What’s there to do in Walla Walla? Plenty!

If you’re from a large city, you might be wary about moving to a rural town: what is there to do for fun? Walla Walla is a small town and maybe quieter than some students are used to, but from community events to good study spots to the best place to grab a snack, Walla Walla is full of life! I’m here to share some Whittie favorites that are all within walking distance from campus.

Community Events:

Cultural events downtown are popular amongst students! Every year, Whitman students help plan the Festival de Cultura Viva, a celebration of Hispanic arts and culture in Walla Walla. This past fall, Whitman’s student club, Unidos, walked in the parade and painted a mural—in collaboration with festival organizers—just blocks from campus. Whitman’s Glover Alston Center also partners with the city similarly for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day celebrations and other annual events. You can check out other ways Whitman clubs are involved in the community by looking at the club event calendars!

There are a plethora of seasonal events downtown like the Holiday Lights parade or the Farmer’s Market on Saturday mornings. Local farmers and artists sell their wares, and it’s a great place to meet new people. In the summer, the market is outdoors. It moves indoors during the winter months.

Sometimes, the Walla Walla community comes to us by hosting performances and events at Cordiner Hall—like the Nutcracker and a few symphonies!—or by attending Whitman athletic events (Go Blues!)

Next door to the Whitman Athletic Fields is The Little Theatre of Walla Walla. Whitman students and faculty are welcome to audition or volunteer for their shows, along with other members of the Walla Walla community. I had a wonderful time watching their production of Legally Blonde: The Musical!

Food:

Five minutes from campus is the holy grail of buying your own groceries: Safeway. The grocery store is a great place to get ingredients for a homemade dinner with your friends or get that specific snack that you’ve been craving all week.

There are also plenty of good restaurants downtown! From Italian, French and Mediterranean restaurants to burgers and of course ice cream shops. Plus, there are so many coffee shops to study in.

Study Spots:

An under-hyped study spot is the Walla Walla Public Library: a quiet place with comfy chairs and plenty of outlets. They even have computers open for the public to use! And of course, plenty of books to browse through or check out.

When the weather is a little bit warmer, Pioneer Park is a great place to set up a picnic blanket and get some work done outside in the fresh air. And—you’ll get to see some cute dogs!

If you’d like to travel farther than walking distance and don’t have a car on campus, the Sustainability Office runs a free bike rental program you should check out! Walla Walla Valley transit is also a great way to get around town.

So whether you’re walking, biking, or taking the bus, getting off campus and into the town of Walla Walla will definitely be worth your time. And if you’re still worried about not having enough to do, remember that campus life is always bustling, even if Walla Walla is quieter than you’re used to. 

Pan Deines ’26 (they/them) is from Vashon Island, Washington who intends to major in English and minor in Creative Writing. Pan’s favorite ice cream flavor is cookies and cream, though they’ll always be happy with chocolate.