VAF 2026 | Lodging and Travel

Columbia River Plateau

Atomic Space. Native Soil. Geologic Time.

Walla Walla, Washington | May 27-30, 2026


Conference Co-Chairs:

Amanda C. Roth Clark, Whitworth University, Dean of the Library & Special Programs

J. Philip Gruen, Washington State University, Professor, School of Design + Construction 

Conference Hotel


Marcus Whitman Hotel

6 West Rose Street

Walla Walla, Washington 99362


The block of rooms dedicated to VAF at the Marcus Whitman Hotel are now all booked. We expanded the room block once and are not able to add any additional rooms. As of March 13, there is one room available on Thursday, May 28 and three rooms available on Saturday, May 30. If you would like to reserve a room at the Marcus Whitman for one of the remaining available nights, use this link: LINK TO HOTEL REGISTRATION

We recommend two other hotel options that are within walking distance of the Marcus Whitman Hotel. 


Best Western Plus

7 E Oak Street, Walla Walla, Washington 99362

WEBSITE


Courtyard Marriott Walla Walla

550 W Rose St, Walla Walla, WA 99362

WEBSITE


Room & Ride Share


VAF offers an online forum for connecting people to roommates and ride shares. This might be particularly useful for this conference, where some people are flying into Seattle or Portland and driving to Walla Walla (for more direct flights, see below). If you need a roommate or have a ride to offer/want a ride, please check out the forum here: https://www.vafweb.org/Conference-Room-and-Ride-Share-Coordination


Travel & Transportation

By Plane

The Walla Walla Regional Airport (ALW) is five minutes from our downtown hotel and offers rental cars, limited shuttle buses, and taxi services. Flying to Walla Walla takes forty-five minutes from Seattle via Alaska Airlines.  

The Tri-Cities Airport (PSC) in nearby Pasco has nonstop service on several major carriers from cities including Burbank, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles (seasonal), Minneapolis, Phoenix-Mesa, Salt Lake City, San Diego (seasonal), San Francisco, and Seattle. The drive to Walla Walla is forty-five minutes by rental car.


Other airports, train, and driving options: 

If you chose to fly to a different airport and drive, there are several options:

– Spokane, WA: 2.5 hour drive

– Seattle, WA: 4 hour drive

– Portland, OR: 4 hour drive

– Boise, ID: 4 hour drive

Overnight parking is included at the Marcus Whitman Hotel. Guests are welcome to use either the main parking lot or the convention center lot. Electric vehicle charging stations are available for an additional fee at the hotel.

If you choose to take the historic Empire Builder Amtrak train to Pasco, there are connecting bus services to Walla Walla. 

Food and Beverage in Walla Walla 

(Know a restaurant you want to see added?  Email webmaster@vafweb.org

AK's Mercado — Local favorite serving tacos, smoked meats, and street-food fare with a full outdoor patio and cozy lounge atmosphere.

Bacon & Eggs — Local spot offering bacon, eggs, and essential breakfast items.

Big House Brew Pub — Excellent pub grub.

Brasserie Four — Fine French dining within walking distance. 

Burwood — Recommended by a local. 

California Bros Burritos — fast, yummy, and generally 24-hours. Walkable(ish). 

Clarette's Restaurant — Homestyle American diner serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Colville Street Patisserie — French-influenced bakery offering a taste of Walla Walla.

El Sombrero — Fun Mexican ambiance within walking distance.

Fiasco Pizza — Wood-fired pizza prepared with apple and cherry wood for a signature flavor.

Graze — Almost-fast food franchise the caters to the heath-conscious. 

Hattaway's on Alder — Fusion cuisine presenting Southern hospitality in the Inland Northwest.

Iceberg Drive-In, the city’s old school burger drive in restaurant. https://www.facebook.com/people/Ice-Burg-Drive-In/100063584410191/#

Ime's Kitchen Mexican Gastrotruck — Authentic Mexican cuisine located across the street from The FINCH!

Kitchen at Abeja — Wine-country dining focused on seasonal Northwest ingredients.

La Monarcha food truck — Recommended by a local. 

LIVIT Coffee — Single-source Guatemalan coffee and smoothies.

Mama Monacelli's — Gluten Free option very near the Finch motel. 

Maple Counter Cafe — Local cafe serving flavorful breakfast and lunch.

Marcy's Bar and Lounge — Neighborhood lounge with a popular happy hour menu.

Passatempo Taverna — Rustic Italian restaurant featuring hand-made pasta.

Public House 124 — Known for exceptional seasonal cocktails.

Red Monkey — Eccentric sports bar where you can watch your favorite team.

Saffron Mediterranean Kitchen — Mediterranean cuisine in southeast Washington.

Scobies Dogs and Brats — Local hot dog stand located in the heart of downtown.

Shiki Hibachi Sushi — Restaurant offering high-quality sushi.

Stone Soup Cafe — Local cafe offering soups, sandwiches, and other lunch dishes.

Sweet Basil Pizzeria — Pizzeria serving New York–style pizzas, calzones, and Italian favorites.

T-Post — Strong rodeo vibes. 

Tacos La Monarca — Food truck offering local Mexican food.

Taqueria Yungapeti — Casual Mexican (not walking distance). 

The Maple Counter Waffle Company — Food truck extension of a Walla Walla cafe offering waffles.

The Mill — Recommended by a local. 

TMACS — Elegant bistro serving locally sourced produce and poultry.

Walla Walla Bread Company — Modern cafe and bakery known for artisan breads and pastries.

Walla Walla Daily Grind — Cafe known for its notable coffee.

Walla Walla Indian Cuisine — Authentic Indian restaurant offering a lunch buffet and dinner service.

Walla Walla Steak Company — Steakhouse recognized by Wine Enthusiast Magazine as one of America's 100 Best Wine Restaurants (2019).

Wine Country Store — Inside the Chevron station across from the hotel; seriously good sammiches with fresh baked bread.

Wingman Birdz + Brewz — Kid-friendly restaurant specializing in chicken wings and local beverages.

Yamas Greek Eatery — Downtown Greek food within walking distance. Dine in or out. 

Please contact Julia Griffith, VAF Program Associatewith questions about the conference at conference@vafweb.org

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