Blake Walsh

25 Best Things to Do in Walla Walla, WA

  • Published 2023/04/18

Walla Walla is a vast and beautiful city in Washington, United States.

It is the largest city in Walla Walla County.

The city is warm, beautiful, and sunny in the summer season and is covered with deep, white, and opaque snow during the winter season.

So, choose the type of weather you want to experience in Walla Walla, as this city offers all kinds of experiences according to your preferences.

Walla Walla is the perfect destination to visit if you love wine, for the city is mainly filled with vineyards that provide the best kinds of local wines and beers.

With so much for its visitors to see and experience, this city can be considered quite the underrated gem.

Are you interested in learning more about what it has to offer?

These are the best things to do in Walla Walla, Washington:

Sample Exquisite Wines at Seven Hills Winery

Seven Hills Winery

Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

There are approximately 120 wineries and cellars in Walla Walla, and Seven Hills Winery is one of the most beautiful and interesting of them all.

The place comes with a tasting room where you can go around and find the wine suitable for your taste.

The hosts are knowledgeable and will introduce you to wines if you are new.

They’ll also help you find one with a flavor profile that meets your preferences.

The place’s ambiance is cozy and warm; it is basically that of an old planning mill.

You can find excellent single varietals in this winery.

You can stop by the farmers’ market downtown while you visit this winery.

Overall, it is a great spot to be.

Visit the Fascinating Fort Walla Walla Museum

Walla Walla’s museums are among its most famous attractions.

Fort Walla Walla Museum is a very interesting museum that holds a lot of history.

It is a great way to learn about the local history in a short amount of time.

The museum was established in 1856 and is now a significant historic site in the city.

Fort Walla Walla Museum has both indoor and outdoor exhibits and a playground for kids.

The grounds include military memorial items like agriculture, military, frontier life, the state penitentiary, as well as old farm equipment.

You can also pay a visit to the park near the museum that offers a walking trail, skate park, dirt bike track, RC Car race track, RC plane airfield, and more.

Learn about the Art of Winemaking at Bledsoe Family Winery

This one is for you if you are visiting Walla Walla with your kids and family.

As its name suggests, Bledsoe Family Winery is a family-owned establishment where you can taste all different kinds of exceptional wines and get the best experience.

The ambiance of this place is extremely beautiful, especially when it’s all lit up.

The staff here is knowledgeable and will provide you with the best wines according to your taste.

At this winery, you can learn more about how wines are made from grapes.

This place offers the best selection of top-notch wines.

It is a must-visit if you’re traveling to Walla Walla with your family.

Tour the Kirkman House Museum

Kirk-man house museum

Calistemon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Kirkman House Museum is one of Walla Walla’s hidden gems.

This museum was built in the 1880s and is now a popular tourist attraction.

It holds a lot of fascinating exhibits, including the Adam West exhibit.

The museum regularly hosts murder mystery nights, which are always fun to attend.

The Kirkman House Museum is an excellent place to learn about Walla Walla’s fascinating local history.

It features a great and interesting collection of articles from all around the world.

It is also a nice place to hold events like birthday parties for your kids.

Take a Break at the Lovely Pioneer Park

Pioneer Park

Danita Delimont / Shutterstock.com

Pioneer Park is a beautiful and iconic park in Walla Walla where you can go to distract yourself from city life and walk around the pretty trails.

The park has an aviary where you can see a lot of exotic birds.

There’s a playground for the kids, along with an ample play area filled with toys and swings.

The park also has a tea trail where you can learn about various types of trees.

It is a great place to go for a walk, have a barbecue, or just relax.

You can enjoy the beauty of nature, paint some scenery, or simply meditate in this park.

The park has gorgeous flowers and is well-kept.

Enjoy a Unique Experience at the Museum of Un-Natural History

This quirky museum is filled with sculptures made by Gerry Matthews, a creative artist known for his Dadaist art, which is a very strange and elevated kind of art.

The art pieces at the Museum of Un-Natural History evoke very strong political and social feelings.

Go to this place with an open mind, and you will definitely get a grasp of it.

The beauty of this museum is how incomprehensible some art pieces might be, yet they are very interesting to look at.

The museum is described as surreal, super weird, and very cool.

Do visit this place if you are a divergent thinker and love visiting creative places like these.

