Yakima
Around Yakima
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Metro area · Washington · 258k people
Yakima
Locals say Yakima Valley · “Fruit Bowl of the Nation”, “Hop Capital of the World”
Where the valley grows its best
Crimson
Welcome to the Yakima Valley! We're glad you're here. Grab a coffee and check out the fruit stands, or just enjoy the sunshine.
Clubs for Yakima
No clubs for Yakima yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Yakima. 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
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Yakima. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Yakima County Stadium Home of the Yakima Valley Pippins baseball team.
- Yakima Valley Museum Local history, agriculture, and a vintage carousel.
- Yakima Area Arboretum 46-acre botanical garden with walking trails.
- Franklin Park Central park with playgrounds, a pool, and picnic areas.
- Cowiche Canyon Trail Popular hiking and biking trail through basalt cliffs.
- Yakima River Greenway Paved multi-use trail along the Yakima River.
- Outdoors Float the Yakima River
- Outdoors Pick fruit at orchards
- With kids Yakima Area Arboretum
- With kids Yakima Valley Museum
- Evenings Winery tasting rooms
- Evenings Breweries
- Locals love Fruit stands
- Locals love Wineries
Through the year
- Central Washington State Fair September The region's biggest annual fair with rides, livestock, and concerts.
- Fresh Hop Ale Festival October Celebrates the hop harvest with local breweries and fresh-hop beers.
- Yakima Valley Wine Auction Spring Annual charity wine auction featuring top Valley wineries.
- Toppenish Rodeo July Classic rodeo with bull riding, barrel racing, and a parade.
- Yakima Air Show Summer Military and civilian aircraft demonstrations at McAllister Field.
Semi-arid with hot, dry summers and cold, foggy winters. Precipitation is low year-round. Best: Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) are ideal for being outside.
Talk like a local
- “Yak”
- Short for Yakima, used by locals.
- “The Valley”
- Refers to the entire Yakima Valley region.
- “Fruit stand”
- A place to buy fresh produce, often roadside.
- “Hop head”
- A beer enthusiast, especially for hoppy craft beers.
Getaways
- Ellensburg College town with a historic downtown and rodeo.
- Wenatchee Apple capital with riverfront trails and a farmers market.
- Kennewick Tri-Cities hub with Columbia River activities and wineries.
- Moses Lake Water recreation and sand dunes on the lake.
Local flavour
Teams
- Yakima Valley Pippins West Coast League (summer collegiate baseball)
- Yakima Valley College Yaks NWAC (junior college)
Also rooting for Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Seattle Kraken (NHL), Seattle Storm (WNBA)
Eat and drink
- Yakima Valley apples and cherries Fresh fruit from the valley's orchards
- Yakima Valley wine Produced from local vineyards, especially Riesling and Cabernet
- Hops (for beer) The valley is a leading US hop producer
- Miners Drive-In burgers A beloved local burger chain since 1954
- Mexican food (tamales, barbacoa)
Where people go
- Orchards and fruit stands Apple, cherry, and pear orchards with roadside stands
- Vineyards and wineries Over 100 wineries in the valley
- Hop farms Tall trellises of hops, a signature sight
- Yakima River For fishing, rafting, and scenic views
- Cascade Mountains views The range forms the western backdrop
- Farmers markets Weekly markets with local produce and crafts
Heritage and traditions
Yakima Valley is proud of its agricultural heart—the nation's leading producer of apples, cherries, and hops—and its vibrant blend of Hispanic and Native American cultures, celebrated through festivals, food, and community.
This time of year in Yakima
- Apple harvest and cider pressing September-October U-pick orchards and fresh cider stands.
Say it like a local: “Going to the hop fields” — Working in the hop fields during harvest season.
Festivals
- Cinco de Mayo May Mexican heritage celebration with music, dance, and food.
- Fiestas Patrias September Mexican Independence Day festivities with parades and concerts.
- Dia de los Muertos November Day of the Dead altars, marigolds, and community remembrance.
- Yakama Nation Treaty Day June Commemorates the 1855 treaty with cultural programs and dances.
- Toppenish Mural-in-a-Day June Artists paint murals on buildings in a single day.
Landmarks with a story
- Yakama Nation Cultural Center Museum and cultural center preserving Yakama history and art.
- Fort Simcoe State Park 1850s military fort with original buildings, now a park.
- Toppenish Mural District Over 70 murals depicting the valley's history.
- Teapot Dome Service Station 1920s gas station shaped like a teapot, a quirky landmark.
- St. Paul Cathedral Historic Catholic cathedral in downtown Yakima.
- Yakima County Courthouse Grand 1905 courthouse with a copper dome.
Food traditions
- Christmas tamales Families gather to make tamales for Nochebuena, a holiday tradition.
- Barbacoa de borrego Lamb barbacoa slow-cooked in underground pits for special occasions.
- Fresh-pressed apple cider During harvest, orchards press cider from just-picked apples.
- Fresh hop ales Breweries make beers from freshly harvested hops each September.
- Pan dulce and café de olla Sweet breads and spiced coffee from local panaderías.
Music and arts
- Mariachi and banda music Popular in the Hispanic community, with local groups.
- Yakama drumming and singing Traditional songs and dances at powwows and cultural events.
- Toppenish murals Outdoor art depicting local history and culture.
A little history
- 1855 Yakama Treaty
- 1885 Railroad arrival
- early 1900s Irrigation projects
- 1930s Roza Canal construction
- mid-20th century Hispanic migration
Rivalries
- Eisenhower vs. Davis high school football The annual 'Crosstown Showdown' in Yakima.
- Yakima Valley Pippins vs. Wenatchee AppleSox West Coast League baseball rivalry.
- Yakima Valley College vs. Wenatchee Valley College Community college sports rivalry.
- Game day Friday night lights
- Game day Rodeo
- Outdoors Skiing at White Pass
- Outdoors Hunting for pheasants
- With kids U-pick fruit farms
- With kids Splash pads at local parks
Locals often mix Spanish and English, especially in agricultural contexts. The accent is typical Pacific Northwest with a slight drawl, and you'll hear 'the Valley' for Yakima Valley. Spanish words like 'mercado' and 'pan dulce' are common.
Only here
- The Teapot Dome Service Station – a 1920s gas station shaped like a teapot.
- The valley grows over 75% of the nation's hops – 'Hop Capital of the World'.
- Yakima Valley is one of the top apple-producing regions in the US.
- The Yakama Nation's reservation is adjacent, with a rich cultural heritage.
New here? A few tips
- Expect hot, dry summers and cold winters; dress in layers.
- Learn about irrigation – the valley is desert, but water makes it green.
- Try the Mexican food – it's authentic.
- Visit the fruit stands for fresh produce.
- Be aware of the agricultural season – harvest time brings traffic.
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Nearby
Every areaEllensburgWashingtonCowboy spirit, mountain soul.GoldendaleWashingtonWhere the river meets the wide-open skyWenatcheeWashingtonWhere the river runs through the orchard.OthelloWashingtonWhere the desert meets the harvest.Tri-CitiesWashingtonWhere the desert blooms with wine and sunshine.Moses LakeWashingtonSun, sagebrush, and a big blue lake.The DallesOregonRiver town with a pioneer heartHermistonOregonBig skies, warm hearts, and the spirit of the West.
Yakima, WA. 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.