I’ve been to Walla Walla, Washington on several occasions, but it had been over four years since I’d last visited. So when I had the opportunity to travel there this October through Walla Walla’s #WWander experience, I was eager to go and see how much this small, yet burgeoning wine community had grown. The verdict: quite a bit.
Obviously, visiting a wine region is truly the best way to understand the lay of the land. But, it’s also an opportunity to get to know a place like its locals do, which is exactly why the #WWander campaign is unique. In addition to wine tasting, #WWander offers a chance to get to know Walla Walla on a deeper level, from its food scene to parks and local experiences — all through curated itineraries based off recommendations from local winemakers.
So, if you’re planning a trip to Walla Walla — named Sunset Magazine’s 2018 Best Wine Town and a finalist for Wine Enthusiast’s 2019 Wine Region of the Year Award — why not take a little travel advice from the people who live there? Combining their insights with my own personal experiences, here’s my roundup of the top 10 things to do in Walla Walla.
Top 10 Things To Do in Walla Walla
Go Wine Tasting
This is an obvious one, since there are 120 wineries in Walla Walla. In fact, the Walla Walla Valley AVA has the highest concentration of wineries in Washington State. Divided up into distinct districts, each area has its own unique feel and array of wineries.
In Downtown, you’ll find a plethora of tasting rooms clustered on and around Main Street, including places like DAMA, Kontos Cellars and Otis Kenyon. A few minutes from downtown is the Walla Walla Airport District, an industrial area where over 20 wineries are housed in old WWII-era hanger buildings and firehouses — all within walking distance from each other. There’s also the Westside, home to some of Walla Walla’s oldest wineries (like L’Ecole and Woodward Canyon), the picturesque Eastside (where you’ll find Walla Walla Vintners and àMaurice) and the Southside, where the majority of Walla Walla’s vineyards are located (including Pepper Bridge, Northstar, and Sleight of Hand Cellars).
Regardless of which district you focus on, you’re certain to have your fill of Walla Walla wines. But, when you need a taste of something different — say, a Santa Barbara Pinot or a French Chablis perhaps — check out The Thief downtown. This bottle shop and wine bar has a worldly selection of bottles to go, as well as a bar and lounge for sipping on-site.
Play Pétanque
If you stop into Tertulia Cellars on the Southside for a tasting, make time for a game of Pétanque. This French bowling game is sort of like bocce ball, but played with metal balls on gravel terrain. At 11am on Sundays, the Walla Walla Pétanque Club meets here for a game of boules (balls), but the winery has its own set of pétanque boules you can borrow no matter what day you visit. And it’s kid-friendly!
Practice Yoga in a Gallery
Yoga is always a nice way to rejuvenate the mind and body, but imagine starting your day of wine tasting with a yoga class in an art gallery. At Foundry Vineyards, part tasting room and part art gallery, you can experience ‘Yoga in the Gallery’ every Saturday morning with Revolver Yoga. It’s a unique (and beneficial!) experience for the same price as a glass of wine.
Explore the Arts
Speaking of art, did you know that Walla Walla has a thriving arts community? Downtown Walla Walla’s Main Street has numerous pieces of public art to view. It’s also where you’ll find the First Friday Art Walk. On the first Friday of the month from May – October, over a dozen galleries, tasting rooms, and restaurants showcase art from local artists. And over at Foundry Vineyards, their large, contemporary on-site gallery hosts quarterly art exhibits, co-curated by owners Lisa and Jay Anderson. The tasting room also offers unique local and regionally-crafted jewelry and home goods in their shop.
Curated Shop at Foundry Vineyards
Get Outside
Pioneer Park is Walla Walla’s oldest park, established in 1902. Designed by the same guy who did NYC’s Central Park, it’s a great place to go for a stroll. Walk along the scenic paths, check out the rose garden, and visit the Aviary to see the birds. Fall is an especially nice time to visit Pioneer Park, when the trees display lovely shades of red and yellow. There are also softball fields, pickleball courts, and a playground when everyone needs a little more action. Or, you can walk to Whitman College from downtown, admiring the historical buildings along the way. Take a moment to meander around the beautiful campus of Whitman, founded in 1859, before heading back.
Dine out (for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner)
Wine and food go hand-in-hand, so I guess it’s not surprising that Walla Walla has a growing food scene, offering something tasty for every meal of the day.
Head to the Maple Counter Café for comforting, freshly-made breakfast classics, or start your day at Bacon & Eggs downtown. Here, you’ll find an eclectic menu of breakfast staples and Mexican-inspired dishes, along with a long list of breakfast cocktails.
For lunch, it’s worth venturing over to Andrae’s Kitchen, located at a gas station close to downtown. You read that right: a gas station. Don’t let the setting fool you — they do a fantastic job at everything from tacos (the tortillas are made with corn imported from Oaxaca) to gyros to loaded french fries. For something even quicker, check out one of Walla Walla’s numerous taco trucks, including Tacos La Monarca and Bomb Tacos.
Passatempo, Courtesy of Visit Walla Walla
When it comes time for dinner, try Brasserie Four for French bistro-inspired fare or Passatempo for housemade pasta and inventive craft cocktails. Also noteworthy: Hattaway’s on Alder, where seasonal comfort food and cocktails are the specialties, Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen for elevated cuisine inspired by Spain and the Mediterranean coast, and Whitehouse-Crawford, a former lumber mill turned restaurant featuring American classics with a global twist.
Grab Some Grub From a Food Truck
This could fall under ‘dine out,’ but I think it deserves a category all its own. Taking a page out of other food-truck friendly cities across the US, Walla Walla has embraced the food truck culture. The best way to experience them is to plan a visit around Walla Walla’s official Food Truck Night. On the first Monday of each month (April – October), this happenin’ gathering of portable eateries is a chance to taste food from 20 different local food trucks. Whether you’re in the mood for barbeque, hot dogs, Polynesian chicken or tropical ice cream, you’ll have options. Plus, it’s a fun, casual way to dine out with friends.
Visit the Farmers’ Market
Walla Walla’s farmers’ market brings out the whole community on Saturday mornings from May through October. Expect locally-grown produce, hand-crafted artisan wares, juices, coffee, tamales, and baked goods. Just don’t miss grabbing a cinnamon roll from local favorite, Fat Rolls.
Delve Into Walla Walla’s History
Want to learn a bit more about this charming town’s history? Simply walking downtown to admire the historic buildings is one thing, but to devle a little deeper, plan to visit a museum or two. The Fort Walla Walla Museum offers a journey into Walla Walla’s rich heritage of Indian culture, pioneer settlement and agriculture. There’s also the Whitman Mission National Historic Site, which marks a turning point for Native Americans living on the Columbia Plateau, and The Kirkman House — an authentic example of the fine Victorian homes of Walla Walla during the 1880s.
The Kirkman House, Credit: Visit Walla Walla
Visit a Brewery or Cidery
When you need a break from wine (or should I say, “if”) then check out one of Walla Walla’s breweries. In the airport district, stop into Quirk Brewery for a brew (and maybe a snack from resident food truck, Agapas Mexican Cravings). You’ll find two more breweries within walking distance, if you want to make it a brewery crawl. For something a little different, venture downtown to Locust Cider & Brewing, specializing in ciders made with locally-sourced ingredients.
Want to wander in Walla Walla this year? As a WWanderer, you’ll receive access to a full itinerary and perks, including 10% off wine and special deals. Registration is free – learn more here.
For a complete guide to Walla Walla, check out my post on where to stay, eat and play.
Some images courtesy of Walla Walla Wine Alliance.
