Small Town Charm, Big Time Opportunity
If there’s a more family-friendly place with a higher quality of life than Walla Walla, Wash., we’re not aware of it. In fact, Money Magazine just ranked us among the top five best places to retire and in a recent poll from Rand McNally, Walla Walla was voted the friendliest small town and a runner up for best food in a small town. We’re located in the southeastern corner of the state, surrounded by rolling wheat fields, plentiful vineyards, the Snake and Columbia rivers and the Blue Mountains. Lewis and Clark wandered through on their way to the ocean in 1806, and no doubt considered staying.
Walla Walla is known primarily for its wheat and agriculture, its sweet onions, and now its wine. More than 120 wineries call the valley home, with Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah and other fine varietals bringing national and international acclaim.
With a county population under 60,000, there’s still a small-town atmosphere and sensibility. Take a stroll down Main Street to the Saturday Farmer’s Market, and you’ll start to develop a feel for its friendliness and history. The revitalized downtown offers a wide range of shopping, art galleries, wineries and great cuisine.
Walla Walla is home to three colleges—Whitman College, Walla Walla University and Walla Walla Community College—and three hospitals. Our public school system is known for its excellence, and many private educational options are also available. With the Snake and Columbia rivers and Blue Mountains nearby, recreational options are plentiful.
All in all, it’s a great place to raise a family, a great place to start a business and a great place to invest in a booming real estate market. A Windermere agent can help you make the most of the opportunity.
Resources & Helpful Links
Walla Walla General Information:
School Information:
- Walla Walla Public Schools
- College Place Public Schools
- Whitman College
- Walla Walla University
- Walla Walla Community College
Hospitals:
Recreation:
- Walla Walla Parks & Recreation
- Walla Walla Sweets Baseball
- Walla Walla Roller Girls
- Wine Valley Golf Club
- Vererans Memorial Golf Course
- Walla Walla Country Club
- Ski Bluewood
- Fort Walla Walla Disc Golf Club
- Walla Walla Skate Park Association
- Walla Walla Valley BMX Track
- Walla Walla Hiking Club
Arts & Entertainment:
Museums & Historic Sites
- Fort Walla Walla Museum
- Whitman Mission National Historic Site
- Kirkman House Museum
- Children's Museum of Walla Walla
Travel & Transportation:
Washington State Government Information & Services:
City Awards and Recognition
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2014 |
Walla Walla named as 24 Best Places to Live and Work 2014 by Sunset Magazine |
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2014 |
Walla Walla named as 10 Best Wine Travel Destinations 2014 by Wine Enthusiast Magazine |
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2013 |
Walla Walla named as semifinalist for Smart 21 Intelligent Communities for 2014. |
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2013 |
Walla Walla Police Department Merit award for masonry from the Masonry Industry |
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2013 |
Wastewater Treatment Plant $mart Business Partner Award from Walla Walla Valley |
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2013 |
Fodor's list Walla Walla in 10 Best Small Towns in America |
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2013 |
Received its 19th Tree City USA Award |
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2012 |
Wastewater Treatment Plant Outstanding Performance from Washington State Department of Ecology |
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2012 |
Community Facilities award from the Infrastructure Assistance Coordinating Council |
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2012 |
Municipal Excellence in Public Works Award for Infrastructure Repair and Replacement |
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2012 |
Tonique Magazine names Walla Walla as Most Authentic Wine Region in America |
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2012 |
Tyler Public Sector Excellence Award from Tyler Technologies |
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2012 |
American Planning Association names Walla Walla in Top Ten Greatest Neighborhoods |
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2011 |
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association |
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2011 |
"Going Above & Beyond in Drinking Water Award from the Washington State |
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2011 |
State of Washington Governor's Smart Communities Award for the Washington Park Gathering Place project |
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2011 |
USA Today names Walla Walla as the Five Best Small Towns in America |
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2011 |
USA Today ranked Walla Walla friendliest town in the country |
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2011 |
Rand McNally names Walla Walla as the Friendliest Small Town in America |
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2010 |
Government Fleet Magazine awards the Fleet Services Division with the "Environmental Leadership Award" |
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2010 |
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association |
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2009 |
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association |
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2009 |
Sunset Magazine named Walla Walla "the west's 20 best small towns" |
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2008 |
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association |
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2007 |
Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting from the Government Finance Officers Association |
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2006 |
CNNMoney.com names Walla Walla one of the "Top 5 Places to Retire" |
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2005 |
Sunset Magazine named Walla Walla "the 2005 Wine Destination of the Year" |
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2005 |
Received ESRI Special Achievement in Geographic Information Systems |
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2004 |
Downtown nominated for the 2005 Preserve America Presidential Award |
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2004 |
Received its 10th Tree City USA Award and its 4th Tree Growth Award |
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2002 |
One of 12 national "Distinctive Destinations" by National Trust for Historic Preservation |
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2002 |
Sunset Magazine's "The West's Best Places to Live" and "Best Main Street" |
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2001 |
"The Great American Main Street Award," National Trust for Historic Preservation |
