Tri-Cities area
Around Tri-Cities area
Illustration made for Popchat
Greater area · Washington · 381k people
Tri-Cities area
Locals say Tri-Cities
Where the desert blooms with wine and sunshine.
Crimson RedColumbia River BlueSage Green
Welcome to the Tri-Cities, where the Columbia River brings us together and the vineyards stretch to the horizon. Whether you're here for the hydroplanes, the wine, or just the sunshine, you'll find a friendly community ready to share its favorites.
Clubs for Tri-Cities area
No clubs for Tri-Cities area yet.
The room
Tri-Cities area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Tri-Cities's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Tri-Cities. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Tri-Cities area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Hanford Reach National Monument Only free-flowing stretch of the Columbia, with wildlife and petroglyphs.
- Sacagawea Heritage Trail 23-mile paved path along the river linking Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland.
- Howard Amon Park Riverside park in Richland with a beach and river views.
- The REACH Museum Covers the region's history, including the Hanford site.
- Toyota Center Home to the Tri-City Americans hockey team and big concerts.
- Columbia Park Large riverside park in Kennewick with a golf course and boat launch.
- Outdoors Hike Badger Mountain
- Outdoors Bike the Sacagawea Heritage Trail
- With kids Tour LIGO Hanford Observatory
- With kids Visit the REACH Museum
- Evenings Wine tasting at local vineyards
- Evenings Catch a show at the Toyota Center
- Locals love Wineries and vineyards
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Tri-Cities Water Follies July Hydroplane races on the Columbia
- Benton Franklin Fair & Rodeo August County fair in Kennewick
- Tri-Cities Wine Festival November Tasting event featuring local wines
- Prosser Wine and Food Festival May Celebrates local wine and food
- Spring Barrel Tasting April Wineries open their barrels for tasting
Semi-arid with hot, dry summers and cool, foggy winters. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities.
Talk like a local
- “Tri-Cities”
- The metro area
- “The Reach”
- Hanford Reach area
- “The Basin”
- Columbia Basin region
- “Wine Country”
- The vineyard region
Getaways
- Walla Walla Wine country with historic downtown
- Yakima Wine and fruit orchards
- Moses Lake Water sports and sand dunes
- Ellensburg College town and rodeo
Local flavour
Teams
- Tri-City Americans WHL
- Tri-City Dust Devils MiLB (High-A)
Also rooting for Washington State Cougars (NCAA), University of Washington Huskies (NCAA), Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Kraken (NHL)
Eat and drink
- Wine tasting flights The Tri-Cities is the heart of Washington wine country, especially known for Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
- Fresh cherry pie The region produces a significant share of the nation's cherries, and local orchards supply pies and preserves.
- Asparagus dishes The area is a major asparagus producer, and it appears fresh on local menus in spring.
- Tacos from local trucks
Where people go
- Wineries and vineyards Over 200 wineries in the region, with tasting rooms along the Red Mountain and Horse Heaven Hills AVAs.
- Columbia River waterfront
- Hanford Reach National Monument A protected stretch of the river with wildlife, and the historic Hanford Site nearby.
- Tri-Cities Water Follies Annual hydroplane races on the Columbia, a beloved summer tradition.
- Farmers markets Weekly markets in Kennewick, Pasco, and Richland showcasing local produce and crafts.
Heritage and traditions
The Tri-Cities are proud of their role in the Manhattan Project and the Hanford Site, their award-winning wine country, and the vibrant outdoor life along the Columbia River.
This time of year in Tri-Cities area
- Fall wine harvest and crush Fall Wineries celebrate the grape harvest with events and tastings.
- Prosser Harvest Festival Fall Celebrating the agricultural harvest with local produce and crafts.
Say it like a local: “The Hanford” — The Hanford nuclear site
Festivals
- Cinco de Mayo May Celebrated in Pasco with music, food, and dancing.
- Fiestas Patrias September Mexican Independence Day celebrations with parades and family events.
- Tri-Cities Greek Festival Summer Greek food, dance, and culture at a local church.
