Pullman City Guide

United States

Pullman City Guide

Washington

Pullman, Washington, is a small college town known for Washington State University and its scenic agricultural surroundings. It offers a calm pace, a strong community vibe, and outdoor activities, though it lacks big-city amenities.

Lifestyle🍽️

🍽️
Food Scene
Good
6

Mainly American comfort and pub food with some Mexican, Asian, and Italian options. Vegetarian and vegan choices exist but are limited. Late night mainly fast food and pizza.

Local Dishes:
American comfort food, Pub fare
International Cuisine:
Mexican, Asian, Italian
Vegan FriendlyVegetarian Friendly
🌙
Nightlife
Good
6

Small nightlife focused on bars and pubs catering to students. Quality and variety are decent for the town's size.

Coffee Culture
Good
7

Decent coffee scene with local cafes and some third-wave shops emerging.

💰
Tipping
Required
18%

Tipping is expected in restaurants, taxis, and services, typically 15-20%.

Top Attractions
Washington State University Campus
Cultural
Main university campus with interesting architecture and events.
WSU Bear Center
Family
Educational center showcasing live native bears.
Palouse Discovery Science Center
Family
Interactive science exhibits for all ages.
Palouse Falls State Park
Nature
About an hour away, featuring a large scenic waterfall.
Kamiak Butte County Park
Nature
Hiking and panoramic views within 1 hour drive.
SIM Cards

SIM cards are available at major carriers like AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile, usually in nearby larger towns or online. ID is needed for post-paid plans, less for pre-paid.

Available at:
AT&T
Verizon
T-Mobile
Recommended Apps
Uber/Lyft(Transportation)
DoorDash/Grubhub(Food Delivery)
Google Maps(Navigation)
WSU Mobile(University)
MyPullman(Local Services)

Services & Infrastructure

Street Cleanliness
Excellent
8

Streets are generally clean with regular waste and recycling services.

24/7 Services
Limited
4

Limited 24/7 options; some late-night convenience stores and fast food available.

Groceries
Safeway
Dissmore's IGA

Main supermarkets include Safeway and Dissmore's IGA. International products are limited but improving. Local farmers market runs seasonally. Stores open 6 AM to 11 PM, including Sundays with possible reduced hours.

Cashless Payments
Widely accepted

Most places accept major credit and debit cards, so cash isn't needed often.

ATMs

ATMs are found at banks like Washington Trust Bank, US Bank, and Chase, and in major grocery stores. Out-of-network ATM fees of $2-$5 are common.

Schools
Local only

Local schools include Pullman High and Lincoln Middle. Washington State University is the main higher education institution; English is the language of instruction.

Available Schools:
Pullman High School
Lincoln Middle School
Washington State University

Work & Digital💻

Coworking Spaces
Available
3
Available Spaces:
WSU Research & Technology Park
Primarily for businesses, some flexible options may exist.
Pullman Chamber of Commerce
Offers meeting room rentals.
Work-Friendly Cafés
Good
Starbucks
Multiple locations, reliable Wi-Fi.
Thomas Hammer Coffee Roasters
Local coffee shop with good work atmosphere.
Daily Grind
Casual café good for working.
The Old Post Office
Quiet spot with decent Wi-Fi.
Alternatives:
Neill Public Library
Quiet, free Wi-Fi, good for focused work.
Washington State University Libraries
Study spaces with strong internet.
Hotel lobbies
Wi-Fi and comfortable seating; check guest policies.
Digital Nomad Community
Poor
3

Small community with limited meetups; some nomad-friendly cafés available.

Nature & Activities🌿

Green Spaces
Excellent
8

Good access to parks and trails like Reaney Park and Bill Chipman Palouse Trail for outdoor activities.

Running
Good
7

Popular routes include the Bill Chipman Palouse Trail connecting to Moscow, Idaho, with good safety and scenery.

Gyms
Available

Several gyms available, including university and public facilities.

Available Gyms:
Pullman Aquatic & Fitness Center
Planet Fitness
WSU Student Recreation Center
Tennis
Good
6

Tennis courts at parks and university; booking may be required.

Padel
Poor
0

No padel courts available.

Yoga
Good
6

Yoga studios like Palouse Yoga & Mindfulness offer various classes with drop-in options.

Martial Arts
Limited
5

Dojo options include Taekwondo and Karate; BJJ or Muay Thai gyms require extra search.

Skiing
Good
6

Ski resorts are 1.5-3 hours away at Lookout Pass and Schweitzer with good snow and varied terrain.

Water Sports
Limited
5

Kayaking and paddleboarding on the Snake River about 30-45 minutes away, best in warmer months.

Surfing
Poor
0

No surfing opportunities; Pullman is inland.

Diving
Poor
0

No diving or snorkeling available, as Pullman is inland.

Health & Safety🏥

Healthcare
Excellent
8

Pullman Regional Hospital offers good care with English-speaking staff. Pharmacies like Walgreens and Rite Aid provide common medicines.

Hospitals:
Pullman Regional Hospital
Pharmacies:
Walgreens
Rite Aid
Tap Water Safety
Safe to drink

Tap water is safe and meets all federal and state standards.

Common Scams
Online phishing, Tech support scams, Lottery scams

Community & Family

Family Friendly
Good
7

Good playgrounds and family attractions like the WSU Bear Center and Palouse Discovery Science Center. Kid-friendly cafes are limited.

LGBTQ+ Friendly
Good
7

Generally accepting thanks to the university presence; safe spaces and state protections exist.

Pet Friendly
Good
7

Pet-friendly with dog parks, vets, and growing pet-friendly services.

Communities
Pullman Community Facebook Group (Social)
Washington State University Parents & Families (Social)
Nextdoor (Social)
WSU Daily Evergreen (Media)
City of Pullman website (Official)

Quick Facts

Population
32,901
Power Reliability
Excellent
8/10

Power is generally reliable with occasional outages during severe winter weather.

Mountains
Available

Bitterroot Mountains are about 2-3 hours away to the east, offering hiking and outdoor activities.

Languages
English(95%)
Emergency
911
Emergency

⚠️Natural Disasters Risk

🌊
Tsunami
Very Low Risk
0
🏔️
Earthquake
Low Risk
4

🌦️Seasonal Issues

Extreme heat
July, August
Temperatures can go over 90°F.
Snow and cold
November, December, January, February, March
Winter brings significant snowfall and cold weather.

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