Tri-Cities: The Perfect Girlfriend Getaway Destination in the Pacific Northwest

With March being Women’s History Month, it is the PERFECT time to plan your next girls’ trip…and with a number of women-owned and/or -operated tourism businesses, the Tri-Cities is the PERFECT place for your girlfriend getaway.

To make planning a little easier, we put together an itinerary featuring a few local favorites owned by women.

Afternoon
Check into any one of the women-led hotels in the Tri-Cities including The Lodge at Columbia Point. Situated along the Columbia River, The Lodge offers an overall relaxed vibe to recharge with friends. Upon arrival, be sure to schedule a massage or facial at the spa before heading out for your Tri-Cities adventure. Other woman-led lodging options in the Tri-Cities include the Hampton Inn Richland along the Columbia River with General Manager Linda Hendricks creating an amazing guest experience. In Pasco, General Manager Monica Hammerburg (and a previous Excellence in Service Award winner) leads the Hampton Inn & Suites Tri-Cities which is located near plenty of retail and restaurant options. The Tri-Cities offers a variety of Girlfriend Getaway-friendly hotels that can be found here.

5 p.m. The best way to catch up with friends is with libations. Grab a glass of wine or a refreshing cocktail at The Lodge’s onsite eatery Drumheller’s Food & Drink.

6.30 p.m. Just up the road is The Parkway in Richland, a walkable gathering place with several woman-owned restaurants, bars, and retail shops. Soi 705 is the newest restaurant in The Parkway with delicious dishes inspired by Asian street food. Owner Jacqui Wright creates mouthwatering menu items (may we recommend the Chicken Cashew served in a pineapple half) and her daughter, Jo, crafts imaginative cocktails like the Black Cat, a squid ink bourbon fusion.

8 p.m. End the evening with live local music. Right across the way is Wine Social owned by Kaitlin Newman and her husband Marc, and it’s a place to…well, to enjoy wine and be social. The staff, led by General Manager Molly Gingerich, is known for outstanding hospitality and conversation—they know the ins and outs of the Tri-Cities! The beloved wine bar features live music Thursday through Saturday evenings.

AM
After enjoying a leisurely morning, it’s time to get going!

8 a.m. Step outside your hotel and make your way to the marina to enjoy a standup paddleboard yoga class—yes yoga on a paddleboard! Kristin Patterson, owner of Northwest Paddleboarding, will lead your squad into the marina where you all will achieve inner bliss. Northwest Paddleboarding offers classes (SUP Yoga, SUP 101) and rentals. There is no better way to bond with friends than by hoping you’re not the first to fall into the river.

10 a.m. Explore retailers unique to the Tri-Cities. It's All in the Details in Kennewick, owned by Gretl Crawford, offers carefully curated home accessories along with a clothing boutique. Lemon Grass in Kennewick has become the spot for unique gifts for any occasion thanks to owner Linda Pasco and her keen eye for giftable items such as casual fashion, jewelry, Hobo leather bags, seasonal decor, candles, posh baby gifts, and more. Downtown Kennewick is a charming, walkable district filled with interesting merchants.

Sunken Treasures Games is in the Uptown Shopping Center in Richland is a retro gaming shop, one of the few of its kind in Washington state. Proprietor and gaming enthusiast Sarah Cherney created a shop that is a must-visit when visiting the Tri-Cities. The Uptown has a wide range of retailers, restaurants, and bars. Don’t forget to get group pics in front of the murals throughout the shopping center.

12.30 p.m. Frost Me Sweet Bakery & Bistro is a great mid-day stop in Richland. Chef and Owner Megan Savely has created a menu to accommodate a variety of tastes and dietary needs—make sure you get the garlic fries. More importantly, this isn’t the place to skip dessert. Offering cupcakes of many flavors, cheesecake, tiramisu, and more! Local Tip: Get their version of a French 75—a mix of gin, sparkling wine, and simple syrup poured over a fluffy ball of spun sugar. Cheers!

