Yakima

Yakima is a city in the Yakima Valley, part of the Columbia River Plateau region of Washington State. It is the county seat of Yakima County.

Due to its arid climate, Yakima is sometimes called "The Palm Springs of Washington"

Understand

The Yakima Convention and Visitors Bureau is the official tourism office for Yakima, Yakima County and the Yakima Valley.

• Visitor Information Center, 101 Fair Ave, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone] (USA and Canada), e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Get in

By plane

• 🌍 Yakima Air Terminal (YKM  ^IATA). Is a commuter airport served only by turboprop aircraft operated by Alaska & Horizon Airlines to/from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and for general aviation. It is the largest airport in the center of the state.  

By bus

• Greyhound, (bus stop) Tall Men's Supermarket @ 202 S 5th Ave (S 5th Ave & W Walnut St), ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone]. Travels primarily on Interstate 90/82 (Seattle, Ellensburg, Sunnyside, Pasco (Tri-Cities), Stanford OR at I-84). Downtown bus station on S 6th St & E Yakima Ave is closed. 
• BellAir Airporter, (depot) 2518 S 21st (At Ahtanum Rd, south of the airport), ☎ [phone]. Goes from Sea-Tac to Cle Elum, Ellensburg & Yakima. Additional stops at the Yakima Air Terminal @ 2400 West Washington Ave (under canopy in front of the terminal building) and Smittys (Log Cabin) Cafe & Conoco 76 @ 3508 Fruitvale Blvd 
• People for People Yakima County Community Connector, (bus stop) downtown Yakima Transit Center @ 105 S 4th St (along S 4th St btwn E Walnut & Chestnut), ☎ [phone], [phone]. goes east from Yakima to Wapato, Toppenish, Zillah, Granger, Sunnyside, Grandview and Prosser along the I-82/US 97/US 12 corridor in Yakima and Benton Counties. 
• Yakima-Ellensburg Commuter (Yakima Transit Rt#11), (bus stops) Yakima Air Terminal, Yakima Valley Community College and downtown Yakima Transit Center @ 105 S 4th St, ☎ [phone]. Commuter bus between Ellensburg and Yakima funded by Central Washington University and Yakima Transit. 
• Yakima Transit, Downtown Transit Center @ 105 S 4th St (along S 4th St btwn E Walnut & Chestnut), ☎ [phone]. Yakima Transit operates local buses in and around Yakima (city) on Rt #1 through 9; from Selah in the Selah Valley north of town on Rt #10 and from Ellensburg on Rt #11. Take the #7 or 9 from the airport into town. (updated Jul 2015)

By car

Yakima is located along Interstate 82, approximately 143 miles southeast of Seattle, 204 miles southwest of Spokane, and 80 miles northwest of the Tri-Cities (Richland-Kennewick-Pasco).

• From Seattle, take I-90 East to the I-82 off ramp, Exit 110, just beyond the exit to Ellensburg. Keep right on I-82 East and take exit 31A-31B to North 1st Street / Naches.
• From Spokane, take I-90 West until exit 110, I-82 East, continuing until exit 31A-31B to North 1st Street / Naches.
• From the Tri-Cities, take I-82 West until exit 33. Merge onto East Yakima Avenue.

A scenic alternative route from the Ellensburg region is the old canyon highway, SR 821, a two-lane road that winds through the Yakima River gorge between Exits 3 and 26, bypassing the Interstate over the mountain ridges. During the daytime, the views are lovely and there are several spots midway to stop, fish, and even camp. Be cautious of rocks on the road, though, and stick to the Interstate at night.

