Richland
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The city is home to the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, a large national research lab. Immediately beyond the lab is the beginning of the Hanford nuclear site, where the ongoing remediation is the single largest construction project in the country.
Get in
By car, Richland's central business district is immediately off of Interstate 182 at Exit 5, George Washington Way. The Tri-Cities are close to each other but a long way from anyone else: expect at least a 75-minute drive from Yakima, 3.5 hours from Seattle.
Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) is located in Pasco, roughly 10 miles east of Richland. There are daily flights to and from Seattle/Tacoma, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Minneapolis/St.Paul.
Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) is located in Pasco, roughly 10 miles east of Richland. There are daily flights to and from Seattle/Tacoma, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Denver, Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Minneapolis/St.Paul.
See
- Bateman Island Wildlife Area
- Chamna Nature Preserve
- Three Rivers Arts and Entertainment District
- Tri-Cities Raceway
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Hanford Reach National Monument
phone: +1-509 371-1801The monumental Hanford nuclear fuel production site lies to the northwest of Richland, and strict security means that the land surrounding it was not developed — and became a surprising wildlife preserve. A National Monument since 2000, Hanford Reach covers thousands of acres in a giant U-shape along the Columbia River. Saddle Mountain B.L.M. Recreation LandsA large outcrop in the plains. Popular as a hang-gliding spot. A wildlife refuge since 1953, it became part of the Hanford Reach National Monument in 2000.
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phone: +1 509 943-4100address: 1943 Columbia Park Trail
Do
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phone: +1 509 376-2151address: 2000 Logston BlvdFive-hour tours of the Hanford Nuclear Site with stops at the historic B Reactor, the Environmental Restoration Disposal Facility, the Waste Treatment Plant construction zone. April through November only, Mon-Sat. Reservations required on a first come-first serve basis — registration for the year's tours opens in early March and closer dates may fill quickly. Cancellations will open up a few slots, particularly later in the season. This tour is only open to U.S. citizens who are at least 18 years old.
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Manhattan Project B Reactor Tours
phone: +1 509 373-2774Shorter tours visit only the B Reactor, the world's first large-scale nuclear reactor. Like the site tours, advance reservations are necessary; 50 tour dates per year between April and September, including most weekends. Groups will get about two hours on site, plus 45 minutes each way on a chartered bus to reach the isolated facility. Unlike the full site tours, there is no citizenship requirement, but photo ID is mandatory. Also, visitors under 18 are allowed but must be with their parent/ guardian or adult designated by them, and have a signed release form. Pre-War Historic Site TourThis tour covers the remaining buildings of the former farm towns of Hanford and White Bluffs, which were displaced by the military for the construction of the Hanford nuclear site during World War II. This tour does not include the nuclear cleanup projects or the B Reactor, and US citizenship is not required.
Eat
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Apollo Authentic Greek Restaurant
phone: +1 509-943-9841address: 620 Cullum Ave.Apollo offers a wide variety of fine Greek cuisine. Take-out is available. -
Monterosso’s Italian Restaurant
phone: +1 509 946-4525address: 1026 Lee BlvdItalian restaurant in an antique railroad dining car. -
address: 228 Williams Ave
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Sterling's Restaurant
address: 890 George Washington WayThere is an all-you-can-eat or single trip salad bar, several soups prepared daily, and a wide and impressive menu featuring appetizers, fresh omelets (breakfast and dinner), steak, seafood, chicken, pasta, salads, burgers, and a kid's menu with shrimp, chicken fingers, french fries and fruit. Beer, wine, and spirits are on the drink menu. There is a newer branch at 2500 Queensgate Dr.
Drink
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phone: +1 509 946-5465address: 1015 Lee BlvdOne of the only microbreweries in the area, this brewpub features such locally famous brews as Half-Life Hefeweizen, Atomic Amber and Plutonium Porter. The eatery features gourmet wood-fired pizzas.
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Fox and Bear Public House
phone: +1 509 420-4674address: 430 George Washington WayVery good and sedate place off of the freeway. Food and drink.
Sleep
Richland doesn't have a large supply of hotels, and many of its travelers are on business at the Lab. As a result, hotels can unexpectedly book out at any time of the year. Kennewick's hotels are generally quite convenient to Richland as well, Pasco somewhat less so.
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Courtyard Richland Columbia Point
phone: +1 509 942-9400address: 480 Columbia Point Dr -
phone: +1 509 943-4400address: 486 Bradley Blvd.The budget end of the Hilton empire, it's a classic business hotel: nothing fancy, but the facilities are well maintained and the staff helpful.
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Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
phone: +1 509 737-8000address: 1970 Center Parkway -
phone: +1 509 946-7611address: 802 George Washington WayThe building is passing through dated and wrapping all the way back around to retro - don't overlook the long curving hallway, or the pickled wood ceilings on the upper floor. Otherwise, a standard midrange hotel. Rates are on the high side for what you get.