Transportation

 

Taxi service in Walla Walla

  • ABC Taxi – 509.529.7726
  • A-1 Taxi - 509.529.2525
    • Taxis in Walla Walla are quick, clean, friendly and a safe way to travel when visiting more than a couple of wineries

 

Wine TastingBlack Tie Limousines - Phone:  509.525.8585.  Special wine tour prices, call or visit www.blacktielimos.net

 

Caveman Coach - Gus and Laurie Sarrazin Phone: 509.529.7170, or 509.522-1195, visit www.cavemancoach.com

 

Blue Stocking Tours - 6 West Rose Street, Suite 101m Walla Walla, WA 99362

Phone: 509.522.4717 or visit www.bluestockingtours.com

 

 

 

Special Walla Walla Features

 

Fort Walla Walla Museum www.fortwallawallamuseum.org. 

Fort Walla Walla Museum is closed Nov through Mar.  Admission: $7.00/Adults; $6.00/Students and Seniors 62 & over; $3.00/Children ages 6-12.  Children under 6 are free.  Open Daily 10 am - 5 pm., Apr through Oct.  Location: 755 Myra Road, Walla Walla, WA 99362.  Phone:  509.525-7703.

 

 

 

Kirkman House Museum www.kirkmanhousemuseum.org

214 N. Colville St., Walla Walla, WA 99362.  Phone:  (509) 529-4373

Open Wed - Sat 10AM-4PM , Sun 1PM-4PM.  The Kirkman Family home shares its history to educate its visitors about domestic life in Victorian-era Walla Walla.

 

 

 

 

 

Whitman Mission National Historical Site - www.nps.gov/whmi.  Phone:  Visitor Information - 24 hour recording - (509) 529-2761

Park Headquarters - (509) 522-6360. The park is located in south eastern Washington, 7 miles west of Walla Walla off of Highway 12. Get on Highway 12 going west.  Seven miles west of Walla Walla, turn left onto Swegle Road (there will be brown park signs: 1 mile before turnoff and at turnoff).  Go over railroad tracks and then bridge (approximately 1/2 mile).  Turn left onto park entrance road, almost immediately after bridge.  Road ends in circular parking area in front of Visitor Center.  Daily passes - good for seven days.  Adult - $3.00 each.  Family - $5.00 for whole family.  Children - under 17 are free.  Summer Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Rest of the Year: 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  The Visitor Center is open everyday, 7 days a week, except for Thanksgiving, Christmas day, and New Year's day.

 

 

 

Tamastslikt Cultural Institute - www.tamastslikt.com - 72789 Highway 331, Pendleton, Oregon 97801.  Phone: 541-966-9748.  Open 9am to A Guide to the Indian Tribes of the Pacific Northwest5pm - Monday through Saturday.  Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.   Cafe Monday- Friday 10-4.  Store 9 - 4:45.  Museum 9-5.  Tamástslikt Cultural Institute is located on the grounds of the Wildhorse Resort & Casino, 10 minutes east of Pendleton. From Walla Walla, take highway 11 to the Mission Highway exit, just northeast of Pendleton and follow the signs for about ten minutes to the Wildhorse Resort and the museum.

 

 

 

Walla Walla Symphony - Concerts are held at Cordiner Hall, 46 South Park on the Whitman College Campus.  For concert information, call 509-529-8020, Mon-Fri 9am-3pm or visit www.wwsymphony.com

 

 

 

 

Little Theatre - 1130 Sumach, Walla Walla, WA 99362 – For information and reservations, phone

(509) 529-3683, or visit www.ltww.org

 

 

 

 

 

Whitman Theatre - Harper Joy Theatre -  For information and reservations, call the Harper Joy Box Office at (509) 527-5180, or visit http://www.whitman.edu/theatre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walla Walla Sweet Onions –  The story of the Walla Walla Sweet Onions began over a century ago on the Island of Corsica, off the west coast of Italy. It was there that a French soldier, Peter Pieri, found a sweet onion seed and brought it to the Walla Walla Valley.

