Yakima Travel Information
Sunny Yakima sprawls around the confluence of the Naches and Yakima
Rivers. The tawny, dry hills that surround the city belie the
fertility of the area. Central Washington's commercial hub, Yakima's
climate and rich soil enable an extended growing season. Apples,
pears, peaches, grapes, apricots, cherries, mint and hops are produced
in Yakima, and then shipped on nationally. For more information on
the area's fruity history, visit the Central Washington Agricultural
Museum, a few miles south of town. Because of the regular spells of
sunshine, popular activities in the Yakima area are mostly
liquid-related. The Yakima Weekly Recorder published an ad from local
brewery owner, T. Hess, in 1888: The undersigned would respectfully
inform the people of Yakima that he is not dead yet, and always keeps
on hand a superior quality of Lager Beer. Today, there are two
breweries downtown that can pour you a pint made with locally grown
hops, though the region is probably best known for its wines. A
number of wineries are open for tastings a short way out of
Yakima. If you're after rather some physical activity, the rivers
are the place. Stop in at Eschbach Park, rent an inner tube and kick
back for a float down the Naches. Or, do some catch-and-release
fishing in Yakima River Canyon for rainbow trout and a spin around in
a ski boat. For a ride off-road, take your 4-wheel-drive along the
Jacob Durr Wagon Road, the old thoroughfare between Ellensburg and
Yakima and the 'shortest route to the Kittitas Valley' finished in
1888. Most of the ruts are original, as are the views out over the
Cascades and Yakima Valley. Yakima is 111 miles southeast of
Seattle, and 125 miles north of Portland, Oregon.
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