Where to Stay in Yakima (Best Places, By a Local)

Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Yakima

Downtown is where the most popular hotels in Yakima are located. The city center also features several event venues and great restaurants. 

The area east of Highway 82 transitions from downtown to Terrace Heights, a cozy suburban neighborhood. Fruitvale and Union Gap border the center of the city to the north and south, respectively, but are within a few minutes’ drive of each other.

Yakima City Center

👉 Best Area For Restaurants and Activities | ✨ Best Yakima City Center Hotels: Hilton Garden Inn • Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Yakima • Hotel Maison Yakima

Downtown is where the most popular hotels in Yakima are located and is the place to experience urban attractions. Restaurants, breweries, and coffee shops are all within walking distance of each other. The town’s main event venues, the Yakima Convention Center and Capitol Theater, are located downtown. 

Thursdays in summer see the town swing into party mode with the annual Yakima Summer Nights concert series. Yakima has tons of car connoisseurs for a small city and on certain summer evenings, locals flood Yakima Avenue in their hot rods from every era of auto history.

To be near all the action, I recommend the Hotel Maison Yakima. Another good option is the Hilton Garden Inn which features an on-site restaurant and lounge, a modern fitness center, and an indoor swimming pool.

Pros of Staying in the Yakima City Center:

• Great events held year-round
• Lots of Yakima breweries, cafés, and restaurants

Cons of Staying in the Yakima City Center: 

• Some parts can be a little dodgy at night
• Hotels tend to be expensive

Yakima Riverfront-Terrace Heights

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Yakima Riverfront Hotels: Oxford Suites Yakima • My Place Hotel Yakima • Baymont by Wyndham Yakima Riverfront

There are a few hotels along the banks of the Yakima River, east of Highway 82. Past that, the suburban neighborhood of Terrace Heights rises from the valley, offering a few vacation rentals. This area features several pleasant parks such as the Sarg Hubbard Park and the Yakima Arboretum.

Oxford Suites is one of the best choices for families, offering guests spacious suites (some of which have balconies overlooking the river) and family rooms. There’s a Wal-Mart right across the street for conveniences and food, and the parks mentioned above are close by.

Baymont by Wyndham Yakima Riverfront is right next door to Oxford Suites and is a solid pick for budget travelers. All of the rooms at the Baymont have balconies overlooking the river, which is especially pleasant in the fall when the leaves are turning.

Pros of Staying in Yakima Riverfront-Terrace Heights:

• Many rooms have balconies facing the river
• Close to convenience stores and restaurants
• Right off the highway for easy access

Cons of Staying in Yakima Riverfront-Terrace Heights:

• Downtown is close, but it’s not the most pedestrian-friendly walk
• Fewer options for food, drink, and lodging than downtown

Union Gap

👉 Best Area For Business Travelers | ✨ Best Union Gap Hotels: Home 2 Suites By Hilton Yakima Airport • Holiday Inn Express & Suites • Best Western Plus Ahtanum Inn

Yakima is a major agricultural area, and several agricultural companies have offices towards the outskirts of the city. Union Gap is often the best choice for business travelers to Yakima. It is closest to the airport and several company offices, and the hotels here are part of major chains with solid loyalty programs.

Home 2 Suites by Hilton features kitchenettes for longer-term stays. It’s also close to grocery stores and excellent restaurants. The hotel isn’t in Union Gap proper, but it’s close enough for all intents and purposes (you can get from one end of Yakima to the other in 15 minutes).

There are also a number of wineries just outside the official city limits along the highway to the south. These include Treveri Cellars, Freehand Cellars, Owen Roe, and more.

Pros of Staying in Union Gap:

• Hotels are close to the airport and company sites
• Good variety of restaurants
• Usually quieter than downtown

Cons of Staying in Union Gap:

• Not as many options as downtown
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

Fruitvale

👉 Best Area For Road Trips | ✨ Best Fruitvale Hotels: The Hotel Y • Comfort Suites Yakima • Best Western Plus Yakima Hotel

The northern end of Yakima has the best hotels if you’re on a road trip. This includes The Hotel Y, located right off the crossroads of Highways 12 and 82. Its rooms are clean and guests have access to a grill and a seasonal outdoor pool. It’s also one of the best properties for budget travelers.

The Comfort Suites Yakima on 40th is also a great pick. It’s right off Highway 12 and across the street from a Fred Meyer where you can pick up any needed goods. It’s also close to the eastern end of the Cowiche Canyon Trail, one of the most popular hikes near Yakima.

Pros of Staying in Fruitvale

• Hotels are close to the highway
• Good selection of restaurants
• Close to popular hiking trails

Cons of Staying in Fruitvale

• The area around 1st Street can be a little dodgy, especially at night
• Not as many restaurants and bars as in other areas

Tips for Staying in Yakima

Consider West Valley Rentals

The area of West Valley didn’t make a full entry in this guide because there are no hotels there. There are great options for vacation rentals, though. West Valley is one of the nicer parts of town, so it’s perfect if you’re looking for peace and quiet.

Visit Yakima in September or October

Early autumn is the best time to visit Yakima. As a farming community, harvest time is a high point of the year and features some of the best things to do in Yakima. The Fresh Hop Ale Festival, the Hop Country Music Festival, and the Central Washington State Fair are well worth scheduling a visit for.

Book Your Yakima Accommodation in Advance

This is especially worth noting if you plan to visit around the above-mentioned events. Hotels here may not get booked full like they do in big cities in Washington, but it never hurts to make your hotel reservations in advance. Many Yakima hotels offer lower prices, too, if you book a few months ahead of time.

Explore the Area Around Yakima

The area around Yakima may not seem all that interesting at first glance, but there are hidden treasures everywhere!

For instance, the nearby town of Sunnyside is home to Varietal Beer Company which, in my opinion, brews some of the best beer in the valley. There’s also a fantastic Greek pastry bakery located outside St. John’s Monastery in Goldendale.

Additionally, there are plenty of great hikes near Yakima. Views range from basalt canyons to scenic vistas overlooking the rolling hill country of the Yakima Valley.

Check Out Cruisin’ the Ave

Absolutely add this to your itinerary if you’re a car enthusiast! The flood of classic cars rolling down Yakima Avenue is an impressive sight (but can be a major headache if you’re just trying to get around town!). You may even want to bring your own rig to show off if you’ve got a sweet ride!

FAQs About Where to Stay in Yakima

What is Yakima famous for?

Yakima is famous for its thriving agriculture, especially hops, apples, cherries, and wine. The area is also famous for the Yakima River. Visitors can enjoy waterfront hotels if staying in Yakima Riverfront-Terrace Heights. 

What are the best places to stay in Yakima?

Downtown is one of the best places to stay in Yakima and the ideal choice for most travelers. Families may prefer the Yakima Riverfront for its nearby parks and stores. Business travelers may find Union Gap better because of its proximity to the airport and clients’ offices. Fruitvale may be best for those visiting Yakima on a road trip.

What are safe areas to stay in Yakima?

The Yakima Riverfront-Terrace Heights, Union Gap, and West Valley areas are the safest places to stay in Yakima.

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Thanks for reading my guide! For more local travel insights, see our list of the best places to visit in Washington state next.