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City in Washington, United States
Photo: Ryan Adams, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Richland is a city of 51,000 people (2020) in the Columbia River Plateau, where the Yakima River flows into the Columbia. It is the closest city to the Hanford Nuclear Site, where development of its historic nuclear reactor lead to a large national research lab and a waste remediation effort that is the single largest construction project in the country.
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Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory
a 4-km-by-4-km gravitational wave detector, measuring the minute ripples in space-time caused by cataclysmic cosmic events such as colliding neutron stars, black holes, and supernovae.
Red Mountain Event Center
The only 0.500 mi paved trioval in North America.
Four-hour tours of the Hanford Nuclear Site focusing on Hanford's current cleanup projects. Stops include a model waste storage tank used to develop cleanup techniques (the Cold Test Facility), the 200 West Pump and Treat facility (cleaning contaminated groundwater), and the Waste Treatment Plant construction zone. 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.. No cameras or cell phones are allowed on the tour, and there is no storage for items at the office building where the tour begins.
Shorter 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.
This 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.
The 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.
Badger rises above the Tri-Cities and is a popular hiking destination for a wide variety of climbers. There are a number of trails climbing the mountain with varying levels of difficulty.
This island in the Columbia River is home to many different species of wildlife, including deer, birds, carp in the wet season, and numerous small animals. Common recreational activities include fishing, bird watching, and hiking. The island also has multiple geocaches on it.
A 276-acre park near the confluence of the Yakima and Columbia Rivers. It offers 11 miles of hiking trails through a multitude of habitats ranging from grasslands to riparian wooded areas.
A 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.
A magnificent set of trails in the Yakima Delta area, reminiscent in some ways of nearby Chamna Park.
A private and limited bottling winery that offers premium wines to club members and selected varietals to the public. It is open to the public for tasting or you may reserve private tasting rooms for personal or business functions.
It specializes in Rieslings.
Apollo offers a wide variety of fine Greek cuisine. Take-out is available.
Italian restaurant in an antique railroad dining car.
There 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.
One 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.
Working class dive bar, with indoor/outdoor seating, some live music (classic rock, traditional country) and periodic karaoke.
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.
The 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.
Books, comics, games, hobby supplies, records, and a cafe.
By air
Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) is in Pasco, roughly 10 mi east of Richland.
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Pasco · Regional · PSC
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