10 Things To See And Do In Spokane Washington

Spokane is a historic and beautiful town in Eastern Washington; located close to the mountains and one of the few towns in the U.S. through which a river runs. It’s a dynamic city that attracts both outdoor lovers and arts and culture enthusiasts, and as a visitor, you’ll find all sorts of things nearby from river rafting to wine cellars. Here’s a list of 10 amazing things to see and do in Spokane.

1. Riverfront Park

Park

The City of Spokane’s Riverfront Park is 100 acres of urban park, including the Spokane Falls and dam. Most of the park is located on an island on the Spokane River, which is known as the site of the 1974 World’s Fair. The park features many outdoor sculptures, the Riverfront Park Carousel, and the Rotary Fountain, a popular attraction in the summer for families trying to stay cool in the Eastern Washington heat. The park also contains a walking path that connects to Huntington Park, and the Riverfront Park connects to the Centennial Bike Trail, where you can bring your bicycle for a ride along the Spokane River.

2. Manito Park and Botanical Gardens

Park

One of Spokane’s most beautiful parks is located in the South Hill neighborhood. Manito Park is 90 acres of lawns, playgrounds, topiary shrubs, gardens, biking and walking paths, and a greenhouse conservatory. The Rose Hill Garden features 1,500 rose bushes of over 150 varieties, and at the corner of Manito Park is the Nishinomiya Japanese Garden. There is also Duncan Garden, a Renaissance-style garden with displays of colorful flower and plant beds, a central water feature, and a gazebo.

3. Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

Museum, Park

With a permanent collection of art, artifacts, and primary source material focusing on Regional History, Fine Art, and American Indian and other cultures, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture has over 68,000 objects. The Regional History section includes an extensive textile collection of quilts and clothing from the mid-1900s to present day, and their American Indian section includes 10,000 photographic images of Plateau Indian Culture. You can also tour the Campbell House, a fully furnished pioneer house. John A. Finch Arboretum © Brendan Biele/Flickr

4. John A. Finch Arboretum

Park

John A. Finch Arboretum

65 acres of wooded hills, the John A. Finch Arboretum is a variety of landscapes to please the eye from pine forests to a glen of rhododendrons. It’s a beautiful place to go for a walk, especially in the fall and spring. There may be no playgrounds, but there are plenty of open grassy areas to run around that are also perfect for a picnic, and there’s also a pleasant creek that runs through the park.

Address & phone number: 3404 W Woodland Blvd Spokane, WA USA +1 509-624-4832

5. Go rafting on the Spokane River

Park

Go rafting on the Spokane River

With crashing whitewater rapids and peaceful, calm waters, rafting on the Spokane River is a perfect way to get out and experience Spokane. There are rafting tours with guides that take you right along the river through downtown Spokane, and you can also rent anything from canoes to kayaks to paddleboards at a variety of places. You can find your ideal launch site and rafting area on the Spokane water trail map. Try rafting with Pangaea River Rafting or ROW Adventure Center.

Address: Spokane River WA USA

6. Mt. Spokane State Park

Park

Mount Spokane State Park is a beautiful place to go for a day hike and is just a perfect way to get out of town and explore. A 13,919-acre camping park in the Selkirk Mountains, the state park features old growth forests and granite rock outcroppings. In the wintertime, there’s Nordic skiing as well as alpine night skiing, and in the summer they’ve got 90 miles of bike trails, 100 miles of horse trails, and 100 miles of hiking trails to blaze. You can also rent a cabin on the summit of Quartz Mountain for a spectacular view of Spokane Valley, which is filled with fields of wildflowers and huckleberries.

7. Bing Crosby Theater

Theater

Built in 1915 as a silent film movie house, The Bing Crosby Theater was renamed after Bing Crosby performed there in the 20s when the theater manager thought of hosting live performances between movies to generate interest. Today, it hosts all sorts of live music, dance, film, and other forms of media. Their upcoming events include performances from Spokane Jazz Orchestra, a stage production of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, the Russian Grand Ballet’s Swan Lake, and a variety of musicians.

8. Spokane Civic Theatre

Building

Spokane Civic Theatre

The place to go in Spokane for all thespian entertainment, Spokane Civic Theatre puts on all kinds of shows throughout the year, both musicals and plays, from White Christmas to Little Women to Catch Me If You Can: The Musical. Civic is one of few community theaters to own its own building and land and is one of the oldest community theaters in the country.
Address & phone number: 1020 N Howard St Spokane, WA USA +1 509-325-2507

9. Avista Stadium

Stadium

Home of the Spokane Indians, Avista Stadium’s a great place to spend an evening or afternoon during the summer months when the weather’s prime for baseball. The Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team whose season goes from June to very early September, and they play Northwest regional minor league teams like the Boise Hawks and Everett AquaSox.

10. Tour and taste at Latah Creek Wine Cellars

Tour and taste at Latah Creek Wine Cellars

Established in 1982, Latah Creek is a pioneer of the now thriving Washington State wine valleys and vineyards. Wine Spectator heralded their merlot to be one of the best in the State of Washington. You can come and visit them right in Spokane Valley and taste their wines, as well as tour their wine making facilities and warehouse.
Address & phone number: 13030 E Indiana Ave Spokane Valley, WA USA +1 509-926-0164

By Sarah Lantz

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