Richland WA (Washington)

Richland WA is a Columbia River cruise port and town in Washington USA (Benton County) with population around 55,000. It is located at the confluence of two rivers (Columbia and Yakima) and together with Pasco WA and Kennewick WA forms the Tri-Cities metro region (Eastern Washington) with total population around 250,000.

From Richland WA, cruise lines offer complimentary bus tours to Pendleton (Oregon), located approx 73 mi (115 km) to the south-southeast via motorways I-82E and I-84E, or ~1 hour travel time/driving distance.

The initial settlement (Chemna, currently the Columbia Point site) was founded at the mouth of Yakima River by three Indian tribes (Wanapum, Yakama, Walla Walla) and a salmon fishing village. The town was founded in the early-19th-century (1906), named after Nelson Rich (land developer), and received city rights in 1910. The town is well-known for housing the world's largest refrigerated warehouse (automated freezer) named "2800 Polar Way". This huge cold-storage facility was inaugurated in July 2015 and features building cost USD 115 million, size over 1,8 mi2 (4,7 km2), and volume 1,03 million m3.

Among the best-known tourist attractions is the Howard Amon Park (riverside recreation area in downtown) offering watersport activities, outdoor playground, open-air concert facility, paved bike path (Riverfront Trail, running park's entire length). At Howard Amon Park is held the annual Tumbleweed Music Festival (on every Labor Day weekend). Cruise ships in Richland WA berth at Lee Boulevard pier (also in the park).

As cruise port, Richland WA is included in the schedules of the USA's largest river cruise companies - ACL (American Cruise Lines) and AQV-AQSC (American Queen Voyages/Steamboat Company).

The next tables show the ships' itineraries as port sequence.

(AQSC/ship American Empress) 8-day from Clarkston to Vancouver (prices from ~USD 2300 pp).

(ACL/ships American Pride, American Song) 11-day Portland to Clarkston, prices from ~USD 5100 pp

From Richland, passengers on SS Legacy (UnCruise Adventures) are offered food and wine tasting tours to Prosser WA (Walter Clore Wine and Culinary Center) and Benton City (Terra Blanca Winery).

7-Night "Rivers of Wine and Culinary Arts Cruise"

Prices started from US$ 5390 pp.

Pendleton, Oregon (bus tour destination)

Pendleton OR is a Umatilla River (Columbia River) port town in Oregon USA (Umatilla County) with population around 17,000 (including approx 1600 prisoners at Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution). The town is part of the Hermiston-Pendleton micropolitan area (Morrow and Umatilla counties) with total population around 90,000.

As cruise shore excursion destination, Pendleton OR is included in the ACL schedules.

8-day itinerary Portland to Clarkston, prices from ~USD 2900 pp

11-day itinerary Portland to Clarkston, prices from ~USD 5100 pp

Pendleton was founded as a trading post in 1851 and was incorporated in 1880. In the early-19th century, it was ranked by population Oregon State's 4th-largest. Downtown's Old Town is listed as an NRSP Historic District. Nearby is the Umatilla Indian Reservation - a popular tourist destination featuring a premium golf course and Wildhorse Resort & Casino complex.

Pendleton's current-day economy is based on Pendleton Woolen Mills (1909-founded manufacturer of wool blankets, shirts and other woolen goods) and Eastern Oregon Correctional Institution (prison also operating a commercial laundry service). The city is served by I84 and routes 30 (east-west), 395 (north-south), 37 and 11, and also by Union Pacific (freight trains). Among tourists, Pendleton is also known for the Pendleton Round-Up (annual cowboy rodeo held here since 1910). Pendleton Aquatic Center is an outdoor recreational complex with two tower waterslides, tubes, smaller slides, 3 swimming pools, diving well, picnic areas.