From Valleys to Mountains to Coastline, Washington Has it All

Washington Road Trip: Seattle Southside to the Yakima Valley and Back

One of the best things about Washington state is the incredible geographic diversity. On a short road trip, you can drive through bustling cosmopolitan cities, rugged mountains, and a quiet, pastoral countryside—all before lunchtime. Just a few hours away from Seattle, the Yakima Valley in central Washington stands out for its natural beauty and thriving beer and wine scene. (Fun fact: The Yakima Valley was recently voted Best Wine Region of the Year in USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards).

We partnered with Kirstie Pike & Christine Diaz, the couple behind travel and lifestyle platform On Airplane Mode, one of the leading LGBTQ+ travel platforms in the U.S., to bring you a fully-planned itinerary for a trip from Seattle Southside to Yakima and back.

Pictured: Kirstie Pike & Christine Diaz of On Airplane Mode
Credit: @OnAirplaneMode
Day 1 - Yakima
Day 2 - Yakima
Day 3 - Mt. Rainier
Day 4 - Seattle Southside
Day 5 - Seattle Southside
Day 6 - Seattle Southside
Map Your Trip

Day 1 - Taste Your Way Through Wine Country

You can start your journey anywhere in the Greater Seattle Area. If you're flying into SEA airport, consider spending a night at a hotel in Seattle Southside before heading out for your road trip. The area is home to dozens of great hotels—Pike and Diaz stayed at Hotel Interurban, a sleek, modern hotel with views of Mt. Rainier. Plus, due to the incredible diversity of the region, you can find pretty much any cuisine you're craving for dinner. You'll wake up well-rested and refreshed for the journey ahead.

Once you wake, hit the road! From Seattle Southside, drive east on I-90 and watch as the landscape transitions from snow-topped peaks to rolling hillsides to arid desert. Stop in the historic town of Union Gap for lunch at Los Hernandez Tamales, a family-owned business that received a 2018 James Beard Award and was honored as one of "America's Classics." Next up: a horseback ride through a bucolic vineyard at Red Mountain Trails in Benton City. Take in breathtaking views while trotting along on a guided, one-hour tour.

When you're done, drive to Prosser, a small town with beautifully preserved, turn-of-the-century architecture, and stop for a wine tasting at Tirriddis Sparkling Wines. Founded in 2021 by three friends from Washington State University’s Viticulture & Enology program, Tirriddis showcases traditional methods of crafting sparkling wine (they chose the name to represent the three steps of the process: tirage, riddle, and disgorge).

Exterior shot of Tirriddis Sparkling Wines in Yakima
The tasting room of Tirriddis Sparkling Wines in Prosser, Washington
Credit: Tirriddis Sparkling Wines

Finally, end your day with a farm-to-table dinner at Crafted, one of Yakima's most beloved restaurants. Founded in 2016 by James Beard-nominated chef Dan Koommoo and his wife Mollie, the restaurant celebrates community and local agriculture. Dishes are designed to be shared, and the menu changes constantly to feature fresh, seasonal food gathered within about a 100-mile radius of the restaurant.

A farm-to-table feast at Crafted in Yakima, Washington

Day 2 - From the River to the Valley

Fuel up with breakfast at Caffé 11th Avenue, a charming spot where you can get gourmet takes on classics like eggs benedict, hand-dipped french toast, and quiche made fresh in-house. After feasting, you’ll have plenty of energy for your next adventure…

Fly Fishing! No experience? No problem. Pike and Diaz had a blast wading into the water in Yakima River Canyon, home of Washington State’s only blue-ribbon trout stream (a special designation given to rivers that offer exceptional trout fishing). They were guided by Shannon Mahre, who founded Girls with Grit to encourage women to pursue outdoor recreation. In coordination with Red’s Fly Shop, Mahre offers guided tours and clinics throughout the year, including fly fishing, outdoor yoga, mountain biking, stand-up paddleboarding, and hikes (check their website for details).

“We love women supporting women, and she is the epitome of that!” said Pike and Diaz.

Next, take a guided tour of the region’s award-winning wineries on two wheels. Kickstand Tours offers single-day e-bike tours in Walla Walla and the Yakima Wine Valley region. A tour lasts five to six hours and stops at wineries like Dineen Vineyards and Whitman Hill Winery. Amateurs are welcome; the e-bikes make the journey smooth and easy. Pike and Diaz found it was one of the most educational wine experiences they'd ever had.

Whitman Hill Winery in the Yakima Valley
Credit: @OnAirplaneMode

Once you’ve worked up an appetite, head to Treveri Cellars for lunch and a wine tasting. This family-owned business produces some of the finest sparkling wine in the country. Since opening in 2010, its wine has been served at White House State Department receptions and the James Beard Foundation in New York. But there’s nothing like sipping it right at the source, where you can take in expansive views of the valley.

Image Credit @OnAirplaneMode


Snacks and giant pretzel at Treveri Cellars
Image Credit @OnAirplaneMode

Day 3 - Mountain Views and Craft Brews

Get your caffeine fix at Aventura Coffee, a micro roastery in Yakima that features fresh-baked pastries and fun, seasonal drinks (the fall menu included the El Duran, with graham cracker, mocha, and marshmallow foam).

Then, drive up to Mt. Rainier National Park, about an hour and 20 minutes from Yakima, where there are dozens of well-maintained trails ranging from short, accessible walks to strenuous hikes. Check the Washington Trails Association for conditions and recommendations based on when you’re visiting.

