1. The Tri-Cities Are On The Up and Up
People are finally discovering the one hundred and one charms that the Tri-Cities have to offer. As a hub for scientific research with a huge farming base and an expanding wine-making industry, it makes for some good jobs and good times.
2. The Doughnuts Around Here Are Spudtastic
Doughnuts. Who doesn’t like them? At the Spudnut Shop in Richland, they use a secret ingredient. You know what it is? Potatoes! Potato doughnuts! As the saying goes, don’t knock them until you try them. One delicious bite of this doughy goodness and you’ll wonder why more doughnuts aren’t made from potato flour.
3. The Tri-Cities Are Positively Booming With Microbreweries and Brewpubs
Some breweries make tiny batches of beer at a time, like Dragon’s Gate Brewery, and others, like Atomic Ale, are churning out many different varieties. That being said, there’s no shortage of great tasting local beer to be had here.
4. Idaho’s Cool, But The Tri-Cities Are The French Fry Capital Of The World
There’s a big emphasis on fresh veggies in the Northwest, but sometimes you want to just want good old comfort food, like the kind served up at Bob’s Burgers and Brew. But not only do they have french fries a-plenty in the Tri-Cities, they make them there too.
5. Things Aren’t Expensive In The Tri Cities, They’re “Spendy”
People have a funny way of saying things in Southern Washington: it’s not expensive, it’s “spendy.” Also, they don’t say that they live in Washington State. They just call it “Washington.” If they’re referring to the nation’s capital, they call it “Washington, D.C.”
6. Woody Guthrie Is The Tri-Cities’ Homeboy
Fun history lesson. America’s favorite folk singer from the 40s visited the area and wrote a series of songs about the Columbia River. The most famous being “Roll on Columbia” which became the official folk song of Washington state.
7. El Fat Cat Taco Truck Is A Hidden Gem Of A Culinary Experience
Does food taste better when it comes from a truck in a parking behind the car wash? Depends on who you ask. But this Mexican food truck with a twist is the go-to spot for its robust flavors and friendly owners. Go for the experience, stay for the food.
8. Everyone Gets Geared Up For The Hogs And Dogs Motorcycle Event
Every summer, you can cultivate your love for the two-wheeled variety of transport. Like hot dogs too? How about eating a hot dog while riding a motorcycle? See, the best of both worlds can happen right here.
9. Get Elizabethan At Ye Merrie Greenwood Renaissance Faire
Grab a goblet of mead, take a big ol’ bite out of a giant turkey leg, and say “huzzah”over and over. This faire features historically accurate costumes, Elizabethan English, puppets, magic, music and dancing, jousting, and sword fighting. With all this merrymaking, you’ll be sure to find a lot of whimsey.
10. Mountain Biking Is Kind Of A Big Deal Here
Only three miles from town, the State Patrol Mountain Biking trails are a hot spot for mountain biking enthusiasts and offer an exhilarating ride through some great hills, where the bicycle becomes an extension of the human being.
11. The Tri-Cities Top The Lists That Matter
Kiplinger rated the Tri-Cities among the top 10 places in the nation to raise a family, and MSN pegged the towns as one of the top 10 places to start over. For the icing on the cake, it’s a fun place to live too.
12. People From The Tri-Cities Know The Farmers Who Grew Their Veggies
With several farmers markets, like the Richland Farmers Market and the Pasco Farmers Market, there are plenty of chances to meet some great farmers who pull those veggies out of the ground and say thanks.
13. This Is The Land Of The Geek, Home Of The Genius
With the Technology Research District, a lot of really smart and highly educated people have gathered here. Even Forbes Magazine took notice of the Tri-Cities and designated it as the 11th geekiest community in America.
14. Go On A Comic Book Escapade At Adventures Underground
You can get lost in this locally owned shop for hours looking at books, games, and yes, those black disc things with music on them called records. You can also find some friends for a game of Dungeons and Dragons. See, I told you it was nerdy.