See

• Allied Arts of Yakima Valley. Located in beautiful Gilbert Park, Allied Arts Center of Yakima boasts a multi-purpose facility. With ample parking, the two-story structure covers over 20,000 square feet. It houses an art gallery, a 210 seat theatre with box office, conference rooms, an arts library, classrooms for performing and visual arts, and reception hall with kitchen. 
• Downtown Yakima. Offers a variety of entertainment venues, retail outlets, restaurants, and wine cellars; along with events, exhibits, and parks. 
• Central Washington Fairgrounds. 
• McAllister Museum of Aviation. Originally opened in 1926 as a flight school by brothers Charlie and Alister McAllister, it was one of the longest running flight schools in the Northwest. After Charlie's death at age 95, the school was transformed into the museum it is today. It is located at the East end of the Yakima Airport, next to Cub Crafters, near the corner of 16th and Washington. 
• Yakama Nation Cultural Heritage Center and Museum, 100 Spiel-yi Loop, Toppenish, ☎ [phone]. M-F 8AM-5PM, closed for national holidays. Established in 1980, the Yakama Nation Cultural Center (YN CC) is a unique, multifaceted facility offering a variety of programs that share Yakama Nation's history and culture with all. It offers the Yakama Nation Museum, Heritage Inn Restaurant, Winter Lodge, Heritage Theater, Yakama Nation Library, and CC gift shop. The Cultural Center is open to the general public seven days a week and is a wonderful cultural experience. cultural center: free; museum: $6/adult, $4/concession. (updated Sep 2015)
• Yakima Area Arboretum. Established in 1967 by the Central District of the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs (36 garden clubs in all), the Yakima Area Arboretum is a non-profit organization supported by the generosity of its members and sponsors, and through the hard work and dedication of its staff and volunteers. The Yakima Area Arboretum is a living museum, of over 1000 specimens of trees, forbs, grasses and shrubs, on 46 acres of land managed as collections, display gardens and natural areas. 

Upper Yakima River viewed from Highway 10

• Yakima Convention Center. Centrally located, the Yakima Convention Center is your best choice for a Pacific Northwest convention or event. It features 41,000 sq. ft. of versatile column free, carpeted meeting space that includes the South Ballroom (6000 sq. ft ballroom, divisible into 6 breakout rooms), the Alex Deccio Ballroom (23,400 sq. ft. ballroom, divisible into 8 breakout rooms), pre-function space (11,600 sq. ft.), two conference rooms, and an outdoor plaza (7,000 sq. ft.). It is the perfect place to gather and enjoy the Yakima Valley's 300 days of sunshine. 
• Yakima Speedway. With over thirty races each season, Yakima Speedway provides the ultimate racing experience in Yakima, Washington. 
• Yakima Symphony Orchestra. 
• Yakima Valley Museum, 2105 Tieton Dr, ☎ [phone]. M-F 10AM-5PM. Located in Yakima’s beautiful Franklin Park, offers historical exhibits on the Yakima Valley—its natural history, Plateau cultural objects, pioneer life, early city life, and the roots and development of the Valley’s fruit industry. The museum also features a functioning replica of a late 1930s Art Deco soda fountain. Furnished with salvaged and restored parts of soda fountains which once operated in Yakima, this piece of history serves ice cream treats and other fountain favorites for visitors to the museum and Franklin Park. $5/adult, $3/concession, free/child. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Yakima Sportsman State Park, 904 University Parkway (Three miles southeast of downtown Yakima), ☎ [phone]. Summer: 06:30h-22h; Winter: 08-17h. A 247-acre camping park created by irrigating a patch of otherwise desert river floodplain.  

Do

• The Capitol Theatre. Is an arts theatre that hosts an array of performances from broadway shows, comedic acts, and musical talents. Recent performers include Bill Cosby and Joe Bonamassa. 
• The Seasons Performance Hall. Is a premier concert and arts venue that offers an incomparable selection of musical performances by some of the most thrilling national and international performers of today. 
• Yakama Legends Casino. Yakama Legends Casino features all of your favorite Vegas-style games with a hometown flair! Featuring 1,400 of the newest, hottest slots around, there is no doubt that your favorite machine is waiting. If tables are your game, they feature a great mix including Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Pai Gow, 3-Card Poker, Spanish 21 and Ultimate Texas Hold’em. There is also live Keno with payouts up to $50,000. 
• Yakima Valley SunDome. Is an events arena that host a variety of shows and musical performance. Recent performers include Elton John and Carrie Underwood. 
• Yakima Valley Wine Tours. Yakima is in wine country and there are a plethora of wineries either in, or within close proximity, to the city. 

Buy

• Off The Record, 901 Summitview, Suite 180, ☎ [phone]. Where you want to go for all of the latest in music. The store is massive and carries an expansive selection of music. 
• The neighboring town of Union Gap has The Valley Mall and Shopping Plaza, with a wide variety of the usual nationwide chains.

