A popular wine tasting destination may not seem like the best choice for a family getaway.  However, we had the pleasure of learning that Walla Walla, Washington is indeed a fantastic place to visit with kids. Slaed and I hadn’t visited since before we were even married, so we were excited to see the small town located in Southeast Washington State (about 4.5 hours from Seattle) through the fresh eyes of our children.

A couple of fun facts about Walla Walla:

• Walla Walla has been ranked one of the friendliest towns in the United States!
• Walla Walla is a First Nations name meaning “many waters”.   The Columbia River, Walla Walla River, and Snake River surround the region, and contribute to its rich and fertile land.  Wheat, legumes, sweet onions, and newer to the scene (late 1970s in earnest), wine.

Walla Walla’s beauty stood out to us in both scenery and community.  I can never get enough of the Palouse region’s rolling hills and green landscape, and I was also struck by how welcoming and lovely the folks we came into contact with were.

In collaboration with Visit Walla Walla, here you’ll find our guide to Walla Walla, Washington with kids.  As always, we’d love to hear your recommendations if you’ve visited or happen to live in the area.  In such a quick visit, we just scratched the surface of what this gorgeous place has to offer.

Walla Walla, Washington with Kids

Family Activities in Walla Walla

Whitman Mission National Historic Site

Arriving mid-morning (from our adventure to Cave B), the Whitman Mission was our first stop as we rolled into town.  It worked out perfectly since it was too early to check into our Airbnb and not quite lunch time.  A stop here also allowed us to get a quick refresher course of Walla Walla’s fascinating history.  Bergen quickly got to work to earn a Junior Ranger badge, and we learned about the experience of Marcus and Narcissa Whitman traveling along the Oregon Trail, and settling in the region.  There is a small museum, plenty of artifacts for kids to touch, and pathways to explore.  Don’t miss the short climb to the Whitman memorial for one of the area’s best views!

Whitman College Sculpture Walk

Whitman College (a small liberal arts school) is located just steps from downtown Walla Walla, and is a lovely place for a stroll.  Grab a copy of Whitman College Outdoor Sculpture Walk, and start exploring! Our family’s favorite is Carnival by Jim Dine.  It was so interesting to learn that the sculpture was carved with a chain saw (and then caste in bronze).

Pioneer Park Aviary

Nestled in historic Pioneer Park (Walla Walla’s oldest), is a collection of birds, from exotic to ordinary, waterfowl, and waterfowl to land birds.  The enclosures and habitats, recently updated, are impressively built, and there is plenty for kids to be both educated and entertained! Entrance to the aviary is free, but be sure to make a donation to help “feed the birds” before you go.

We particularly enjoyed watching the baby Nenes, and I was quite impressed with the white feathered peacock.  While at Pioneer Park, take note of the historic trees.  Eleven of the park’s trees are the oldest of their kind in Washington State, including the sycamore.

Fort Walla Walla

Fort Walla Walla’s mission is “To discover, Preserve, and Share Walla Walla Regional Heritage”.  The museum does a wonderful job of engaging both kids and adults in learning about the region’s history.  Since we were visiting in April, our family was able to participate in the fort’s April Fools scavenger hunt.  As we toured the thoughtfully designed exhibit halls and Pioneer Village (our family’s personal favorite), we searched for modern day items planted among the period displays.  We found things like laptop computers, video games, and current medications and remedies.  Suggested Tour Order: Under recommendation of the gift shop manager we started with the entrance hall, then made our way to the exhibit halls (2-5), then explored the Pioneer Village, and ended with the play fort. 

Explore Downtown Walla Walla

• Brights Candies

You can’t visit Walla Walla without popping into Bright’s Candies.  The candy store featuring chocolates, confections, and a host of other amazing goodies has been around since 1934.  We loved being able to watch “the magic” happen as chocolatiers crafted toffee and lavender truffles through the viewing windows.  Some of Bright’s most popular candies include their salted caramel truffles, turtles (pecans and caramel dipped in chocolate), and wine cordials.  They are also well known for their “hedgehogs”, which are peanut butter filled and chocolate covered, and popcorn (butter and caramel) that is made from their vintage 1966 air-popper!

• Book and Game

As the name implies, Book and Game is filled with books and games (among other wonderful things) for the whole family.  The store is well organized, and we found the staff to be so friendly and willing to help! Wine Tasting tip: Grab an activity book (sticker, puzzles, coloring, etc) here before heading to the wineries so the kids can stay busy while you sip!

