Things to Do in Walla Walla: Top Sights and Original 3, 5 & 7-Day Itineraries
Walla Walla, in southeastern Washington, has become one of America's top wine destinations, with over 120 wineries around a charming historic downtown. Excellent restaurants, the famous sweet onions, the Whitman Mission historic site, the Blue Mountains and nearby Palouse Falls make it ideal for a relaxed, food-focused getaway.
This guide covers the best things to do in Walla Walla, with itineraries for 3, 5 and 7 days, ideas for weekends, couples and families, local food, where to stay and how to get around.
Top things to see in Walla Walla
Downtown Main Street
Tasting rooms and restaurants.
Wineries
Over 120 around the valley.
Whitman Mission
National historic site.
Fort Walla Walla Museum
Pioneer village.
Pioneer Park
Aviary and gardens.
Blue Mountains
Hiking.
Palouse Falls
Dramatic waterfall.
Walla Walla Farmers Market
Local produce.
Walla Walla in 3 days: an original itinerary
1Day 1 · Downtown
Explore downtown Walla Walla's tree-lined Main Street, with dozens of tasting rooms, galleries and historic buildings. Lunch at a local bistro. In the afternoon, taste wines from several downtown tasting rooms on foot, then enjoy dinner at one of the town's acclaimed restaurants.
2Day 2 · Wine country
Visit wineries in the Southside and Airport District, tasting Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot the valley is known for. Lunch at a winery with views of the Blue Mountains. Use a driver or wine tour, and finish with a sunset glass on a winery patio.
3Day 3 · History
Visit the Whitman Mission National Historic Site, telling the story of the Oregon Trail era and the Cayuse people, then the Fort Walla Walla Museum with its pioneer village. Lunch downtown. In the afternoon, stroll Pioneer Park and its aviary, and visit the Saturday farmers market in season.
Walla Walla in 5 days
Follow the 3-day plan above, then add these two days:
4Day 4 · Rocks District
Explore the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater across the Oregon border, known for wines grown in cobblestone soils. Lunch at a winery. In the evening, live music downtown. The cobblestones, left by ancient floods, give the wines a distinctive savory character found nowhere else in the United States.
5Day 5 · Blue Mountains
Hike in the Blue Mountains of the Umatilla National Forest or drive to Bluewood ski area in winter. Picnic lunch. Return for a farm-to-table dinner. The forest roads offer wildflowers in early summer and quiet trails with views back across the valley and its patchwork of vineyards.
Walla Walla in 7 days
With a full week, keep days 1 to 5 and finish with:
6Day 6 · Palouse Falls
Day trip to Palouse Falls State Park, about 90 minutes away, to see the 198-foot waterfall in a dramatic basalt canyon. Lunch on the way. Return through the rolling Palouse hills. The falls are most powerful in spring, and the overlook is just a short walk from the parking area.
7Day 7 · Farewell
Breakfast at a café, last wine purchases and sweet onion products, and a farewell dinner pairing local wines with Northwest cuisine. The regional airport offers flights to Seattle, about an hour away. Sweet onions ship well too.
What to do in Walla Walla on a weekend
Things to do in Walla Walla on a weekend? Saturday: downtown tasting rooms. Sunday: wineries and Whitman Mission.
Spring Release Weekend in May and the Sweet Onion Festival in July.
What to do in Walla Walla in the evening
In the evening, fine dining and wine bars.
Live music downtown.
Walla Walla for couples
For couples, winery tours and boutique hotels.
Walla Walla with kids
With kids, Pioneer Park, Fort Walla Walla Museum and Whitman Mission.
What to eat in Walla Walla
Walla Walla sweet onions
Famous local.
Syrah
Local wine.
Cabernet Sauvignon
Local wine.
Farm-to-table
Local produce.
Onion rings
Sweet onion.
Where to stay in Walla Walla: best areas
Downtown
Walkable.
Wine country
Vineyards.
B&Bs
Charming.
College Place
Nearby.
What to do in Walla Walla when it rains
Things to do in Walla Walla when it rains? Tasting rooms, Fort Walla Walla Museum and galleries.
How much does a trip to Walla Walla cost?
Expect $180–350 per night.
Practical tips for Walla Walla
Best time to visit
May–October.
Getting around
Car or wine tour.
Our practical tips
- Book tastings ahead.
- Use a driver.
- Spring Release Weekend.
- Visit the farmers market.
- Try sweet onions in summer.
- Reserve dinners.
Mistakes to avoid
- Driving after tasting.
- Big event weekends without booking.
- Too many wineries in one day.
- Summer heat.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Walla Walla?
Wine tasting, downtown and Whitman Mission.
How many wineries?
Over 120.
Things to do with kids?
Pioneer Park.
Best time?
Spring and fall.