Eat

Asian

• Golden Coin Chinese Restaurant, 1606 West Nob Hill, ☎ [phone]. Mon-Thur 10AM to 9PM; Sat-Sun 12PM to 9PM. 
• Mongolian Grill, 1527 East Washington Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Ozeki Japanese Restaurant, 1527 Summitview Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Peking Palace Chinese Restaurant, 610 North 1st St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Pho 'Tan Vietnamese Restaurant, 420 South 72nd Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Royal Buffet Chinese Restaurant, 4001 Summitview Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• The Tea Garden Restaurant, 110 South 4th St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Joy Garden Korean BBQ Restaurant, 5605 Tieton Dr., ☎ [phone]. Mon-Sat, 11AM-9PM. 

Casual Dining

• Bob's Burgers and Brew, 121 North Fair Ave, ☎ [phone]. Mon-Thur 10:30a to 10PM; Fri-Sat 10:30AM to 11PM; Sun 9AM to 10PM. 
• Powerhouse Grill, 3807 River Rd, ☎ [phone]. Sun-Thur 6AM to 10PM; Fri-Sat 6AM to 11PM. 
• Second Street Grill, 28 North 2nd St, ☎ [phone]. 6AM to 10PM. 
• Zesta Cucina, 5110 Tieton Dr, ☎ [phone]. Mon-Thur 11AM to 9PM;. 

Fine Dining

• The Apple Tree Resort, 8804 Occidental Ave, ☎ [phone]. Sun-Wed 8AM to 2PM; Thur-Sat 8AM to 8PM. 
• Birchfield Manor Gourmet Restaurant and Inn, 2018 Birchfield Rd, ☎ [phone]. 
• Creekside West Bar and Grille, 4000 West Creekside, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Mon-Sat 11AM to 11PM. 

Mexican

• Casa Del Sol Restaurant, 1010 North 1st Stree, ☎ [phone]. 
• El Caporal Family Mexican Restaurant, 109 East Naches Ave, ☎ [phone]. Mon-Thur 11AM to 10PM; Fri-Sat 11AM to 10:30PM; Sun 12PM to 9:30PM. 
• El Mirador Mexican Dining, 418 West Walnut St / 1601 East Yakima Ave, ☎ [phone], [phone]. 
• El Pastor Restaurant, 315 W Walnut St, ☎ [phone]. 
• El Porton Mexican Restaurant, 420 South 48th Ave, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. Sun-Thur 11AM to 9PM; Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM. 
• Villasenor Mexican-American Restaurant, 601 Fruitvale Blvd, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 

Drink

Yakima Valley Hop Yard, this area produces 77% of the United States hops, a key ingredient in beer making

Beer

• Taproom at Yakima Craft Brewing Company, 2920 River Rd, #6, ☎ [phone]. M-Th 4PM-8PM, F 3PM-10PM, Sa 3PM-10PM. Craft beer brewery located in the heart of North America's leading producer of hops, the Yakima Valley in the state of Washington. (updated Sep 2015)
• 🌍 Sports Center, 214 E Yakima Ave, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. 11AM-2AM. Restaurant, bar, music venue, place for dance parties, to watch the game or just hang out. 

Coffee

• Brewlesque Espresso, 326 N 1st St, ☎ [phone]. Makes for an interesting experience as the women who brew your mocha-cino are dressed in very provocative fashion. 
• Coffee Cravings, 118 W Yakima Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Jailhouse Java, 801 Summitview Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Jitter Bean Espresso Bar, 917 S 1st St, ☎ [phone]. 
• North Town Coffeehouse, 28 N. 1st St., ☎ [phone]. M-F 6AM-midnight, Sa-Su 7AM-midnight. Cheerful spot with long hours. Also serves remarkably tasty pastries, made locally. 
• Valley Brew, 1321 S 8th St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Pacific Traders Coffee, 518 N. 20th Ave, Yakima 98902, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. M-F, 9AM-2PM. locally-roasted coffee daily. 

