In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · United States
Goldendale
Spend a half‑day visiting the Observatory and Maryhill Museum; add a night if you want camping or RV stay.
Goldendale is a small hub on the Columbia River Plateau with an observatory, an art museum, and easy access to state parks. One afternoon covers the main sights; a night lets you camp or stay in an RV park.
- Country
- United States
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (hot, limited park hours)
- Stay
- 0 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- USD
- Money
- Currency is the US dollar (USD, $). Cards and phone payments work almost everywhere; carry a little cash for tips and small vendors.
- Daily spend
- Budget $50–80 excl. bed · Mid $80–120 excl. bed · High $120+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.
- Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · Chargers are dual-voltage; hair dryers and straighteners from 230 V countries need a converter.
- Tipping
- Sit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.; Bar: US$1–2 per drink or 20% of the tab.; Taxi / ride-hailing: 15–20%, in the app.; Hotel housekeeping: US$3–5 a night.; Porter / valet: US$2–5 per bag or car.; Tour guide: US$10–20 per person for a day tour.; Counter service / tablet prompts: Optional; 0–15%.
- Water
- Tap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.
- Toilets
- Free public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations. Rest areas on highways are free.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at local café | $2–$4 |
| Breakfast at Bake My Day Café | $5–$9 |
| Museum entry | $7 |
| Discover Pass (day) | $10 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PSC · Tri-Cities Airport
- About 70 km (43 mi) north via US‑97; rental cars availableAbout 43 mi (70 km) north via US‑97; rental cars available
Typical fares
- US‑97 car travel (per 100 km)
- about $12–$15 gasoline (check current fuel price)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Car on US‑97 is the main option; most attractions are within 5 km (3.1 mi) of town centre. Walking is feasible for the Observatory and museum.Car on US‑97 is the main option; most attractions are within 3.1 mi (5 km) of town centre. Walking is feasible for the Observatory and museum.
See and do
Known for
- Goldendale Observatory State Park
- Maryhill Museum of Art
- Stonehenge Memorial
- Brooks Memorial State Park
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Goldendale Observatory State Park | Walk or short drive from town centre, 5 min | 15 min total |
| Maryhill Museum of Art | Drive 5 km (3.1 mi) west on US‑97, about 10 minDrive 3.1 mi (5 km) west on US‑97, about 10 min | 20 min total |
| Stonehenge Memorial | Drive 4 km (2.5 mi) east on SR 14, about 5 minDrive 2.5 mi (4 km) east on SR 14, about 5 min | 15 min total |
| Brooks Memorial State Park | Drive 13 km (8.1 mi) north, about 15 minDrive 8.1 mi (13 km) north, about 15 min | 30 min total |
Sleep
- Maryhill State Park
- Campground; basic amenities, walk to museum and observatory.
- Peach Beach RV Park
- RV hookups, near Maryhill Museum; 1 PM check‑in.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Excuse meExcuse me |
| Thank you | Thank youThank you |
| How much is it? | How much is it?How much is it? |
| Where is the restroom? | Where is the restroom?Where is the restroom? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Handshake and 'hi, how are you?' — reply 'good, thanks'; avoid: Treating the question as a real health enquiry
- Restaurants: Tip 18–22% and wait for the check; avoid: Leaving without tipping
- Personal space: Keep an arm's length in queues; avoid: Standing close to strangers
- Politics and religion: Listen more than you speak; avoid: Opening with hot-button topics
- Smoking: Smoke only in marked areas; avoid: Smoking near doors or in parks where banned
Scams and watch-outs
- Discover Pass ($10 day, $30 year) required for Brooks and Doug's Beach state parks.
- Winter hours may be reduced at Doug's Beach; check before visiting.
Goldendale is low‑risk; standard US safety practices apply. Watch road conditions in winter and keep an eye on park pass requirements.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Goldendale yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Goldendale Observatory State Park
- Maryhill Museum of Art
- Stonehenge Memorial
- Brooks Memorial State Park
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Brooks Memorial State Park: parks.wa.gov/find-parks/state-parks/brooks-memorial-state-park
- Wikivoyage: Goldendale, revision 5131625 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5131625
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Goldendale
To this address, please
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police, fire, ambulance911
US consulate in Seattle; nearest for Goldendale visitors.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/goldendale). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.