• Inland Octopus Toy Store

“A toy shop as it was meant to be!” Inland Octopus offers a host of exciting and engaging toys for kids.  At the same time, it’s a place for adults to take a trip down memory lane with the toy store’s great selection of nostalgic/retro toys and games. Staff is welcoming, and there are plenty of toys on display for kids to try and test.

Farm Tour: Monteillet Fromagerie

Located about 30 minutes north of downtown Walla Walla, a visit to Monteillet Fromagerie allows you to truly grasp the beauty of the Palouse region.  Meet the sheep and goats that owners Pierre-Louis and Joan Monteillet raise to then make small batches of cheese, and help your children learn about life on an organic farm!

Monteillet Fromagerie also provides farm stay opportunities.  Guests can stay in the gite, french for holiday home, and enjoy a refrigerator stocked with farm fresh goodies along with a chance to experience seasonal happenings.  Some highlights:

• Baby animals in the spring!
• High cheese production in the summer!
• Canning, preservation, and freezing in the fall!
• The magic of a dusting of snow and nearby skiing in winter!

And finally when you visit, make sure to say hello to the twin farm dogs, Marco and Polo who work to protect the farm from predators.

Bennington Lake

Perfect for a morning or afternoon adventure, Bennington Lake is located just far enough out of town to give you a break from the hustle and bustle.  Enjoy a walk on the park’s numerous trails, learn about the Mill Creek Dam, which creates the lake (reservoir), and take in the views of the rolling hills and Blue Mountains.  Bennington Lake is also stocked with rainbow trout in the spring, and open to fishing and boating (no gas powered vessels).

Wine Tasting with Kids in Walla Walla

Wine tasting with kids in tow is possible, and can be quite enjoyable when you find the right spot! Below you’ll find two wineries in Walla Walla we love and recommend.  Also, don’t miss our general wine tasting with kids tips!

Waterbrook Winery

Waterbrook has wine tasting for the grown-ups and a milk tasting (complete with 4 different varieties) for the kids! We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Waterbrook, and for many reasons felt right at home and comfortable:

• The tasting room’s lively atmosphere meant our children we not out of place.  There was no need to whisper, and ask the kids to keep their voices down thanks to casual vibe of other patrons and staff, and pleasant chatter.
• We experienced our first sit down wine tasting!  We got to sit together as a family, and while Slaed and I worked our way through the tasting menu, the kids colored, worked on sticker books, and got to taste different varieties of milk!
• Waterbrook has a full-service kitchen, and offers lunch and early dinner (check their website for hours).  If your kids are like ours, food keeps them busy, giving us the chance to sip and savor!
• Waterbrook has an gorgeous outdoor space with horseshoe pits, bocce ball, walking trails and a pond to explore.  After a few tastes, Slaed and I settled on a glass, and could enjoy our wine while the kids played.

We took home a bottle of Waterbrook’s Chenin Blanc: A refreshing, easy to drink white wine with hints of grapefruit and melon.  I also really enjoyed their Barbera.

Three Rivers Winery

Three Rivers winery is located on a beautiful property with views of the Blue Mountains, and neighboring farms to admire.  Georgia and I even wandered down to say hi to one of the horses next door.  While Three Rivers has phased out their 3-hole golf course, there are plenty of lawn games (giant jenga, corn hole, frisbee, etc) to keep the kids (and adults) happily occupied.

I love the rustic feel of the Three Rivers tasting room, and appreciated how staff made us feel at home.  A couple of the staff members even played with the kids outside while we tasted! We particularly enjoyed the Reisling and opted to purchase a bottle to take home. I eagerly await the night coming up where we plan to open it!

Walla Walla Sweets

The Walla Walla Sweets are part of the West Coast League, a summer baseball league for college-eligible student-athletes.  The Sweets are a huge part of summer in Walla Walla, and attending games happens to be one of the most popular activities for kids! Tickets to Sweets games are inexpensive (starting at just $6!), there are kid-friendly activities throughout the game, and families can dine on delicious concessions including local beer and wine!

Have you visited Walla Walla, Washington? Where did you eat, play & stay?

Stay tuned for Part 2 where I share our dining and lodging recommendations!

A very special thank you to Visit Walla Walla for hosting us and arranging our itinerary during our stay in town. As always, all opinions expressed here are my own.

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