Whitman · Eastern Washington
Pullman
Where rolling wheat fields stretch to every horizon and Cougar spirit fills every corner of downtown, Pullman is the Palouse gateway Washington visitors keep underestimating.
POPULATION
~33,500
COUNTY
Whitman
FROM SEATTLE
~5 hours
FROM SPOKANE
~1 hour
ELEVATION
~2,400 ft
KNOWN FOR
WSU and The Palouse
Pullman sits at the southeastern edge of Washington, where the Palouse’s rolling hills of wheat and lentil fields surround a college town that punches well above its weight. Home to Washington State University (WSU), Pullman draws visitors for Cougar football, a lively food and arts scene, and some of the most distinctive landscapes in the state. The hills shift from vivid spring green to golden summer tones, a palette best experienced on a drive through the byways that radiate out from town.
WSU shapes nearly everything in Pullman. The university brings a Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art with more than 4,000 works, a grizzly bear research center open to the public from April through October, and the Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe where a 70-plus-year-old Cougar Gold cheddar has become one of Washington’s most recognizable food exports. But Pullman is not just a campus stop. Downtown holds a James Beard-recognized restaurant, a craft brewery born in a historic post office, and a drive-in that has been serving milkshakes since 1973.
The city is also a genuine gateway. Palouse Falls, Washington’s official state waterfall, is 90 minutes west. Moscow, Idaho is 9 miles away via Highway 270. Steptoe Butte, one of the best viewpoints in Eastern Washington, is about an hour north. Pullman is small enough to walk, big enough to stay multiple nights.
Getting Here
By car from Seattle, take I-90 east through the Cascade passes, then connect south on US-395 and US-195 for a total of about 285 miles and 5 hours. From Spokane, take US-195 south for 75 miles, roughly 1 hour. From Lewiston, Idaho, head north on US-195 for about 35 miles and 40 minutes.
Pullman also has its own regional airport. Pullman Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) serves Seattle via Alaska Airlines with multiple daily flights that cut the trip to under an hour in the air. Rental cars are available at the airport if you plan to explore the surrounding Palouse.
Things to Do
Wildlife
WSU Bear Center
On the eastern edge of campus, the WSU Bear Center is a grizzly bear research and conservation facility open to the public from April through October. Bears are visible from a designated viewing area in the parking lot at no cost. The bears are reliably active during the warmer months and can often be found in their pool or yard.
Art
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art
The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art on the WSU campus holds a permanent collection of more than 4,000 works across all mediums, alongside rotating exhibitions featuring national and regional artists. Admission is free for WSU students and available to the general public. The building itself is worth a look.
Hiking
Kamiak Butte County Park
A 20-minute drive north of Pullman, Kamiak Butte offers a 3.5-mile roundtrip trail that winds through grass meadows and stands of conifers before reaching a hilltop with views of the Palouse in every direction. The trailhead is dog friendly and free to access. One of the best vantage points for first-time Palouse visitors.
Trail
Bill Chipman Palouse Trail
A 7-mile paved multi-use trail connects Pullman to Moscow, Idaho through open Palouse farmland. The trail starts near downtown and runs to the Idaho border. It is flat enough for bikes and strollers, and the scenery shifts noticeably with the seasons from green to gold.
Scenic Drive
Palouse Scenic Byway
The Palouse Scenic Byway runs through some of the most distinctive farmland in the Pacific Northwest, linking small towns and viewpoints across Whitman County. From Pullman, head north toward Colfax and the town of Palouse, or south toward Lewiston for canyon views. The Steptoe Butte overlook is a highlight on the northern route.
Food
Ferdinand's Ice Cream Shoppe
A campus institution, Ferdinand's is where WSU food science students produce Cougar Gold cheddar, a sharp white cheddar aged in aluminum cans and sold to visitors and shipped nationwide since 1948. Pick up a can to take home and order a scoop of huckleberry ripple or Palouse Crunch ice cream while you are there.