 

This Sweet onion developed over generations through the process of carefully hand selecting onions from each year's crop, ensuring exceptional sweetness, jumbo size, and round shape. Today's growers realize they're not just raising sweet onions, but cultivating a tradition.

 

Walla Walla Sweet Onions are available Mid-Jun through Sep.  Also, enjoy the asparagus harvest in the Walla Walla Valley of southeastern Washington, which begins on Apr 15th and lasts through Jun 15th.

 

Sweet ShippersFor various farms to visit on your trip in Walla Walla, and direct shippers of the sweets, visit www.sweetonions.org

 

 

 

 

Dired Lavender BouqetBlue Mountain Lavender Farm - 345 Short Road, Touchet, WA 99360 - Phone:  509.529.FARM(3276)

The farm is open to the public during the blooming season on Sun - Fri (closed Sat), 11am – 7pm.  The farm is located three miles south of Highway 12 between Walla Walla and Touchet, WA. Call ahead for the coming season’s dates, opening hours and directions. Accommodations can be made for an appointment to suit your schedule.  Visit www.bluemountainlavender.com for the latest information.

 

 

 

Art - http://www.artwalla.com Walla Walla’s public art project.  In the spring of 2001, ArtWalla gifted the first three bronze sculptures to the City of Walla Walla’s now-notable collection.  Through assistance from entities such as the Downtown Walla Walla Foundation and the Sherwood Trust, as well as from donations from our members and supporters, there are now 14 public art installations throughout downtown. 

 

 

 

Spas & Salons

  • Beehive Hairhouse - 509.525.2201, 2 South First, Suite 201, corner of Main Street, above Starbucks Coffee
  • Misbehaven Spa & Salon - 509.526.4585, 115 W. Alder
  • Amy Henry - Massage Therapist - 509.301.5059

 

Sports

 

Golf –

  • Veterans Memorial Golf Course - 201 E Rees, Walla Walla, WA 99362, Phone:  509-527-4507, or visit www.vetsgolf.com
  • Touchet Valley Golf Course - 209 N. Pine Street, Dayton, Washington 99328, Phone: 509-382-485, or visit www.historicdayton.com

 

Ski/Snowboard

While our sunny days make for excellent outdoor recreation during spring, summer, and fall, that same sun shines in the winter on the fabulous snow-covered playgrounds at Ski Bluewood and Spout Springs.

 

Ski Bluewood facilities include two triple chairlifts, one platterpull, a day lodge, cafeteria, pub, retail shop, 21 ski runs, a half-pipe for snowboarders, ski and snowboard equipment rentals, as well as repair and lessons. It’s located 52 miles southeast of Walla Walla in the Blue Mountains, near Dayton. For more information call 509-382- 4725 or visit www.bluewood.com.

 

Spout Springs at Tollgate Mountain touts a top elevation of 5,550 feet with 550 feet of vertical drop. There are four ski lifts serving a total of 21 skiable acres. In addition to downhill, Spout Springs offers an extensive network of cross-country trails. And much of the hill is well lighted for night skiing. For snow conditions and more information call 541-566-0320 or visit www.skispoutsprings.com.  

 

Cross-Country Skiing

 

The Umatilla National Forest offers three main facilities for Nordic skiing, all are located in northeastern Oregon. 

  • South of Spout Springs, Horseshoe Prairie offers 6 miles of ungroomed trails. 
  • North of La Grande, Meacham Divide has 12 miles of trails that are groomed from late November until March.
  • Snow park passes are necessary to use these areas.  Washington Sno-Park permits are accepted in Oregon and Idaho.  NOTE: All permits must be affixed to the lower left corner of the windshield (driver's side) when the vehicle is parked in a designated Sno-Park area. If a valid permit is not properly displayed, you will be subject to a fine.  You can purchase a pass at Pete’s Ski Shop at 124 E Main Street.  Phone: 509.529.9804.

 

Orchids - Orchidaceae is open to the public Monday through Friday by appointment.  2022 Wallula Avenue, Walla Walla, WA 99362 - Phone: 509.525.9566

 

 

 

 

Hiking

Many opportunities for hiking exist in the area around Walla Walla. 

