Explore the Agricultural and Native American Heritage of the Yakima Valley
Look for Your Next Museum Stop
You certainly don't need to study Yakima Valley's past to enjoy its present, but a visit to one of the many museums or cultural centers will make your visit to the Valley much richer. The variety of museums, interpretive centers and historic sites pay tribute to the hard-working settlers of the Yakima Valley, the proud history of the Yakama Nation, and the Valley's definitive agricultural heritage, each one offering a flavorful and entertaining glimpse of our Valley's past, present and future.
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Yakima Valley Museum
2105 Tieton Drive • Yakima, WA 98902 • 509-248-0747
Two full floors of exhibits on the natural and cultural history of South Central Washington including the largest collection of wooden wagons west of the Mississippi. Yakima Valley fruit industry, horse-drawn vehicles, Indian art & artifacts, natural history, Supreme Court Justice William O. Douglas, and special exhibitions. Gift and book shop, research library, and an operating 1930's Art Deco Soda Fountain. The Museum's Soda Fountain was recently voted one of the West Coast's Top Ten Old Fashioned Soda Fountains by Sunset Magazine readers.
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Central Washington Ag Museum
4508 Main Street • Union Gap, WA 98903 • 509-457-8735
Come see Washington State's agricultural heritage at the Central Washington Agricultural Museum, the largest museum of its kind in the Pacific Northwest. Experience the power and emotion of Washington's largest Civil War reenactment at the Old Town Days celebration every June, then come feel the power of antique farm equipment at the Pioneer Power Show every August.
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Northern Pacific Railway Museum
10 Asotin Avenue • Toppenish, WA 98948 • 509-865-1911
Museum, gift shop, and restored telegraph office. Enjoy a picnic in Railroad Park, adjacent to the museum. The Northern Pacific Railway Museum is open to the public from May through mid-October, every Tuesday through Saturday from 10am - 4pm and for special events like Toy Train Christmas. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children 12 and under.
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Yakama Nation Cultural Museum
100 Spiel-yi Loop • Toppenish, WA 98948 • 509-865-2800
The Yakama Nation Cultural Center is the best place to explore the important cultural influence of the Yakama Nation. The facility, which is open daily, is comprised of the Yakama Nation Museum, Cultural Center Gift Shop, the Heritage Inn Restaurant, the Heritage Theater and the Yakama Nation Library.
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Yakima Electric Railway Museum
418 S 3rd Avenue • Yakima, WA 98902 • 509-249-5962
Former Yakima Valley Transportation Co. 1910 shop facility. Offering vintage electric trolley rides between Selah and Yakima. Original powerhouse and electric rail equipment on display.
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Yakima Area Arboretum
1401 Arboretum Drive • Yakima, WA 98901 • 509-248-0747
A unique "tree museum" with both native and exotic plants from around the world. Enjoy one of the regions few Japanese Gardens. The Jewett Interpretive Center offers a great location for small meetings, a gift shop and library.
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American Hop Museum
22 S B Street • Toppenish, WA 98948 • 509-865-4677
Learn about the rich history of the Yakima Valley hop industry that goes back as far as the 1800s. Fascinating murals, displays, photos, implements, and a colonial brewery exhibit. Enjoy a wonderful gift shop on site.
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McAllister Museum of Aviation
2008 S 16th Avenue • Yakima, WA 98903 • 509-457-4933
Originally opened in 1926 as a flight school by brothers Charlie and Alister McAllister, it was one of the longest running flight schools in the Northwest. After Charlie's death at age 95, the school was transformed into the museum it is today. We are located at the East end of the Yakima Airport at 2008 South 16th Avenue.
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Fort Simcoe State Park
5150 Fort Simcoe Road • White Swan, WA 98952 • 509-874-2372
Established in 1856 as a consequence of hostilities between the Natives and the white men. It was home to the infantry who watched over the area in the mid 1800s. It was built on an important tribal gathering place on the Yakama Nation Reservation. Later on the Fort served as a school for the Yakama Nation. Visitors can walk through the grounds and officers' quarters, which are furnished in historical likeness of their original state.
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Ahtanum Mission
17740 Ahtanum Road • Yakima, WA 98903 • 509-966-0865
Another highly recognized historical landmark, the Ahtanum Mission was built in the early 1850's. Chief Kamiakin requested of a Catholic Priest in Walla Walla that they come teach his tribe. As a result of Kamiakin's request, two Catholic Fathers arrived and built St. Joseph's Mission on the Ahtanum Creek.
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Benton County Historical Museum - Prosser
1000 Paterson Road • Prosser, WA 99350 • 509-786-3842
Prosser's Benton County Historical Museum is a non-profit historical museum in Prosser Washington. It was founded in 1968 in an effort to preserve some of the history of Prosser and the surrounding are. We have five rooms of items to explore. So come on in and take a look at ancient artifacts, photos, books, dresses, tools and many other items from our area's past.
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Olde Yakima Letterpress Museum
4508 Main Street • Union Gap, WA 98903 • 206-719-4979
A hands-on working 1900's letterpress shop. They are preserving an ancient art for the next generation. Located within the Central WA Ag Museum in Union Gap.
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Sunnyside Historical Museum
704 S 4th Street • Sunnyside, WA 98944 • 509-837-6010
A history museum dedicated to preserving the history of Sunnyside and the stories of its citizens.
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Yakima Valley Museums and Cultural Related Businesses
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American Hop Museum
22 S. B Street
Toppenish, WA 98948
509-865-4677 -
Boxx Gallery
616 Maple Street
Tieton, WA 98947
509-673-2699 -
Central Washington Agricultural Museum
4508 Main Street
Union Gap, WA 98903
509-457-8735 -
McAllister Museum of Aviation
2008 South 16th Avenue
Yakima, WA 98908
509-457-4933 -
Northern Pacific Railway Museum
10 Asotin Avenue
Toppenish, WA 98948
509-865-1911 -
The Seasons Performance Hall
101 N. Naches Ave.
Yakima, WA 98901
509-453-1888 or 888-723-7660 -
Yakama Nation Cultural Center
100 Spiel-yi Loop (Hwy 97 & Buster Road)
Toppenish, WA 98948
509-865-2800 -
Yakima Area Arboretum
1401 Arboretum Drive
Yakima, WA 98901
509-248-7337 -
Yakima Valley Museum
2105 Tieton Drive
Yakima, WA 98902
509-248-0747 -
Yakima Valley Trolleys
P.O. Box 796
Yakima, WA 98907
509-249-5962
Must See Yakima Valley Stops
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