We hope you’ve packed your appetite.
Whether you’re interested in taking a tour of the Walla Walla’s many excellent wineries, sampling dishes made from the valley’s famed sweet onions, or trying five-star restaurants, this driving-distance destination is every Seattle foodie’s dream.
Before you start packing your bags, here’s everything you need to know about Walla Walla + our insider recommendations:
- Drive time: ~4.2 hours from downtown
- Est. population: 34,526
- Established: 1862
🎟️ Experiences
Curated Walla Walla
There are a lot of wine tours in this bottled-up town, but this one gives you the flexibility to customize your experience — choose from a private chef’s dinner, cheese tasting add-ons + scenic bike rides.
L’Ecole Historic Schoolhouse
If you’re hitting up tasting rooms, stop by this acclaimed winery’s 1915-built outpost that was once a working school. View the remaining chalkboards and restored, hand-painted mural from former students.
Whitman College Art Walk
Stroll through Walla Walla’s scenic college campus with a sculpture park + neighboring tasting rooms like DAMA Wines and El Corazon.
🍲 Eats
Hattaway’s on Alder
Looking for a taste of the Southeast in the PNW? Here you’ll find the likes of chicken + grits, roasted oysters in New Orleans-style butter, and Cajun steelhead fritters. Drool.
Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen
Refined yet approachable Turkish, Cypriot, and Spanish dishes await you at this restaurant founded by James Beard Award semifinalist Chris Ainsworth. For true local flavor, don’t skip the gazpacho made with Walla Walla sweet onions.
AK’s Mercado
For a long time, this acclaimed taco joint worked out of a Walla Walla gas station. But the former Andrae’s Kitchen — from critically lauded chef Andrae Bopp — is all grown up now with a spiffy new spot in the heart of town (and those tacos al pastor are still packing the heat).
Walla Walla Steak Co.
Soon after opening in 2018, this upscale meat haven was named one of the “Best Wine Restaurants in America” by Wine Enthusiast. Wanna save on some miles? Take a quick trip to Woodinville to enjoy the cuisine closer to home.
Passatempo Taverna
Nothing goes better with a glass of vino than some freshly made pasta. Here you can load up on carbs with the likes of pinwheel lasagna + rigatoni bolognese to fuel those tasting room adventures.
🏨 Stays
Cameo Heights Mansion
If you’re a little bit country but also love a bit of luxury, this boutique hotel located on the outskirts of Walla Walla should hit the spot. It houses five-star restaurant The Vine with its tailor made ambiance for special occasions + romantic meals.
Eritage Resort
Sunset Magazine once rated this sprawling getaway a top 20 travel destination — and for good reason. The views are gorgeous, the amenities (like the heated saltwater pool) are top notch, and the Eritage Restaurant has culinary champion roots.
The GG
Located in a historic home, the revamped Green Gables Inn gives off French duchess energy with antique trunks + ornate flourishes throughout the building. On Fridays, the in-house chef preps a three-course meal showcasing local meats, cheeses + vegetables.
The Finch
One of the newer, modern hotels around town, this spot is also among the more affordable options. Cash in on early bird special rates and a “lovebird’s retreat” that comes with chocolates from esteemed Bright’s Candies + a gift card to The Marc Restaurant.
Wait a minute, Seattleites. Before you head out the door, find the cheapest places to fill up your gas tank and stock up on road trip snacks from Uwajimaya.
🚗 Take the scenic route
No matter where the highway takes you, our road trip must-haves will ease your journey as you make your way to your destination.
- With more than 23,000 location-based audio stories, Autio’s Unlimited Plan: Lifetime Subscription is your perfect companion offering mini podcasts about the history, culture, and geology of areas you drive through.
- You’ll stay fully charged up and connected with this 4-in-1 retractable car charger that has iPhone compatibility and secure plug-in capability.
- Rock a comfortable sweatshirt and pants set for the road featuring a cozy elastic waistband and side-seamed pockets to store your valuables.
- Keep your tailbone supported during lengthy drives with a thick memory foam cushion that is machine washable and gives complete postural support.
- Avoid getting stranded with a dead battery by packing this portable car jump starter that gives up to 50 jumps in a single charge — no flagging down a stranger needed.
- Easy to clean and leak-proof, this collapsible car trash can gives you 2 gallons of storage capacity to keep your vehicle free from clutter.
