Things to do

20 Memorable Things To Do In Walla Walla, Washington

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Walla Walla is a pleasant city in Washington well-known for its hospitality and stunning scenery. Sited by Walla Walla River it was an important military center in the past and later evolved into an agricultural and gold mining region.

Today it is well known for over 120 wineries and tasty sweet onions. Downtown boasts of stylish shops and cafes and even has an annual occasion like the farmers' market.

So, here are some of the things to do in Walla Walla for a memorable experience:

1. Appreciate Outdoor Sculptures At The Whiteman College

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On this self-guided tour, view the 21 magnificent sculptures at this tranquil college. It is just a 10-15 minute walk from the downtown Walla Walla.

The scenery is pleasing and one gets to relish in the beauty of the surroundings rather than going for the food and wine again and again. The lovely garden holds exceptional pieces including a Butterfield, Jum Dyne, and Keiko Hara.

Look for the two glass sculptures by Chihuly. You will also see big old trees, a pond, a creek, and ducks that stop traffic. This is one of the most convenient, less time-consuming, and budget-friendly Walla Walla Washington things to do.

2. Attend Live Music At Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival

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Nothing of any sort can beat the vibe and energy of live music. There are performers, the viewers, lights, noises, and the stage; all these make a kind of a wonderland.

This is an annual festival held in January and June. The winter event lasts from January 16 to 19, 2025 and the Silver Pass gives access to four ticketed evening events. Get your tickets at the Walla Walla Chamber Music Festival.

Here you will find everything, from live music in the vineyards to performances in cellar rooms and rehearsals in smaller winery tasting rooms. This festival which takes both during winter and summer is your answer to what to do in Walla Walla WA.

3. Take Your Kids To History Class At Fort Walla Walla Museum

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Special programs and events normally happen on the Fort grounds all year around, so you will find something for your family to check out.

Besides learning, kids will love the outdoor exhibition place and large playfort playground. The grounds are pretty vast, so it is advisable to either choose the exhibits you want to see or at least invest a couple of hours.

As you tour around, don't miss out on the chance to push "play" on VHS/DVD recorders hooked up to TVs along the way. It is one thing to see the artifacts, but the video provides information on the tools being put to use.

4. Wine Tasting At Caprio Cellars

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Experience the best wine tasting and visit the Caprio Cellars. The facility has a huge room and while you figure out your seat, you will be given a glass of champagne.

Available seating areas include those inside and outside of the building. This is one of the Walla Walla wineries with free tasting. The wines here are quite good and each one of them is served with a small plate appetizer.

Plan and make an appointment. This is not a mass tourism just-drive-right-in spot. There is a gate out front where you will need to be buzzed through to drive up. This is a must when visiting this city. You will be blown away by their hospitality.

5. Make Your Stay At The Marcus Whitman Hotel & Conference Center

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A great historic late 1920s hotel that is hard to miss. It is a large cube-spaced building located in the downtown area and a block off the Main Street.

This tallest building around has a couple of options for staying. One can choose from the classic Marcus Whitman or the adjoining 4-story annex hotel. Make sure to enjoy some time in the lobby area or one of the side rooms.

Additionally, it is also close to many tasting rooms and restaurants which enhances the overall experience. Also, its Mark Restaurant serves a variety of food and drinks, catering to customers' demands.

6. Stroll Around Pioneer Park

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Each time you go to Pioneer Park you will always be impressed with the size of the trees, the well-laid gardens, the birdlife as well as serene nature of the place. It has become one of the hot spots where people like to hang around and pass the time.

People of any age will find different options to get engaged here. There is a gazebo, play equipment, walking paths, a pond for bird watching, picnic pavilions, and an aviary.

The park has some huge, lovely old trees providing plenty of shade over a lush lawn. There is also a small rose garden in one corner of the park. They even go all out for holidays with plenty of lights and excitement.

7. Browse At Downtown Farmers Market

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It is a very wonderful farmers market and worth the time to check out. Lots of different vendors with everything from locally grown fruits and vegetables to lavender products and everything in between.

You can witness several vendors making hand-crafted items out of hot iron on an anvil. The vendors are very nice and friendly and enjoy answering any questions you may have.

Besides you will also find items such as handmade soap, jam, tea blends, candles, honey, flowers, knit items, jewelry, and more. It has a small-town friendliness and accessibility (no huge crowds) with truly wonderful things for sale.

8. Explore The Whitman Mission National Historic Site

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A nice site on the outskirts of Walla Walla offering plenty of history and a couple of miles of walking paths. The original buildings from the mission are no longer there, but the outlines of where they once were remain. So you can still get a sense of what the mission was like.

It is best to check the exhibits in the visitors center, then walk along the reconstructed portion of the Oregon Trail, and take in the view from the Whitman monument.

The monument on top of the hill is a great spot to just relax and meditate. Read one of their brochure for the full story and its modern implications. On top of all, it is free to visit. Also, look for things to do in Oregon.

9. Have Breakfast At The Maple Counter Cafe

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The Maple Counter Cafe is a busy breakfast and brunch spot where people normally wait for their turn. Despite the crowd, except for a great service and mouth-watering foods.

Many people even visit from the Tri-cities to eat here. Their egg benedict and biscuits and gravy are highly popular. Moreover, some other recommended dishes are blueberry cobbler French toast sausage patties and mushroom omelets.

The portions are huge and the pricing is reasonable for what you get. You can sit outside on a nice day on a large deck that extends out into the street. They also provide plenty of free street parking.