  • In town, the Mill Creek trail is located near the community college and multiple trails surround nearby Bennington Lake. 
  • A more scenic option is to make the short drive through Milton-Freewater to the South Fork of the Walla Walla River; though the hiker may not be alone as the trail is also open to horses, mountain bikes, and motorcycles.
  • For those willing to make more of a trip out of it, plenty of hikes can be enjoyed in the nearby Blue Mountains.  Examples include Oregon Butte (the highest point in the Washington Blues) and Diamond Peak.  Descriptions of individual hikes can be found at the U. S. Forest Service offices in Walla Walla and Pomeroy. 
  • Walla Walla is also not located too far from the Wallowa Mountains, a popular area for hiking located in northeastern Oregon.

 

A few guidebooks that may be helpful-

  • Babcock, Scott, and Carson, Bob. Hiking Washington’s Geology. Seattle. The Mountaineers. 2000
  • Bishop, Ellen Morris and Allen, John Eliot. Hiking Oregon’s Geology. Seattle. The Mountaineers. 2000
  • Pohs, Keith. The Wallowa Mountains. Portland. Northwest Mountain Works. 2000 (1994 Whitman graduate!)

 

You can find them all at the Book & Game Company, Phone:  509.529.9963, 38 E. Main St, downtown Walla Walla.

 

 

 

Biking

The Walla Walla region is a good area for both road and mountain biking. 

 

Road biking opportunities exist on trails such as the Fort Walla Walla trail and the Mill Creek trail.  Or, one can simply follow one of the many roads that lead out into the wheat fields for a nice quiet ride.

 

US Army Corps of Engineers, Walla Walla District, Welcomes you to the Bennington Lake Recreation Areas

 

 

 

For those wanting to get off roads, but who don’t want a drive, following the Mill Creek trail past Rooks Park leads to several single tracks that go around Bennington Lake. 

 

 

For mountain biking, the North and South Forks of the Walla Walla are both popular areas.  An abundance of tracks exist in the nearby foothills of the Blues. 

 

For a guide to some of the best, visit Kevin Pogue’s guide to mountain biking in the Blues http://people.whitman.edu/~pogue/bike_guide.html

 

Also, see the map insert in this book for the City of Walla Walla official bike route map.  More tours can be found by visiting www.wwvalleycycling.com. 

 

 

Camping

People may camp at many places in the Walla Walla area, both on and off the Umatilla National Forest.  More than 30 designated camping areas are located in the National Forest alone.  The most popular is Jubilee Lake located in Oregon, near Tollgate and Elgin.  This campground offers 51 camping sites and facilities for boating, fishing, hiking, and other activities. 

 

Additionally, campers may stay in non-designated sites in the National Forest as long as they acquire a Northwest Forest Pass ($5 per day or $30 per season).  In Walla Walla, you can purchase a pass at the USDA FS-Walla Walla Ranger District, 1415 West Rose, Walla Walla, WA 99362, Phone:  509-522-6290.

 

Spots to camp outside of the National Forest include Fort Walla Walla Campground (located on Myra Road in Walla Walla), the Four Seasons RV Resort (located on Dalles Military Road in Walla Walla)  and Lewis & Clark Trail State Park on U.S. Highway 12 between Waitsburg and Dayton.  People may also camp in the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers sites at Fishhook and Charbonneau Parks located along the Snake River.

 

 

Fishing

Both the North and South Forks of the Walla Walla River offer fishing.  The river is home to rainbow trout, brown trout, and brook trout.  Jubilee Lake offers fishing for rainbow trout, which are stocked annually.  Free (no license required) fishing is allowed near the campground.  Anglers are encouraged to fish early in the season, as the stock may become quite depleted later on.  Closer to Walla Walla, Bennington Lake also offers some fishing.  For those willing to take more of a trip, plenty of opportunities to fish are available on both the Columbia and Snake Rivers.

