10 Things to Do in Spokane, WA
Spokane is the second largest city in Washington state and the gateway to the Inland Northwest. Seattle is the most well known city but Spokane stands on its own as a unique, active year-round destination for families, couples, and solo adventures. The Lilac City as it’s fondly called, is a recreationalist’s dream, offering multitudes of activities for every taste and sport. Downtown Spokane is a neighborhood with a perfect balance between the past and the future. If you’re looking for something to do in the Lilac City, here are some ideas.
1. Riverfront Spokane
Riverfront Park, also known as Riverfront Spokane, is a massive, 100 acre public park in downtown Spokane, bordering the Spokane River and Spokane Falls. Built for the world’s fair, Expo ‘74, it’s a widely popular urban park for both locals and tourists. It’s a perfect place to spend the day. In fact, there is so much to do that you might need to come back on multiple days to take it all in. For those interested in history, you can take in the 1902 Clock Tower, take a ride on the iconic 1909 Looff Carrousel, and visit the U.S. Pavilion, one of the standing structures remaining from Expo ‘74. For those interested in natural beauty, there is the Centennial Trail, the Spokane River, and the Upper and Lower Spokane Falls. Take in a bird’s eye-view by taking a ride on the Numerica Skyride and see a whole new view of the Spokane Falls. For families, there are a multitude of things to keep your little ones busy. There is the Providence Playscape, Ice Age Floods Playground, Skate and Wheels Park, Red Wagon, and Rotary Fountain. This by no means is the full list of activities that Riverfront has to offer. Take a day or two and check it out yourselves.
To make the most of the fun, we recommend bringing a picnic lunch but there are food options close to the park. The park is open from 6am to midnight.
https://my.spokanecity.org/
507 N Howard St.
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 625-6600
2. Gonzaga University Campus
Gonzaga University is a private Catholic university that was founded in 1887. The campus is a historic, beautiful spot in the Spokane area. The campus is full of old, well maintained brick buildings, the grounds are beautiful, and it’s full of friendly faces. Taking a stroll around the grounds is not the only thing to do around campus. Visit the Bing Crosby House, boyhood home of Bing Crosby built in 1911. It houses over 200 items detailing his life from records, trophies, awards, and more. Admission to get in is free so no need to bring cash. For the art enthusiasts, check out the Jundt Art Museum which holds the university’s art collection and is host to traveling exhibits so each visit might be different. If it is NCAA Champion Bulldog season, take in an electrifying college basketball game at McCarthey Athletic Center. Try the pretzel when you’re at the game. Another must see is St. Aloysius Church. This church is stunning, both inside and out. The stained-glass windows are exquisite. If you like church architecture and artwork, you won’t be disappointed.
502 East Boone Avenue
Spokane, WA 99258
(800) 986-9585
3. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture was founded in 1916 and is the largest cultural organization in the Inland Northwest. The MAC, as it’s also known as, fuses local history, art, and culture in a fun, unique way. Also included in the museum is a tour of the Campbell mansion. The Campbell House was built in 1889 for the Campbell family who made their fortunes in the mining industry. Take a tour through the house and see how both the family and their servants lived through the turn of the century. Current exhibits include a Tiffany glass and collections from Joe Feddersen. The MAC also has an archive library, a museum store, and a cafe.
https://www.northwestmuseum.
2316 W. 1st. Ave
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 456-3931
4. Steam Plant Square
Driving through Spokane, you can’t help but notice the 225 foot twin smokestacks looming over the city. Built in 1916 as a central heat production plant providing steam power to the city. It had to close and shutter the stacks in 1986 due to steam no longer being economical to produce. Now, the Steam Plant has been lovingly historically renovated and operates a restaurant and hotel. It’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places and once inside, you’ll be whisked to another time and place. You don’t need to eat at the restaurant or be a hotel guest to take a self-guided tour of the plant or see the view from the stacks. However, if you do decide to eat at the Steam Plant, you can’t go wrong with the buttermilk battered calamari and their huckleberry mojito.
https://steamplantspokane.com/
159 South Lincoln
Spokane, WA 99201
(509) 777-3900
5. Blue Zoo
If you’re looking for something to do with your family that you can do in all weather, look no further than the Blue Zoo. Located in the NorthTown Mall, Blue Zoo is an interactive, hands-on aquarium where kids of all ages can feed and touch stingrays, birds, reptiles, and more. In addition to all the animals, they also have multiple water tables and a 24 foot pirate ship. Come and spend the day with mermaids, pirates, and scuba divers. What could be better? There are day passes available so your family can eat or take a break if needed. If you’re looking for food before or after your visit, Mustard Seed is also in the mall and it’s a great sit-down restaurant that specializes in Asian fusion cuisine. Their Bong Bong chicken is superb.