15. Tri-Cities Locals Take Loving Man’s Best Friend To A Whole New Level
Through the program Mikey’s Chance, people provide foster care for dogs while they find homes for them throughout the Pacific Northwest. Thanks to this, many a happy dog has found a good home.
16. Hot Yoga Is The Way To Go
Hot Yoga might not be something you would expect in a small city, but they got it here too, and people really like it. At the Bikram Yoga studio in Kennewick, if you think you are going to pass out, they say “Keep going!”
17. Leave Your Pretensions At The Door
People here don’t like to be flashy, and they’re even proud that the local Rolex dealer went out of business. You won’t see many Mega Mansions or fancy cars. There's something down to earth and practical about people in this trio of towns.
18 In The Tri-Cities, Tattoos Are True Works Of Art
Okay, tattoos aren’t just for bikers and ex-cons anymore. They’re for everyone—from your straight-laced cousin to your grandma. At the Three Rivers Tattoo Convention, you can attend seminars, see live entertainment, and get that Tweety Bird with a backwards hat tattoo you’ve always wanted.
19. Star Parties Are All The Rage
Limited city lights in the area allow for great stargazing. There are free Star Parties, which are open to the public and held at the Hanford Observatory. You can also see the northern lights at certain times of the year.
20. They Like To Party Like It’s 1955
Cruise down the street in a convertible, attend a street dance, and get a milkshake at the Cool Desert Nights vintage car festival every summer. This classic car show will make you think you are hanging out in the 1950s.
21. The Next Miss America Might Come From The Tri-Cities
Every summer marks the Miss Tri-Cities Scholarship Program, where the future Miss Washington, and, possibly, the next Miss America may come from.
22. Boat, Float, Or Hang Out At One Or All Three Rivers
Not one, not two, but three rivers meet in the Tri-Cities,with miles of parks and trails along them. The “Mighty Columbia,” the Snake River, and the Yakima River, are all a bunch of fun.
23. And Where The Three Rivers Meet, You’re Bound To See Hydroplane Races
Each July, The Tri-Cities hosts The Columbia Cup Water Follies, where thousands gather to watch the hydroplane races and air show. The festivities and the speed of these boats will knock your socks off.
24. RadCon Brings All The Cosplayers Out Of Hiding
Enjoy All Things Sci-Fi At RadCon, the second largest fan run Sci Fi/ Fantasy convention in the Pacific Northwest. Fans and friends come together to celebrate all things fantastic, show off their costumes, and have a good time. For a small city, that is a lot of cosplay.
25. This Is The Sunbelt Of The Pacific Northwest
Since it’s in the rain shadow of the Cascade range, it gets a mere 7 inches of annual rainfall and 300 days of sunshine. It might be close to Canada, but the winters are pretty mild too.
26. Stomp Some Grapes And Drink Up At The Many Local Wineries
With 160 in Columbia Valley, and sharing the same latitude with the Burgundy and Bordeaux regions of France, this is perfect wine growing country. There are a lots of chances to get all highfalutin with them fancy Washington wines at places like Badger Mountain Vineyard and Desert Wind Winery.
27. The Reach Center Is Like Bill Nye And “The Magic School Bus” Had An Awesome Museum Baby
This museum celebrates everything special about the area. From the natural history to the role the area played in the development of nuclear energy. But it goes beyond the history and explores how science impacts us today. They also host community events and concerts.
28. Ah, A Lovely Winter Day, A Good Day To… Take A Swim In The Columbia River?
People love to try “freezin’ for a reason” every winter with the Polar Bear Plunge, where they take a dip in the icy waters of the Columbia to raise funds for the Special Olympics. You can take a dip with a mob of other people and see what you are made of. If you don’t want to put your comfort levels to the test, you can cheer on the sidelines from the “chicken coop.”
What do you love about living in the Tri-Cities? Tell us in the comments below! 
