This post was sponsored by Visit Walla Walla and Walla Walla Valley Wine. All thoughts, images, and opinions are our own.
Looking for a quick getaway in Washington State? If you love wine tasting, amazing food, and gorgeous scenery, we know just the place for you!
Walla Walla is a special oasis tucked away in the corner of Southeast Washington. From the rolling hills of the Palouse Scenic Byway, close-knit community, and delicious restaurants, this place is a special gem to all who visit!
To help get your trip planning brain in action, we’re sharing some of the best things to do in Walla Walla this weekend.
Walla Walla has something for everyone. From a girls trip, family trip, bachelorette party, or more, you can curate the perfect Walla Walla Weekend itinerary to find exactly what you want!
Plan The Perfect Weekend In Walla Walla, Washington
In this post, we’re sharing a 3-Day Walla Walla itinerary (and more alternatives below!) so you can plan your own lovely weekend in Eastern Washington ASAP.
How To Get To Walla Walla
Walla Walla, Washington is located in the southeast corner of the state. It’s about 4 hours from Seattle, Portland, AND Boise which means it’s one of the best short getaway destinations in the Pacific Northwest!
There is a regional airport in Walla Walla, perfect for a quick 40-minute flight from Seattle. It’s a convenient option, however it is a little bit on the pricier side, and flights are limited.
However, if you’re flying Alaska Airlines, your first case of wine on the return trip home flies free!
Distances and miles from major PNW cities to Walla Walla:
- Seattle, WA: (273 miles – 4 hour drive)
- Portland, OR: (242 miles – 3 hour 45-minute drive)
- Spokane, WA: (153 miles – 2 hour 45-minute drive)
- Coeur d’Alene, ID (185 miles – 3 hour 15-minute drive)
- Boise, ID (254 miles – 4 hour drive)
- Vancouver, BC: (408 miles – 6 hour 30-minute drive)
Want to make it part of a longer adventure? Plan a 5-day road trip around Eastern Washington!
Weather In Walla Walla (What To Expect)
Weather in Walla Walla varies season to season, but you can almost always expect it to be sunny and dry.
Walla Walla in spring (March-May) is lovely! There are often sunny and warm days (60-75ºF), with some rainy ones as well. This is a great time to visit Walla Walla green areas like Pioneer Park or Whitman College.
Besides the occasional summer thunderstorm, Walla Walla summers (June – September) are hot and dry. With average temperatures between 80-90ºF and lots of direct sunlight, it’s essential to pack sunscreen and water for your wine tastings!
Walla Walla in the fall (October – November) sees the changing of leaves, and cooler temperatures. If you love crisp mornings and the vibrant fall colors, come during this time. It’s especially popular to visit in the fall if you love picking your own fresh produce!
Walla Walla winters (Late November – February) are chilly and dry, and snow is not uncommon. The coldest month is December, with average day temps around 40 degrees. Come in the winter for a food tour, but know that many of the winemakers go on vacation during this time!
Where to Stay For 3 Days In Walla Walla
Curious about where to stay for a weekend in Walla Walla? We have the perfect recommendation for you.
The FINCH
The FINCH in Walla Walla is located conveniently downtown, walkable to almost all the major attractions and restaurants in town!
It’s home to 80 one-of-a-kind rooms with a fun twist on mid-century modern and industrial architecture. The rooms are clean and simple on purpose – it’s because their communal spaces and amenities on the grounds are so much fun!
From the social lobby (where you’ll find your morning coffee and tea) to the outdoor lawn games and Adirondack chairs, the FINCH is built to draw people out of their rooms to connect with one another.
The space is also host to several local artists. From the unique murals in each room, one-of-a-kind pieces in the lobby, and rotating artists every month, there’s something unique to see around every corner! Learn about The FINCH’s local artists here.
Walla Walla 3 Day Itinerary
This 3 Day Walla Walla itinerary is the perfect way to plan a quick weekend trip to Eastern Washington!
Even if you’re from the area, this itinerary is a great way to do fun Walla Walla activities this weekend.
