Welcome to Walla Walla

An eclectic, spirited gem in Washington’s scenic wine country, Walla Walla has made a marquee name for itself thanks to its walkable downtown wine district and diverse art and food scene. This is Washington State, so naturally Walla Walla’s outdoors are beautiful, flanked by the rolling hills of the Palouse to the north and the Blue Mountains to the east. Hike, bike, kayak, golf, play petanque or pickleball, or sign up for their challenging gravel bike race. What do you say? Walla Walla awaits.

Game Face for the Great Outdoors

Try your hand at petanque. The Walla Walla Petanque Club invites people to play at Patterson Cellars. What’s petanque? It’s like bocce but with more tossing; you throw the boule instead of bowl the boule … it’ll make more sense after a glass of wine! Sip, toss, and enjoy the Blue Mountains backdrop.

Golf Digest recently added Walla Walla’s Wine Valley Golf Club as one of America’s 100 Greatest Public Golf Courses. And the accolades just keep coming for golfing in this bountiful region where courses blend into the natural surroundings and are offset by the beautiful Blue Mountains. Four other highly rated golf courses are nearby, so if golf’s your game, Walla Walla’s your hole in one.

If you’re sticking to pickleball, Walla Walla’s Pioneer Park has an ace for you, with six courts welcoming locals and visitors alike. The park is Walla Walla’s oldest, with a gorgeous rose garden, aviary, and peaceful walking grounds, so post-competition, you can savor some Zen time.

Walla Walla means “many waters” and Bennington Lake is a prime example. Just about five minutes from downtown Walla Walla, the lake is a recreation enthusiast’s haven. Hiking and biking trails surround the water. Access to the lake is easy, taking the hassle out of launching a kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Sunset here is a sublime time to soak in Bennington, with the Blue Mountains adding brilliant texture to the scenery.

Gravel Grinding! With gravel biking quickly emerging as one of the country’s favorite new activities, Walla Walla is uniquely positioned for trails to discover. On September 10, it’s home to an annual off-road bike race, the Walla Walla Grit, blending beautiful terrain with the adventure of gravel cycling! Allegro Cyclery organizes this event, so get ready to ride … or at least, grit and bear it!

Photo credits: petanque and pickleball photos by Visit Walla Walla; cycling photos by Steve Lenz.

Grape Connection

Walla Walla’s wine region may feel like a best-kept secret, but it’s firmly on the map for wine aficionados, with an AVA comprising more than 130 wineries.

Discover small production varietals in the Downtown Walla Walla Wine District, easily walkable from hotels, shopping spots, and tasty places to brunch; so stroll, sip, and swirl at stellar tasting rooms, no drive time needed.

Here’s a perfect Downtown Walla Walla Wine Tasting Itinerary, which includes a breakfast or brunch bite at local mainstays like AK’s Mercado or Bacon & Eggs. Stop in at Seven Hills Winery, photogenically located in the Whitehouse-Crawford building—designated on the National Register of Historic Places. Bordeaux varietals meet limited-production flagships like Carmenere. Nearby Gramercy Cellars—vintage Washington State in substance and style— makes just 8,000 cases a year. The terroir here is ideal for Syrah, Rhone, and Bordeaux, and the creativity never ceases, so there’s always something new in the barrel.

Venture outside of downtown and meet up-and-coming winemakers at the innovative Walla Walla Incubator Program. This enclave of modern tasting and production is well worth a visit to discover the best next wines of Washington State.

Beer in the heart of Walla Walla’s wine region? Cheers! Burwood Brewing is founded on fermentation of the most revered sorts, by a husband and wife dynamic duo making equally dynamic beers. From seasonal options like the Raspberry Toupee to a classic such as The Fang West Coast IPA, hop on over to Burwood’s “The Backyard” an expansive (dog-friendly) patio and grassy area for enjoying food and beer with friends and family.

Zero-alcohol Craft Beverages: Craft cocktails without the alcohol have come a long way. Taste the difference in Walla Walla, where many bars, tasting rooms, and restaurants offer alcohol-free refreshments like the Italian Gucci at Marcy’s Bar & Lounge, and the N/Agroni at Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen. Hattaway’s on Alder blends a coco cream, orange, passionfruit, and soda twist into the “You Go Glenn Coco” craft cocktail.

Photo credits: grapes and wine tasting photos by Steph Forrer; Burwood photo by Sara Todorovich.

Art & Culture

Named one of the 100 Best Small Art Towns in America, Walla Walla lives up to the accolade. Take a walk to see whimsical and vibrant murals like the Paper Crane Walls. Diversity is expressed throughout the town, including the Festival de Cultura Viva Mural by local artist Diego Perez.

Main Street downtown has public art at almost every turn, and First Friday Art Walks from spring to fall bring extra liveliness to tasting rooms, restaurants, and galleries.

The Whitman College Outdoor Sculpture Walk is a do-it-yourself guided tour. Bring a picnic to enjoy at the Narnia meditation grove.

The Little Theatre of Walla Walla is a community institution with productions by local drama students of all ages—from one-act plays like Fireside Fairy Tales, to a Wine, Dine, and Death murder mystery night—it’s big entertainment at the Little Theatre.

Celebrating the longest-running symphony orchestra in the West and with multiple schools featuring performing arts, a tapestry of creativity and culture runs throughout Walla Walla.

Photo credits: Little Theater and Love Wall photos by Visit Walla Walla.

Eat & Drink

The hard part isn’t eating or drinking in Walla Walla, it’s choosing among all the great options. From casual walk-in spots to upscale and reserve-ahead restaurants, here are just a few of the culinary options.

Creative comfort food is a longstanding tradition at the family-owned Maple Counter Café. Try a Danish cherry pancake or go for the pride of the kitchen and order the apple pancake, a souffle treat with Saigon cinnamon glaze.

Taqueria mi Pueblito is a local Mexican food restaurant for take-out or a casual sit down. Pozole, chile relleno, straight-up tacos, and fried ice cream all feature on the extensive menu.

Handspun pasta, a master sommelier, and an executive chef with experience from Michelin-star restaurants across the globe are just a few of the reasons to try Passatempo Taverna in Walla Walla. From there, the flavors do all the talking.

Classic French dishes and pizza paired with Washington State wines can be enjoyed at Brasserie Four, a vibrant and spirited café where you can dine and wine on the outdoor patio or opt for the intimate dining room. Tres magnifique!

Photo credits: downtown, restaurant, and overhead food photos by Steph Forrer.