You’ve probably seen the sign. The one over I-82 that boldly proclaims Yakima as "The Palm Springs of Washington." Most people driving through either chuckle or roll their eyes, especially if it’s a gray Tuesday in November. But honestly? If you actually pull off the highway, you’ll find a high-desert valley that feels nothing like the rainy, moss-covered side of the state.
Yakima is weird in the best way. It’s a place where you can spend your morning dodging rattlesnakes on a basalt cliff and your afternoon drinking a $14 glass of Syrah that would cost double in Woodinville. It’s the hop capital of the world—literally, look it up—and yet it still feels like a rugged agricultural hub that hasn't quite realized how cool it’s becoming. If you're looking for stuff to do in Yakima, don't expect a polished Disneyland experience. Expect dust, incredible food, and some of the best wine in the country.
The Liquid Gold: Hops, Grapes, and Hangovers
If you aren't here to drink, you're missing about 60% of the point. Yakima grows something like 75% of the hops in the United States. When you’re driving around in August, the smell is intense—dank, citrusy, and heavy.
Bale Breaker Brewing Company is basically the holy grail here. It sits right in the middle of a hop field in Moxee. You can sit on the patio, watch the bines grow, and drink a Topcutter IPA. It feels authentic because it is; the family has been farming those hops for four generations. For a different vibe, head to Single Hill Brewing downtown. They do a lot of "community" beers using local ingredients, and the outdoor patio is usually packed with people and their dogs.
Then there’s the wine. Most people think of Walla Walla when they think of Washington wine, but Yakima Valley fruit is what fuels most of those fancy bottles.
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- Treveri Cellars: If you like bubbles, stop here. They only do sparkling wine. It’s fancy but not "stuffy" fancy. You can sit on their lawn, look at Mount Adams, and feel like royalty for twenty bucks.
- Gilbert Cellars: Located right on Front Street, this is the perfect spot if you don't want to drive out into the hills. Their Malbec is legit.
- Freehand Cellars: This place looks like a modern architectural dream dropped into a vineyard. The views of the valley from their tasting room are probably the best in the region.
Getting Your Boots Dirty
You can't just drink beer all day. Well, you can, but your liver will hate you.
Cowiche Canyon is the go-to hike. It’s not a grueling mountain climb; it’s more of a stroll through a dramatic basalt canyon. You’ll cross some wooden bridges over the creek and maybe spot a golden eagle or two. If you want something a bit more intense, head to Snow Mountain Ranch. The trails there wind through the shrub-steppe, and the "Balanced Rock" trail gives you a great view of the valley without requiring a professional climbing kit.
One thing locals will tell you: float the river. But don't just jump in anywhere. The stretch from Umtanum to Roza in the Yakima River Canyon is the classic move. It’s a "lazy river" style float with massive canyon walls towering over you. You’ll see fly fishermen pulling blue-ribbon trout out of the water while you're just trying not to tip your cooler. If you want to do it right, rent a raft from Rill’s River Adventures. They handle the shuttle, so you don't have to worry about the logistics of leaving a car at both ends.
Eating Like a Local (The Real Stuff)
Forget the chains. If you want the real Yakima experience, you have to go where the farmworkers go.
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Los Hernandez Tamales in Union Gap is legendary. They won a James Beard Award, which is basically the Oscars of food. The menu is simple: tamales. If it’s spring, ask for the asparagus and pepper jack tamales. They use local Yakima Valley asparagus, and people literally drive from Seattle just to buy them by the dozen.
For something a bit more "date night," there’s Crafted. It’s farm-to-table, but like, actually farm-to-table. Chef Dan Koommoo changes the menu constantly based on what’s growing. One night it’s hand-made pasta with local mushrooms, the next it’s something totally different.
Miner's Drive-In is the other end of the spectrum. It’s a Yakima institution. The burgers are massive. Like, "I need four napkins and a nap" massive. It’s been around since 1948, and the fries could feed a small family.
Culture Without the Pretense
The Yakima Area Arboretum is 46 acres of trees and gardens right in the middle of town. It’s free. It’s quiet. It’s a great place to walk off a heavy lunch from Miner's. They’ve got over 1,000 species of plants, and the "living museum" vibe is actually pretty relaxing.
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If you’re into history, the Yakima Valley Museum is surprisingly good. They have a huge collection of horse-drawn vehicles and a 1930s-style soda fountain where you can actually get a milkshake. They also dive into the history of the Yakama Nation and the irrigation projects that turned this desert into a garden.
A Few Realities About Yakima
Look, I’m being honest with you. Yakima has some rough edges.
The heat in July and August is no joke. It frequently hits triple digits. If you’re hiking, do it at 6:00 AM or don't do it at all. Also, the "Palm Springs" label is a bit of a stretch—we don't have the mid-century modern mansions or the Hollywood glitz. We have tractors and dust.
But there’s a soul here you won't find in the suburbs of King County. It’s a place that works hard. It’s a place where the person pouring your wine might be the same person who picked the grapes.
Actionable Next Steps
If you’re planning a trip to check out stuff to do in Yakima, here is how to spend 48 hours without wasting your time:
- Book a room at Hotel Maison. it's a renovated historic building downtown and puts you within walking distance of the best breweries.
- Check the schedule for the Capitol Theatre. They get surprisingly good touring acts and Broadway shows.
- Drive the Yakima River Canyon (SR 821). Even if you don't hike or float, the drive between Yakima and Ellensburg is one of the most scenic in the state.
- Sunday Market. If you’re here on a Sunday between May and October, hit the Downtown Yakima Farmers Market. It’s at 15 W. Yakima Ave. Grab some fresh peaches or cherries—they’ll be better than anything you find at a grocery store.
- Visit the Yakima Valley Visitor Center. They have maps of the "Hop Country Craft Beer Trail." Don't try to do the whole thing in one day. Pick three spots and call an Uber.
Yakima isn't trying to be Seattle or Portland. It’s just Yakima. And once you get past the "Palm Springs" jokes, you'll realize that's exactly why it's worth visiting.