Wonderful Walla Walla, Washington

Once best known for its famous sweet onion, Walla Walla is gaining notoriety for growing something different these days: wine. Cruisers can enjoy tours and tastings at the area’s wineries, a growing fine dining scene, and nearby attractions focused on American history.

Wining & Dining
Walla Walla is one of the United States’ most rapidly growing wine regions, concocting some of the country’s best vintages. Among the best to visit are Woodward Canyon Winery, Amavi Cellars, and Five Star Cellars. To pair some delicious tastings with a fine meal, noteworthy restaurants include Whitehouse-Crawford Restaurant for dishes highlighting the local seafood and produce, or Marc, for celebrated fine French fare. And, if you’re in the mood for something inventive, Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen is a one of the area’s best offerings, with dishes like seasonal gazpacho and paella with octopus and rabbit.

Historical Attractions
Founded in the 1850s, Walla Walla was one of the first communities in the Northwest, giving it a long and rich history for cruisers to discover. The Whitman Mission National Historic Site is one of Walla Walla’s most famous attractions, once a mission that served as a major stop along the Oregon Trail. Though the buildings are no longer standing (they were burned to the ground), their outlines are still visible and living-history demonstrations take place on weekends during the summer.

For a glimpse of America’s pioneer era, travelers can visit the Fort Walla Walla Museum and Complex, which contains many restored buildings from the time period. Just outside of town in Dayton, cruisers can also visit pioneer cabins, Victorian homes, and other historical sites.

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