTRY COWICHE CANYON RATTLESNAKE HILLS WHITE PASS PROSSER With nearly 0 miles of trail stretching across two hilltops and a scenic canyon, getting outdoors is easy since Cowiche Canyon is only minutes away from Downtown Yakima. Yakima River Canyon Portland, OR Vancouver, BC Towering basalt cliffs overhang Washington State s only Blue Ribbon fly fishing river, while wild sheep and elk freely wander through this breathtaking stretch of highway. Downtown Yakima. hrs Rock climbing, river rafting and camping all summer, and fantastic skiing and snowshoeing throughout the winter season. PROSSER The Yakima Valley grows 7% of our nation s hops, which means you can really see where beer is grown. This abundant region is one of the largest producers of wine grapes in the Northwest. And with hundreds of acres of orchards and fresh produce, there s a lot to see, smell and taste. The birthplace of Washington wine, this charming little community is home to dozens of wineries and vineyards, along with a thriving arts community. Prosser White Pass
WHAT TO DO IN THE SPRING Between the blooming orchards, the delightful cultural celebrations and the freshly barreled wines, spring is a colorful and relaxing time of year to visit the Yakima Valley. WHAT TO DO IN THE SUMMER Since the Yakima Valley has over 00 days of sunshine beaming down each year, you re pretty much guaranteed to have perfect weather to get out and explore!. WANDER THROUGH BLOOMING ORCHARDS (Mid March - April) Thousands of acres of apple, cherry, peach and pear orchards bring the Yakima Valley alive with colorful blooms and enticing scents this time of year.. Spring Barrel Tasting Weekends (Last two weekends in April) Be one of the first to sample a new vintage straight from the barrel during both Spring Barrel Tasting Weekends.. CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATIONS (Weekend closest to May ) Live entertainment, dancing horses, numerous carnivals and the incredible authentic Mexican food make Cinco de Mayo in Yakima an unforgettable experience.. Explore OUR Agriculture Heritage The Yakima Valley s extensive agricultural history is put on full display at the Central Washington Agricultural Museum.. ROOTS & VINES FESTIVAL (Mid May) A celebration of Americana, roots and bluegrass music, this amazing night of live concerts showcases the many craft beverages made in the Yakima Valley.. PICK YOUR OWN PRODUCE With over 0 commercial crops grown in our Valley, there is no shortage of farm fresh fruit and produce for you to take home with you. Don t forget to bring lots of boxes!. EXPLORE WINE COUNTRY ON HORSEBACK There s no better way to experience the wineries of the Rattlesnake Hills and Red Mountain AVAs than from the back of a well-trained horse!. FLOAT THROUGH THE YAKIMA RIVER CANYON What better way to beat the heat of summer than by lazily floating through the towering basalt cliffs of the beautiful Yakima River Canyon?. BIKE THROUGH THE VINEYARDS Pedal your way through the Cowiche Canyon trails and you ll find yourself in the fertile vineyards of the Naches Heights.. Tour the city of Murals Stroll through the quaint City of Toppenish, which features more than 70 Western-themed murals adorning their downtown businesses.
WHAT TO DO IN THE FALL The crisp air, vibrant leaves and bountiful harvests make fall in the Yakima Valley an enchanting time of year to come visit. WHAT TO DO IN THE WINTER With the Cascade Mountains on our doorstep, winter in the Yakima Valley is full of thrilling outdoor adventure.. RAFT THE TIETON FLIP-FLOP (All September) Once a year, the Tieton River becomes a -mile stretch of roaring Class III rapids! Book a trip with a local guide and experience the thrill!. PROSSER BALLOON RALLY (Late September) Watch as dozens of hot air balloons float gracefully into the sky over Prosser wine country!. SAMPLE FRESH CIDERS Fresh squeeze your own cider at one of the many orchards, or head over to Tieton Cider Works and sample their array of unique hard ciders.. Experience Hop Harvest (September) The Yakima Valley grows 7% of our nation s hops, and every single hop cone gets harvested in the span of one month. Photo by Mike Sauer. ENJOY A HARVEST FESTIVAL (All October) With pumpkins, apples, grapes and hops all being harvested this time of year, there are plenty of opportunities to celebrate the harvest throughout the Valley.. THANKSGIVING IN WINE COUNTRY (Weekend after Thanksgiving) There s no better way to step out of fall and into winter than by celebrating Thanksgiving with the Yakima Valley s wine makers! 6 6. CATCH THE CRUSH (Second Weekend in October) As the grape harvest wraps up, the Yakima Valley wine makers need your help to crush the grapes so they can make the next year s vintage!. SKI WHITE PASS Just a one hour drive from Downtown Yakima, White Pass is the place to be for skiers and snowboarders of all skill levels.. LIGHTED FARM IMPLEMENT PARADE (First Weekend in December) One of the most unique parades in all of Washington, this enchanting festival of lights is how the Yakima Valley s farmers celebrate Christmas!. TAKE A GUIDED SNOWSHOE TOUR The White Pass Ski Area offers guided snowshoe tours at their Nordic Center. Trek through snow-covered trees, then stomp your way around a pristine mountain lake!. RED WINE AND CHOCOLATE (Presidents Day Weekend) Cozy up with your significant other and enjoy premium locally-made chocolates paired with the enticing red wines of the Yakima Valley wineries.
SEE MORE YAKIMA VALLEY TRIP IDEAS OR REQUEST A FULL TRAVEL GUIDE AT VISITYAKIMA.COM