Located in south-central Washington, Yakima lies near the fertile wine country of the Yakima Valley. The town's Yakima Valley Museum has a nice collection of Native American artifacts (beadwork and horse regalia) and 19th-century horse-drawn vehicles (such as a Conestoga wagon). You can also see the re-created office of U.S. Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, who hailed from these parts. Children will enjoy a series of interactive exhibits relating to the history of the area.
Immediately south of Yakima is the large Yakama Indian Reservation. The Yakama Nation Cultural Heritage Center (phone 509-865-2800; http://www.yakamamuseum.com) in Toppenish includes a replica of a winter meeting lodge. Toppenish is also home to Fort Simcoe State Park, a restored military outpost that was established during battles between Native Americans and pioneers in the 1850s. The nearby Toppenish National Wildlife Refuge is home to some 250 species of birds. If you take Highway 82 to Highway 12, you will find a number of vineyards offering free wine tastings.
Just northeast of Toppenish is Zillah, which is the hub of the valley vineyards. Washington produces more wine than any U.S. state except California, and much of it is from the area between Yakima and Pasco. Yakima is 115 mi/185 km southeast of Seattle.
To request access to the full version of this destination guide, please provide your email address below. Your email address will only be used for verification purposes and will not be used for marketing purposes.