Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Cycling
The Sacajawea Heritage Trail is a 22-mile contiguous path linking Tri-Cities' parks. Kennewick's
Columbia Park
has a popular six-mile paved,
nearly level path, and Richland's Riverfront Trail offers a shady seven-mile option for biking or in-line skating.
Boating
Rent pontoon boats at
Columbia Park Marina
(1776 Columbia Dr. SE, Richland, 509/783-3802).
Racing
At Kennewick's Benton-Franklin Fairgrounds,
Sundowns Horseracing Track
(E. 10th Ave., 509/582-5434) hosts quarterhorse racing in the
spring and fall.
Golf
Golfers have plenty of courses to choose from in the Tri-Cities area.
Columbia Point Golf Course
(225 Columbia Pt. Dr., Richland, 509/
946-0710,
http://playcolumbiapoint.com
, $35-45) is a municipal that doesn't look like a municipal. The rolling, mounded fairways and water fea-
tures make for a fun 18.
Canyon Lakes Golf Course
(3700 Canyon Lakes Dr. in Kennewick, 509/582-3736,
www.canyonlakesgolfcourse.com
,
$51-54) is a slope 129 from the black tees. Hole 12 has a massive, undulating 12,000-square-foot green. And
West Richland Municipal Golf
Course
(4000 Fallon Dr., 509/967-2165) is a straight links-style course following the banks of the Yakima River.
Spectator Sports
The Tri-Cities is home to two professional teams. The
Tri-City Dust Devils
(509/374-2757,
www.dustdevilsbaseball.com
), a Colorado Rockies
“A” team, play at Pasco Stadium (6200 Burden), while the
Tri-City Americans
(509/783-9999,
www.amshockey.com
) smack the puck in the
Western Hockey League.
It's a good idea to book your lodging well ahead, especially during July when the hydroplane races attract throngs of visitors from across the
Northwest.
Under $100
Travelers on a shoestring budget will surely appreciate the facilities of
The Guest House at PNNL
(620 Battelle Boulevard, Richland, 509/
943-0400,
www.pnl.gov/guesthouse
)
, a somewhat under-the-radar establishment run by the Pacific Northwest National Research Laboratory to
provide lodging for visiting scientists and government workers. The unique 81-room inn offers utilitarian units reminiscent of college dorms. All
guests can take advantage of the grounds' courtyard, exercise room, and coin-operated laundry machines. There are several room types to choose
among. A standard dorm ($35 s) comes with a single twin bed and private bath. These are clustered in groups of 6-8 rooms with shared living
room, dining room, and fully equipped kitchen. Queen studios ($75 s or $85 d) are larger private set-ups with microwave, fridge, and coffee-
maker—bring your own utensils. The one-bedroom apartments ($80 s or $90 d) have a separate bedroom with desk, a living room with hide-abed,
and a fully equipped kitchen.
If government-style quarters aren't your thing, then try
Wright's Desert Gold Motel & RV Park
(611 Columbia Park Trail in Richland, 509/
627-1000 or 800/788-4653,
http://wrightsdesertgold.com
, $47 d). This tight and tidy motel park has an outdoor pool, hot tub, and game room.
Quality Inn
(7901 W. Quinault Ave., Kennewick, 509/735-6100 or 800/205-6938,
www.scinns.com
,
$84-94 s or d) has nice rooms, a full
breakfast, a hot tub, and a sundeck.
Settled back in a residential neighborhood,
Cabin Suites
(115 N. Yelm St., Kennewick,
www.cabinsuites.com
, 509/374-3966, $75-95 s or d)
isn't a real cabin per se, but all three rooms are alluringly decorated with roughhewn log bed frames and plaid flannel linens. This is a private
B&B, as the innkeepers don't live on-site, only coming in the morning to serve breakfast. For maximum seclusion, the whole house can be rented
for $195.
$100-150
All three of the Tri-Cities are full of reasonably priced chains. One of the best values is
Hampton Inn
(486 Bradley Blvd., 509/943-4400,
www.hampton-inn.com
, $117 d) in Richland. This snappily decorated establishment faces the Columbia River, offering dock facilities for boaters
