Walla Walla is a city in the Columbia River Plateau region of Washington State.
Celebrating its 150th year in 2009, and located in southeastern Washington, with the charming rejuvenation of its downtown and booming wine industry, Walla Walla has become a pleasant stop for tourists and new residents alike as they flee the larger cities of the coast and California — be it for a weekend get-away or something more long-term.
Known originally for its funny name and famous Walla Walla Sweet Onions, the long-established farming community with an "Old West" history has seen a major shift in agriculture in the last decade as traditional crops have been replaced by the vineyards of the rapidly growing wine industry. Walla Walla is at the heart of wine country, boasting over one hundred wineries – including some of the area and nation's best cellars – with tasting rooms conveniently located downtown, around the airport, and throughout the scenic countryside.
But don't expect the stodginess of elitist wine areas elsewhere; the area is still an affordable and welcoming community with small town roots, and there's plenty to do besides taste the vino. Walla Walla also offers a taste of Oregon Trail history in Fort Walla Walla and the Whitman Mission, gorgeous views in the country, a charismatic Main Street, and the liveliness of a college town: hosting both the prestigious private liberal arts school Whitman College and private SDA Walla Walla University in neighboring College Place. And should the wine bars and tasting rooms get to be too much, you can always escape into a classically red-neck bar, many of which are clustered near the Washington State Penitentiary in the northeastern part of town. This town is also the seat of Walla Walla County.
The valley itself offers a diverse variety of striking landscapes: bordered by the Columbia River basin and its desert beauty as you enter from the west, rolling wheat fields and vineyards through the surrounding countryside, and the scenic Blue Mountains to the southeast. Expect the best of the four seasons with cold and snow in winter, temperamentally sunny springs, blustery winds and fog in the fall, and golden sun warmed days of a hot, dry desert summer.
- Whitman College, 345 Boyer Ave., +1 509 527-5111. Nestled next to Walla Walla's charming Main Street is the campus of Whitman College, a small, liberal arts college that has been gaining national acclaim. Stroll its attractive campus with its varied sculptures, including the popular fish balancing a lemon on its lips. In the spring, stop by "Lakum Duckum" on Boyer Avenue to feed the bevy of tiny ducklings. During the school year, consider catching a play at Whitman's Harper Joy Theater or a concert at its impressive Cordiner Hall.
- Ft Walla Walla, 755 Myra Rd, +1 509 525-7703. 10-17h daily, April through October. Museum and historical reenactment site. Adults $7, students and seniors $6, children 6-12 $3, younger free.
- Ft Walla Walla / Ft Nez Perce monument. The original location of Fort Nez Perce, later called Fort Walla Walla, was flooded when McNary Dam created Lake Wallula. All that remains is a marker on US 12 to the west of town.
- Kirkman House Museum, 214 N Colville St, +1 509 529-4373. $7/person, or $25/household.
Whitman College, 345 Boyer Ave., +1 509 527-5111. Nestled next to Walla Walla's charming Main Street is the campus of Whitman College, a small, liberal arts college that has been gaining national acclaim. Stroll its attractive campus with its varied sculptures, including the popular fish balancing a lemon on its lips. In the spring, stop by "Lakum Duckum" on Boyer Avenue to feed the bevy of tiny ducklings. During the school year, consider catching a play at Whitman's Harper Joy Theater or a concert at its impressive Cordiner Hall.
Ft Walla Walla, 755 Myra Rd, +1 509 525-7703. 10-17h daily, April through October. Museum and historical reenactment site. Adults $7, students and seniors $6, children 6-12 $3, younger free.
Ft Walla Walla / Ft Nez Perce monument. The original location of Fort Nez Perce, later called Fort Walla Walla, was flooded when McNary Dam created Lake Wallula. All that remains is a marker on US 12 to the west of town.
Kirkman House Museum, 214 N Colville St, +1 509 529-4373. $7/person, or $25/household.
- Wine Tasting. Over 50 wineries in the valley with tasting rooms, starting at affordable and working their way up.
- Walla Walla Local Music Scene. Over 30 bands and music organizations in the Walla Walla area make this local music scene something to take notice of.
Wine Tasting. Over 50 wineries in the valley with tasting rooms, starting at affordable and working their way up.
Walla Walla Local Music Scene. Over 30 bands and music organizations in the Walla Walla area make this local music scene something to take notice of.
- Spring Release Weekend. Have the first taste of just released wines. First weekend of May.
- Balloon Stampede Weekend. Walla Walla Fairgrounds. A valley classic held the second full weekend in May, featuring vendor booths, balloon launches and the Night Glow.
- Farmer's Market. 4th & Main (next to Valley Transit transfer center). Every Saturday May through October. Hours 8AM - 1PM.