Walla Walla Itinerary Day 1
Walawála Plaza
Once you arrive, head straight for downtown and grab lunch at the new Walawála Plaza. (1st Avenue and Main Street).
Here, you’ll find YAMAS Greek Eatery, Sweet Basil Pizzeria, and The Weiner & Bun. It’s a perfect place to go if your group all wants different things – there are communal tables in the center of the plaza so you can still all eat together.
On our last trip, we went to YAMAS and loved every second of it! The food was delicious and fresh – we highly recommend making this a stop on your itinerary!
Kinhaven Winery
1050 Merlot Dr, Walla Walla, WA
After lunch, drive over to Kinhaven Winery to kick off your wine tasting weekend!
Located in the Southside District of the Walla Walla Valley, Kinhaven has stunning views of the Blue Mountains. Their tasting area is surrounded by vines, and they have a shaded patio, open grass seating, and a huge luxurious fire pit for those colder days.
This is a smaller winery and family-owned with lots of love and care focused into their wines, space, and guests. We found this place to be perfect for those who are seeking a place to have deep, meaningful conversations with friends. Their space is perfectly set up for creating those memorable moments with your favorite people.
Frog Hollow Farm
174 Frog Hollow Road, Walla Walla, WA
Have a green thumb like me? Frog Hollow Farm is a must-visit, especially if you are local! (Aka, you are able to take some new plants or flowers home for your garden!)
Frog Hollow Farm is family-owned, with a focus on heirloom plants, experimental varieties, and uncommon plants you won’t find in most nurseries!
This place is perfect for the whole family – there is a small farm where you can feed animals, a kid-friendly area that’s coming soon, and seasonal events that will bring you back time and time again.
Dinner at Public House 124
124 E Main St, Walla Walla, WA
Public House 124 is the perfect stop if you are craving a good burger and beer! Nestled right downtown, you can easily pair it with your even downtown walk, and stop in for a bite to eat along the way.
It’s known for its signature cocktails and high-end bar food, with something to satisfy any appetite! (Note: If you aren’t drinking alcohol, ask for their signature mocktails – they are delicious too!)
Walla Walla Itinerary Day 2
Carte Coffee
8 N. Colville St.
Carte Coffee was one of our favorite places on our Walla Walla weekend trip. Not only because we love good coffee, but the vibe here was friendly, welcoming, and accommodating. The space was perfect for gathering friends – they even had children’s books available to keep your little ones busy while you sipped your latte!
Colville Street Patisserie
40 S. Colville St.
The Colville Street Patisserie is a popular place to grab baked goods for locals and visitors alike. Chefs David and Tiffany specialize in classic French pastries, desserts, and cakes!
On any given day there is a line out the door starting right at opening time (9:00am daily) so come early if you have your heart set on a specific pastry!
Walk Around Bennington Lake
A local favorite, Bennington Lake Trail is an easy, 50-minute walk around the lake perfect for a morning stroll. Around the lake, you can get a closer look at the Blue Mountains and wheat fields that surround the area. At the shoreline, we saw a few birds, and a darling granddad/grandson that caught a fish!
This is a great destination for the whole family to enjoy, and parking is free!
Pack Lunch To Walla Walla Vintners
225 Vineyard Ln, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Located on the up and coming Eastside Wine District, Walla Walla Vintners is the perfect place to bring a picnic lunch and enjoy the views!
We got a picnic lunch to-go from Foodscape, which was the perfect pairing with our wine tastings. We had a selection of crackers, hummus, fresh veggies, and a beautifully curated charcuterie board! If you are thinking about what to do for lunch, a packed picnic from Foodscape is the way to go!
Walla Walla Vintners has an open air deck with sweeping views of the estate and neighboring vineyards. It’s also one of the longest running wineries in Walla Walla, established in 1995! Come to taste their lineup of wines while enjoying the view!
Experience Tranche Estate
705 Berney Dr, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Tranche Estate and Winery is one of the most popular destinations in Walla Walla. Their spectacular site on the foothills of the Blue Mountains are hard to beat!
