Explore Washington State
Have you ever had a place entirely to yourself? I pulled into the Fort Simcoe Historical State Park parking lot on a September afternoon and found it completely empty. Not a single other car. For a park that preserves one of the few surviving frontier forts from the 1850s in the Pacific Northwest, that kind...
Where can you go in Washington when you’re in need of sunshine? My hubby and I head to Yakima, also known as the Palm Springs of Washington, as it is said to see sun 350 days of the year. Plus, with more than 90 wineries spanning 70 miles, Yakima Valley makes a fantastic destination for...
Remarkable coffee is an essential part of any road trip. So, when Basalt Roasters popped up on my radar while planning a weekend getaway to Yakima Valley, a visit to the roastery landed on my itinerary. It’s located within Cot’s Peak Coffee in the town of Naches, just twenty minutes from downtown Yakima. Read on for more about our experience in the unique coffee house, and how to make the most...
It’s taken a long time for the food truck scene to come to fruition in the Yakima Valley. But right now, it’s fair to say, the food truck frenzy is at its peak. Sure, there’s been plenty of taco trucks spotted throughout the valley for years, but it took a while for others to begin...
From the winding Yakima River Canyon to hilltop hop fields, vineyards and hiking trails, the Yakima Valley is a sweet escape for Washington sun-seekers. My family enjoyed a weekend in Yakima exploring the shrub-steppe trails and eating (and drinking) up the valley’s abundant agricultural goods. With outdoor dining in full swing, we spent nearly the...
Attracting many kids and adults with its refreshing and smooth water, floating the Yakima River on a hot summer day is a great activity to add to your itinerary between the months of June and September. Grab your friends and family and we will help you with the rest. With this easy to follow guide,...
As the weather begins to change and spring is upon us, it is finally time to stop being cooped up inside and spend some time in nature. After the extreme winter season, I am beyond ready to bask in the sun and enjoy the outdoors — especially at the Yakima Area Arboretum. With its claim...
I think it’s safe to say that as Washingtonians, we are pretty lucky people. We have breathtaking landscapes, enjoy actual seasons and don’t fear natural disaster the way many other states do. We are a center for technology, commerce and agriculture. The agriculture is what completely sets us apart though. Large software companies can always...
The Yakima Valley may be best known for its must-visit wineries, but there’s more than grapes growing in this American Viticultural Area. Home to over 75% of all US hop production, Yakima is a craft beer powerhouse. And nowhere are those hoppy brews fresher than from the source. Visit these five Yakima breweries to get...
Yakima is truly an amazing place. Yes, I grew up here, so it should be pretty easy for me to make that comment. Every once in a while, I need to be reminded by what makes this valley so special. This article was originally written more than 14 months ago. It was to celebrate the...
Did you know that your Friday night IPA is likely made from juicy hops grown in Yakima, Washington? Or even the apple on your counter, and the sprig of mint in your salad? I’d say it’s well known to most Washington residents that Yakima Valley has a fascinating geographical and native history, killer views of...
Washington Originals Our lovely Evergreen State, Washington, produces around 2.5 million TONS of apples per year. That’s a lot of apples. And it’s a lot of orchard acreage as well, around 175,000 acres to be exact. So, while we produce 60% (if not more) of the nations’ apples- it kind of leads one to ask...
