The Yakima Valley isn’t just known for its hops, though. In fact, Yakima Valley in 1983 became the first American Viticultural Area in the state of Washington, meaning it is a designated wine grape growing region. Everywhere you turn in Yakima Valley, there are sprawling vineyards crossing over the horizon.
Winemakers in this area are as innovative as the brewers, and Yakima Valley has garnered a reputation as one of the most intriguing wine regions in America outside of California.
There are no shortage of wine tours you can take in the Rattlesnake Hills area, but we recommend exploring the local vineyards via horseback. A couple of different horseback stables in the area provide this service to tourists, including Cherry Wood Horse Rescue and Barn and the Yakima Valley Carriage Co. Take in the crisp valley air and enjoy an unbeatable wine tour on horseback—what is better than that?
You should indulge your curiosity throughout your travels along the Rattlesnake Hills, as many of the area’s small towns have hidden gems sprinkled about.
As mentioned earlier in this article, the Teapot Dome Service Station in Zillah is an unmissable photo opportunity, as well as an opportunity to enjoy historical architecture. But how would you also like to hang out with some dinosaurs?
Just 10 minutes south of Zillah, the Hisey Dinosaur Park in Granger is a roadside attraction featuring dozens of statues of dinosaurs. The first statue was built in 1993 to attract tourists to the town (mission achieved!) and the local population kept building more and more dinosaur statues as the years went on.
You’ll find dinosaur statues around Hisey Park in Granger hanging out on the playground, coming out of the pond and even bursting out of buildings. Take some time out of your day to try and find them all!
Finally, if you’re feeling very adventurous then you should consider driving out to Prosser, Washington, to experience the inexplicable oddity known only as Gravity Hill.
At this mysterious spot, you’ll find a marking on the road directing you where to stop your car. If you shift your car into neutral in this spot, you will begin to appear to drift uphill in your car, against the laws of gravity. This phenomenon has to be experienced to believe!
This spot is hard to find, but the hill can be found a little more than 10 miles north of Prosser on North Crosby Road. The spot to park your car in neutral is marked on the road—conveniently next to an allegedly haunted grain elevator.
