The National Lentil Festival in August is summer’s biggest event, with activities and food themed around the humble legume, one of the region’s major crops. A popular bike ride (the Tour de Lentil), international music acts, and a hopping beer garden are part of the fun, all overseen by wide-grinning mascot Tase T. Lentil.
Any visit to Pullman should include a stop at Ferdinand’s on the Washington State University campus for scoops of the famous ice cream and Cougar Gold cheese. The aged Cougar Gold cheddar has its own cult following as a perennial winner of international awards.
Favorite dining spots around town include South Fork Public House, where the hearty Cougar Gold mac and cheese is a must-try. Sister restaurant Cask Bar and Food has small plates and a large wine list. You’ll find pan-Asian fare at Red Bento and elegant Greek-themed specialties at Black Cypress.
Longtime favorites include the artisan pies at Porch Light Pizza, calzones at Sella’s, burgers at Cougar Country (thecougarcountry.com), and breakfasts at Old European.
Need a beer? Find an ever-growing list of microbrews at Paradise Creek Brewery. Another place to belly up is Rico’s, the center of the nighttime music scene in Pullman. If you prefer fruit over grain, Whiskey Barrel Cider and Merry Cellars Winery have you covered in the apple and grape arenas.
For active visitors, Pullman has two golf courses. The challenging Palouse Ridge Golf Course dips and ascends the rolling hills of the WSU campus, while Airway Hills Golf Center offers family fun on its par-3 and miniature golf holes. The multiuse Bill Chipman Palouse Trail from Pullman to Moscow, Idaho, attracts runners, walkers, skaters, and cyclists. But if you’re looking for a low-key retreat, Pullman has that too: 14 parks scattered on 95 acres around town.
-John Nelson