- WWCC Outdoor Summer Musical. Fort Walla Walla Amphitheather. Held in mid-summer. Purchase tickets at WWCC.
- Sweet Onion Festival. Walla Walla Fairgrounds. Mid July.
Spring Release Weekend. Have the first taste of just released wines. First weekend of May.
Balloon Stampede Weekend. Walla Walla Fairgrounds. A valley classic held the second full weekend in May, featuring vendor booths, balloon launches and the Night Glow.
Farmer's Market. 4th & Main (next to Valley Transit transfer center). Every Saturday May through October. Hours 8AM - 1PM.
WWCC Outdoor Summer Musical. Fort Walla Walla Amphitheather. Held in mid-summer. Purchase tickets at WWCC.
Sweet Onion Festival. Walla Walla Fairgrounds. Mid July.
- Fair and Frontier Days. Walla Walla Fairgrounds. Labor day weekend.
- Holiday Barrel Tasting. Tour local wineries for a taste of vintages to come. First weekend of December.
- Little Theatre, +1 509 529-3683. 1130 Sumach. Various productions through fall, winter and spring.
- Walla Walla Symphony Orchestra. Cordiner Hall, Whitman College Campus and other venues, 509 529 8020. Celebrating its 100th year in the 2006-2007 season. Performances with nationally recognized artists through fall, winter and spring.
Fair and Frontier Days. Walla Walla Fairgrounds. Labor day weekend.
Holiday Barrel Tasting. Tour local wineries for a taste of vintages to come. First weekend of December.
Little Theatre, +1 509 529-3683. 1130 Sumach. Various productions through fall, winter and spring.
Walla Walla Symphony Orchestra. Cordiner Hall, Whitman College Campus and other venues, 509 529 8020. Celebrating its 100th year in the 2006-2007 season. Performances with nationally recognized artists through fall, winter and spring.
Wine!
Coffee,this is Washington after all. Try a blend from a local roaster such as Dyer Straits or Walla Walla Roastery.
A T-shirt that says "Walla Walla: Where Men are REALLY Hung." and featuring a good old fashioned rope noose from Gotta Go Embroidery. They have the largest selection of original Walla Walla T-shirts. If you have any questions please e-mail them at ggembroidery@qwestoffice.net. (Walla Walla is also home to the State Penitentiary.)
Art from one of the many downtown galleries.
Any other souvenirs that suit your fancy.
Don't miss the desserts and coffee at the Colville St Patisserie, the cheese plates at Grapefields Wine Bar, a gourmet dinner at Whitehouse-Crawford or Sunday brunch at 26 Brix!
There is an excellent Sushi bar downtown - Aloha Sushi.
- Wineries--There is certainly no shortage of places to drink if wine is your beverage of choice. The Walla Walla area has between 100 and 120 wineries, many of which feature tasting rooms to sample their creations.
- The Green Lantern. If you are interested in a dive bar, head to the Green Lantern, located on Isaacs Avenue. Popular with a random mix of locals as well as your typical college students, "The Green" will quench your thirst for beer and provide you with the opportunity to test your skills at darts or "beer pong." Beware the peanut-shell strewn floor!
- The Marc. Has a nice, elegant bar if you have a mind to drink a couple of cocktails or have a tasty glass of wine.
- Vintage Cellars. A lovely wine bar located downtown.
Wineries--There is certainly no shortage of places to drink if wine is your beverage of choice. The Walla Walla area has between 100 and 120 wineries, many of which feature tasting rooms to sample their creations.
The Green Lantern. If you are interested in a dive bar, head to the Green Lantern, located on Isaacs Avenue. Popular with a random mix of locals as well as your typical college students, "The Green" will quench your thirst for beer and provide you with the opportunity to test your skills at darts or "beer pong." Beware the peanut-shell strewn floor!
The Marc. Has a nice, elegant bar if you have a mind to drink a couple of cocktails or have a tasty glass of wine.
Vintage Cellars. A lovely wine bar located downtown.
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site, +1 509 522-6357. 08-18h summers, 08-16:30h other seasons, every day except three holidays. The 1847 Whitman "Massacre" horrified Americans and impacted the lives of the peoples of the Columbia Plateau for decades afterwards. Free.
- Frenchtown. Cemetery and small outlook with information about the largest battle fought in Washington state. free.
- Palouse Falls, +1 509 646-9218. $11.50 or Annual Discover Pass.
Whitman Mission National Historic Site, +1 509 522-6357. 08-18h summers, 08-16:30h other seasons, every day except three holidays. The 1847 Whitman "Massacre" horrified Americans and impacted the lives of the peoples of the Columbia Plateau for decades afterwards. Free.
Frenchtown. Cemetery and small outlook with information about the largest battle fought in Washington state. free.
Palouse Falls, +1 509 646-9218. $11.50 or Annual Discover Pass.