Yakima County is located in the state of Washington in the United States. Yakima is the county seat and major city. The Yakama tribe of Native Americans inspired the creation of the county, which was constituted from Ferguson County in January 1865.
Yakima is the state’s 11th-largest city by population. Greater Yakima includes the unincorporated suburban areas of West Valley and Terrace Heights.
Yakima is a beautiful place and is officially one of the country’s coolest towns to visit. There are lots of attractions, and exciting (fun) things to do.
Outdoor natural attractions, performance venues, and museums are among the many family-friendly tourism attractions available around the area. Let’s take a look at some fun things to do in Yakima.
Things To Do In Yakima
1.A VISIT TO YAKIMA VALLEY.
Yakima Valley, as well as the rest of this region, will take your breath away. There are loads of fantastic things to do in Yakima Valley that would make anyone want to pack their bags and travel, with a plethora of activities ranging from amazing cuisine, drink, and outdoor excursions.
You might assume that there are some fantastic breweries, excellent farms for picking apples and other fruits, a fantastic food scene, and even fantastic outdoor activities and vineyards. This region has all of the ingredients for a fantastic holiday.
2. YAKIMA AREA ARBORETUM
The arboretum was founded by the Washington State Federation of Garden Clubs and has been growing ever since, with over 1,000 native and exotic plant species displayed across its beautiful gardens.
The arboretum’s unique gardens and attractions include butterfly gardens, wetland walks, and a blossoming ornamental fruit tree collection.
Despite its proximity to major highways, the highway noise is readily drowned out by the trees once you start exploring this beautiful, colourful natural region.
Read Also: 37 Best And Most Fun Things To Do In Hagerstown
3. THE YAKIMA RIVER CANYON.
You will be happy exploring the Yakima RiverCanyon, the Yakima River Canyon is a pleasant attraction site. It’s a nice place to visit in the summer. There are lots of fun activities there to engage in like swimming, fishing, boat rides, tubing and many more.
The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages a large portion of the canyon, including four designated recreation areas. The four locations are Umtanum, Luma Creek, Big Pines, and Roza.
The river is accessible from all four BLM stations. All four locations provide camping, with Big Pine having the most overnight places. Tents and trailers are allowed, but there are no electrical hookups. Vault toilets are offered to all campers, however, they must bring their drinking water
4. YAKIMA VALLEY MUSEUM
The museum is one of the top attractions in Yakima. The museum houses several exhibits relating to the region’s natural and cultural history. It concentrates on pioneer life, early economic development, and indigenous peoples. At the Yakima collection there is a digitized exhibit of almost 9,000 relevant cultural pictures on display.
Guess what the children aren’t left out at the museum, there is a 2,500-square-foot Children’s Underground educational center that provides various programs and exhibits targeted at children between ages five and fifteen.
The Yakima Valley Museum includes a large hall that hosts a variety of public events such as TED talks, concerts, and classic film screenings.
5. THE YAKIMA GREENWAY.Â
The Yakima Greenway is one of the most convenient ways to get around town.
6. FLOAT DOWN THE YAKIMA RIVER.
Floating down the Yakima River Canyon on a hot summer day is a favourite pastime that provides a pleasant and refreshing way to stay cool when the heat becomes unbearable. You can bring your raft or hire one if you’re experienced, but there are other tour alternatives for going out with a guide.
Whether you’re searching for a family-friendly float or a more adventurous option that involves hitting some of the best rapids in the area, a guided scenic river float allows you to enjoy the water without concern.
7. TAKE A HIKE
The Yakima Valley is a hiker’s paradise due to its distinctive geology and closeness to the Cascade Mountains. You can choose from a variety of trails, including short hikes on gentle slopes, day hikes, and longer climbs, many of which provide stunning mountain vistas and much more.
A handful of the trails even pass past vineyards, providing a particularly sweet treat. The Cowiche Uplands Trail features side trails that lead to various vineyards, as well as a 360-degree vista of the valley and neighboring hilltops from its highest point.
8. EXPLORE WILDLIFE
The Yakima Valley’s lush meadows, grassy hillsides, and rocky ridges, as well as innumerable rivers and lakes, provide ideal habitat for a diverse range of wildlife.
You can observe eagles, falcons, and hawks among the eagles, falcons, and hawks that take refuge in the Yakima River Canyon and its spectacular basalt cliffs, while the Yakima Area Arboretum is home to a variety of bird species and small mammals.
Bighorn sheep, Rocky Mountain elk, deer, blue herons and osprey, birds of prey, and a variety of amphibians can all be seen during a hike between Chinook and White Pass.
9. YAKIMA SPORTSMAN STATE PARK.
Hiking, bird-watching, and fishing are all popular activities in Sportsman State Park, and a campground with more than 60 tent and RV sites allows visitors to stay for many days.
Throughout the year, visitors flock to the park. Autumn, when the trees turn colour, and spring, when the annual wildflower blooms, are both beautiful times to visit. The park also has volleyball, horseshoes, and reservable picnic shelters.
10. CAPITOL THEATRE
The Capitol Theatre in downtown Yakima provides a wide variety of events and plays, and has been exciting the community for nearly a century. Hundreds of performances, including musicals, ballets, symphonies, and stand-up comedy, are now staged throughout the year for visitors.
The Capitol Theater, which was built in 1920 and rebuilt in 1978, is a sight to behold. The 1,500-seat venue, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, accommodates a variety of events.
The Capitol Theatre’s spectacular enhanced light and the sound system added to the entertainment value. The prestigious “Capitol Youngsters” youngsters’ theater arts program for all levels of elementary school is also held at the Capitol Theatre for young thespians.