- Basque Festival Summer Celebrating Basque heritage with food, music, and traditional dances.
- Prosser Harvest Festival Fall Celebrating the agricultural harvest with local produce and crafts.
- Tri-Cities Brewfest Summer Local craft beer tasting event.
Landmarks with a story
- Hanford B Reactor The world's first full-scale nuclear reactor, part of the Manhattan Project.
- Sacajawea State Park A park and monument at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, honoring Sacagawea.
- Prosser Historic District A downtown with early 20th-century buildings and a classic Main Street.
- St. Patrick's Catholic Church (Pasco) A historic church serving the community since the early 1900s.
- Richland's Uptown A mid-century modern shopping district built for Hanford workers.
Food traditions
- Basque sheepherder's bread A round loaf baked in a Dutch oven, a tradition of Basque sheepherders in the region.
- Christmas tamales A holiday tradition among Hispanic families, making and sharing tamales.
- Walleye fish fry Fresh from the Columbia River, a local favorite.
- Winery picnic with local cheeses and charcuterie A common way to enjoy wine country, often with a bottle of local wine.
Music and arts
- Mariachi music A vibrant tradition in the Hispanic community, often at festivals and celebrations.
- Mid-Columbia Symphony A local orchestra performing classical and pops concerts.
- Mid-Columbia Ballet A local ballet company.
- Wine and music events Many wineries host live music, especially jazz and acoustic.
A little history
- 1943-1945 The Hanford Site was built as part of the Manhattan Project, producing plutonium for the Trinity test and the Fat Man bomb.
- 1944 The B Reactor went critical, becoming the world's first full-scale nuclear reactor.
- 1950s-1960s The Tri-Cities grew as a 'secret city' for Hanford workers, with Richland being a government-owned town.
- 1980s The wine industry began to flourish, with the region becoming a major wine producer.
- Late 1800s Basque sheepherders arrived, bringing their traditions.
Rivalries
- Washington State Cougars vs. Washington Huskies College football rivalry
- Tri-City Americans vs. Spokane Chiefs WHL hockey rivalry
- Kennewick vs. Pasco high school football Local gridiron rivalry
- Richland vs. Hanford high school basketball Crosstown hoops rivalry
- Game day Friday night lights for high school football
- Game day Hockey nights at the Toyota Center
- Outdoors Kayaking the Yakima River
- Outdoors Birdwatching at the McNary National Wildlife Refuge
- With kids Splash pad at Columbia Park
- With kids Skate park at Howard Amon Park
Locals speak with a general Pacific Northwest accent, but Spanish is widely spoken, especially in Pasco. You'll hear phrases like 'the Tri' for the Tri-Cities, 'the Hanford' for the nuclear site, and 'the river' for the Columbia.
Only here
- The Hanford B Reactor is the world's first full-scale nuclear reactor, open for tours.
- The Tri-Cities is one of the few places where you can see the Columbia River's Hanford Reach, the last free-flowing stretch of the river in the US.
- The region was a 'secret city' during WWII, with Richland built as a government town.
- The LIGO Hanford Observatory is one of only two gravitational-wave observatories in the US.
New here? A few tips
- The weather is hot and dry in summer, with mild winters, but it's windy, so bring layers.
- You'll need a car; the metro is spread out.
- Learn to pronounce 'Kennewick' (KEN-uh-wick) and 'Pasco' (PASS-co).
- Try the local wine and visit a winery.
- Explore the Hanford Reach and the riverfront.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Areas in Tri-Cities area
Nearby
Every areaDayton–PomeroyWashingtonRolling wheat hills and quiet main streets.HermistonOregonBig skies, warm hearts, and the spirit of the West.OthelloWashingtonWhere the desert meets the harvest.La GrandeOregonBig skies, wild rivers, and small-town heart.Moses LakeWashingtonSun, sagebrush, and a big blue lake.YakimaWashingtonWhere the valley grows its bestLewistonIdahoWhere the rivers meet and the hills rollWallowa CountyOregonAlpine valleys, bronze artistry, and wide-open skies.
Kennewick-Richland-Walla Walla, WA CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.