24 Hours in Walla Walla Washington

What to do as Adults in Walla Walla Washington

Over the long weekend I had the pleasure of visiting Walla Walla Washington for an overnight adventure. While I was down there I was treated to a gifted stay at the Marcus Whitman Hotel as well as a wine tasting experience at Valdemar Estates. I am so thankful to these brands for treating me during my stay, everyone was so kind and made my trip one to remember!

Now, I drove into Walla Walla on a Friday evening from Spokane. The road trip was under 3 hours and was not too bad at all. The weather was great and I can only imagine the trip being even more pleasant in the spring or summer when it’s a bit brighter out. I would recommend taking I-90 through Tri Cities if you live in Spokane but the scenic Palouse drive was also great if you have more time to spare.

Where to Stay in Walla Walla

If you are visiting Walla Walla this year, I cannot recommend the Marcus Whitman hotel enough. Located just outside the heart of main street, this historical hotel was built in 1928 and is undergoing major renovations to bring it back to its former glory! I absolutely loved the main seating area downstairs as well as the Gregorian room that is perfectly cozy and known to host a pianist a few times a week for the guests delight.

Upstairs was where the hotel really shined though. I loved how spacious my room was, there were two large beds separated by a door. There was also a closet with beautiful robes, a sink in the main room, a huge shower and spacious bathroom. I will say we had an accessible room which was up to ADA standards and would be great for any wheelchair users or someone with a mobility aid. It was super easy to move around the space and the staff were so kind and left us a bottle of fabulous champaign and chocolate dipped strawberries. If you are celebrating something on this trip do let the hotel know because they treat you so well!

While I was at the hotel, I was also lucky enough to get a private tour and see a sneak peek of the new rooms being remodeled. A few years back the property acquired an old motel and they are updating the rooms to provide a budget friendly option for travelers. The design was a bit more retro compared to my room which felt antique yet opulent. Either option would be a comfortable stay and you felt taken care of throughout the duration of your visit.

Dinner at the Marcus

Unfortunately when I came to the hotel the new restaurant was not quite built but it does open March 1st for guests! I got a sneak peek of the space and let me tell you it’s going to be gorgeous. The hotel was still offering meals downstairs so we took them up on the 3 course dining experience and it was just fabulous! I got a beautiful radish salad, steak and potatoes as an entree and a delightful apple tart. My friend got the mascarpone and that was fabulous as well! To finish off the meal I also got a French 75 that was just divine. It went well with the whole meal and paired nicely with the champagne I had earlier!

Where to go Wine Tasting

Finally the main reason to visit Walla Walla is not only the delightful food but their amazing wineries! Unfortunately we were only able to visit one but we went to Valdemar Estates just outside the city and it was such a treat. Owned and operated by a 5th generation Spaniard, this winery was so modern, again incredibly accessible from elevators to QR codes to help those with various disabilities, I was rather impressed. You don’t oftentimes see businesses make accessibility so known in their operations and I thought that was a great touch to the overall experience.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Lauren post without some food! While we were sipping, I was able to try their croquette jamón and their basque cheesecake. That dessert is something I will think about for years to come, cheesecake is my all time favorite dessert and this was just fluffy, lightweight and perfectly cheesy. The attention to detail from the wines (both imported from Spain and locally sourced) to the tapas made this one experience I will go back for again.

Safe Travels!

I hope this post helps inspire your trip to Washington’s wine country! Walla Walla was so clean, safe, quiet and an overall delight of a town. I definitely see myself visiting again this summer to see it in the warmth! Whether you are traveling from Seattle or coming down from Spokane like me, this is a great weekend getaway for friends, couples or bachelorette parties. I would compare it to Chelan WA but this has a cute historical charm I have not seen in quite some time. To see the hotel room in action and for more content overall, be sure to follow me on Instagram and TikTok.

Until next time,

Lauren