Sometimes you just don’t know what treasures await you until they literally fall into your lap. That’s the beauty of travel. There destinations that will take your breath away, yet are not in any travel guidebooks. Places you may never have heard of as being on a bucket list, and so you don’t take the time to plan for. These may only be found through word-of-mouth, or by happenstance.

Yakima Valley is one of these destinations.

Tucked nicely in Central Washington’s fertile vineyard and hop region, Yakima tourism has grown by leaps and bounds over the last several years and developed into a playground. One for not only wine and beer lovers, but this amazing spot has become a haven for outdoor recreation enthusiasts, fly fishers, foodies, and so much more.

It is here in this arid region that some of the best wine and beer in the world is produced. Yakima Valley is, in fact, a world leader in hop growing. As such, the craft beer that is cultivated here rivals that of Germany, the Czech Republic, or heck, even Portland, Oregon.

And where else but in a tiny town in central Washington can a local tamale stand be the recipient of a James Beard award?  I had the privilege of touring this region and getting to know some amazing people. You have to come here. If you do, here is a suggested 3-day itinerary of what to do in Yakima Valley.

Pro Tip: Where to book a fantastic beer bus in Yakima

Little Hopper. Wendy and her small team of excellent drivers will take you around Yakima Valley in style when you and your group want to safely imbibe on beer and wine! With Yakima Valley growing 75% of the hops in all of the United States, it just made sense for them to start a company that celebrated the largest hop growing region on the planet. The Little Hopper is equal parts hop-on, hop-off beer shuttle, wine tasting shuttle, and corporate event/private tour shuttle.

Disclaimer: I was kindly hosted by the amazing folks at Visit Yakima when touring the region, but all opinions expressed here are my own!

Things to Do in Yakima Valley, Washington

Day 1 – Touring Yakima Valley Wineries and the Hop Region

When Nathan Cooper launched his Wandering Hop Brewery in 2017, he knew he was onto something big. That premonition was solidified when they opening their second location in the small town of Zillah amongst the vineyards and fruit orchards. Nathan is inspired by everything around him when producing their innovative brews. The nearby lavender fields, his travels, and his love of adventure. They even make a birthday cake brew from time to time, and yes, it does takes like a birthday cake.

Their WAnderland location is a fantastic outdoor space overlooking the rolling hills, where they serve up delicious bites to pair with their rotating brews. Soon they’ll bring in live music to seal the deal, making it a true destination brewery.

HopTown. One thing I was blown away by is the sheer magnitude of the passion of the business owners in this area. They are so proud of what they do and that passion comes through in their creations. HopTown has a team of guys and gals that throw their all into unique and delicious wood-fired pizza combinations, with the beer to go with it. Frequented by locals and visitors alike, this pizza joint comes packaged in a restored country mercantile. Some of their pizza even comes finished with a bit of dried hops, which is surprisingly tasty.

Pair your pizza (or a wide variety of other tasty bites) with their house label Frisky Seester cider and wines. Or pour your own craft beverage from the Waterin’ Hole, which is self-serve taps on an Airstream they keep just out front in the Hop Yard. On sunny days, have your meal outside overlooking the field and take in a game of bocce and corn hole. It makes for a perfect afternoon.

Sheridan Vineyard. What an amazing wine tasting experience this was! Set in an upscale outdoor tasting environment, with perfectly manicured lawns and finely-clothed tables, some mighty fine charcuterie boards accompanied our flights. Owner Scott Greer has been crafting exceptional, award-winning wines for 22 years. Then he began growing his own grapes in 2017. When a huge storm hit not long after, destroying much of the vineyard, he and his wife faced bankruptcy. To coin a famous phrase, Scott was shaken, but not stirred, and soldiered on.

And we are so very glad he did.

With a commitment to sustainable practices, Scott and his talented team are involved in the entire process, and his employees even have a hand in creating the design of the wine bottle labels. Their new location greets visitors in a gorgeous tasting room surrounded by peaceful grounds and gardens.

Barrett Orchards. This is so much more than an orchard farm. When you pass buy this big red barn, you can’t help but do a double-take, turn your car around, and stop in for a look around. Barrett Orchards is a local’s favorite and one of the area’s top farm markets for fresh fruit, artisan foods and home décor. The celebrate the fertile land all around and even have a short self-guided walking path through fruit trees with interpretive signs.

Did you know that Yakima Valley is also known as apple country? This is the place to pick up the freshest produce, flower basket, and browse for that special gift, or maybe get some fresh-scooped ice cream for the road. Chukar Cherries, anyone? They also host an annual u-pick cherry festival and fall harvest days.

The Best Dinner in Yakima is at Crafted

Husband and wife team Dan and Mollie Koommoo created this foodie destination in the heart of Yakima Valley. This is chef-driven, farm-inspired cuisine at its finest and you’d be hard pressed to find a better dining experience in any large city. It is a shared plate extravaganza where every bite is like stepping into a new adventure.

Their commitment to seasonal cooking using local ingredients is indicative of a true farm-to-table experience. The result? An inspired, always-changing menu. Where the atmosphere may be familiar, but the tasting experience will always be new and exciting. Their cocktails are excellent, as well!

Day 2 – More Beer and the Best Wineries in Yakima Valley

Breakfast at Essencia Artisan Bakery. What a fantastic start to the day! Located conveniently in downtown Yakima, this is a favorite of the locals, and it’s apparent from the moment you step in the door. Come early or face the line. Artisan pastries are the order of the day, with many breakfast and lunch options to choose from.

