Maryhill Museum of Fine Arts and Columbia Hills State Park – Short Hops

Another in a series of short day trips you can take around the Yakima Valley that won't totally destroy your gas budget.

I had never actually visited the Maryhill Museum until well into adulthood, even though I had been past there many times on my way to Horsethief Lake, now Columbia Hills State Park. The history of the museum is fascinating, the building itself is very unique, and it's collections are outstanding. It boasts the largest Rodin collection outside of Paris, Native American exhibits, and much more.

The Maryhill Museum has very reasonable admission fees and memberships, but might not be suitable for very young children. (I keep my five year old in mind) Here's a link to the museum's website:

http://www.maryhillmuseum.org/visit.html

Further west on highway 14 is Columbia Hills State Park. If you're into the outdoors, this park is for you.

Horsethief Lake offers good fishing, limited camping, picnicing and vast expanses of lawn. It's a great place for kids to run off some steam. You can also take a guided hike to view nearby Native American petroglyphs and pictographs. Here's the Washington State Parks link:

http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Columbia%20Hills

Don't forget to also visit the Stonehenge replica, a monument to Klickitat County's war dead, and Sam Hill's tomb.  Nearby Goldendale has some pretty good restaurants, or pack that picnic lunch!