Take a step back into history on an unforgettable learning experience for the whole family. The Yakima Valley has a rich heritage, and these tours are wonderful ways to learn about it’s history. Take a ride on the last intact 20th century Interurban Electric Railroad, find out why grapes grow so well in the Yakima Valley, and see what life at a 1850’s US Army Fort was like! These tours are great ways to adventure into the past!
Experience an authentic trolley ride while your motorman transports you back in time with stories of the trolleys. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Yakima is preserving America’s last intact early 20th century Interurban Electric Railroad, which has operated for over 100 years. Trolleys traverse two routes: a scenic riverside excursion through Selah and a quaint ride past early Yakima homes on Pine Street. There is also a museum and trolley barn with a selection of historic trolleys and equipment on display.
Yakima Valley Museum Group Tours and Scheduled Visits
Monday through Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm
A guided tour is perfect way to make the most of your visit to the Yakima Valley Museum. Your guide will provide you with tons of details about the displays and history that you wouldn’t get just by wandering through yourself. The guided tour can also include time for constructive play in the Children’s Underground.
Historic Downtown Yakima Guided Walking Tours
These are free tours focusing on the history of Downtown Yakima. All tours begin at 10am in front of the Historic Yakima Train Depot on Front Street on May 19, June 23, July 21, August 25, September 15, and October 13. The tour length is about 1 ½ hours and consists of a slow stroll with frequent stops. The tour route is handicapped accessible.
Central WA Agriculture Museum Tours
Take an educational journey of the Yakima Valley’s agricultural history. The public tours can be arranged anytime throughout the year. The museum’s suggested donation is $5.00 per person. A tour can be adapted to your group needs.
- Walking Tour – Stroll through and see all the buildings and displays at your own pace. Sign in at the Visitor’s Center to receive a copy of the walking tour booklet with description of each building on the tour.
- Driving Tours – Stop at the Host Living Quarters to receive a booklet of the tour. The tour route is marked with green driving signs to follow to the driving display area. Stop to view a working sawmill, the Lindemann Building, farmstead, blacksmith shop, a living quarters building and much more.
Wenas Creek Mammoth Dig Site Tours
Come see an authentic paleontological dig of a Stone-Age mammoth! Offering group tours of the dig site from May 1st through September 15th, 2018, by appointment only. There is also the annual Day-at-the-Dig Event, open to the public Oct. 6th.
There are more than 70 bigger-than-life murals throughout downtown Toppenish, depicting the lives and times of Toppenish and the early days of the Yakima Valley. Stop by the Toppenish Mural Office, where you’ll find a map of the city and key to mural locations, along with the original artist work submitted for approval for each mural. You can also ride on a horse-drawn wagon for a narrated tour where your guide will explain each mural in detail while driving the team of horses.
April 1 – Oct. 1, 9:30 am to 4:30pm., Wed. – Sun.
Featuring five buildings from the original military fort, each house is filled with period furnishings. The Interpretative Center in the park depicts the history of the site through displays, artifacts, and photographs. There are also Flag Day celebrations and interpretive events showcasing Fort Simcoe History which include military re-enactors and living history specialists, traditional tribal dancers, flag raising ceremony, military displays, antique car shows and refreshments.
The Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center
A truly unique interpretive center featuring exhibits on the growth of the wine industry in Washington State. They offer wine tasting, as well as small bites. The current exhibits are:
- Walter Clore Tribute – The “Father of Washington Wine,” this exhibit follows Dr. Clore through his career and as visitors move through the space. A selection of Dr. Clore’s carefully cataloged slides are enlarged, framed, and backlit to highlight his years of research. The slides include his handwritten notes detailing dates, vineyards, and research.
- The Rolling Hills – Here the stories of the people and the history of the land are explored in detail. Two multimedia touch screens allow for interactive content. Topics include crops across Washington; climate, topography and water; a look at wine grapes and juice grapes, and a glimpse inside the winemaking process to name a few.
- Map of Washington American Viticulture Areas – Each AVA is depicted on the map helping, visitors connect to where the wine they are enjoying originated, and leave better educated about character and characteristics of each growing region.
