Andrew and Krystal
Things To Do
10 Tasting Rooms Not to be Missed in Downtown Walla Walla
No matter the style of wine or vibe you’re looking for; this list is guaranteed to have you covered! So put on your walking shoes and explore our beautiful wine-filled downtown! Click the link for recommendations!
Blend your own wine
One of the most unique things to do when visiting Walla Walla is channeling your inner winemaker and blending your very own bottle of vino. Northstar Winery offers the Northstar Blending Experience, where guests get to try some of their limited release wines, then craft their own red wine and leave with the bottle. From the site: Reservation Times Available: Friday through Sunday at 2:00pm Price: $125 per person / $65 for club members Reservations are required. Maximum of 6 attendees allowed per appointment. For parties of 7 or more, please call the tasting room at 509-525-6100. This is a 90 minute experience. Guests will have time once their experience is completed to purchase wine and/or merchandise. If within 48 hours of the date you would like to book, please contact us at 509-525-6100 or via email at info@northstarwinery.com. All experiences at Northstar are subject to availability on a first come, first served basis.
Explore downtown Walla Walla
The charming, tree-lined Walla Walla downtown core dates back to the 1800s, and has been beautifully preserved over generations. Trolley cars glide by, the brick buildings hold an eclectic mix of boutiques, cafes, wine bars and restaurants, and outdoor patios spill out onto the streets.
Take a hot air balloon ride!
A Walla Walla hot air balloon ride is an unforgettable way to watch the sunrise or sunset over the valley. Seatlle Ballooning offers group and private tours over the rolling hills and vineyards during harvest season, during both sunrise and sunset.
Blue Mountain Lavender Farm
Every June, the fields at the Blue Mountain Lavender Farm begin their brilliant transformation from green to purple as the fragrant lavender starts to bloom. The farm is a 20 minute drive southwest of the city of Walla Walla in Lowden, and was founded in 2000 by the Grimaud family who are originally from France. Guests can enjoy beautiful views of the valley and mountains, and wander through the fields which are best seen from early June to mid-July. There’s also a u-pick, boutique and craft classes.
Palouse Falls
For more of an adventure, drive one hour north to Palouse Falls, a 180-foot-tall waterfall which is one of Washington’s top attractions.
Wine Valley Golf Club
Good news for the not-quite-PGA-ready golfers among us: Wine Valley Golf Club doesn’t contain a single tree, so chances of bouncing a bad drive off an inconvenient trunk are nil. The links-style public course winds through the rolling prairie, with views of the Blue Mountains and the surprisingly scenic wheat combines and wind turbines perched above waving fields. Weekday specials include a burger and beer with 18 holes and a cart. Click the link for more details!
Eat at the fantastic Walla Walla restaurants!
One of the top restaurants in Walla Walla is Hattaways on Alder. The menu is inspired by Pacific Northwest ingredients, and gives them a Southeast flare in dishes like the pan seared halibut cheeks, chicken & grits and braised beef cheeks with gnocchi. The wine list is extensive, and the chic, rustic ambiance makes for a great night out. Other recommended restaurants: Yamas Greek Eatery (known for their souvlaki and lamb and beef gyro) Bacon & Eggs (popular brunch spot) AK’s Mercado (one of the most fun places to eat in Walla Walla and famous for its tacos (the corn used in the tortillas comes straight from Oaxaca, Mexico)
Hiking at Mill Creek Dam and Bennington Lake
A great place to go hiking near Walla Walla is around the Mill Creek Dam and Bennington Lake areas, which have more than 20 miles of recreation trails through open grasslands, past creek beds and the lake, and along the dam which was built in 1942 for flood mitigation. Birders will want to head to Bennington Lake, which has Blue Mountain views and a trailhead for the Sun & Safe Loop which is part of the Great Washington State Birding Trail (more than 300 species of birds have been documented in the county). There are also picnic areas and washroom facilities, which makes this a great place to spend a summer day and go paddling on the water.
Watch the sunset over the Walla Walla Valley
The sight of the sun setting over wide open wheat fields and vineyards is mesmerizing, and a popular place to watch it is north of the city near the airport. Drive along Lower Waitsburg Road, and you’re sure to find plenty of people sitting on the roofs of their parked cars with a drink in hand, toasting to the end of another great day in Walla Walla.
Whitman Mission National Historic Site
The Whitman Mission National Historic Site details the impacts of the arrival of protestant missionaries Marcus and Narcissa Whitman, who established a mission among the Cayuse Tribe in 1836. Unfortunately, the presence of the pioneers brought a measles epidemic which decimated the Indigenous people, and in retaliation the Whitmans along with about a dozen others were killed during an attack the Cayuse hoped would eliminate the illness.