Considered by many to be one of the prettiest small cities in Washington, Walla Walla offers a slice of country life with all the conveniences of an urban center. The city’s families, Whitman College students, and young professionals congregate along tree-lined Main Street to browse boutiques, sip wine in sophisticated tasting rooms, flip through the offerings at the local bookstores, and dine on the locally sourced fare at several restaurants. The seasonal farmers market and outdoor concerts are popular events from spring to fall. There are several historic sites and museums in the area, as well.
For foodies, living in Walla Walla means hyper-local dining. Set between the Blue Mountains and the Columbia River, this is one of the most fertile agricultural areas in the nation, with fields yielding wheat, asparagus, strawberries, and the region’s famous sweet onions. What’s good food if not paired with the perfect wine, which you’ll find plenty of here, too, with more than 120 wineries producing from a huge range of varietals.
With its enticing downtown area and inviting college-town feel, there’s a nice sense of community in Walla Walla, making it a place where you’ll quickly come to recognize faces at your local coffee shop or the park down the street. The public schools receive above-average ratings on GreatSchools.org.
Walla Walla residents have easy access to excellent day trips that out-of-owners will drive hours to get to, from College Place to Waitsburg, Day to Milton Freewater. Spokane is 150 miles away; Seattle is 275 miles.
A welcoming small town hiding under the guise of an amenity-packed city, Walla Walla is the best of all worlds in southwestern Washington.
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