Walla Walla Wine Pairs Well With Local Adventure

Locals already know the secret to what makes Walla Walla such a special place: it’s not just the world class wineries, the historic downtown with a vibrant foodie culture, or the easy access to stunning outdoor recreation. It’s the unique combination of these attractions that makes this gem of Eastern Washington at the base of the Blue Mountains beloved by locals and tourists alike. 

Walla Walla Things To Do | The Drayman House

Here at The Drayman House, we also see a trend: our visitors are often pairing their wine expertly, not just with the local cuisine, but with local adventures. We have to say, it’s a perfect blend of two of our favorite things–relaxation and exploration. Here are some of our tips for pairing your Walla Walla wine with a few of the many exciting things to do in the area. 

Skiing Adventures Near Walla Walla

There’s really nothing like a bluebird day on a snowy mountain followed by cozy apres ski with wine and food. We have some notes on this pairing: endorphins, laughs, crisp air, and a day well spent. 

The Walla Walla area is home to Bluewood, a popular ski resort just a short drive from town, offering downhill skiing and snowboarding. The resort has over 400 acres of skiable area, and is near the Umatilla National Forest, a favorite for backcountry skiing, crosscountry, and snowshoeing trails. We suggest spending a day at Bluewood, and then heading down the mountain back to Walla Walla to enjoy one of the city’s many wine tasting rooms, or bringing friends and a picnic to one of our member spaces at The Drayman House. 

Cycling Through Walla Walla

Whether you’re a gravel rider, a road cyclist, or a mountain biker, Walla Walla is one of those places uniquely suited to exploring by bike. In fact, it’s been rated the top road cycling destination in Washington. 

For road cyclists, Walla Walla and the surrounding area provides rolling and scenic routes through vineyards, hills, and farmland, with quiet country roads and plannable routes for all skill and desired difficulty levels. Area bike rentals also make it easy to experience the winning pairing of wine and cycling even if you don’t have a bike with you. Check out local-vetted itineraries and routes and explore Walla Walla’s vineyards and tasting rooms while taking in the stunning landscape from your bike.  

Birding and Wildlife Near Walla Walla

Birding is a popular activity in the Walla Walla area, which hosts the thriving Blue Mountain Audubon Society and miles of excellent birding trails. Did you know Walla Walla is also home to a renowned wildlife sanctuary, the McNary Wildlife Refuge? The area is known for being a haven for migratory birds on their yearly trek across the region. McNary is a bird watcher’s paradise, home to over 200 species of birds, including Bald and golden eagles, several species of hawks, and migrating water fowls at different times of the year. 

The refuge is also prized for its wildlife viewing, including riparian species and deer. McNary is ideal for finding hiking trails, hunting, fishing, and experiencing the great outdoors near Walla Walla. We recommend planning an itinerary of birding or outdoor recreation and sporting and packing along a bottle or two of Walla Walla wine and a picnic. After all, Walla Walla wine pairs well with adventure. 

Hiking in the Walla Walla Region

The mountains, forests, rivers, and lakes surrounding Walla Walla offer a truly remarkable opportunity to explore. Lucky for hiking enthusiasts, the outdoors in the region are accessible via miles upon miles of well-maintained hiking trails, leading to views and nature experiences that are well worth the exertion. 

Whether you’re packing a picnic and a bottle along or planning your dinner and wine tasting for after your hike, we promise you’ll find the trails and local wine a flawless pairing. Here are a few of the local trails we’d recommend. 

  • Blue Mountain Trail System: With over 530 miles of trails to choose from, you can’t go wrong with the Blue Mountain Trail System. While this area encompasses Oregon trails, it has several access points from Walla Walla. 
  • Bennington Lake Area Trails: The Bennington Lake area is home to over 20 miles of trails, with loops and routes you can choose from based on your preferences and desired difficulty level. This area is also great for bird watching. 
  • Palouse Falls State Park: Just an hour drive from Walla Walla is a short hike to the spectacular Palouse Falls, one of Washington’s most impressive waterfalls.
  • South Fork Walla Walla River Trail: It’s possible to follow this trail for nearly 20 miles, as well as choose the sections you’d like to experience. This beautiful trail follows the river through a lush canyon. 

  • Walla Walla Things to Do–Plus Wine

    Whether you’re an old pro to the adventures the Walla Walla region has to offer or you’re experiencing them for the first time, we encourage you to get out and see it all. This region we call home is brimming with potential fun. This renowned wine valley has so much to offer, and we hope after a day of local exploration, you’ll drop by and open a bottle of wine with friends at The Drayman House.