Swing Your Clubs at Wine Valley Golf Club

This club in Walla Walla is an excellent to go for a round of golf.

The area at Wine Valley Golf Club is vast, grassy, and well-maintained.

It is a great course with fresh, calming air and the best views.

You can host your friends in this club and have a chill time with them.

Wine and golfing surely is a good combo.

Wine Valley Golf Club is the best place to wind down after work and hit a couple of balls.

Go Fishing at Bennington Lake

Bennington Lake is the perfect spot to go to in Walla Walla if you are looking forward to a boating and fishing experience.

There are hardly any bodies of water in Walla Walla, making the lake a rare and excellent spot to experience boating in the city.

The lake is beautiful, well-maintained, and suitable for fishing.

You can take a dip in the water or simply sit around the lake and watch the beautiful scenery, especially the amazing purple sunset.

It is a lovely place for picnics and bird-watching.

You need to hike up to the lake, and it is an easy and pretty trail to walk on.

The overall experience of this lake is very calming and enjoyable at the same time.

This spot is definitely a must-visit if you are in Walla Walla.

Enjoy a Few Quiet Moments at St. Patrick Church

St. Patrick Church is the most beautiful Catholic church in Walla Walla.

It is one of the three parishes in the city.

This church represents a traditional Catholic church in every way, with characteristic features that include beautiful stained glass windows.

It is the best church to attend Sunday mass or simply visit to have a quiet moment.

Go Back in Time at Whitman Mission National Historic Site

Whitman mission

IN Dancing Light / Shutterstock.com

This historic site holds a tragic history of a massacre dating back to 1847.

It is a fun place to learn about the city’s local history.

You can take a relaxing historical walk at Whitman Mission National Historic Site and get sweeping views over rural Walla Walla.

You can talk with the helpful rangers to learn more and hear stories of the settlers and missionaries who came through here.

The memorial pillar on the top of the hill is a great place to visit while you’re here.

The site also has a restored section of the Oregon Trail, where you can take a walk.

Whitman Mission National Historic Site is the most historic place in the city, with abundant history buried deep inside the site.

Do pay a visit to this site if you are into native history and love hearing interesting stories from the past.

Visit the Walla-Walla’s Stunning Vineyards

Vineyards in Walla Walla

Danita Delimont / Shutterstock.com

Walla Walla is rich with wineries and vineyards.

The best ones in the city allow guests to experience wine tasting, vineyard tours, and a peek into the winemaking process.

These vineyards are beautiful and are great places to take Instagram-worthy photos.

The àMaurice Cellars vineyard and tasting room are among those that provide the best experience of wine tasting.

The area is beautiful, and the views are breathtaking.

People often hold weddings at this beautiful venue.

Va Piano Vineyards is another fantastic vineyard that boasts the best collection of handpicked wines.

The place’s ambiance is warm and cozy, and the views are beautiful.

The place is definitely a must-visit if you are in Walla Walla.

Find the Perfect Wine at Walla-Walla’s Wine Cellars

Wine tasting in Walla Walla

Danita Delimont / Shutterstock.com

Walla Walla is a land of wines, and there are countless vineyards all around the city, making it the perfect destination for people who love wine.

There are a number of wine cellars in the city where you can taste a lot of wines and choose the one that suits you the best.

Cavu Cellars, Dunham Cellars, Eisenhower Cellars, Tranche Cellars, Tertullian Cellars, and Basel Cellars are some of the best cellars to visit in Walla Walla.

There are a lot of cellars and wineries to explore in this city, and these are just a few out of hundreds of them.

All the cellars have unique features, and you can choose which cellar to visit according to the type of place you like.

Embark on a Hot Air Balloon Ride at Howard-Tietan Park

Hot air balloon ride in Walla Walla

Barbara A. Harvey / Shutterstock.com

Howard-Tietan Park is a large open place.

It comprises a vast playground, a couple of baseball diamonds, and soccer fields for you to enjoy.

The park has areas that are suitable for flying kites as well.

Once a year, they launch hot air balloons from the park, and getting to ride on one will surely be a memorable experience for you.

Howard-Tietan Park is well-maintained and is a quiet place to hang out and relax.

Do visit this park when you are in Walla Walla.

