Weekend Guide to Washington’s Yakima Valley

While popular with outdoor explorers, Washington State’s wine regions are increasingly attracting more tourists. But compared to its popular neighbors in Oregon and Northern California (and even British Columbia to the north), Washington’s wine regions are a little drier and even more desert-like, similar to Paso Robles in central California.

Just two hours from Seattle, the Yakima Valley is home to more than 17,000 acres of vineyards, making it a great place to start a wine adventure in the Pacific Northwest for wine experts and anyone who loves to try new wines. The area is also the agricultural center of the state, with many fruit and vegetable farms (peaches, berries and asparagus are particularly popular here).

If wine isn’t your thing, there’s no shortage of craft breweries and cider makers to choose from. There are more than 100 breweries, wineries and wineries in the area. Yakima Valley also produces about 75% of the country’s beer.

Here’s a brief guide on how to spend a weekend or extended stay in Washington’s Yakima Valley, from where to stay to where to eat.

What to do

Cowiche Canyon Conservancy Trail: Once home to a railroad line, Kauwich Canyon is home to miles of flat, well-marked, gravel-covered trails suitable for hikers, whether it’s an easy walk or a hard hike. Either way, the surrounding landscape will keep you motivated to keep walking as you walk through lush habitats in warm climates. You can take your dog on the road and you can also ride a horse.

Yakima River Canyon Cruise: A popular activity for tourists and locals alike is a leisurely cruise along one of Washington State’s most famous stretches of river. This brand new eco-tour places guests on a custom-built raft with overhead awnings, benches with backrest supports, and even a table top for food and drinks that you can bring on board. For approximately two hours, your guide will give you an in-depth explanation of the local wildlife and fauna, and you will travel slowly along the river with hardly any ripples or waves.

The Alignment Co: Yakima’s historic district is home to a growing number of independent boutiques that visitors should definitely spend some time there. The black-owned business first opened in Los Angeles before returning to its owners’ hometowns. This high-end specialty store prides itself on its ethically sourced minerals, artwork and merchandise from around the world, including fine jewelry and artisanal cultural artwork, and its mission is to provide customers with more knowledge and history behind the goods they buy.

Yakama National Cultural Center: An interesting anecdote about Yakima is that Yakima isn’t even the most accurate spelling of the place. Based on extensive research conducted by local communities over the past few decades, the original documents dividing indigenous lands in the mid-19th century previously used the spelling “Yakama”, which is the identity of the Yakama nation today.

You can and should learn more about the community’s history at the Yakama National Cultural Center, which is just a 15-minute drive from Yakima Town. Open to the public, the museum features one of the finest Native American exhibits in the world, showcasing the theater and history of the Akama Indians with dioramas and exhibits. You can also arrange a guided tour, but the story of Jakamas is told through wall-sized poems and frescoes illustrating their connection to various aspects of local nature over the centuries.

Where to eat and drink

Crafted: When Dan and Mollie Koommo started Crafted in 2016, the idea was that food and beverages should come directly from sources if possible, and Crafted’s source was Yakima, Washington. This resonates inside and outside the local community, as the restaurant in downtown Yakima is often packed when it opens dinner at 5 p.m., and Crafted was also a finalist for the 2023 James Beard semifinals.

EZ Tiger: The menu here celebrates the flavors of the Pacific Rim, there’s something for all tastes, and there’s not too much choice on the menu to get out of hand. Equally important is the cocktail menu, as the bar focuses on signature craft cocktails as well as non-alcoholic beverages made with fresh juices and homemade syrups.

Freehand Cellars: This is one of the best places to spend an afternoon in the valley, or more accurately, above the valley. Perched atop a hill overlooking the vineyards, the new tasting room offers plenty of seating for leisurely tasting snacks ranging from rosé to Sauvignon Blanc to Syrah. When the weather permits, there is also plenty of outdoor seating, making it the perfect venue for large groups and events.

Gilbert Cellars: A fifth-generation grower in the Yakima Valley (over 110 years old), Gilbert Cellars began producing wine in 2014 and has quickly grown to produce world-class wines. Among the wines not to be missed at the moment is the 2022 Vin de la Vallée, inspired by the white wine blend of France’s Große del Rhône Valley; and the 2022 Pét-Nat rosé wine from Grenache grapes. The tasting room on the ranch is a hidden gem with sweeping views and lovely spaces to taste and taste both indoors and outdoors.

