When you visit the Yakima Valley, just over a 2-hour drive east from Seattle, you would be remiss to pass by the charming little town of Union Gap, just south of the city of Yakima. It should be on everyone’s list of what to do in Yakima Valley, Washington State.
Often times you’ll find the most amazing things in the most unassuming of locales. Forget hidden gem – Union Gap is a sparkling diamond in the rough.
I mean, where else can you visit a local tamales joint that has won a James Beard Award?
This area of the Pacific Northwest lies east of the Cascade Mountain Range, and so it sees an average of 300 days of sunshine a year. The rich soil made possible by the last ice age means it’s also an agricultural mecca.
Turns out, this is fertile ground for growing grapes and hops. Yakima Valley is a world leader in hops growing, producing about 70 percent of the world’s hop supply! As we all know, that means craft beer…everywhere. Take that, Germany. And if that weren’t enough, the Yakima Valley is also a leader in apple production, as well as many other fruits and veggies.
Originally, Union Gap was called Yakima City when it was officially incorporated in November of 1883. The very next year, it was bypassed by the Northern Pacific Railroad, and over 100 buildings were relocated using teams of horses and rollers to the nearby depot site. It created a new city which was dubbed North Yakima.
Then in 1918, North Yakima became known simply as Yakima, and the original town’s name was changed to Union Gap.
Things to Do, See, and Eat in Union Gap, Washington
Even though I grew up in farm-rich Iowa, I consider myself a city girl, so I was a bit hesitant to be excited about visiting an Agricultural museum. I was about to be schooled in some fascinating stuff. This is an active museum that hosts multiple events throughout the year. As you walk the grounds and immerse yourself in the real-life exhibits, you get a true feeling of what life was like here, the importance of agriculture, and its dynamic impact in the Yakima Valley.
Just behind the museum is Ahtanum Ridge. If you’re up for a challenging hike that gets your heart pumping, I highly recommend it. As you navigate the switchbacks to the top of the ridge, you will be rewarded with lovely scenery and an amazing 360-degree view once you reach the top.
Los Hernandez Tamales. This is the only James Beard award winning restaurant in the Yakima Valley, known for their mouth-watering authentic tamales! We had the privilege of getting a behind-the-scenes look into what exactly goes into making their hugely popular tamales.
Owner Felipe Hernandez personally schooled us in the art of tamales making, using fresh corn masa they season themselves, with fresh pepper jack cheese and asparagus. The result? Absolute tamales perfection. Hot steamed tamales with fresh pinto beans and delectable Spanish rice rounded out a perfect lunchtime meal.
Fruit City. This ain’t your average farmers’ market. As one of the most renowned farm stands in the region, this 3rd generation fruit and veggie stand opens each year when asparagus season starts (around mid-April) and stays open through October. They are usually open 7 days a week and have both a local and regional following.
Panaderia Aguililla Bakery. It is here you’ll find the best fresh Mexican Pastries in the Yakima Valley. This is another behind-the-scenes look we were treated to, where they lovingly form and bake their pastries by hand daily in the back of their shop. You can smell the delectable aroma from the moment you walk in. They offer a full selection of authentic Mexican pastries, with specialties including their famous cemas (sweet bread) and Jalapeño Cream Cheese bread.
Escape the Madness. Yes, even Union Gap has joined the escape room craze. Even though I’m from Portland, this was my first introduction to an escape room and what glorious fun it was! Myself, our tour guide, and my fellow travel bloggers spent well over an hour (more than the allotted time) to get through it and it was fantastic fun. We just didn’t want to leave, I guess! As of this writing, you get your choice of Pirates Cove Plunder, Pharoah’s Tomb, or Slaycation. We did Pharaoh’s Tomb and it was challenging, but a blast.
Miner’s. Since 1948, this classic drive-in restaurant is an institution in the Yakima Valley. The clientele at Miner’s include everyone from local school sports’ teams to the rich and famous. They come here to get a Big Miner Burger and other classic fast-food fare. They offer a drive-thru window, dine-in, and outdoor seating. The burger and tater tots I had were amazing, but HUGE portions. I couldn’t finish it all!
Jean’s Cottage Inn. Greasy spoon breakfast, anyone? Yes, please! Some people know them for their fantastic steaks, others know them for their filling burgers and piles of piping hot fries. But we came here for breakfast and I’m so glad we did! You’ll be presented with an extensive breakfast menu and a dizzying array of options that will fill you up until way past lunch time. They also sell their in-house Deccios Seasons and ranch dip.
Toppenish and its Murals. The small town of Toppenish, just 16 miles southeast of Union Gap, is a great stop while touring the Yakima Valley. Be sure to first head to the visitor center at 504 S. Elm St. to get an introduction and a map of all of the amazing murals found throughout the town. They also have information on other things to do in the area.
I would like to give a big shout out to Yakima Valley Tourism, Visit Union Gap, and Little Hopper for hosting me and my fellow travel writer friends Ripped Jeans and Bifocals, San Diego Explorer, and Engineer Travel for this fantastic trip to Yakima Valley!