Discover and Explore Walla Walla’s Hidden Gems

Barn on wheat  fields in Walla Walla

Philip Kulp / Shutterstock.com

Walla Walla has a lot more to offer on top of its famous tourist attractions, vineyards, and wine cellars.

It is often said that the true beauty of traveling lies in discovering a destination’s hidden gems.

Therefore, do take the time to wander the city’s streets and unexplored areas to experience Walla Walla’s true beauty.

Let Your Kids Play at the Children’s Museum of Walla Walla

In October 2004, the Children’s Museum of Walla Walla first opened its doors to the public.

Its aim ever since has been to provide people of all ages and cultural backgrounds with the chance to explore, learn, and have fun in the world through the magic of interactive play.

Give your kids a chance to learn and have some fun at the same time while you’re on vacation.

There are a host of activities they can try out, so just set them loose and pick what they want to do.

View the Amazing Artworks at the Sheehan Gallery

In 1973, Whitman College set up the Sheehan Gallery to support its liberal arts curriculum and serve as a cultural and intellectual resource for the students and other people in the area.

Its mission is to collect, preserve, exhibit, and interpret both historical and contemporary art.

Over the years, they added more exhibitions to their portfolio, such as the Davis Collection, which focuses on Asian art.

The gallery has accumulated pieces from different places all over the world, and you’re sure to learn a lot from it while experiencing a true visual treat.

Visit the Maxey Museum

The Maxey Museum at Whitman College was established in 1899; since then, they’ve collected a wide array of artifacts.

Their exhibits promote learning and allow their visitors to witness history come alive.

The bulk of these exhibits was donated between the 1900s to the 1940s, and they consisted of several branches of history and anthropology.

Their artifact exhibits are varied, ranging from weapons to baskets and so many more.

Admission to the museum is free, and tours are available upon request, so don’t miss the chance to give the museum a visit if you happen to be in the area.

Taste the Sweet Wines of Corliss

Corliss is all about making the best wine possible, and you’re in for a treat if you choose to visit this winery.

They monitor each stage of the winemaking process to ensure that everything is as good as it can be.

At the same time, they employ the best practices to produce wine that everyone will fall in love with.

The wines you’ll find there are powerful and rich yet also refined and filled with a beautiful delineation of taste, from the very first sip to the last drop.

The taste is complex and masterful and will surely make any wine connoisseur swoon.

Try Out the Delicacies of The Maple Counter Cafe

The founders of The Maple Counter Cafe bring three generations of restaurant experience with them to give their customers the best dining experience possible.

The food they serve is prepared carefully and with a lot of love and passion, so you can be sure you’ll be eating something spectacular.

They use fresh ingredients, and most menu items are made from scratch.

If you happen to stop by there for breakfast, give their omelets or scrambled eggs a try; it’s the perfect way to start an entire day full of adventure and sightseeing.

Watch Captivating Performances at the Gesa Power House Theatre

Exterior of the Gesa Power House Theatre

Joe Mabel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

If you want to know a bit of local history and enjoy an array of wonderful theater performances, too, take time to see the Gesa Power House Theatre.

The 120-year-old iconic building that houses the theater was formerly the Walla Walla Gas Plant which produced and distributed coal gas in the downtown area.

In 2011, the interiors of the facility were turned into a state-of-the-art performing arts theater similar to London’s intimate Blackfriars Theatre.

The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places the following year.

Today, the 300-seater theater stages an array of professional productions that include musicals, comedies, films, festivals, programs, and more.

Check the website for upcoming shows and season lineups, along with Little Watts Family Series, Live Cinema, and Power House Movie features.

The theater also offers rentals for private functions and events like weddings, parties, and business events.

You’ll find the Gesa Power House Theatre on North 6th Avenue.

Find Fresh Local Produce at the Downtown Farmers Market

Drop by on a Saturday and take your pick of fresh local goods and items at theDowntown Farmers Market.

This seasonal market runs from May through the end of October at the Farmers Market Pavilion on West Main Street.

During November through most days in December, you can catch the market at the Showroom on Colville.

Shop for the freshest fruits and vegetables in season, and grab some homemade breads, delicacies, and assorted food products.

You’ll also find lovely fresh-cut flowers, flower baskets, rows of handcrafted items made by local artisans, and so much more.

