Where are the best walkable shopping spots in Tri-Cities? Save gas with one stop

With gas prices in Washington state around the highest they’ve ever been, many are looking for ways to spend less of their budget on fuel.

Residents in Tri-Cities may want to spend more time walking whenever they can.

Despite its growing population and push toward a more metropolitan part of Washington state, Tri-Cities still isn’t as walkable as larger cities such as Seattle or Spokane. So how can residents save money on gas and drive less?

Saving all your shopping for one day can be beneficial, if you’re accomplishing everything in one trip. — and the Columbia Center mall isn’t the only multipurpose shopping destination.

Which areas of Tri-Cities are best for taking care of errands in one trip?

Here are our recommendations:

Where are one-stop shopping areas in Richland?

One of the most popular destinations in Richland is the Uptown Shopping Center on George Washington Way. Perfect for a daytime walk or a late night barhop, the Uptown has a little bit of everything.

You can get breakfast at Yellow Cafe or Some Bagels, eat dinner at Dovetail Joint or Family Garden, catch live music at Ray’s Golden Lion or The Emerald of Siam or stop for a drink at Uptown Bar or Daisy Ranch Saloon.

There are multiple antique shops, including Hunt and Gather and Ragtime Antiques. You can also pick up items from specialty shops, from pianos and games to bikes and sports equipment.

Once you park at the Uptown, you can take care of errands including dropping off dry cleaning and picking pet supplies, in addition to fun activities such as axe throwing and getting a tattoo. You have multiple meals then stay for the nightlife.

Use the back alley to get from the Jadwin Avenue side to the George Washington Way side, while enjoying the vibrant murals on display.

The shopping center also hosts numerous events, including once-monthly art walks.

Not far from the Uptown is another popular strip, the Parkway.

There are numerous restaurants including Foodies and Soi 705, plus bakeries and sweet treat options such as Frost Me Sweet, Amethyst Creamery and Ethos Bakery.

After getting food, you can check out furniture at Bell’s, visit numerous gift shops, stop at a spa, get a tattoo or buy a new plant.

During the season, you can follow up your shopping with a show at Richland Players. You can end your day at one of the bars, or cross the street to find even more shops.

Just across the way, there’s the Gallery at the Park, offering art, Endive Eatery, The Dugout Bar and more. These stops are all along Howard Amon Park, so you can top it all off with a stroll along the Columbia River.

Additionally, every Friday throughout the summer, the Parkway hosts the Richland Farmers Market, bringing local vendors and live music to the outdoor walkway.

Need more groceries and household items? Head to Queensgate Drive to find Vintner Square.

Target is surrounded by name-brand shops including Marshalls, Ulta and Five Below. In the same strip, you can pick up fresh produce at Grocery Outlet.

Across the parking lot, you can take care of your car at Les Schwab, pick up beauty supplies at Sally Beauty, household needs at Bath and Body Works.

There are also numerous dining options in the square, including Five Guys, Bob’s Burgers and Brew and Hops and Drops.

Where are the best shopping areas in Kennewick?

The Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership includes numerous shops primarily between Canal Drive and Keewaydin Park.

The nonprofit partnership has a website outlining each of the stores, listed by category. Walking through downtown Kennewick, you can shop for antiques, clothes, plants, art, furniture, home goods, jewelry and more.

You can also find wineries, restaurants, bars and coffee shops in downtown Kennewick.

“From numerous one-of-a-kind art galleries to an extensive collection of public art on display from many regional artists, downtown Kennewick is a fun place to be,” the Historic Downtown Kennewick Partnership said.

“The architecture in downtown reflects the origins of Kennewick from the early 1900s up to contemporary times,” the nonprofit said. “Historic downtown Kennewick brings the past and the present together for a unique shopping, dining and recreational experience.”

Where are the best places to shop in Pasco?

You can also walk the streets of downtown Pasco for an easy, walkable shopping experience. Start your day at Cafe con Arte to get a cup of coffee in an energetic atmosphere, then head out in any direction to find plenty of shops.

Shopping can be done along Fourth Avenue between Clark Street and Columbia Street, with many boutiques and local favorite food options including Viera’s Bakery, Ciao Trattoria and Imbibe on one block.

Additionally, you can try food from multiple local options at once by visiting the Pasco Specialty Kitchen on Fourth Avenue, which offers commercial kitchen space to upcoming local entrepreneurs.

The area also has premiere nightlife options, including the only Latino gay bar in the region, Azúcar at Out and About just down the street.

Saturday mornings may be the best time to visit, with the popular Pasco Farmers Market taking place from 8 a.m. to noon right across from the cafe.