Visitors can opt for an ATV tour of the enormous property. The experience is $60 that comes with a zip around the vineyards while seeing the grapevines of the wine you’ll be tasting! Their wine is known for being aromatic and expressive. We found that we tried glasses that we’ve never heard of before, and it was really fun!
If you come on the weekends in the summertime, you’ll find live music! Click here to read their summer music lineup and plan your experience around one of these fun concerts.
Dinner at AK’s Mercado
21 E Main St, Walla Walla, WA 99362
For a fun time with BIG taste, head over to AK’s Mercado! No Walla Walla weekend itinerary is complete without a visit to this delicious spot.
This downtown restaurant is home to some of the most fun drinks and delicious tacos in town. Blending his passion for Oaxacan an other Mexican cuisine, visitors with feel like they are getting an authentic food experience with tons of love and care.
When we visited, Chef Andrae Bopp was at the restaurant, helping serve food and checking in on customers. It really felts like he put love and care into each dish that was presented!
Food Tip: The servings are big! We recommend 2 tacos a person, or 3 if you’re REALLY hungry. The nachos can easily feed a group of four!
Dessert at Brights’ Candies or Pine Cone Creamery
11 E Main Street | 3 S Colville Street
Grab something sweet after dinner! As you walk back to The FINCH, stop at Brights’ Candies or Pine Cone Creamery (or both!!).
Brights’ is a local and classic candy shop where you can pick up fudge, chocolates made in-house, and lots of sweet treats. There’s really something sweet for everyone in your group!
If you’re craving some cold ice cream, Pine Cone Creamery is the perfect place to find the right scoop. They have all the classic flavors you would expect, as well as some fun and creative flavors too!
Walla Walla Itinerary Day 3
Breakfast at Maple Counter Cafe
209 E Alder Street, Walla Walla, WA
One of the best starts to any Walla Walla morning is a breakfast stop at Maple Counter Cafe! It felt to us like Walla Walla’s local version of the Cracker Barrel. They serve everything from classic breakfast platters to seasonal pancakes (like apples!). They are known for huge breakfast plates, made from scratch with local ingredients from the nearby farms!
Follow the Whitman Sculpture Walk…
925 Whitman St.
After your hearty breakfast, stretch your legs with a walk around the Whitman College campus. Here, you can do a self-guided art walk! Click here for a step-by-step guide to the sculptures, and a brief description of each along your route. We found this to be a very lovely morning walk, and were very impressed by the beautiful grounds of Whitman College.
We also noticed there are a lot of fun places for children to run and play, so bring the whole family next time you visit Whitman College!
…Or Explore Pioneer Park
940 E Alder St, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Just a few blocks away is the scenic and popular Pioneer Park. It kind of reminded us of a mini Central Park, with the carefully curated roads, play areas, and all around gorgeous landscaping. Here, you can enjoy an aviary, center Gazebo, Pickleball Courts, a pond (ducks!), and a playground for kids to name just a few major attractions.
The park is also home to an iconic tree limb, cast in bronze by the local Walla Walla Foundry and gifted to the community. Can you find it?
Wine Tasting at ALUVÉ
100 ALUVÉ Lane, Walla Walla, WA 99362
Located on Walla Walla’s Eastside District is ALUVÉ, a winery run by Kelly and JJ Menozzi. There are both retired Air Force pilots that made their winemaking dreams come true after their service in the military!
They live and work on a small Estate Winery, cultivating and creating their own world-class wine to share with family and friends. We found that their wines had a lot of Italian influence, which is an homage to their family roots and preferred tastes!
ALUVÉ makes easy to drink wines that are perfect for paring with get-togethers and dinner parties! It’s a great spot to visit on a Walla Walla weekend itinerary with a close-knit group of friends!
Berty and I picked up a bottle from their tasting room to plan our own dinner party around.
What are some things to do in Walla Walla that you would recommend? Share them in the comments below!
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