YakimaYakima at a Glance
Costs: $110-180 / day - typical small-city U.S. costs covering midrange hotels, rental car, dining and outdoor activities.
Safety: Generally safe with some property crime - generally safe downtown and tourist areas; some property-crime hotspots exist.
Best Time: June-September (warm, festival season) - warm, dry weather ideal for outdoor recreation and wine festivals.
Why Visit Yakima?
Nestled in the Yakima Valley, this city is a magnet for food-and-drink lovers and outdoor enthusiasts alike, famed for its hops fields, apple orchards and wineries. Tour hops farms, sample Yakima Valley Rieslings and visit craft breweries that celebrate local ingredients. The nearby Yakima River and Cowiche Canyon offer hiking, rafting and scenic drives, making the area a strong mix of agricultural heritage and accessible outdoor recreation.
Best Things to Do in Yakima
Yakima Bucket List
Don't Miss
Yakima Valley Museum - Local history exhibits covering agriculture, aviation, and regional heritage in Yakima Valley.
Downtown Yakima Farmers’ Market - Weekly market featuring local fruit, wine, crafts, and seasonal produce near downtown.
Cowiche Canyon Trail - Scenic canyon rim hiking with colorful cliffs, wildflowers, and extensive trail network.
Capitol Theatre - Restored historic theater hosting concerts, plays, and community performing arts events.
Hidden Gems
Yakima Area Arboretum - Quiet riverside arboretum showcasing native trees, walking paths, and seasonal plantings.
Yakima Greenway - Paved trails along the Yakima River ideal for biking, running, and birdwatching.
Fort Simcoe State Park - Reconstructed 19th-century fort, museum exhibits, and trails highlighting regional history.
Day Trips
Mount Rainier National Park - Glacier-carved peaks, alpine meadows, and numerous hiking routes within a day’s drive.
Prosser Wineries - Short drive to estate wineries, tasting rooms, and vineyard-view restaurants in Prosser.
Best Time to Visit Yakima
Yakima shines from late spring through summer for sun, wine country and outdoor adventures. Winters are chilly with occasional snow, so plan indoor alternatives for off-season visits.
Winter
Cold, occasionally snowy winters affect wineries and outdoor trails; cozy indoor tasting rooms are a good backup on gray days.
Spring
Blooming orchards and warm afternoons make this my favorite time for biking and winery hopping; evenings can still be cool.
Summer
Hot, dry, and sunny - perfect for hiking, river floats, and outdoor festivals, but bring sun protection and expect hot afternoons.
Yakima's climate is classified as Cold Desert - Cold Desert climate with warm summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 32°C. Very dry conditions with minimal rainfall.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -5° - 3° | -4° | 30 mm | overcast | 90% | 2.6 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.9h |
| February | Acceptable | -3° - 8° | 0° | 19 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.8 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.2h |
| March | Good | 0° - 14° | 5° | 18 mm | overcast | 75% | 3.5 m/s | 0.6 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Very Good | 3° - 19° | 11° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 66% | 3.9 m/s | 1.1 high | 13.4h |
| May | Excellent | 7° - 24° | 15° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 60% | 4.1 m/s | 1.5 very high | 14.8h |
| June | Ideal | 11° - 28° | 19° | 14 mm | partly cloudy | 57% | 4.1 m/s | 1.9 very high | 15.6h |
| July | Ideal | 13° - 32° | 23° | 5 mm | mostly sunny | 50% | 3.9 m/s | 2.1 extreme | 15.2h |
| August | Ideal | 13° - 32° | 22° | 10 mm | mostly sunny | 49% | 3.6 m/s | 1.7 very high | 14.0h |
| September | Ideal | 8° - 26° | 17° | 11 mm | some cloud | 55% | 3.3 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.4h |
| October | Very Good | 3° - 19° | 11° | 12 mm | partly cloudy | 68% | 2.9 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.7h |
| November | Acceptable | -1° - 10° | 2° | 26 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.3h |
| December | Poor | -5° - 3° | -4° | 35 mm | overcast | 89% | 2.5 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.5h |
How to Get to Yakima
Yakima is best reached via Yakima Air Terminal (YKM) for regional flights or by road from Seattle/Tacoma for wider connections. Within the city and surrounding valley, cars, taxis and local buses are the practical options.
