The lively town of Walla Walla boasts not only the oldest fair in the state of Washington but an enticing travel destination with a dynamic arts scene, excellent restaurants and interesting historic sites and museums. Experience authentic rodeo with mounted shooting and top entertainment at the Walla Walla Fair. Shop for one-of-a-kind antiques or taste a flight of local award-winning wines in downtown Walla Walla.
Walla Walla State Fair and Frontier Days
In 1863 the Walla Walla State Fair began with a horse race on a track north of town. Now the state fair, held at the county fairgrounds, celebrates its Western heritage with a PRCA-approved rodeo and mounted shooting events. Families enjoy the carnival and variety of exhibits, including the kids’ farm center and animal barns.
Entertainment at the fair features music concerts and dancing. Country and rock music performances by The Band Perry, LoCash Cowboys and Joey+Rory highlight the fair’s concerts. CeeDub, cookbook author and star of his PBS cooking show, will demonstrate Dutch oven cooking for fairgoers. The downtown parade on Saturday gets everyone involved in the fair atmosphere.
Walla Walla Activities and Attractions
The city of Walla Walla embraces its historic past and exciting future. Main Street was once the historic Nez Perce Trail. Lewis and Clark traveled through present day Walla Walla County on their return trip from the Pacific Ocean in 1806. Agriculture has always been successful in Walla Walla, drawing on the rich, varied soil – with some of Washington’s most prominent wineries established in the area alongside Palouse wheat and Walla Walla onions.
Downtown Walla Walla is peppered with art galleries and wine tasting rooms, chic restaurants and eclectic shops as well as artists’ studios. The area also offers interesting historic sites and museums. The Fort Walla Walla Museum features a pioneer settlement with original buildings and exhibits. The Kirkman House Museum is furnished with Victorian-style heirlooms. The quirky Museum of Unnatural History displays surreal three-dimensional art.
Lodging and Dining in Walla Walla
The Marcus Whitman Hotel dominates the Walla Walla skyline. The grand lobby of the historic luxury hotel evokes the romance of the late 1920s when it first opened. Luxury and spa suites, pet-friendly rooms and elegant dining at The Marc are features of this hotel. National hotel chains, such as the Best Western, Hampton Inn and Comfort Inn, offer more accommodations in Walla Walla. Bed and breakfast establishments feature cozy lodging, some in Victorian homes.
Walla Walla was named one of the top 10 foodie destinations in the world by Away.com. Bistros, cafes and restaurants showcase local cuisine and wines. Backstage Bistro features its world-famous barbecue. Brasserie four is a cozy bistro with French country-style dishes and local wines. Wander over to Colville St. Patisserie for elegant desserts and gelato. Saffron offers homemade Mediterranean fare made from seasonal, local ingredients.
Getting to Walla Walla
The city of Walla Walla is 275 miles southeast of Seattle, Washington, and 242 miles northeast of Portland, Oregon. Alaska Airlines has daily flights between Walla Walla and Seattle. Greyhound Bus Lines has service to Walla Walla from Seattle and Portland. Drive to Walla Walla on State Route 12.
Visit Walla Walla for its unique state fair as well as a vibrant downtown. Sip local wines, shop for antiques, visit historic museums, eat regional fare and stay in a accommodations from luxurious to cozy. Walla Walla also holds a colorful balloon festival each May, the Walla Walla Balloon Stampede. And for more interesting Pacific Northwest fairs, visit Alaska’s largest state fair, held each late summer in Palmer.
Susan Lynne Hamilton - Award-winning writer Susan Lynne Hamilton is the Topic Editor of Suite 101's Northwest U.S. travel section, showcasing its rich ...
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