Fun Things to Do in Walla Walla
Located among the rolling hills and fertile fields of Southeast Washington, Walla Walla is known for its sweet onions and its quality wines. Vineyards and tasting rooms are scattered throughout the valley. Walla Walla is home to two attractions that illuminate the history of Western settlement and development, the Whitman Mission National Historic Site and Fort Walla Walla Museum. Outdoor lovers will find opportunities for hiking, biking, birding, and golf. Walla Walla hosts several fun events during the year, including the Balloon Stampede in May and the Sweet Onion Festival in July.
Here are my picks for the best visitor attractions and activities in Walla Walla:
Walla Walla is home to over 100 wineries and dozens of vineyards. The Walla Walla Valley American Viticultural Area is blessed with ideal growing conditions, including a hot dry summer climate and uniquely fertile soils, legacy of a series of Ice Age floods. While Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are predominant in the region, you'll find a few white varietals.
One nice option for Walla Walla wine touring is that you'll find many tasting rooms within the walkable downtown core. If you do choose to explore the wineries and tasting rooms scattered across the countryside, several options are available for guided and personal tours that include transportation. Maps for both the downtown and country wineries and vineyards can be picked up at hotels, tasting rooms, and shops around town.More »
Most Northwesterners grew up on stories of the Whitman Mission and the Whitman Massacre. Established on a creek near the Walla Walla River in 1836, The Whitman Mission was one of the first white settlements in the Oregon Territory and was an important stop along the Oregon Trail. At the Whitman Mission National Historic Site you can visit what remains of that early community and learn about the important role it played in regional history.
You'll want to start your visit at the museum, where exhibits and film provide an overview of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, the local Cayuse people, and the complicated relationship that led to the Whitman Massacre in 1847. As you proceed to the outdoor walking tour, you can view a portion of the actual Oregon Trail, marked foundations of significant Mission buildings, and the Great Grave. A hike up a hill takes you to the Monument, a massive marble obelisk.
Whitman Mission Photo GalleryMore »
In addition to the Fort Walla Walla Museum, this huge city park offers a variety of attractions and activities.
Fort Walla Walla Amphitheatre
Enjoy summer music theatre and Shakespeare Walla Walla performances in an 1,500-seat outdoor amphitheatre.
Fort Walla Walla Cemetery
Served Fort Walla Walla during its military era.
Vietnam War Memorial
This monument to local soldiers who gave their lives in the Vietnam War is the site of local Memorial Day ceremonies.
Just some of the other fun things to do in Fort Walla Walla Park:
Here are my picks for the best visitor attractions and activities in Walla Walla:
•Wine Tasting & Tours
Walla Walla is home to over 100 wineries and dozens of vineyards. The Walla Walla Valley American Viticultural Area is blessed with ideal growing conditions, including a hot dry summer climate and uniquely fertile soils, legacy of a series of Ice Age floods. While Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Syrah are predominant in the region, you'll find a few white varietals.
One nice option for Walla Walla wine touring is that you'll find many tasting rooms within the walkable downtown core. If you do choose to explore the wineries and tasting rooms scattered across the countryside, several options are available for guided and personal tours that include transportation. Maps for both the downtown and country wineries and vineyards can be picked up at hotels, tasting rooms, and shops around town.More »
•Whitman Mission National Historic Site
Most Northwesterners grew up on stories of the Whitman Mission and the Whitman Massacre. Established on a creek near the Walla Walla River in 1836, The Whitman Mission was one of the first white settlements in the Oregon Territory and was an important stop along the Oregon Trail. At the Whitman Mission National Historic Site you can visit what remains of that early community and learn about the important role it played in regional history.
You'll want to start your visit at the museum, where exhibits and film provide an overview of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, the local Cayuse people, and the complicated relationship that led to the Whitman Massacre in 1847. As you proceed to the outdoor walking tour, you can view a portion of the actual Oregon Trail, marked foundations of significant Mission buildings, and the Great Grave. A hike up a hill takes you to the Monument, a massive marble obelisk.
Whitman Mission Photo GalleryMore »
•Fort Walla Walla Museum
Located on the grounds of Fort Walla Walla Park, the expansive Fort Walla Walla Museum covers the pioneer era, military history, and horse-era agriculture. There was more than one actual Fort Walla Walla. Over the years, the fort occupied different sites and had different purposes. It began as a fur trading post at a site along the Columbia River. Fort Walla Walla became a military facility in 1858, continuing in that role until 1910. The Fort Walla Walla Museum covers all of these areas with exhibits packed full of fascinating artifacts spread among several building. The horse-drawn farm equipment is one highlight. Think you can imagine a 33-mule team combine? You'll have the chance to see the real thing, pulled by ranks of life-sized mule mannequins. Other highlights include a Lewis and Clark diorama, a 17-building pioneer village, and exhibits covering the local state prison.More »•Fort Walla Walla Park
In addition to the Fort Walla Walla Museum, this huge city park offers a variety of attractions and activities.
Fort Walla Walla Amphitheatre
Enjoy summer music theatre and Shakespeare Walla Walla performances in an 1,500-seat outdoor amphitheatre.
Fort Walla Walla Cemetery
Served Fort Walla Walla during its military era.
Vietnam War Memorial
This monument to local soldiers who gave their lives in the Vietnam War is the site of local Memorial Day ceremonies.
Just some of the other fun things to do in Fort Walla Walla Park:
- walk the trails through the 70-acre wildlife preserve
- play volleyball, horseshoes, or a round of disc golf
- ride the paved bicycle trail
- race around the bicycle motocross track
- watch hobbyists at the model car track and the model airplane field
•Annual Events in Walla Walla
In case wine, history, and outdoor fun aren't enough to get you to Walla Walla, the city hosts a variety of special events and festivals throughout the year.- Feast Walla Walla (April)
great food and wine, plus art and live music - Walla Walla Balloon Stampede (May)
hot air balloons morning through night - Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival (June)
over two weeks of musical event at venues around the area - Fort Walla Walla Days (June)
living history fun for the whole family - Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival (July)
all kinds of food, music, and fun, all to celebrate the famous Walla Walla Sweet Onions