Family
Palouse Discovery Science Center
On the north side of Pullman, the Palouse Discovery Science Center offers hands-on STEAM exhibits for younger visitors and curious adults. The Imagination Playground, built from large moveable foam blocks, is a consistent favorite with kids. The center runs rotating programs throughout the year.
History
Pullman Depot Heritage Center
Near downtown, the Pullman Depot Heritage Center occupies the city's historic railroad depot and preserves the story of the Northern Pacific Railroad, which arrived in 1887 and shaped Pullman's early growth. The freight room opens to the public on Saturdays with exhibits and artifacts from the town's rail era.
“Pullman is small enough to walk, big enough to stay multiple nights.”
Explore Washington State
Where to Stay
Hotel McCoy
The most distinctive place to stay in Pullman. Hotel McCoy is a pet-friendly boutique hotel with an art gallery featuring local artists, an on-site wine bar and bottle shop, a grilled cheese bistro, and a regular schedule of live music and outdoor movies. The rooms are styled with a fun vintage aesthetic.
Visit Hotel McCoyCourtyard by Marriott Pullman
A reliable option near the WSU campus. The Courtyard offers comfortable rooms and easy access to both downtown and the university. A good choice for game weekends when you want consistency and availability.
Book at Courtyard PullmanHampton Inn Pullman
The recently renovated Hampton Inn sits close to campus and provides complimentary breakfast and consistent Hilton-standard service. A solid option for families visiting WSU or attending football weekends.
Book at Hampton Inn PullmanFind a Cabin Near Pullman
Find a Cabin Near Pullman
Food & Drink
The Black Cypress (215 E Main St) is the standout of the Pullman dining scene and a James Beard Award semifinalist in 2023. The menu leans Mediterranean with wood-fired souvlakia, a 16-oz ribeye, housemade rolls, and an extensive wine list. Dinner only, Monday through Saturday. Reservations strongly recommended on weekends.
Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe on the WSU campus is where you pick up Cougar Gold, the sharp white cheddar that WSU food science students have been producing in aluminum cans since 1948. Grab a can to take home and pair it with a scoop of huckleberry ripple or Palouse Crunch ice cream while you are there.
Paradise Creek Brewery started in 2010 in Pullman’s historic post office building and has since expanded to two locations. The downtown restaurant is the spot for a casual meal; the brewery taproom is the place for their well-regarded sour beers and a seat on the patio.
Birch and Barley offers American classics with a Southern lean, including shrimp and crawfish options and a Cougar Gold mac and cheese that earns its place on the menu. Good patio seating for warmer evenings.
Cougar Country Drive In (760 N Grand Ave) has been a Pullman institution since 1973. Open daily 11am to 10pm. Order a burger and a milkshake. The banana peanut butter is the one most locals will point you toward.
Festivals & Events
August
National Lentil Festival
The Palouse produces a significant share of the world's lentil crop, and the National Lentil Festival celebrates that every August. The 2026 festival runs August 22 with a grand parade, fun run, cooking competition, beer garden, and the World's Largest Lentil Chili Bowl. Free admission.
June through August
Music on Main
Every Thursday evening from June through August, Pine Street Plaza in downtown Pullman hosts live music performances. The series draws local and regional acts and brings out students, families, and longtime residents alike. No cover and no reservations needed.
September through November
Cougar Football at Martin Stadium
When WSU football is in season, Pullman transforms. Martin Stadium on the WSU campus draws crowds from across the Inland Northwest for home games and rivalry matchups. Game day in Pullman is a genuine Pacific Northwest college football experience. Book lodging early for home game weekends.
Day Trips
Moscow, Idaho is 9 miles from Pullman via Highway 270, about 17 minutes. Home to the University of Idaho, Moscow has its own walkable downtown with dining and arts that complement what Pullman offers. Cross the state line for lunch and be back by dinner. The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail connects the two cities on foot or by bike.