2 p.m. You haven’t lived unless you’ve thrown sharp objects at a target with friends…and at AXE KPR you can do just that! Owner Valery Larson and her team will you the guidance to perfect your technique with standard target practice or coordinate a fun, but friendly, competition. Alternatively, Take a Break in the afternoon. And by a break, we mean BREAK. Owner Bridgette Rose brought the first break room to the Tri-Cities in 2021. Take advantage of smash therapy and break a variety of items to your heart’s content.

3.30 p.m. After an adrenaline-fueled afternoon, wind down with a brew. The Tri-Cities has a thriving brewery scene and the following breweries are operated by leading ladies in the industry:

Bombing Range Brewing Company
Iconic Brewing
Moonshot Brewing

7 p.m. Take a trip to Brazil, while staying in the Tri-Cities and head to Boiada Brazilian Grill in Kennewick. Known as a churrascaria in Portuguese, this Brazilian steakhouse offers an authentic experience thanks to owner Josiane Ballin and her partner Helio Viera. The menu of meats is served rodizio style, meaning servers circulate through the dining room with freshly cooked meat still on the spit to be sliced and served tableside.

9 p.m. The night doesn’t have to end after dinner. Head to The Emerald of Siam Thai Restaurant & Lounge in Richland to take in live music or a drag show. You might even find owner Dara Quinn on stage with the night’s musical act.

AM
Sleep in, have breakfast then take a stroll on the Sacagawea Heritage Trail. Named after the Lemhi Shoshone woman who provided valuable guidance to the Lewis & Clark Expedition, the 23-mile paved loop connects Kennewick, Pasco and Richland while offering stunning river views.

11.30 a.m. Enjoy a picnic lunch among the vineyards at a local winery. Grab sandwiches and ala carte items from HoneyBaked Ham in Kennewick, a café owned by Vivian Terrell. The boxed lunches are delicious (and portable) and can be easily paired with award-winning wine.

12 p.m. You can’t visit the Tri-Cities without stopping by at least one (or two wineries), and there are a variety of women-led wineries throughout the region. Pick any one of these amazing wineries and plan to enjoy your lunch with a glass of wine.

Anelare Winery
Barnard Griffin
Frichette Winery

Goose Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery
Gordon Estate
Hedges Family Estate
Hightower Cellars
Market Vineyards
Purple Star Wines
Red Mountain Trails Winery
Terra Blanca Estate Vineyard & Winery
Wautoma Springs

4 p.m. Red Mountain Trails, owned by local cowgirl Theresa Owens, is an adventure among the vines! Climb aboard a horse-drawn wagon or saddle up on a trail riding horse for an experience like no other. Learn the stories of Red Mountain from Theresa as you wind through award-winning vineyards. Once you return to the homestead, circle up around the campfire to enjoy a wine flight from Red Mountain Trails Winery and smores.

7 p.m. After freshening up at your room, take a short riverside stroll to neighboring restaurant LU LU Craft Bar + Kitchen, owned by restaurant maven Cindy Goulet. LU LU was lovingly created from Cindy’s agricultural roots, featuring a local farm-to-table menu. The LU LU patio overlooks the marina and is a premier site for viewing spectacular Tri-Cities’ sunsets. Local Tip: Cindy also owns happy hour spot 3 Eyed Fish Kitchen + Wine Bar. Her daughter, Paige, has followed in Cindy’s footsteps and is heavily involved in both restaurants.

AM

Check out and hit the road—but stop to get breakfast snacks for the ride home. For those with a sweet tooth, swing by The Spudnut Shop at the Uptown in Richland—a world-famous donut spot that has been delighting visitors to the Tri-Cities since the 1940s. The shop is family-owned with Val Driver currently overseeing the shop’s success. Right around the corner is Some Bagels & Gelato for the savory snacker. Julia Martell purchased the shop from her family and continued the long-standing Tri-Cities tradition of bagel breakfasts.

Thank you for visiting the Tri-Cities and we hope to see you soon!