Wine

• Desert Hills Winery, 1208 N 1st St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Donatelia Winery, 321 E Yakima Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Kana Winery Tasting Room, 10 S 2nd St, ☎ [phone]. 
• Yakima Cellars, 32 N 2nd St, ☎ [phone]. 

Sleep

• Best Western Ahtanum Inn, 2408 Rudkin Rd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Best Western Peppertree Yakima Inn, 1614 N 1st St, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Clarion Hotel and Conference Center, 1507 N 1st St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Fairfield Inn & Suites Yakima, 137 N Fair Ave, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Hilton Garden Inn, 401 E. Yakima Ave, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Holiday Inn Express, 1001 East, ☎ [phone]. 
• Howard Johnson Plaza Yakima, 9 North 9th St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Motel 6, 1104 N 1st St, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Oxford Suites Yakima, 1701 E. Yakima Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Red Lion Hotel Yakima Center, 607 E. Yakima Ave, ☎ [phone]. 
• Birchfield Manor Inn and Restaurant, 2018 Birchfield Rd, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. A bed and breakfast featuring 11 guest rooms and suites and a fine dining restaurant. (updated Apr 2019)

Stay healthy

Air Stagnation

Sometimes there will be an advisory issued for poor air quality due to stagnation. Because of Yakima's location within a mountain valley, air sometimes settles and becomes stagnate for an extended period of time. During this phenomenon, pollutants often accumulate and subsequently the air quality becomes poorer than usual, and can affect those individuals who have existing respiratory conditions.

You can refer to the National Weather Service website on air quality to see if any such advisories have been issued for the Yakima Valley region.

Disease

There have been confirmed cases of hantaviral pulmonary syndrome in the Yakima Valley; the most recent of which occurred during the summer of 2011.

Although this disease is very rare, it is important to always take precautions when entering confined spaces, or places that are dusty and underexposed to sunlight, where conditions may be ideal for the presence of a rodent population.

For more information on prevention and transmission, visit the CDC website on hantaviruses.

Heat Exhaustion

During the summer months, the temperature in Yakima and the greater Yakima Valley often exceeds 100 degrees Fahrenheit.

If you are to be outside for long periods of time, be sure to drink plenty of WATER and limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine to prevent dehydration and heat stroke. Should you be planning on venturing off into the surrounding landscape, follow desert survival guidelines. Make sure you KNOW where you are going, tell someone where your destination will be, and take an ample water supply with you.

Stay safe

Crime

Yakima has experienced a significant increase in gang activity throughout the past decade due to its population growth. This has resulted in a rise of violent crime within the city limits, although incidents of violence are mostly isolated to particular neighborhoods (mostly on the east side).

During the late summer of 2010, the West Valley area of Yakima experienced a string of burglaries. Take precautions to protect your personal property.

In reality, Yakima is very nice place to visit and the surrounding scenery is just as wonderful as its sun abundant climate. The problems it does have are typical in most mid-size cities and rarely effect the average person.

The best way to stay safe is to just be smart. Be vigilant! Most often, when people find themselves in a bad situation, it is because they put themselves in that situation. If you need help, there is an often visible police presence in the more troubled locales.

Cope

Hospitals

• Yakima Regional Medical and Cardiac Center, 110 S. 9th Ave, ☎ [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Yakima Valley Memorial Hospital, 2811 Tieton Dr, ☎ [phone]. 

Go next

• Boulder Cave (32 miles west of Naches. Take State Route 410 to Milepost 95.4, turn left on paved road.). April 1 - Oct 31. Unlike many Washington caves, Boulder Cave is formed from volcanic rock which was eroded away and collapsed. A fun boulder scramble, suitable for kids. Bring a flashlight. The short loop trail has a branch which is wheelchair accessible. Day use only. Part of Wenatchee National Forest. $5/vehicle, $15/bus. 
• 🌍 White Pass Ski Resort, 48935 US Highway 12 (20 miles east of Packwood, 50 miles west of Yakima, on US highway 12), ☎ [phone]. Ski area centrally located to a variety of cities in Washington state.  

Routes through Yakima

Ellensburg ← Selah ←	N  S	→ Union Gap → Richland
Centralia ← Mossyrock ←	W  E	→ Union Gap → Richland
Wenatchee ← Selah ←	N  S	→ Union Gap → Bend