Walla Walla: Wine, History and Trails

The Walla Walla Valley stretches across southeastern Washington and northeastern Oregon; the wine region lies in Walla Walla County in Washington State and Umatilla County in Oregon. Wineries and tasting rooms are spread across six key districts in the valley. In the Southside neighborhood, visits to wineries can be combined with views of the Walla Walla Valley. The wine country, downtown and historic sites offer different themes for your stay.

Wine and Seasonal Flavors

Downtown Walla Walla has more than 30 wine tasting rooms. Restaurants, accommodations, shops and historic Main Street are all within walking distance. If getting between these destinations is important when choosing where to stay, this information can help with planning. The number of tasting rooms and shops may change; check the latest information before making specific plans.

Spring Release Weekend takes place annually on the first full weekend in May and pairs new wine releases with special events. If you plan to travel for it, check the dates for the year in question. Walla Walla Sweet Onions also shape the seasonal rhythm: they are planted in September and hand-harvested the following summer. They are available from mid-June through July; some retailers offer them through August. Since availability is seasonal, it’s worth checking the latest information before your trip.

Museums and Historic Sites

The Fort Walla Walla Museum’s Pioneer Village comprises 17 buildings from the Walla Walla Valley, furnished with artifacts. The museum also has five exhibit halls. Exhibits include a depiction of a wheat harvest with a team of 33 mules and an old cell from the Washington State Penitentiary. You can take an audio tour at your own pace.

At Whitman Mission National Historic Site, the Mission Trail connects several specific points of interest: the paved loop is one-third of a mile long and mostly level. It passes the Whitmans’ two houses, a reconstructed millpond and other buildings of the Presbyterian mission. From an elevated point, visitors can see the entire park; on clear days, the Blue Mountains of Washington and Oregon can be seen on the horizon.

Frenchtown Historic Site is located in the ancestral settlement area of the Walla Walla and Cayuse peoples. Starting in the 1820s, French Canadian voyageurs associated with the Hudson’s Bay Company settled there with their Métis families. The site is also located where the 1855 Battle of Walla Walla took place. In Downtown Walla Walla, the Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 3, 2021.

Walla Walla Fair & Frontier Days dates back to Walla Walla’s first county fair in 1866 and is considered the oldest fair in Washington State. The Walla Walla Fair’s 4-H and FFA programs provide an annual showcase for the region’s younger agricultural community. The history of the Frontier Days Rodeo begins in 1913; events at the time included bulldogging, relay races, bronc riding, stagecoach races, and performances by cowboys and cowgirls.

Trails and Outdoor Activities

At Whitman Mission, there are about one mile of paved walking trails and two miles of unpaved, mowed trails. The short Mission loop differs significantly from the longer routes; seasonal mowing can affect access to the mowed trails. Bennington Lake has more than 20 miles of multi-use trails for horseback riders, cyclists and hikers. The Mill Creek Recreation Trail offers a different length and surface: it is 2.5 miles long, paved and runs along Mill Creek; non-motorized traffic is permitted.

Kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding are also possible at Bennington Lake; seasonal conditions may vary. In spring, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife stocks the lake with rainbow trout. This helps distinguish the lake trails by the user groups mentioned, while watersports and seasonal fish stocking offer other aspects to consider when planning.

Discover more destinations: Touchet, Walla Walla, Mason County, Clallam County, Skamania, Grant County, Lewis, Cowlitz.

For the broader travel overview: Washington.