“A flexible, family-friendly itinerary for a fun day in the Walla Walla Valley. Most stops do not require reservations and are open daily.”
BY BRIAN RUDIN AND JENNA BICKNELL
8:00 AM: Kick off the day with breakfast at Clarette’s. A Walla Walla staple with that classic diner vibe it is located downtown, near the beautiful Whitman College campus. Early risers will be delighted knowing this spot is open at 6 AM daily.
9:00 AM: Get the wiggles out, with a visit to the crown jewel park of Walla Walla, Pioneer Park, which was designed by famous NYC Central Park architect Frederick Olmstead, to receive President Taft for a 5-hour visit to the city. Enjoy broad shady canopies from world record-holding oaks while you peruse the vibrant community-run aviary. The park also features an expansive playground, pickleball courts and ping pong!
11:00 AM: Now that everyone has had time to explore and play in Pioneer Park, it is time to head west on Old Highway 12 to Woodward Canyon Winery. Established in 1981 as the second Walla Walla winery – you can enjoy their wines daily with no reservations required. There is plenty of space to play lawn games in their beautiful garden tasting room.
12:00 PM: Older kids may enjoy the history of the Whitman Mission, an early outpost for Oregon Trail settlers in the Walla Walla Valley, and the site of the infamous Whitman Massacre. Younger kids might be better suited to enjoy a visit to Frog Hollow Farms (closed Saturdays). Offering more local seasonal produce and much more, this stop has animals you can feed and a gated play area. If you’re here before frost rolls in, enjoy over 70 different varieties of tomatoes!
1:00 PM: You can make your own picnic from the selection at Frog Hollow or enjoy the winner of Walla Walla’s ‘tastiest taco.’ Happy Wanderer is a Mexican restaurant located in College Place, WA, this stop is very close to the Southside Wine District and offers fresh, handmade tortillas and salsas. Vegans & vegetarians will rejoice at the offerings as well.
2:00 PM: In the heart of the Southside Wine District is Canvasback. Make reservations to enjoy the comparative tasting experience highlighting the differences between regional growing sites — Red Mountain, Walla Walla and the Rocks District of Milton-Freewater. Keep the kids busy with cornhole or classic board games. The whole family can watch the hawks coasting along the nearby Walla Walla River. Reservations are recommended.
3:00 PM: Head downtown to enjoy Echolands Winery. Our tasting room is the perfect place to kick back after a day of family fun. Dedicated to using only Walla Walla Valley fruit and offering several single-varietal, single-vineyard wines, like the 2022 Riviere-Galets Grenache, join us for an afternoon tasting.
4:00 PM: Within walking distance of Echolands tasting room, you can enjoy bowling and the arcade at Stardust Lanes.
5:30 PM: Kids of all ages will enjoy a chance to ride the mechanical bull at T-Post Tavern (closed Monday & Tuesday). This brand new, but old school country bar is family friendly 4 – 10 PM, featuring live music and dancing after 9 PM Thursday – Saturday. Enjoy their smoked meats and kids menu.
You can keep the thrills going after dark at the Walla Walla Corn Maze, offering “scary hours” after dark all through October, though hours vary by day.