 

Need stuff?  Visit Hook & More Sports, located at 2704 Melrose St,

Walla Walla WA 99362, Phone: 509.527.0321

 

Rafting/Kayaking/Canoeing

The closest place to Walla Walla that offers good whitewater rafting, canoeing and kayaking is the Grande Ronde River in northeast Oregon.  The river offers Class II to III conditions (depending on the water flow at the time) and a permit is not required to boat.  Other rivers in the region that offer boating opportunities include the Deschutes, the John Day, and the Snake (Hells Canyon). Neither the Grande Ronde or the John Day are dammed.  Guidebook: Garren, John. Oregon River Tours. Portand. Binford and Mort. 1974.

 

 

Boating and Wind Surfing

The nearest places to boat and windsurf are at the reservoirs along the Snake and Columbia Rivers.  Bennington Lake allows non-motorized boating, and Jubilee Lake offers non-motorized or electrically powered boats.  Both lakes provide launching facilities. 

 

The Walla Walla Yacht Club also maintains facilities at McNary Dam and Lake Wallula.  For information call the Yacht Club at 509-547-4946. 

 

The Columbia Gorge, a 2-3 hour drive west of Walla Walla, is one of the most popular places for wind surfers in the world. 

 

 

Berry Picking

Northwest Wild Blue Huckleberries - Our Wild Harvest Blue Huckleberries are carefully handpicked in the rugged foothills and mountains of the wild Pacific Northwest. Picking by hand preserves their unique and delicious flavor. Interestingly, the closer our Northwest Wild Blue Huckleberries grow to the Rocky Mountains, the more concentrated their flavor and aroma becomes. Flash Frozen, to lock in their great flavor and aroma, our wild blue huckleberries are considered one of the most nutritional naturally organic foods in the world. Try a handful in your favorite smoothie, baked in a cobbler or just eat them by the handful. . . Nothing is tastier or healthier for you. <b>Wild Berry Research Health Notes</b> <u>Nutritional properties of blueberries, huckleberries, and bilberries </u> University of Idaho scientists Todd Taruscio, Jerry Exon, and Dan Barney recently characterized some of the bioactive compounds found in wild blueberries, huckleberries, and bilberries as part of a grant funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Initiative for Future Agricultural and Food Systems. Seven Vaccinium species native to western North America were compared to highbush blueberries and half-high blueberries (hybrids between highbush and lowbush blueberries). Traits of interest included antioxidant capacity, total phenolics, total anthocyanins, flavanols, phenolic acids, and anthocyanidins. Research is now underway to determine how these fruits affect the development of colon cancer. Huckleberry picking is a popular activity in the local mountains.  Huckleberries ripen in mid-July and are sometimes available until as late as October.  They can be found at all elevations from 2,000 feet to the summits of the Blues.  They are normally found in shaded areas in stands of grand fir, alpine fir, and lodgepole pine.

 

These delicious berries are produced in abundance in many locations around the state. One of the best is near Trout Lake, in southeastern Washington. This site is a traditional berry gathering area and is commemorated with a monument and signs telling of the history of the fields. The areas open for public gathering are on the west side of the road; watch for pullouts and a public rest room. 

 

Directions to Trout Lake

  • Start on (E) Main St (South-West)
  • Turn LEFT (South) onto SR-125 [S 9th Ave], enter Oregon
  • Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-11 [Oregon-Washington Hwy] - 4.6 miles 
  • Keep STRAIGHT onto SR-11 [S Columbia St]  0.0  miles
  • Turn LEFT (South) onto SR-11 [S Main St]  27.7  miles
  • Keep STRAIGHT onto US-30 [SR-11]  0.7  miles
  • Turn LEFT (South) onto SR-11 [SE Emigrant Ave]  0.8 miles
  • Take Ramp (RIGHT) onto I-84 towards I-84  146.4 miles 
  • At exit 64, turn RIGHT onto Ramp towards US-30 / Or-35 / Mt. Hood Hwy. / White Salmon / Govt. Camp  0.2  miles
  • Turn RIGHT (North) onto Hood River Bridge  1.1 miles
  • Turn LEFT (West) onto SR-14  1.5 miles
  • Turn RIGHT (North) onto SR-141 Alt  2.2 miles
  • Bear LEFT (North-West) onto SR-141  18.5 miles
  • Turn LEFT (South-West) onto Wood Rd  0.5 miles 
  • Turn LEFT (South) onto Jennings Rd  0.5 miles
  • Turn LEFT (South) onto Yellow Brick Rd  0.1 miles
  • Arrive
  • Total: 210.7 miles - 3 Hours 34 minutes

From late July through September, explore Indian Heaven Wilderness, just west of Trout Lake for another location to pick wild huckleberries. 

