Yakima
Discover Yakima
Yakima is the principal city of the Yakima Valley, an agricultural region noted for apple, wine, and hop production on the Columbia River Plateau of Washington State. It is the county seat of Yakima County. The name Yakima originates from the Yakama Nation Native American tribe, whose reservation is south of the city and includes Toppenish and Wapato.
What to Experience in Yakima
Taste of Yakima...
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 stagnant 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. Refer to the National Weather Service to see if any such advisories have been issued for the Yakima Valley region. There have been confirmed cases of hantaviral pulmonary syndrome in the Yakima Valley. Hantavirus is spread by mice. Although this disease is very rare, take precautions when entering places potentially frequented by rodents, such as confined spaces or places that are dusty and underexposed to sunlight. For more information, visit the CDC website on hantaviruses. During the summer months, the temperature in Yakima and the greater Yakima Valley often exceeds 100 °F (38 °C). If you are to be outside for long periods of time, drink plenty of water and limit the intake of alcohol and caffeine to prevent dehydration and heat stroke. Yakima does experience gang activity within the city limits. Incidents of violence are mostly isolated to particular neighborhoods, mostly on the east side. The problems it does have are typical of most mid-size American cities and rarely effect the average person.
Festivals & Events
Experience the vibrant festivals and cultural celebrations of Yakima.
Downtown Yakima offers a variety of entertainment venues, retail outlets, restaurants, and wine cellars. Union Gap has The Valley Mall and Shopping Plaza, with a wide variety of the usual nationwide chains. 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 stagnant 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. Refer to the National Weather Service to see if any such advisories have been issued for the Yakima Valley region. There have been confirmed cases of hantaviral pulmonary syndrome in the Yakima Valley. Hantavirus is spread by mice.
Essential Information
Getting There
Multiple OptionsYakima is along Interstate 82 (I-82), approximately 143 mi (230 km) southeast of Seattle, 204 mi (328 km) southwest of Spokane, and 80 mi (130 km) northwest of the Tri-Cities (Richland-Kennewick-Pasco). State Route 821 (WA-821), the Old Canyon Highway, is a scenic alternative route from the Ellensburg region. It's a two-lane road that winds through the Yakima River gorge between I-82 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. Downtown Yakima offers a variety of entertainment venues, retail outlets, restaurants, and wine cellars. Union Gap has The Valley Mall and Shopping Plaza, with a wide variety of the usual nationwide chains. Sometimes there will be an advisory issued for poor air quality due to stagnation....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Downtown Yakima offers a variety of entertainment venues, retail outlets, restaurants, and wine cellars. Union Gap has The Valley Mall and Shopping Plaza, with a wide variety of the usual nationwide chains. 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 stagnant 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. Refer to the National Weather Service to see if any such advisories have been issued for the Yakima Valley region. There have been confirmed cases of hantaviral pulmonary syndrome in the Yakima Valley. Hantavirus is spread by mice.
Where to Stay
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 stagnant 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. Refer to the National Weather Service to see if any such advisories have been issued for the Yakima Valley region. There have been confirmed cases of hantaviral pulmonary syndrome in the Yakima Valley. Hantavirus is spread by mice. Although this disease is very rare, take precautions when entering places potentially frequented by rodents, such as confined spaces or places that are dusty and underexposed to sunlight. For more information, visit the CDC website on hantaviruses. During the summer months, the temperature in Yakima and the greater Yakima Valley often exceeds 100 °F (38 °C).
Money & Budget
Downtown Yakima offers a variety of entertainment venues, retail outlets, restaurants, and wine cellars. Union Gap has The Valley Mall and Shopping Plaza, with a wide variety of the usual nationwide chains. 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 stagnant 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. Refer to the National Weather Service to see if any such advisories have been issued for the Yakima Valley region.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
Yakima does experience gang activity within the city limits. Incidents of violence are mostly isolated to particular neighborhoods, mostly on the east side. The problems it does have are typical of most mid-size American cities and rarely effect the average person. Yakima does experience gang activity within the city limits. Incidents of violence are mostly isolated to particular neighborhoods, mostly on the east side. The problems it does have are typical of most mid-size American cities and rarely effect the average person.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Yakima
A dirt field with trees in the background
a field with a fence and mountains in the background
I was visiting my sister in Yakima, WA and it seemed the whole town was blooming. I couldn’t stop taking photos of the yards in her neighborhood. We can only get tulips at the market here in South Florida and Dogwoods tree can’t survive our year-round warm temps. As I was taking photos, a woman stopped me to ask if I lived in the area. I’m sure it looked odd, a woman walking around with a Nikon and zoom lens pointed at their yards/homes. She was part of the neighborhood watch. When I explained who I was visiting and where I was from she proudly told me a few streets I needed to see.
rest stop during road trip
Dogwood trees in bloom in the PNW
While visiting the Pacific Northwest in May the little of Yakima seemed to be in bloom. Everywhere had Dogwood trees that were full of white or pink blooms. We have nothing like this in South Florida. People had tulips and irises in their yards. Nature was bursting with the colors of spring.
mountain bike road trip https://mtbatlantic.com/trail/sugarloaf-bike-park/
Speed Limit 30 MPH
A dirt field with trees in the background
a field with a fence and mountains in the background
I was visiting my sister in Yakima, WA and it seemed the whole town was blooming. I couldn’t stop taking photos of the yards in her neighborhood. We can only get tulips at the market here in South Florida and Dogwoods tree can’t survive our year-round warm temps. As I was taking photos, a woman stopped me to ask if I lived in the area. I’m sure it looked odd, a woman walking around with a Nikon and zoom lens pointed at their yards/homes. She was part of the neighborhood watch. When I explained who I was visiting and where I was from she proudly told me a few streets I needed to see.
rest stop during road trip
Dogwood trees in bloom in the PNW