This collection of three cities in eastern Washington is famous for its award-winning wineries, golf courses, watersports and nuclear power plant.
From wine, watersports and nuclear energy to museums, shopping and golf, the Tri-Cities area has a wealth of recreational and cultural activities to enjoy. Tri-Cities is comprised of the cities of Kennewick, Pasco and Richland. The three cities are in the eastern Washington region, where the Columbia, Snake and Yakima rivers come together.
Although Tri-Cities is three cities in one, getting around the major attractions is made easy by an extensive network of public buses. Alternatively, rent a bicycle and explore over 200 miles (320 kilometres) of bikeways.
Discover Tri-Cities’ science and hydroelectric power heritage at Richland’s museums. Join a tour of the Hanford Site, noted for its role in producing the atomic bomb dropped over Nagasaki in 1945. Learn about wind energy at the Nine Canyon Wind Farm Visitor Centre. Spot geological, wildlife and indigenous artefacts at the Columbia River Exhibition of History, Science and Technology.
At Kennewick’s East Benton County Historical Museum, see the casting of the skull from the skeleton of a 9,000-year-old male found nearby. Tri-Cities’ rivers and waterways make the area popular for watersport fans. Enjoy boating, fishing, swimming and windsurfing, among other activities, on the Columbia River. Bring a picnic to enjoy at the base of the Clover Island Lighthouse and capture a photograph of its silhouette in the sunset. Walk or bike along the picturesque Sacagawea Heritage Trail, a 23-mile (37-kilometre) pathway that parallels the Columbia River and connects the three cities.
Golf enthusiasts can enjoy 18 holes at 10 excellent courses. One example is the Sun Willows Golf Course, designed by the revered golf course architect Robert Muir Graves. Visit the family-owned, boutique and commercial wineries that give Tri-Cities the name the “Heart of Washington Wine Country.” Over 160 wineries are set amid scenic valleys and within a 1-hour drive of the cities.
Get here via intercity trains and buses or catch a domestic flight to Tri-Cities Airport, just outside Pasco. Centrally located in the Pacific Northwest, Tri-Cities is about a 3.5-hour drive from Seattle and Portland. Over 300 sunny days and little rain make Tri-Cities’ famed outdoor recreation enjoyable year-round.
