Summer in Yakima

Yakima is admittedly a dull and boring place, with not much to do besides spend the night and leave the next morning. It can be a nice place to shop, since Washington is tax-free if you come from an area with no local tax (Montana and Alberta come to mind).

Yakima's main draw is its relaxing and pleasant atmosphere, making it a perfect place to spend the night after travelling hard. Visit downtown for some quaint shops and restaurants. It's the economic hub of central Washington, so the city does have a number of good stores and services. Many people visit Yakima on wine-tasting trips. Rent a car, get online, and visit a list of local growers. There are many!

Quick Tips:

Yakima is situated in the Yakima Valley, a premium apple-growing region. Wine tasting and apple-baking are common here, so feel free to devour both while visiting. In the summer months, you will find cart after cart of apples being sold by local farmers. Stock up, as these are both nutritious and cheap.

Best Way To Get Around:

Yakima is served by city bus, Yakima Transit, which makes getting around as easy as ever for visitors. Greyhound makes daily stops here to and from Spokane and Seattle. Once in town, take a bus wherever you want to go. If you are staying at the motel areas on N. 1st Street, walking is a great way to get exercise while looking around town.

All buses in town are bike-rack equipped, so bring your wheels if you have them. The bus fare is 50 cents per ride for adults, 25 cents for seniors, and free for children under 6. Visit Yakima Transit online at: www.ci.yakima.wa.us/services/transit

This popular motel is located right off of Interstate 82 on exit 31 (North First Street). The comfortable rooms come with a very comfortable price. For $39.99, I received a relatively spacious, cozy room with two double beds, a desk, and a nice shower.

This is an older building, so don't expect luxury. The hotel needs a paint job, there is no breakfast, the carpets can be dirty, the area seems a bit unsafe due to many bars around, and the air-conditioning isn't the most powerful it could be. But, the beds are comfortable and clean, and the showers work wonders. The jail-cell darkness might not appeal to some, but at this price I was not complaining. There is a cheap soda machine in the lobby, with free ice.

The rooms are relatively cramped though, so families will not be very happy here. The hotel is convenient to all of Yakima. It is located north of downtown, near the highway, so expect to hear a lot of traffic. There is a decent-sized pool on-site, but it is only open during the summer months, and under very strict hours even then.

Morning coffee is included. Don't expect luxury, but at this price, no one can complain!

This well-known buffet chain is one of Yakima's most popular eateries. While not as good, in my opinion, as Golden Corral, the Old Country Buffet is their biggest competitor, and has mimicked Golden Corral's (or vice versa) feature menus every night. I went on seafood night, and enjoyed everything from fresh shrimp to clam strips. Simply delicious.

Here, like other steak buffets, you will find tender, juicy steaks - as many as you'd like - for only $9.99 per person. This may only be on some evenings, though. Inquire. The buffet hosts many carved meats and other specialties. There are excellent Mexican choices, too. Come for lunch and you will not be disappointed. The lunch menu boasts just as much as dinner, though not as much beef and seafood, if any.

This is a perfect, noisy restaurant for families with small children. Kids will dig the ice cream bar, which features candy toppings. Kids also get crayons and games to play while eating. Perfectly family-friendly! Full dessert bar, salad bar, and drinks included. Free refills on everything. Located near shopping centres and malls on busy 1st Street in south Yakima, in the suburb of Union Gap.