10. Catch A Performance At Gesa Power House Theatre

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The theater is one of the oldest structures in Walla Walla. This gorgeous venue maintains the rustic flavor of the original structure so there is always something to look at.

One can see plays, bands, movies, and comedies here. The space feels intimate without feeling too small. You pretty much have a good view of the stage from wherever you sit. The lobby area is a nice place for a drink before the show starts.

The acoustics are better than some of the large concert halls. The Power House is a great addition to the city, especially for somebody who enjoys a theater atmosphere and plays.

11. Visit The Book and Game

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This is one of the best independent bookstores you will visit. It is full of local charm and items plus a huge selection of books, games, puzzles, toys, and specialty items.

There is something for everyone. You are free to leaf through and do a little preview reading before purchase. This way you end up buying only the required items.

Another thing that can be done here is asking children to buy a book. You can give them money and ask them to browse around. This way they get to make their own decision and at the same time make calculations while checking out.

12. Play A Round At Wine Valley Golf Club

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A stunningly gorgeous course in the rolling hills of Walla Walla's wine country. The greens here are incredible and fast and tricky.

It allows you to be creative with putts and shots. It is a bit pricier than other golf courtesies but is worth it. The golf carts have GPS and can help you get back to the clubhouse if you need a refill on beer or wine.

It is the most imaginative green in the state of Washington and probably one of the best courses. Here are some other best things to do in Washington, if you visit the state any time soon.

13. Taste And Tour The Seven Hills Winery

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This attraction in the Walla Walla Valley has been serving customers for a long time. The interior is beautifully designed and they provide tasting for reds, whites, and roses.

You will be given a tour of the cellar and a special barrel tasting. The atmosphere, kid and dog-friendly, beautiful decor, and comfortable seating make your visit one of the best experiences.

They make stellar wine which is always creative and of the highest quality. While it seems expensive, if you do a comparison of the quality of wine you'd receive at other places, you'll find it quite affordable. They also make awesome white wines.

14. Stop By The Blue Mountain Lavender Farm

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This is a well-maintained family-run farm, where you can stop, and pick the bit English and French lavenders. The smell of the flowers is in the air as you drive down the gravel path.

When you turn into parking, you are in an aww. There is also a super cute gift shop with free samples of lavender lemonade. You have the option to either cut your plant or buy a pre-picked bundle.

With many shaded spots available you can even sit and enjoy the tranquility as long as you want. The farm overlooks the Blue Mountain. Add this to your itinerary if you are in the Walla Walla Washington.

15. Shopping At 35th+Butter

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This isn't a big store but it is packed with fun stuff. However, it is a great place to find something investing for yourself or a gift for a friend.

It is amazingly stocked with things ranging from wine accessories to joke items with witty inscriptions to classy leatherette purses. They also have an immensely large collection of jewelry, home accessories, clothing, wedding articles, and much more.

They are open every day at 10 am and the closing time defers other days. This shopping center is a piece of history and a community union. Visit the shop located in downtown Walla Walla and support the local business.

16. Enjoy At Children's Museum of Walla Walla

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The museum has plenty of room for your child's imagination to run wild. They keep their facility incredibly tidy, with simple rules to follow.

You don't need any appointments and it is $5 per person. Children must be under parental supervision during their entire visit. The museum also has a membership that you can sign up for. It gives you access to all of their events and a discount on renting out the butterfly room for birthday parties.

Check the rates of membership at the Children's Museum of Walla Walla site. Your kids will enjoy lots of differently themed rooms as well as an outside area with a sandbox, play bins, and a small play firehouse.

17. Discover Walla Walla By Renting At Allegro Cyclery

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If you are running out of time, rent a bicycle at Allegro Cyclery. It is the best way to see Walla Walla and its surrounding area faster.

They even have tandem bikes; the one with two seats. The rentals include a helmet and lock if required. If you want to take the road and grabel bikes, they have loaded tool bags attached.

You can book the bike a day ahead or on the same day. It will be ready for you to pick up on arrival. Moreover, if you are too busy to pick up your rental bikes, they also offer pick-up and delivery options. However, this includes additional fees.

18. Spend A Family Time At Mill Creek and Bennington Lake Recreation Area

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A pleasant place for a walk, run, or mountain bike, especially if you want to avoid pavement. Try a gentle bike ride up Mill Creek and then take the Meadowlark (Blue) trail around the perimeter of Bennington Lake.

It is also a good place to see animals. Ducks, geese, otters, white pelicans, kingfishers, hawks, songbirds, and sometimes mink. The scenery is beautiful looking towards Vancycle Ridge and into the Blue Mountains.

It is a great place to come along with your friends and family. Because there are picnic tables and playgrounds you can have a happy time together.

19. Check Out The Frenchtown Historic Site

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Frenchtown is just down the road from the Whitman Mission and is worth checking out. The main attraction of this site is the Princes Cabin which is believed to be the oldest in Washington.

You can see many signs up front that tell the history of the cabin and the area. It also explains how the cabin got moved to this site. There is another booth with history and biographies of people in that area.

As you move out, you will find an old cemetery at the end of the road. This is a rather uncommon attraction about a fascinating part of Washington's history.

20. Drink And Eat At Wingman Birdz + Brewz

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Wingman Birds + Brewz is a pub with good food and a wide variety of beer and spirits. Try their Bird Feeder; it could be a meal on its own.

Another great choice is beef sliders with a medium bine in the wings. Request them as shared plates and they will split it up.

This way you get two plates each with a slider, their wings with a sauce of your choice, and JoJo's. Wingman is not a fancy bar but their meals and beer selection is spot on. You will find plenty of parking places downtown Walla Walla.