4750 N Division St. Suite #1242
Spokane, WA 99207
(509) 579-3111
6. Manito Park
Manito Park and Botanical Gardens is one of the jewels of Spokane. Located in the South Hill district of Spokane, Manito Park is a 90-acre public space that is a combination of park, arboretum, conservatory, and botanical gardens. There are large playgrounds as well for kids to climb and run around on. Manito Park has been a favorite of both visitors and natives alike since opening in 1916. Some of the more popular places in the park include the Duncan Gardens, which was created in a classical European style, and the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese garden which opened in 1974 just in time for Expo ‘74. A must-see time to visit is in spring for the cherry blossoms. Another popular place is the Gaiser Conservatory. There is something special about visiting in the winter and being enveloped in warm, fragrant air as you walk in. The Gaiser Conservatory holds exotic plants from the subtropical and tropical areas. Take in the gorgeous orchids and a large variety of cacti and succulents. Admission is free to get into Manito Park and there is parking available on-site. It is a popular place to visit so depending on the time and season you visit; parking might be a pain. There are shops and places to eat close by Manito Park so you can plan a whole day of fun.
1702 S. Grand Blvd.
Spokane, WA 99203
(509) 625-6200
7. Green Bluff
Just 15 miles north of Spokane, Green Bluff offers a day in the country without having to go very far from the city. Green Bluff is an area that consists of family-owned and operated farms. It started out over 100 years ago as a co-op between strawberry farms. Now farms of all kinds of crops and produce dot the area. Many Spokane families have fond, fun memories and annual traditions to wander the orchards and pick fresh off the tree fruit. Each farm in Green Bluff is uniquely owned, each has their own hours of operation. If you’re planning a visit, we recommend viewing the website for a map and a description of the farms. There is a meadery, cider works, breweries, pottery shops, and more. Several of the farms do offer dining on location and you can find a variety of produce depending on the season. Peaches, plums, apricots, pumpkins, lavender, raspberries, and more can all be found there.
Green Bluff, WA 99021
8. The Historic Davenport Hotel
If Spokane had a crown, the Davenport Hotel would be the crown jew. Made famous when it opened in 1914 as the most modern hotel, it was the first hotel with indoor air conditioning, a central vacuum system, and housekeeping carts. Stepping through the lobby will whisk you into an Art Deco dream. It’s glamorous and luxurious. During the Christmas season, it’s a tradition for many natives to visit the hotel for its glimmering holiday decorations. During the winter, the Davenport has igloos on their outdoor Grand Terrace so you can dine under the stars in your own warm, cozy pod. There are several dining options, and you don’t have to be a guest of the hotel to eat. Take in a cocktail at the Peacock Room Lounge which features a 5,000-piece-stained glass ceiling.
https://www.
10 S. Post St
Spokane, WA 99201
(844) 631-0595
9. Mount Spokane State Park
Technically, Mount Spokane State Park is in Mead but it’s close enough to Spokane to be included on the list. Mount Spokane is huge. It’s one of Washington state’s largest parks. It includes over 12,000 acres to camp and enjoy the beauty of the Selkirk Mountains. Mount Spokane is a recreationalist’s dream. There are over 100 miles of trails that wake you through the Selkirk Mountains. Reach the summit at 5, 883 and the view will take your breath away. Take advantage of 79 miles of biking and equestrian trails. There is overnight camping available which comes in handy if you’re too tired to move after a long day of hiking, biking, or skiing. You will need to purchase either a day pass or use your Discover Pass for admission into the park. During the winter, skiing and snowboarding is available at the Mount Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, which is located inside the park. It’s been voted by readers of The Inlander newspaper as the #1 place in the area to ski. They’ve got 52 runs, 7 lifts, a terrain park, and a ski school. One thing to note is that they sell a limited number of lift tickets per day to limit crowds. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance, so you don’t show up and be disappointed.
https://parks.state.wa.us/549/
N. 26107 Mount Spokane Park Drive
Mead, WA 99021
(509) 238-4258
10. Riverside State Park
Riverside State Park is a popular recreational park that borders the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers and it’s 9 minutes from Spokane. It makes a perfect spot on a hot, sunny day and is very popular in the summer times. Riverside is another paradise for outdoor enthusiasts of all interests. There are over 55 miles of hiking and biking trails. For those with horses, there are over 25 miles of trails to ride plus there is a campground for equestrians. 600 acres are available for those with off-road vehicles to ride and explore. There are several campgrounds with the Bowl and Pitcher being the most popular. They offer only 32 camping spots if you’re looking to stay overnight, book in advance.
https://parks.state.wa.us/573/
4427 N. Aubrey L White Parkway
Spokane, WA 99205
(509-625-5553
Lodging in Spokane
Here are some popular lodging options in Spokane.
The Historic Davenport Hotel
https://www.
10 S. Post St
Spokane, WA 99201
(844) 631-0595