Daily soups are made lovingly from scratch, as well as delectable sandwiches on an always-changing menu. Enjoy your breakfast with locals by saddling up to a table, or take your first meal of the day to go. And don’t forget the coffee, espresso, smoothies, and other breakfast beverages.

Wilridge Winery, Brewery & Distillery. Visiting this winery is like stopping by to see an old friend. As you pull up to the inviting main house with wraparound porch, you’re instantly transported to the time you were a kid and your parent took you to see their friend out in the country with a huge house.

So it was when I toured this sprawling property full of vineyards, farm animals, and old cider-making equipment. Located in the uplands of the Cowiche Canyon Conservancy trail system, owner Paul Beveridge (how apt a name is that?) has been making wine for 30 years. They follow organic and biodynamic growing practices, and Paul really knows his stuff! He also took us round to show us the huge, ancient cider-making barrel and explained the entire process.

This is a wonderful stop to make in the unique shrub steppe landscape of the local region.

Cowiche Creek Brewing. Another destination brewery, this is where people come to relax outside and take in some live music on many warm Washington afternoons and evenings. In fact, the day we were there, owner Derrick Nordberg was gearing up with his team getting things ready as they were expecting over 300 people that afternoon for an event. But he was gracious enough to tell us his story and give us some amazing flights of beer and some lunch.

With roots in the hop industry, Derrick and his wife Maria started Cowiche Creek Brewing because they were inspired from being part of the inclusive Yakima Valley Hop Country Community. Not only to they create innovative brews, but they’re known for their unbeatable chuck-and-brisket burgers. They also serve house-smoked salmon, homemade pasta, prime rib, and oysters to be enjoyed outside their wide-open spaces.

What most non-beer aficionados don’t realize is that a beer flight tasting is just as satisfying to the palette as a wine flight tasting. There are endless ways to infuse flavors and aromas into beers, enabling the palette to go on a journey full of subtle nuances.

The Tiny by Mighty Town of Tieton

What was a blink-and-you-miss-it town with nothing really to speak of a decade ago, has today grown into an artists’ enclave. It cannot be missed while touring the Yakima Valley. The Mighty Tieton houses an amazing event space and is home to an artisan incubator, drawing talented creators from throughout the region. Just walking through the rooms with a variety of mixed media artwork sort of blew my mind. Here’s just a taste:

Tieton, Washington is also home to a fantastic shop for outdoor enthusiasts, as well as 617 Nomad, a trendy restaurant serving a rotating menu of fine food using local produce. Just down the street is Boxx Gallery, showcasing works from regional artists.

Gilbert Cellars at Hacket Ranch, Hacket Ranch is yet another destination tasting room of sorts in that they have a natural amphitheater perfect for hosting several music events during the warmer months of the year. We had the chance to sample several different wines straight from the barrel, and students from the University of Washington even had a tent set up and were conducting a special blind taste test on a new variety of apple.

As fifth generation fruit growers in the Yakima Valley, Gilbert Cellars is a family-run business producing world-class wines. Hacket Ranch and the tasting room located there is a gem in the area with sweeping views and wonderful spaces to sip and savor the fresh grape.

Day 3 – Outdoor Recreation in Yakima Valley

Umtanum Creek Recreation Area. All of your outdoor adventure itches will be scratched in this most gorgeous of canyons. Take an invigorating hike up this spectacular canyon and you may just get a sight of bighorn sheep. From spring through autumn, this area lights up with color, especially in the early mornings or when the sun begins to set. Down below, the rushing creek has plenty of fish to catch (and release) for the avid angler.

Shannon Mahre is your resident expert in all things outdoors in this area, so if you’d like a bit of instruction in things like skiing, SUP, trail running and mountain biking, Shannon has you covered. Visit them here for your next outdoor adventure in Yakima Valley.

Red’s Fly Shop at Canyon River. Before you hit the water with your fishing rod, be sure to visit Red’s. They have all of the tackle and gear you need for a successful day of fishing. Their selection of fly’s alone will have you browsing for a while for the perfect fly.

Lunch at Canyon River Grill. Chef Davis has run several restaurants in Seattle and decided to make Yakima Valley his home. His talents were brought to Canyon River Grill, where his inspiration from this area shines through lovingly in the exquisite meals he prepares for all his guests. Dine indoors or out on the patio overlooking the river.

Treveri Cellars. If your tastes in wine lean more towards the sparkling variety, you cannot pass by Washington State’s premier dedicated sparkling wine house! This family-owned operation serves several varietals including cocktails and a fantastic food menu in a beautiful setting with sweeping view of the Valley floor.

J Bell Cellars. Step into another world of upscale elegance with their shaded patio for a garden escape as you sample their delicious wines. A wood-fired outdoor kitchen operates in delightful partnership with Il Grasse, serving outstanding cuisine with Italian roots. Many nights you can enjoy live music, disc golf, and some good ol’ fashioned corn hole on their expansive lawn. Then stroll through the chef’s garden and fields of lavender.

Dinner at Bale Breaker’s Brewery. With fresh hops growing just outside, what better way to celebrate the craft of beer making than will a flight of tasty brews from a 4^th generation hop grower? Bale Breaker has grown by leaps and bounds to be the largest independently-owned brewery in Washington State. Where else can you raise your pint in the middle of a working hop farm? Their passion for beer making glows with every new creation they dream up.