40 Reasons to Visit the Tri-Cities

From the best weather you can find in the PNW to the burgeoning culinary and wine scene, a trip to the Tri-Cities is an à la carte experience. Our thriving cities and beautiful landscapes are a playground of activities, history, culture, and experiences that are as unique as the story and people of our region. Here are 40 reasons why you need to visit the Tri-Cities:

The Tri-Cities is all about sunshine - it gets an abundance of clear, sunny days! In fact, the Tri-Cities gets less rain per year than Phoenix.
The great weather means longer seasons for outdoor activities than most places in Washington State.
There are three rivers to enjoy: the Tri-Cities is located at the confluence of the Columbia, Snake, and Yakima rivers and is an aquatic paradise for water sports.
There are 200 wineries within an hour’s drive.
There are 9 breweries creating craft beers, and even more tap rooms – makes sense when you realize that most of the hops that make the world’s beer are grown just an hour away from the Tri-Cities!
Even if you don’t drink, there are still tons of options for alcohol-free adventures in the Tri-Cities.
There’s a thriving culinary scene in Washington’s agricultural heartland, letting you taste farm to fork. Don’t miss the opportunity to stay in a hotel right on the river!
There are miles of trails for hiking and biking.
It’s made up of 4 communities (Richland, Kennewick, Pasco, and West Richland), each with their own unique feel.
The multiple Ice Age floods here 12,000 years ago shaped the striking landscape perfect for hiking, and deposited sediment that makes the wine here totally unique.
There’s a thriving arts scene, and you can see live performances of plays, concerts, symphonies, musical theater, dance, and more.
Much of the food in Washington State is grown in the Columbia Valley where the Tri-Cities is located, meaning the food is fresher and has lower food miles. Treat yourself to fresh produce at a farmer’s market to see for yourself!
You can visit the unique WWII era “alphabet homes” that housed the workers out at the Hanford site: download the National Park Service app for instructions for Self-Guided Tours.
You can stand face to face with history at the historic B Reactor at the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, the world’s first full-scale nuclear reactor.
The Tri-Cities has the highest PhDs per capita than anywhere in the world, and 20 of the world’s most influential scientists have ties to the Department of Energy’s Pacific Northwest National Laboratory in Richland.
You can see a real mammoth skeleton at the Coyote Canyon Mammoth Site.
You can bring the family to ride a 113 year old lovingly restored Carousel of Dreams that has entertained generations of children.
In 1805, Lewis and Clark camped at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers in an area that 200 years later is called Sacajawea State Park, honoring their American Indian guide.
You can visit the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Outlook that overlooks the Columbia River.
There are museums galore, sure to delight any lover of learning.
The baseball team, the Tri-City Dust Devils, is a MLB Minor League baseball team affiliated with the Los Angeles Angels that has been in the Tri-Cities since 2001.

The Tri-City Americans hockey team is a member of the Western Hockey League and has played in the mid-Columbia since 1988.
The Tri-Cities is home to the beloved Tri-City Water Follies, which hosts a variety of hydroplane races that have been thrilling the community for over 55 years.
The two-day Art in the Park event happens the same weekend as the Water Follies. Located in Howard Amon Park on the Columbia River in Richland, Washington, it draws hundreds of national artists and visitors alike.
As the retail hub of southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon, shopping opportunities abound in the Tri-Cities.
Young families can enjoy the Playground of Dreams and the seasonal Aquatic Splash Park.
You can visit the J & S Dreamland Express, an open-air multi-car train ride that can be enjoyed by the entire family.
There’s a challenging 18-hole Frisbee golf course, home of the Windy River Open.
There are a vast number of sports facilities, making it an outdoor enthusiast’s dream!
At the Sacajawea State Park, you can see the Story Circles art installation by acclaimed artist Maya Lin, which celebrates the traditions and culture of the Columbia Plateau People.
You can visit farms and pick your own produce, such as Middleton’s Farms for strawberries, asparagus, sunflowers, and more.
The Tri-Cities is home to The Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo, which prides itself on being “the best week of summer” and has been celebrated annually for over 70 years.
The Mid-Columbia Traditional Arts & Music Association hosts an annual bluegrass music festival that is not to be missed.
The Tri-Cities is perfect for a romantic wine getaway.
Even in winter when it’s cold and the sky is gray, there are plenty of activities to boost your mood and keep you busy.
You can bring your own inner tube and float down the Yakima River, which offers a slower-paced current the locals all love. Pack plenty of water to drink and bring some tunes as you glide along the water and view some of the local wildlife.
You can scoop up some hand-made chocolates from Baum’s Chocolate as a gift for family back home (or eat it yourself in the car!)
The Tri-Cities has won all kinds of accolades for being a great place to live, work, and play. Don’t believe us? See for yourself!
The Tri-Cities is easily accessible from all metropolitan areas of the Pacific Northwest including Seattle, Spokane, Portland, and Boise, with an average drive time of 3.5 hours, making it a perfect weekend getaway destination.
It’s also a quick flight to the Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) from Seattle, Salt Lake City, Denver, San Francisco, Phoenix/Mesa Arizona, Minneapolis, Los Angeles and Las Vegas.
The Tri-Cities has comfortable accommodations at varying prices and levels of luxury. Plan your trip now!