Palouse Falls is 90 minutes west via US-195 and WA-261. Washington’s official state waterfall drops 198 feet into a basalt canyon. One of the more dramatic landscapes in Eastern Washington. Pack a lunch and allow two to three hours at the park.
Steptoe Butte State Park is roughly 50 miles north of Pullman off US-195, about 55 minutes. The butte is a quartzite outcropping rising above the surrounding Palouse farmland, with a paved road to the summit and 200-mile views in every direction. Best in early morning or late afternoon light.
Spokane is 75 miles north via US-195, about 1 hour. Washington’s second-largest city has Riverfront Park, a walkable downtown, and a regional airport if you are finishing a trip in Eastern Washington.
Planning Your Visit
Pullman is best visited in late spring or fall. May and June bring the Palouse to its most vivid green and the weather is mild enough for hiking and cycling. Fall means Cougar football, golden Palouse hillsides, and a more energetic downtown. Summer is warm and dry with events most evenings. Winter is cold and the campus quiets significantly when students leave for break.
Plan for at least one overnight. A full weekend works well: a morning at the WSU Bear Center and Jordan Schnitzer Museum, lunch downtown, an afternoon drive on the Palouse Scenic Byway, and dinner at The Black Cypress. Adding Palouse Falls or Moscow calls for two nights.
Lodging books quickly during home football game weekends and WSU graduation. Book ahead for those dates. The rest of the year, same-week bookings are generally available.
More Pullman on EWS
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pullman, Washington known for?
Pullman is home to Washington State University (WSU), one of the state’s flagship research universities with more than 20,000 students. The city is also known for Cougar Gold cheese, a sharp white cheddar made by WSU students and aged in aluminum cans since 1948, the National Lentil Festival held each August, and the Palouse, a region of rolling wheat and lentil fields that produces some of the most striking agricultural scenery in the Pacific Northwest.
Is Pullman worth visiting if I am not a WSU fan?
Pullman is worth a visit on its own terms. The food scene includes a James Beard-recognized restaurant, a well-regarded craft brewery, and a campus creamery. The surrounding Palouse offers scenic drives, a challenging hike at Kamiak Butte, and a 7-mile trail connecting to Moscow, Idaho. The WSU campus adds a grizzly bear research center and an art museum with 4,000 works, both free and open to the public.
How do I get to Pullman, Washington?
From Seattle, take I-90 east and then US-195 south for a total of about 285 miles and 5 hours. From Spokane, take US-195 south for about 75 miles, roughly 1 hour. Pullman Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) serves Seattle via Alaska Airlines with multiple daily flights, cutting the trip to under an hour in the air.
When is the best time to visit Pullman?
Late spring (May and June) brings the Palouse to its most vivid green, which is the best time for scenic drives and the Bill Chipman Trail. Summer is warm and dry with outdoor events most weeks. Fall offers golden Palouse hillsides and Cougar football. Winter is cold and the campus quiets significantly. Avoid home football game weekends and WSU graduation if you want easier lodging availability.
How far is Pullman from Seattle?
Pullman is approximately 285 miles from Seattle by car, roughly a 5-hour drive following I-90 east and US-195 south. The Pullman Moscow Regional Airport (PUW) offers Alaska Airlines flights to Seattle that cut the trip to under an hour in the air.
What is Cougar Gold cheese?
Cougar Gold is a sharp white cheddar produced by Washington State University students in the WSU Creamery. It has been made at WSU since 1948 and is aged in distinctive aluminum cans, which allows it to develop a sharper, more complex flavor over time. The cheese is available at Ferdinand’s Ice Cream Shoppe on campus or shipped nationwide through the WSU Creamery online store.
Is Moscow, Idaho worth visiting from Pullman?
Moscow, Idaho is 9 miles from Pullman via Highway 270, about a 17-minute drive. Moscow is home to the University of Idaho and has its own walkable downtown with dining and arts. The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail also connects the two cities on foot or by bike, making it an easy afternoon addition to any Pullman trip.