Walla Walla
Around Walla Walla
Photo: Jon Roanhaus · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Metro area · Washington · 62k people
Walla Walla
Locals say Walla Walla Valley · “The Town So Nice They Named It Twice”, “The Valley”
Where sweet onions and fine wine meet the wide open sky.
Wine RedWheat GoldSage Green
Welcome to the Walla Walla Valley, where the Blue Mountains meet rolling wheat fields and vineyards. Whether you're here for the wine, the sweet onions, or the small-town charm, you'll find a friendly community ready to share its favorites.
Clubs for Walla Walla
No clubs for Walla Walla yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Walla Walla. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Walla Walla. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Pioneer Park Large community park with duck pond, playgrounds, and mature trees.
- Borleske Stadium Historic baseball park, home of the Walla Walla Sweets.
- Fort Walla Walla Museum Local history museum with pioneer exhibits and a living history village.
- Whitman College Campus Scenic liberal arts campus with historic buildings and a lovely quad.
- Marcus Whitman Hotel Iconic downtown landmark, known for its Spanish Colonial Revival architecture.
- Mill Creek Runs through town, with a popular walking and biking trail.
- Outdoors Hike the Bennington Lake Trail
- Outdoors Bike along Mill Creek Trail
- With kids Visit Fort Walla Walla Museum
- With kids Spend a day at Pioneer Park
- Evenings Wine bar hopping downtown
- Evenings Live music at the Gesa Power House Theatre
- Locals love Wine tasting rooms
- Locals love Farmers markets
Through the year
- Walla Walla Balloon Stampede May Hot air balloon festival
- Walla Walla Sweet Onion Festival August Celebrates the local sweet onion harvest
- Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days August County fair with rodeo and exhibits
- Walla Walla Film Festival September Independent film screenings
- Walla Walla Marathon October Road race through the valley
Walla Walla has a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and cold, sometimes snowy winters. Best: Spring and fall are mild and pleasant, making them the best times to be outdoors.
Getaways
Local flavour
Teams
- Walla Walla Sweets West Coast League (collegiate summer baseball)
- Whitman College Blues NCAA Division III
- Walla Walla University Wolves NAIA
Also rooting for Seattle Mariners (MLB), Seattle Seahawks (NFL), Seattle Sounders FC (MLS), Portland Trail Blazers (NBA), Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Eat and drink
- Walla Walla Sweet Onions Mild, sweet onions grown only in the valley; served raw, grilled, or in rings.
- Wine Tasting Over 120 wineries in the Walla Walla Valley; known for Syrah, Cabernet, and Merlot.
- Beef and Wheat Local ranches and wheat farms supply hearty steaks and artisan breads.
Where people go
- Wineries and Vineyards Dozens of tasting rooms in town and along the valley roads, often in converted barns or modern facilities.
- Historic Downtown Brick storefronts, local cafés, and the Marcus Whitman Hotel.
- Blue Mountains Nearby hiking and scenic drives, with views of the valley below.
- Wheat Fields and Farms Endless rolling golden fields that define the rural character.
Heritage and traditions
Walla Walla is proud of its agricultural bounty—especially the world-famous Walla Walla Sweet Onion—and its transformation into a premier wine region, all set against the stunning Blue Mountains and a deep pioneer history.
This time of year in Walla Walla
- Wine crush Fall Grapes are harvested and crushed, with wineries hosting harvest parties.
Say it like a local: “The Valley” — Refers to the Walla Walla Valley.
Festivals
- Walla Walla Cinco de Mayo May Community celebration of Mexican heritage with food, music, and dancing.
- Dayton Lighted Farm Implement Parade December Farm equipment decorated with lights parades through downtown Dayton.
- Walla Walla Valley Wine and Food Festival November Showcases local wines paired with regional cuisine.
Landmarks with a story
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site Site of the 1847 Whitman Massacre, a key event in Pacific Northwest history.
- Fort Walla Walla Original military fort established in 1856, now a museum and park.
- Historic Downtown Walla Walla Well-preserved late-19th-century commercial buildings housing shops and galleries.
- Kirkman House Museum Victorian-era home turned museum showcasing local history.
- Walla Walla Public Library Historic Carnegie library building, still in use.
Food traditions
- Sweet Onion Eating Locals enjoy Walla Walla Sweet Onions raw, like apples, during the summer harvest.
- Onion Rings Sweet onions are made into thick, sweet onion rings at local eateries.
- Wine and Cheese Pairings Walla Walla wineries often partner with local creameries for tasting events.
- Farm-to-Table Dining Restaurants highlight local produce, beef, and wheat in seasonal menus.
- Taco Trucks A vibrant taco truck scene serves authentic Mexican street food, reflecting the area's Hispanic community.
Music and arts
- Walla Walla Symphony The oldest continuously operating symphony in the state.
- Walla Walla Foundry Internationally renowned art foundry casting large bronze sculptures for famous artists.
- Gesa Power House Theatre Historic theater hosting plays, concerts, and films.
- Walla Walla Valley Arts Supports local artists and hosts gallery walks.
A little history
- Whitman Massacre at the Whitman Mission, a turning point in the region's settlement. 1847
- Fort Walla Walla established to protect settlers. 1856
- City of Walla Walla incorporated. 1859
- Whitman College founded, one of the oldest colleges in the Pacific Northwest. 1865
- Railroad arrival spurs growth and agricultural development. 1880s
- Game day Walla Walla Sweets baseball games at Borleske Stadium
- Game day Whitman College football games
- Outdoors Hot air balloon rides during the Balloon Stampede
- Outdoors Wine tasting on outdoor patios
- With kids Children's Museum of Walla Walla
- With kids Walla Walla Foundry art tours
Residents speak with a general Pacific Northwest accent, but the name 'Walla Walla' is a distinctive local word. Locals often shorten the valley to 'the Valley' and refer to the Blue Mountains as 'the Blues'.
Only here
- The Walla Walla Sweet Onion is a protected variety grown only in this valley.
- The Walla Walla Foundry is one of the largest art bronze foundries in the US.
- Whitman Mission is the only national historic site in the region.
- The name 'Walla Walla' is a reduplication from the native Cayuse language.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce 'Walla Walla' as 'WAH-luh WAH-luh'.
- Try a sweet onion sandwich or onion rings in the summer.
- Visit wineries in the fall for crush, but spring is also beautiful.
- Expect hot, dry summers and cold, foggy winters.
- Take a trip to the Blue Mountains for hiking and views.
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Part of Tri-Cities area
Nearby
Every areaDayton–PomeroyWashingtonRolling wheat hills and quiet main streets.Tri-CitiesWashingtonWhere the desert blooms with wine and sunshine.HermistonOregonBig skies, warm hearts, and the spirit of the West.La GrandeOregonBig skies, wild rivers, and small-town heart.OthelloWashingtonWhere the desert meets the harvest.Wallowa CountyOregonAlpine valleys, bronze artistry, and wide-open skies.LewistonIdahoWhere the rivers meet and the hills rollPullmanWashingtonRolling hills, crimson pride, and a taste of home.
Walla Walla, WA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.