 

 

Mushrooms

Five types of edible mushrooms are found in the Blues: snow mushrooms, puffballs, true morel, cauliflower, and shaggy manes.  Most are found in springtime in areas such as marshes or old burns.  Collecting mushrooms for resale on U. S. Forest Service lands is prohibited, but a permit is not necessary for mushrooms picked for personal use.  It is very important not to pick mushrooms unless you are absolutely sure of their identity as edible species may easily be confused with toxic ones.

 

 

Wildlife Viewing

Two areas are recommended by the U. S. Forest Service for observing wildlife within the Umatilla National Forest. 

  • The first is the W.T. Wooten Wildlife Area, located 13 miles southeast of Dayton.  This is home to a wide variety of wildlife, including elk, deer, bighorn sheep, black bear, cougar, bobcat, rabbit, grouse, valley and mountain quail, partridge, dove, and songbirds.
  •  The other area is Grouse Flats, which is 5 miles northwest of Troy, Oregon.  Many of the species that can be observed at the Wooten Wildlife Area may also be viewed in this location. 
  • In addition, good bird watching opportunities exist along the Columbia River from Wallula Gap to McNary National Wildlife Refuge.
  • More information can be found from the Blue Mountain Audubon Society - 509.529.0080

 

Important Note

Whenever you undertake any activity that involves travel into the wilderness be sure that you are carrying the ten essentials.  These are (according to the U. S. Forest Service):

 

1)         first aid kit

2)         water

3)         multi-blade knife

4)         compass and map

5)         eye protection

6)         plastic whistle

7)         poncho/rain gear

8)         emergency food

9)         wool/poly hat, gloves/socks

10)       common sense/knowledge of area

 


Dog Walking – Lake Bennington
US Army Corps of Engineers
Phone:  509-527-7160, Mill Creek,
3211 Reservoir Road, Walla Walla, WA  99362.  Visitors seeking year-round recreation may enjoy boating, hunting, fishing, picnicking, and swimming, as well as bicycling, strolling, rollerblading, jogging, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, and wildlife viewing at the three recreation areas located within Mill Creek: Bennington Lake, the Mill Creek Recreation Trail, and Rooks Park.  Visit http://www.nww.usace.army.mil/CorpsOutdoors/mcl/VBBLAKE.HTM

 

 

Dayton Walking Tours/Architecture - Self guided walking tour maps are available for each district at the Dayton Chamber of Commerce, the Depot, or local merchants.  Dayton Chamber of Commerce, Business & Visitor Information Center, 166 E Main Street, Dayton WA  99328, Phone: 1-800-882-6299

 

 

Shopping

In Walla Walla:

  • Brickstone Design Gallery, 509.529.7530, 61 E. Main St
  • Romanza Gifts, 509.525.9731, 12 E Main St
  • Mandrakes II Antiques, 509.529.1790, 212 E Main St
  • Colombia Women's Wear, 509.529.4171, 106 E Main St
  • Walla Walla Clothing Company, 509.525.4783, 103 E Main St
  • Hot Poop Music, 509.525.9080, 210 E Main St
  • Book & Game Company, 509.529 9963, 38 E. Main St
  • Klicker's - Fruit, Antiques - 509.525.8650, 3300 E Isaacs

 

Pendleton, OR:

  • Pendleton Mill Store:  1307 SE court Place, Pendleton, OR 97801, Phone: 541.276.6911.  Only 34 miles from Walla Walla, has women (including petite and plus sizes) and men, western, blankets and gifts.

 

 

Pioneer Park in summer

 

Pioneer Park in winter