If you live east of the Washington-Idaho border and are traveling by car to the NASFAA Conference in Seattle this July, you owe it to yourself to make the beautiful town of Walla Walla a stop along your way. A hidden treasure in the
far southeastern corner of Washington State, the area has recently been "discovered"
for its beautiful setting at the foot of the Blue Mountains, its historic
homes, and its world award-winning wines. An approximate 4 - 4½ hour drive
from Seattle over the rugged Cascade Mountains, then through the desert of
central Washington, will bring you to this lovely and unexpected oasis.
Founded in 1836 by pioneer missionaries Marcus and Narcissa
Prentiss Whitman, this rich agricultural region is steeped in the history of the Pacific Northwest and was one of the first permanent settlements between the Rocky and Cascade
Mountains. Lewis
and Clark traveled through the area in 1806 on their return trip, after
exploring the route to the Pacific for President Thomas Jefferson. Much of the
city and county's history may be viewed at Ft. Walla Walla Museum, just
west of the city, and at the Whitman
Mission National Historic Site.
The area is home to three colleges, Whitman College, a nationally recognized
small, four-year, liberal arts college; Walla Walla
College, founded in 1892 by the Seventh-day Adventists; and Walla Walla Community College, which houses the
state's newest center for Enology and Viticulture.
Wheat, green peas, Walla Walla
Sweet Onions and asparagus, as well as cherries and apples were long the major
crops in the region. In recent years, however, wine grapes and the resultant
wine industry have become one of the mainstays of the agricultural economy, and
the areas wineries are becoming known world-wide for their award winning wines.
Outdoor recreation opportunities include skiing, sledding
and snowboarding in the winter; walking tours, hiking, biking, swimming,
baseball, softball, soccer, ultimate Frisbee and golf from spring into late
fall. There are two 18-hole golf courses in the city one public, Veteran's
Memorial Golf Course and one private, Walla Walla Country Club, as well as
soccer, baseball and softball fields.
The town, which in 2001 won the "Great American Main Street
Award" from the National Trust for Historic Preservation and Sunset Magazine's
"Best Main Street in the West" in 2002, boasts many pieces of sidewalk art,
unique boutiques, restaurants,
wineries and tasting rooms, a community theatre, an annual balloon stampede and
supports the "oldest continuous symphony west of the Mississippi." The town's
tree-lined streets are filled with many buildings and homes on the National
Register of Historic Places.
The recently renovated and restored Marcus Whitman Hotel and
Convention Center is one of many great places
to stay in Walla Walla and the surrounding area. This beautifully restored
landmark hotel sits just a block off of Main Street, the heart of downtown Walla
Walla.
What's being said about Walla Walla -
"...Walla
Walla's Main Street possesses one of the most significant enclaves of historic
architecture in eastern Washington, with an ambitious redevelopment
highlighting its architectural gems." The Lonely Planet - Guide to the Pacific Northwest
"...Walla Walla's downtown can get busy during the mornings and evenings. On any given morning, locals, especially those in the wine...." The Boston Globe
"Walla Walla's revitalization proves that Main Street can not only compete with big-box retail, it can also change an entire community...." The National Trust for Historic Preservation
"Main Street Walla Walla looks authentic because it is authentic. This is no dolled-up downtown trying to be something it never was. Along several blocks, building after building now boasts its original facade." Mindy Cameron, Seattle Times editorial columnist
"..is considered one of the nation's best examples of a restored downtown...." Alaska Airlines - Best Places NorthWest
Come discover one of the best places to visit in Washington!
Posted April 28, 2006 on www.NASFAA.org, the Web Site of the
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
Copyright 2006. Redistribution to non-NASFAA institutions is prohibited
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