Car driving towards Mount Rainier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park

After your hike, unwind with a refreshing pint of beer at one of the spots on Visit Yakima’s Craft Beer Trail, such as Single Hill Brewing. This social, community-oriented space features 16 taps stocking various beers, from light to tart to hoppy. It’s also kid-friendly, so you can bring the whole family.

For dinner, relax at family-owned WaterFire Restaurant & Bar. The menu is rooted in local, seasonal ingredients but takes inspiration from around the world, with dishes such as Korean Fried Cauliflower and Togarashi Seared Hawaiian Ahi appearing alongside Northwest classics like Applewood Grilled Salmon.

Day 4: Hit the Road, Then Rest Up

Have a restful morning in Yakima before driving back to Seattle Southside. For a quick coffee before you leave, try Le Mercantile, which is not only a cafe but a plant and vintage shop.

Then, head back to Seattle Southside for the remaining few days of your journey. If you stay at Hotel Interurban, you don't even have to leave the premises for dinner; Rendition is a great option for modern takes on classic American dishes in a sleek, sophisticated setting. For a taste of local flavor, try the ever-changing “Rendition of the Day,” which showcases the best local farms and Salish waters offer.

Rendition at Hotel Interurban in Tukwila, Washington
Credit: @laura_elizabeth

Day 5: Treat Yourself in Seattle Southside

Enjoy a leisurely brunch at Neighborhood Cafe, where you can order creative espresso drinks and delicious Filipino fusion food. Try a coffee flight to sample several flavors, such as the Black Sesame Latte or Mint Mojito Coffee. Then dig into some Ube Biscuits and Gravy or the super flavorful “Neighborhood Plate,” featuring eggs, garlic rice, and rich Filipino breakfast meats.

Colorful fancy lattes in a row at Neighborhood Cafe in Tukwila
Coffee flight at Neighborhood Cafe in Tukwila, Washington
Credit: @OnAirplaneMode

After returning to your hotel, throw on some comfy shoes and head out for a refreshing walk along the Green River Trail, which winds through the Duwamish Waterway in Tukwila and is dotted with parks along the way. From Hotel Interurban, you can take a five-minute walk to Bicentennial Park, walk north to the Tukwila Urban Center Pedestrian Bridge (a great place for a quick photo!), and continue north to Fort Dent Park.


After all that walking, you'll be ready for a hearty lunch at San Fernando Roasted Peruvian Chicken, a local gem serving authentic Peruvian favorites such as pollo a la brasa (“blackened chicken”), seasoned and slow-cooked until it’s fall-off-the-bone tender.

In the afternoon, head to Seattle Chocolate Factory to scoop up some sweets. This iconic, woman-owned business is known for its whimsical flavors, bright, design-forward packaging, and community-oriented mission. It supports female cocoa farmers in Ghana and donates a portion of proceeds to the nonprofit organization Girls, Inc. Pike and Diaz loved the Campers S’mores Truffle bar!

Continue your tour of sweets at Kakigori Dessert Cafe, which makes Japanese treats that are as eye-catching and cute as they are delicious. The “Minis” (dessert cups) include flavors like mango and sticky rice soft serve. Some even come with a tiny edible bear as a garnish.

Woman holding a purple cup of ice cream from Kakigori Dessert Cafe in Tukwila, Washington
A taro mini (dessert cup) from Kakigori Dessert Cafe in Tukwila, Washington
Credit: @OnAirplaneMode

End the day with a massage or pedicure at The Spa at Cedarbrook, which is located on the lush grounds of a luxury resort tucked away in SeaTac. Then, stay on the premises for dinner at Copperleaf Restaurant & Bar, where the seasonally inspired menu features farm-to-table Pacific Northwest cuisine.

Day 6: A Seaside Day in Des Moines, Washington

Spend your last day in the waterfront city of Des Moines, Washington. At Marina Mercantile, a quaint neighborhood market and cafe, you can shop for wine, charcuterie, and artisanal home goods. Or, make a reservation for traditional afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, scones, and other treats.

High tea with treats on a tower at Marina Mercantile Des Moines
Afternoon Tea at Marina Mercantile in Des Moines, Washington
Credit: @OnAirplaneMode

Around the corner from the cafe, check out the Maury Island Incident Mural, which depicts an alleged UFO sighting in 1947 that spawned the legend of the “Men in Black." It's a fascinating bit of local lore that has captivated people’s imaginations for decades.

Woman looking at a mural of a UFO
On Airplane Mode visiting The Maury Island Incident Mural in Des Moines, Washington
Credit: @OnAirplaneMode

Next, head to Des Moines Beach Park, where you can take a leisurely stroll along the water. There, you'll find a telescope to view Maury Island and Vashon Island, look for sea life, and maybe even spot a UFO.

When you’re ready to sit and relax, head to Quarterdeck, a small, charming bar where you can admire a view of the water. Order a glass of wine or a pint of craft beer and toast to a memorable week in Washington state.

Finally, enjoy dinner at Anthony's Homeport Des Moines, which overlooks the Des Moines Marina. The menu features Pacific Northwest classics, such as fresh Puget Sound oysters on the half shell and classic steak dishes. By the end of dinner, you'll be more than ready to head back to your hotel, plop into bed, and dream about your next Pacific Northwest adventure.

On Airplane Mode at Quarterdeck
Image Credit: @OnAirplaneMode

Map Out Your Trip

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