Yakima Air Terminal / McAllister Field (YKM): Yakima’s regional airport has scheduled flights (commonly to Seattle). The airport is about 6-7 km from downtown Yakima; taxi or rideshare trips take roughly 10-15 minutes and typically cost about USD 15-25.
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA): For more international or expanded flight options many travellers fly into Seattle and drive or take bus connections to Yakima; driving time is about 2.5-3.5 hours depending on route, and shuttle or private transfers cost more than flying into YKM but offer more schedule choice.
Train: Yakima does not have direct Amtrak passenger rail service. The nearest Amtrak stations are in Pasco or other eastern Washington towns; accessing them requires a drive or bus connection.
Bus: Greyhound and regional intercity bus operators serve Yakima with connections to Seattle, Spokane and other cities; fares to Seattle commonly range from about USD 20-45 and journey times are roughly 3.5-4.5 hours depending on service.
How to Get Around Yakima
Yakima is a driving-oriented city; rental cars or taxis/rideshares are the most flexible ways to get around. Local buses serve the city but schedules and coverage are limited compared with driving.
- Car / Rental car (USD 40-90/day (rental)) - A car is the most practical way to explore Yakima and the surrounding wine country - distances between sights are significant and public transit is limited for rural destinations. Roads are well maintained and parking is generally easy.
- Taxi / Rideshare (Uber/Lyft) (USD 5-30) - Local taxis serve the airport and downtown; rideshare coverage (Uber/Lyft) is available though surge pricing can push fares higher during peak times. Typical short fares within town are modest (under USD 20).
- Intercity bus (USD 20-50) - Greyhound and regional carriers connect Yakima to Seattle, Spokane and other towns. Buses are economical for longer hops; book in advance for the best prices and check schedules carefully as frequencies vary.
- Yakima Transit (local bus) (USD 1.50-2.00) - Yakima Transit operates local fixed-route buses and paratransit within the city and nearby areas. Buses are inexpensive and useful for travel within the urban area, though routes may be slower than driving.
- Bicycle - Yakima has an expanding network of bike lanes and trails, and cycling is a pleasant way to explore parts of the city in good weather. Use caution on busier roads and avoid long distances without support.
- Walking - Downtown Yakima is compact enough for walking between shops, restaurants and a few attractions. For destinations outside the core, walking is less practical without a car.
Where to Stay in Yakima
Budget
Downtown / I‑82 corridor - $60-120/night
Yakima has reliable budget motels and economy hotels near downtown and the I‑82 corridor. Good options for road trippers and orchard visitors.
Oxford Suites Yakima - Good value with breakfast included.
Super 8 by Wyndham Yakima - Basic, budget-friendly rooms.
Mid-Range
Downtown / Union Gap - $110-180/night
Mid-range hotels in Yakima offer comfortable rooms, onsite dining, and easy access to downtown, wineries, and the I‑82 corridor.
Best Western Plus Ahtanum Inn - Comfortable rooms, close to city amenities.
Red Lion Hotel Yakima Center - Convenient downtown location, event-friendly.
Luxury
Union Gap / Downtown - $160-250/night
Yakima’s higher-end options are comfortable, chain-oriented hotels that cater to business and wine‑tour visitors rather than boutique luxury seekers.
Hilton Garden Inn Yakima - Reliable chain comfort with modern amenities.
Hyatt Place Yakima - Spacious rooms, good business facilities.
Where to Eat in Yakima
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Yakima’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Yakima
Yakima offers a modest evening scene concentrated downtown and near tasting rooms - local bars, breweries and winery tasting rooms provide the main options for evenings. Live music appears at small venues and seasonal events but the city isn’t a late-night party destination. Expect a relaxed pace and check venue schedules for live performances or special events.
Shopping in Yakima
Shopping centers and strip malls handle most retail needs, and there are local farmers’ markets and specialty food shops focused on the valley’s fruit and wine industries. For national chains and a larger mall experience, you’ll find several options along major thoroughfares. If you’re after local produce or wine-tasting purchases, the Yakima Valley’s farm shops and tasting rooms are the best places to look.