Los Hernandez: This humble roadside restaurant is owned and operated by Mexicans and is the only restaurant in the Yakima Valley to have won a James Beard Award. What they do, they do best, in part because they insist on doing the right thing: tamales. (The only other items on the menu are rice and beans.) Visitors can come in for lunch and eat a few tamales (especially asparagus or cactus and pepper cheese tamales), or leave with dozens of tamales to attend an event or just stock up on food up.

Mak Daddy Coffee Roasters: When traveling, there is always a café that, if you live nearby, you’ll find it part of your morning routine, and in Yakima, this is the café. Mak Daddy Coffee Roasters is an experiential concept coffee shop and roastery that aims to redefine how coffee is tasted with a more indulgent sensory experience. Some of the more hearty products on the menu include a peanut butter latte and “Yukon Joe” (a latte with bourbon espresso and maple syrup). Breakfast includes “bougie avocado toast”(wheat bread with tomatoes, red onions, feta cheese and balsamic vinegar); bagels with peanut butter, banana and peanut butter; Breakfast panini (sourdough bread with eggs, bacon, bovolo, and maple or sriracha butter).

Outskirts Brewing Co: Opened during the pandemic, the owners of Outskirts Brewing Co. remodeled a dilapidated barn and transformed it into a modern brewery and bar room, incorporating the original elements and materials of the remainder of the original building. This laid-back hotel is a great place to relax in the evening, with plenty of seating both indoors and outdoors, and live music and local sports often playing on the TV around the bar, perfect for families.

Single Hill Brewing Co: Single Hill focuses on brewing a diverse and growing range of beers using premium ingredients from the region and stocks refreshing light beers in 16 taps: sour and fruity sour, hop-flavored IPAs, and a range of classic-style beers. For non-beer drinkers, there is a wide selection of local wines and ciders, and there are regular weekly events for everyone (including bingo and quizzes).

Teton Cider Factory: Given the abundance of fresh and delicious fruit in the region, cider is undoubtedly a specialty here. At Tieton Cider Works, the fruit is hyper-local because it comes from an orchard grown by the same family in the 1920s, and the business now has the largest cider apple and perry pear acreage in Washington State at 55 acres. But the lineup of cider is quite creative, from sour watermelon to lavender honey to bourbon cherries.

Two Mountain Winery: Founded in 2002, Two Mountain Winery is a family-owned company located in Rattlesnake Hills, named after nearby Mt. Adams and Mt. Rainier. Brothers Matthew Rawn and Patrick Rawn own and operate the winery and estate vineyards, drawing on four generations of farming on the fertile soils of the Yakima Valley. The atmosphere is very laid-back and relaxed, almost as if you’re hanging out in your own home, and you can order by the glass or savor the entire flight. Reservations are not required (but encouraged) and guests are welcome to bring their own food as food is not sold on site (therefore, dogs are also allowed in the tasting room).

Essencia Artisan Bakery: When you walk into this brick bakery and café, the aroma of fresh bread greets you like an old friend. The café’s menu includes craft coffee drinks as well as fruit and granola, yogurt, soups and sandwiches, as well as some of the region’s finest breads and pastries, perfect for a quick bite.

North Town Cafe: While commercial travel trains no longer pass through the station (freight trains only), you can still grab a cup of coffee in the renovated waiting room, which now houses an elegant café on the site of the 1909 North Pacific Station.

Where to stay

The Lodge at Canyon River Ranch: The Lodge at Canyon River Ranch is the only resort on the Yakima River, offering the most intimate and exclusive resort experience in downtown DC. Located in the heart of the Yakima River Gorge, this superb resort sits on 80 acres of stunning riverside land. The Deluxe Riverside Suite is more spacious at 880 sq. ft. with two bedrooms and 1.5 bathrooms. Apartments feature a fully equipped kitchen, living room, washer/dryer and private patio or balcony.

Hotel Maison Yakima Tapestry Collection by Hilton: Built in 1911 by Yakima Masons to house their temple, this elegant building was internally transformed to offer modern elements in the guest rooms, but still retain classical architectural elements in the common areas. This boutique hotel enjoys a prime location in Yakima, just steps from all the farm-to-table restaurants, bars and independent boutiques in the Yakima Historic District. Breakfast is also available on site and there is a business center and gym on the ground floor.