Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Juniper Dunes Wilderness
This 7,140-acre parcel of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) wilderness (509/536-1200) is 16 miles northeast of Pasco on Pasco-Kahlotus Road.
It contains the six largest remaining western juniper groves in Washington, along with sand dunes that top 120 feet high and are up to 1,200 feet
long. Access is only through private land, so you'll need to get the permission of local ranchers to reach the dunes, and you may need a 4WD vehicle
for the last several miles of road. There are no trails or drinking water, and summer temperatures often exceed 100°F, so come prepared. The best
time to visit is in the spring and fall, when temperatures are more moderate.
Wineries
Most of the best wine-tasting around the Tri-Cities can be found to the east in the Yakima Valley and to the west in Walla Walla valley. However,
travelers on a tight schedule can still find enough wineries close by to fill up a pleasant afternoon.
The parklike grounds at
Preston Premium Wines
(509/545-1990,
www.prestonwines.com
, 10 A.M.-5:30 P.M. daily) are perfect for a grassy
reverie. The second-story deck off the tasting room overlooks the vineyards and a grassy area lined with birch trees and flower beds. Take a stroll
and enjoy the antique tractors and shady gazebo. The tasting room sells a selection of gourmet goodies to get that picnic started on the right foot.
Ask the expert staff at
Bookwalter Winery
(894 Tulip Ln., Richland, 509/627-5000,
www.bookwalterwines.com
, 10 A.M.-8 P.M. Mon.-Tues.,
10 A.M.-11 P.M. Wed.-Sat., 10 A.M.-6 P.M. Sun.) for help pairing tasting wines with the artisan cheeses and meats offered in its first-rate tasting
room. Slide into a stool at the tasting bar or set up shop in the garden patio. In the evening hours you'll be serenaded by the live music acts that
play here. If you go to Bookwalter, be sure to make time to also stop in at neighboring
Barnard Griffin Winery
(878 Tulip Lane, Richland, 509/
627-0266,
www.barnardgriffin.com
,
10 A.M.-5 P.M. daily).
Nightlife
The
Louie's Lounge
(1101 N. Columbia Center Blvd., Kennewick, 509/783-0611) at Red Lion Columbia Center hosts lively karaoke nights
on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Branding Iron
(109 W. Kennewick Ave., 509/586-9292,
www.brandingironnightclub.com
,
4 P.M.-1:30 A.M.
Wed.-Sat.) plays live country and other types of music and opens up its big dance floor Thursday-Saturday and hosts karaoke on Wednesday.
The Arts
For those of classical taste, enjoy events staged by the
Mid-Columbia Symphony
(1177 Jadwin Ave., Richland, 509/943-6602,
www.midcolumbiasymphony.org
), which has been around for more than 50 years. The
Mid-Columbia Regional Ballet
(1405 Goethals, Richland,
509/946-1531,
www.midcolumbiaballet.org
) stages a spring program as well as the wintertime favorite,
The Nutcracker.
Columbia Basin College
Performing Arts
(509/547-0511) at Columbia Basin College offers live concerts, theater, gallery showings, and literary events.
Festivals and Events
The festival season kicks into high gear with the
Cinco de Mayo
parade and festivities in Pasco. The
Columbia Valley Wineries Barrel Tasting
in early June is a favorite introduction to local wineries.
Richland's
Sunfest
(509/736-0510) is a summer-long series of weekend activities that feature international food, music, and dancing. Sunfest
events include the
Tri-Cities Children's Festival
in mid-June,
Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire
in late June, and the
Sidewalk Art Show
in late July—southeast Washington's largest arts and crafts show.
The Tri-Cities' biggest event is the annual
Unlimited Hydroplane races
on the Columbia River, the highlight of the late-July
Columbia Cup
(509/547-2203,
www.waterfollies.com
). The action centers on Columbia Park in Kennewick, but you can also watch from the Pasco side if you
don't mind the sun in your face. Get to the park early on Friday or Saturday to take a pit tour before the races. A talent show, parade, and military
aerial demonstrations round out the
Tri-Cities Water Follies
week.
Kennewick hosts the
Benton Franklin Fair and Rodeo
(1500 S. Oak St., 509/586-9211,
http://bentonfranklinfair.com
) every August, with top
entertainers performing at the fairgrounds, including the Atomic City Rollergirls—if you're lucky. November brings the
Tri-Cities Wine Festival
(509/736-0510,
www.tricitieswinefestival.com
)
to Kennewick, featuring 60 different wineries.
Columbia Center
(1321 N. Columbia Center Blvd., 509/783-2108, 10 A.M.-9 P.M. Mon.-Sat., 11 A.M.-7 P.M. Sun.) in Kennewick is the Tri-Cit-
ies' largest shopping mall, with 100 stores including Macy's, Sears, and JCPenney.