West Richland

Day Trips

Begin with a sunrise walk along the Columbia River Levee Trail, where sweeping water views meet lush riparian habitats. Spot herons and kingfishers as you stroll along the paved path, with interpretive signs highlighting the river’s geology and history. Pause at a riverside bench to sip coffee and absorb the tranquil morning atmosphere.

Cycle east toward Howard Amon Park in nearby Richland, crossing scenic bridges and ribboned bike paths. Stop at a café for a light lunch before meandering through rose gardens and public art installations. Wrap up the ride with a visit to the Bateman Children’s Museum for hands-on exhibits and interactive displays.

Return to West Richland for dinner at a farm-to-table bistro overlooking the river. Enjoy seasonal produce and local wines while watching the sky shift through sunset hues. Cap the night with stargazing on a lawn chair as river breezes carry the day’s warmth away.

Head to the former Vista Field for a round of disc golf amid repurposed runways and open fields. Enjoy the challenge of varied hole layouts with distant views of the Horse Heaven Hills. Refuel at a food truck offering breakfast burritos and local coffee on-site.

Switch gears to pickleball on the newly installed courts and join a friendly pickup game with locals. Afterward, pack a picnic and spread out under a shaded pavilion for a leisurely lunch. If time allows, explore pop-up public art and community gardens dotting the field’s perimeter.

Dine at a nearby gastropub featuring cask-aged ales and pub fare with a Pacific Northwest twist. Engage in board games or live music in the indoor-outdoor seating space. Conclude the evening with a stroll through illuminated pathways that crisscross the revitalized airfield.

Drive into Richland’s Uptown district to explore local galleries showcasing contemporary Northwest artists. Sip artisanal coffee at a café housed in a historic bank building. Browse boutique shops for handcrafted pottery and textiles by Tri-Cities makers.

Visit the Hanford Reach Interpretive Center to delve into the region’s ecological and Cold War history through engaging exhibits. Grab a leisurely lunch at a downtown deli before joining a guided public art walking tour. Discover colorful murals, sculptures, and hidden installations around every corner.

Attend a performance at the Richland Players Theatre or catch a live jazz set at a cozy nightspot. Savor small plates and a flight of regional wines at a cultured wine bar. End the night with gelato on a bench under string lights in a pedestrian plaza.

Set off early for the Badger Mountain Preserve trailhead, where multiple route options lead to panoramic summit views. Hike through basalt ridges and wildflower meadows, listening for calls of raptors soaring overhead. Reach the top in time to watch the valley light up with dawn’s first rays.

Descend via the north side trail, stopping at scenic overlooks to relax and snack on trail mix. Return to West Richland for a hearty lunch at a casual diner known for oversized omelets and local produce. Spend a leisurely hour browsing the adjoining farmers market stands for fresh berries and artisan goods.

Wind down at a local winery with a tasting flight overlooking rows of grapevines. Engage with the vintner to learn about terroir-driven varietals grown on the nearby hillsides. Finish off the twilight with a charcuterie board and a glass of bold red beneath vineyard bistro lights.

Arrive at a nearby ranch for a guided horseback ride through rolling sagebrush plains and dryland wheat fields. Acquaint yourself with the horses before setting off on winding trails along the Yakima River canyon. Observe migrating waterfowl and deer grazing in the distance.

Return to the stables for lunch served picnic-style by the riverside, complete with sandwiches, fresh fruit, and lemonade. Participate in a short introductory lesson in basic horsemanship or opt for a carriage wagon tour for a different pace. Photograph the panoramic landscape framed by distant volcano peaks.

Head back to West Richland for a casual grill-your-own steak dinner at a local steakhouse. Enjoy an ice-cold craft beer on the patio while recounting trail highlights with fellow riders. Treat yourself to a slice of huckleberry pie paired with vanilla gelato for dessert.

Kick off a self-guided vineyard tour starting at Hedges Family Estate, where Rhône-style wines reflect the unique terroir. Stroll through vine rows with a tasting specialist, sampling Viognier and Syrah from barrel and bottle. Learn about sustainable farming methods and the minerality of Red Mountain soils.

Continue east to Airfield Estates, located on the grounds of a historic WWII airbase, for a gourmet lunch paired with estate-grown Chardonnay. Explore the restored hangar-turned-tasting room and wings-themed décor. Wrap up at Connell Vineyards for a comparative tasting of small-lot Bordeaux varietals.

Stop by Goose Ridge Estate for one last sunset sampling; their amphitheater lawn provides uninterrupted westward views. Savor a flight of cabernet blends as the sky deepens to amber and purple. Return to West Richland for a light dinner of artisanal cheeses and local olives at a cozy wine bar.

Launch kayaks from the Horn Rapids Park boat ramp and paddle along quiet backwaters of the Yakima River sloughs. Glide past islands of cottonwoods and spot kingfishers darting above the water. Pause on a shaded bank for a waterside snack and river lore chat with your outfitter.

Continue downstream to the Tri-Cities Water Follies venue near Columbia Park, exploring hidden coves and sandbars. Stop for lunch on the riverbank—enjoy wraps and fresh fruit packed in waterproof bags. Head out again to practice strokes in open river currents or explore side channels.

Be back on land in time for a riverside barbecue at a public park pavilion with local food trucks. Feast on grilled fish tacos and craft sodas while a DJ spins summer tunes. Take an after-dinner stroll along the Columbia Riverwalk, illuminated by lamp posts and distant city lights.

Drive to Spokane (approximately 2.5 hours) for a day at the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Begin with rotating exhibitions of indigenous art and regional photography. Sip coffee in the museum café overlooking landscaped gardens.

Enjoy a leisurely lunch on the museum terrace before joining a docent-led tour of historic Native American artifacts. Explore the Coeur d’Alene, Nez Perce, and Yakama cultural displays in depth. Spend extra time in the interactive children’s discovery zone or catching a matinee film in the museum theater.

Return toward West Richland, stopping for dinner at a farm-to-table restaurant in Pullman. Sample Pacific Northwest fare and microbrews as dusk settles over the Palouse Hills. Arrive back after dark, reflecting on the day’s cultural immersion.

Start with a decadent brunch at a local café offering lavender-infused pancakes and smoked salmon eggs benedict. Then drive to a vineyard spa for a minerally mud wrap and glass of sparkling rosé. Relax in a eucalyptus steam room or soak in an outdoor hot tub with vineyard views.

Treat yourself to a deep-tissue massage using grape seed oil, followed by a guided meditation session amid manicured gardens. Savor a light lunch of fresh salads and artisanal flatbreads on the spa terrace. Explore the property’s wine cave for a self-guided tasting of reserve vintages in a cool, stone-lined setting.

Conclude your 10-day journey with a sunset dinner cruise on the Columbia River, boarding at a nearby marina. Indulge in a multi-course chef’s tasting menu paired with premium local wines as riverbanks drift by. Toast to an immersive West Richland experience beneath a canopy of stars and city lights.