Yakima

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Yakima, The Palm Springs of Washington State

An April 2000 trip to Yakima by imascribe

This is the place to go in Washington State for wine and fruit happenings.

  • 6 reviews

Yakima, The Palm Springs of Washington StateBest of IgoUgo

Overview

The agricultural mecca of Eastern Washington, Yakima, is a city where old and new meet and exist side-by-side. Migrant farmworkers live among the permanent population in this city of established fruit orchards, farms and agricultural businesses, Yakima's backbone. Johnson's Orchards on Summitview Avenue, for example, have been in business since 1904. It's a monument to the farming culture of the fifth largest vegetable and fruit producing city in the country. People fly in from all over the world to travel the Yakima Valley and attend winery tasting events featuring some of the area's best restaurants. Washington State has over 100 wineries and is gaining an international following. The Yakima Valley vinters are at the heart. Read about Yakima City Creamery history and my visit to Yakima as a child. The Yakima Valley Visitor's and Convention Bureau or the Yakima Chamber of Commerce - both have lots of good information. Copyright 2000 Jerri Brooker.

Quick Tips:

Best Way To Get Around:

Drive around this area, except for downtown, as the town is pretty spread out.

Orchard InnBest of IgoUgo

Hotel

We stayed at the Orchard Inn Motel for our first visit in ten years. (Stayed there ten years ago, and has the area ever changed.) It borders a new Orchard Inn and Suites which was not there on our last visit. The Inn and Suites are on the ten-mile walking path that borders the Yakima River from Union Gap to Selah. You are within walking distance to Sarg Hubbard Park, which is one of the nicest community parks I have been to in a long, long time.
  • Member Rating 3 out of 5 by imascribe on October 10, 2000

Orchard Inn
1603 Terrace Hts. Drive Yakima, Washington
1(800) 521-3050

Santiago's Gourmet Mexican CookingBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant | "Santiago"

Now that I'm thinking about food, catch Santiago's in downtown Yakima; they're listed in the 'Northwest Best Places' for their excellent Mexican food. Of course, we tried it! Yum! Bring a big appetite, folks.

Like salsa that burns your throat but tastes exceptional? Just ask (the regular is not for sissies).

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by imascribe on October 10, 2000

Santiago's Gourmet Mexican Cooking
111 East Yakima Avenue Yakima, Washington 98901
(509) 453-1644

Marti's Restaurant, Bakery and SpiritsBest of IgoUgo

Restaurant

We managed to catch a great meal at Marti's Restaurant, Bakery and Spirits by the Inn overlooking the Yakima River. It has an in-house bakery, an excellent Sunday brunch, a shining salad bar and delicious food. Busy place. (For fast-food afficionados there's a McDonald's in WalMart nearby, and a Burger King nearby).

Buy a baked goodie, bread or a pie before you go.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by imascribe on October 10, 2000

Marti's Restaurant, Bakery and Spirits
Terrace Heights Drive Yakima, Washington

Sarg Hubbard ParkBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Have you heard of the French Gratitude Train that France gave the United States after World War II for their assistance during the war? I had not either, until I visited the park. It is by the Korean and Vietnam Veterans War Memorial and the board bridge and overlook.

The plaque at the train exhibit reads: 'The 'forty and eight' boxcar from the French 'Merci' train was presented to Washington State in 1949 from the citizens of France as an expression of gratitude for food, fuel and clothing donated to the needy people in war-ravaged France and Italy during WWII.'

The surrounding industry is overlooked when you are in the park; it takes you to a quieter place.

Like to put on performances? There's an outdoor ampitheatre there on the water and a one-mile jogging trail with exercise stations along the way. I can imagine my grandchildren putting on a show for us there, as they sing 1940's - 1960's songs they learned in a school musical review.

  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by imascribe on October 10, 2000

Sarg Hubbard Park
South 18th Street Yakima, Washington

Washington's Fruit PlaceBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

Editor's Note: This location is no longer in operation (May, 2006).You can't help but notice the new building you drive by entering the park. It hosts a tour operated by the Washington State Fruit Commission. They have a visitor's center and gift shop with complimentary fruit samples and apple juice; look for their annual fruit festival there in June.


  • Member Rating 4 out of 5 by imascribe on October 10, 2000

About the Writer

imascribe
imascribe
olympia, Washington

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