You’re sure to get good buys at the Downtown Farmers Market.

Eat, Shop and Go Wine Tasting at the Sip and Stroll Event

Spend an evening savoring some of the best local wines in Walla Walla.

Sip and Stroll is a great adult-only event featuring the finest wineries, cidery, distillery, and beer parlors in the area.

You can check out the local tourism website for the schedules and purchase your tickets online.

Among the participating tasting rooms for the event include 2nd Street Distillery, Bontzu Cellars, Browne Family Vineyards, and Goose Ridge Winery to name a few.

You’ll also enjoy delicious eats from some of the local restaurants like Sweet Basil Pizzeria and Walla Walla Pasta Factory.

So go ahead and have a fun night with your friends or loved ones and enjoy the Sip and Stroll experience.

Savor Mouthwatering Meals at Walla Walla Steak Co.

Walla Walla Steak Co. is a locally-owned restaurant known for its original hometown steakhouse feel, a warm, welcoming ambiance, and a casual taproom.

The restaurant has one location in downtown North 2nd Avenue and another in Woodenville; you can drop by from Monday to Saturday.

Enjoy an array of scrumptious classic steakhouse dishes in their dining room or the 1950s Pullman rail car.

Start your meal with tasty appetizers like Spinach Artichoke Dip, Scallops On The Half Shell, or Tenderloin Diablo among others; then, follow through with a Classic Wedge or Caesar Salad and a serving of W2 Onion Soup.

Choose from their Signature Steaks served with baked potato like a Choice or Prime 16 oz. New York Steak, the 14 oz. Prime Top Sirloin, or “The Hatchet” selections like the Bone-In Prime Ribeye and Filet Mignon.

Feast on sumptuous entrées like the Roasted Prime Rib, the Surf and Turf, Wood Stone Roasted Half Chicken, King Salmon, or Fettuccine Alfredo; likewise, add some tasty sides to your dish.

Then cap off your meals with an indulging Tableside Flambé, Stout Brownie Chocolate Sundae White Chocolate Crème Brûlée, Tart Apple Crisp, or a Hearth Oven Cookie.

For some after-dinner drinks, you can choose from Walla Walla Steak Co.’s extensive selection of local and regional wines, cocktails and spirits.

Try Assorted Coffee Brews by Livit Coffee Co.

Perk up your day with a fresh cup of coffee by Livit Coffee Co.

You’ll find this cafe along East Isaacs Avenue and a drive-through outpost at West Rose Street; both are open from Monday to Friday from morning to late afternoon.

Aside from serving amazing single-origin Guatemalan coffees, they also serve deliciously healthy smoothies and tasty food treats.

You’ll love their coffee selections like the Espresso Traditional, Americano, and Brewed Coffee or you can go for something cold like Cold Brew Nitro or a Cold Brew.

You’ll surely like other coffee blends like Latte, Mocha, and Blended Latte.

If you want to go for healthier options, they have the Whole Fruit Smoothie, Kale Smoothie, and Protein Shake.

For non-coffee beverages, they serve Chai, Italian Soda, Hot Chocolate, Steamer, and Hot or Iced Tea; you can also try the MUD Water Latte, have a Kombucha, or the plant energy-based Lotus drink.

Livit Coffee Co. also serves delectable food items like the Classic Avocado Toast, Sticky Mess, Cinnamon Roll, Breakfast Cookie, and Bran Muffin, along with Parfaits and Oatmeals.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Go Snowboarding Down the Blue Mountains

This is for the people who visit Walla Walla during the winter season, for the city is totally different during the winter.

The city is full of snow that’s deep, white, and opaque.

You can go snowboarding or sledding in the Blue Mountains.

One of the best spots to do this is in Ski Bluewood, about an hour’s drive away from Walla Walla.

It’s a beautiful and amazing place to be.

You can make snowmen, have snowball fights, or play games.

The snow experience in the city is really beautiful and is definitely an experience you will want to have, so pack your coats and snow boots and get going!

Final Thoughts

The warm atmosphere of Walla Walla is something that seeps into your bones and helps you unwind after a lot of stress and fast-paced living.

The city is a great place to visit if you just want to relax and get away from it all.

Start planning your trip today!

© All rights reserved.