Furthermore, in addition to the natural wonders of the city, such as beautiful parks and waterfalls like the Riverfront Park which is a favorite for families due to its kid-friendly attractions and possibility of spotting local wildlife, Spokane is home to unique museums, like the Mobius Children’s Museum and the Spokane Symphony orchestra. There are also other great activities like wine tasting and hiking the scenic trails of the city. Here’s a list of interesting things you can do on your next visit to Spokane, Washington.
20 Interesting Things To Do in Spokane, Washington
1. Spokane Falls
Located in the central business district of downtown Spokane, Washington, Spokane Falls, which was once the home of a large Native American tribe known as the Spokane people, are waterfalls and dams that add to the beauty of the city, making it a great sight to see and one of the top attractions of the area. Spokane Falls is divided into two parts: the Upper Falls and the Lower Falls. The Upper Falls is the site of the Upper Falls Dam, built in 1920 to direct water into the Upper Falls intake on the south channel of the Spokane River while the Lower Falls, built in 1890, is the site of a second diversion dam known as the Monroe Street Dam.
2. Riverfront Park
Located along the Spokane River containing the upper Spokane Falls, just upstream from the lower falls, the Riverfront Park has been described as one of the most spectacular urban parks in America. Some of the amenities of the 100-acre park include the magnificent Spokane Falls and River, the 1902 Clock Tower, the Expo ’74 Pavilion, the 1909 Looff Riverfront Park Carousel. Visitors can choose to take a sky ride over the falls, play in the huge Rotary Fountain, take a long hike through the meadows and wild conservation areas, or spot ospreys, marmots, beavers, ducks and geese.
3. John A. Finch Arboretum
Located at West 3404 Woodland Boulevard, Spokane, Washington, John A. Finch Arboretum is a 56.65-acre public arboretum that is open daily without charge. It contains a natural trail and about 2,000 trees and shrubs, including 65 groups of lilacs and collections of conifers and maples. Throughout the year, there are events and activities held in the arboretum. Tours of the place are also frequently conducted.
4. Manito Park
Located at 17th Ave and Grand Blvd in Spokane, Washington, Manito Park, and Botanical Gardens is a beautiful place to visit if you are looking to picnic, bird watch, smell roses, stroll along the paved paths, or just sit on a bench and relax as ducks and geese frolic in the pond. The 90-acre public park, which is open daily without charge, is full of exotic desert and tropical plants that thrive year round. It is a peaceful space to enjoy nature, making it one of the best things to do in Spokane, Washington.
5. Martin Woldson Theater
Located on 1001 W. Sprague Avenue, the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox is a 1931 Art Deco movie theater designed by renowned architect Robert C. Reamer. The theatre, which was once slated for demolition but was saved and renovated mostly by the efforts and funding of Martin Woldson and his daughter, is home to the Spokane Symphony. It has since been listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
6. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture
Located on West First Avenue in the Browne’s Addition neighborhood of Spokane, the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture has collections of art and artifacts related to the history of the local region. The museum is associated with the Smithsonian Institution and is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums.
7. Riverside State Park
Located 9 miles northwest of Spokane, on West Charles Road, in Nine Mile Falls, Washington, Riverside State Park is Washington’s second largest state park. Some of the activities available to visitors here include picnicking, camping, fishing, swimming, bird watching, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and biking.
8. Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park
Located inside Mount Spokane State Park on North Mount Spokane Park Drive in Spokane, Washington; Mount Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is a ski resort. It features nighttime skiing, a tubing hill, and lodges, as well as five chairlifts to take skiers and snowboarders from the base to the peak of the mountain at 5,889 feet.
9. Barrister Winery
Located on Union Pacific Railroad in the Davenport Arts District, Barrister Winery, founded in 2000, is a winery that produces wines such as Sangiovese, Malbec, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Sauvignon Blanc, among others. Housed in a beautiful brick building built in 1906, Barrister Winery is also an art gallery.
10. Downtown Spokane
Residents and visitors alike enjoy visiting downtown Spokane where there is a good number of shopping, dining, and entertainment opportunities.
11. Mica Moon Zip Tours
Mica Moon Zip Tour is a tour agency in Liberty Lake, Washington that gives you a chance to view some of the wild nature around Spokane from high above the trees through a zip line. Some of the attractions that you will come across in the two and half hour long ride include the forest glens, a valley, and mountain stream, as well as the Mica Moon historic prohibition-era moonshine camps.
12. ROW Adventure Center
Outdoor activity tour company ROW Adventures offers people in Spokane, Coeur d’Alene, and other surrounding areas, a chance to have fun doing activities such as whitewater rafting on the scenic river of the town.
13. Centennial Trail
Located from the state line between Washington and Idaho to Nine Mile Falls in Washington; Centennial Trail is a 37-mile paved hiking and biking trail that goes through downtown Spokane and through Riverfront Park before continuing to more rural areas to the east and west. With the trail mostly following the Spokane River, it provides access to other outdoor activities such as bird watching, camping, skiing, and snowshoeing, among other things.
14. Wisconsinburger
Looking for a place to have what many people have described as the best burger in town? Then Wisconsinburger is the place to visit. Inspired by the mom-and-pop burger shops in Wisconsin, this Spokane, Washington restaurant has won the hearts of locals thanks to its use of locally sourced prime beef that is freshly ground every morning, and hot and crunchy artisan buns made in the neighboring Alpine Bakery. The only imported input to the burger is the original cheese curds from Wisconsin.
15. The Scoop
The Scoop is a small waffle and ice cream shop that is known for their special recipe for Belgian Liege waffles and ice creams. The shop, which is located on the tree-lined 25th Avenue on Spokane’s South Hill, also sells organic roasted coffee and waffle sandwichs with cheese and sausage drizzled with maple syrup.
16. The Steam Plant
The Steam Plant is a restaurant, bar, brewery and event venue in Spokane that serves some of the greatest dishes you would ever have. In addition to this, what makes this place such a huge attraction to both locals and visitors is that it used to be an industrial heating facility that was renovated to offer a pleasant experience to customers. The Steam Plant further offers a tour of the old plant so you can immerse yourself in the history of the city.
17. Latah Creek Winery
Located on East Indiana Avenue in Spokane, Washington, the Latah Creek Winery is an award-winning family-owned winery that is famous for its Merlot, Malbec and Sangiovese red wines, as well as Chardonnay, Moscato, Pinot Gris, and Riesling white wines. The winery offers tours of the establishment and gives guests a chance to visit the tasting room and courtyard that can be used for picnics.
18. Avista Stadium
Located on North Havana Street at the fairgrounds east of downtown Spokane, Spokane Valley, Washington; Avista Stadium is an outdoor sports venue that serves as the ballpark home of the minor league baseball team, the Spokane Indians. It is a great place to watch a baseball game and meet other sports-loving fans. Read Also: 10 Anthologies and Collections To Add To Your Shelf
19. The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, located on East 12th Avenue, is the Episcopal Diocesan cathedral of Spokane. The structure, which was made of cut sandstone and was completed in 1954, features many carvings and stained glass windows that add to the beauty of the cathedral. The Cathedral is open on the first, third, and fifth Fridays of the month and Saturday from 11 am until 2 pm. There are also guided tours on Sundays after the last morning worship service.
20. Mobius Children’s Museum
Located on West Main Avenue at River Park Square, Mobius Children’s Museum is a hands-on art, culture, and science museum that offers a variety of fun and educational activities for children aged 8 and younger to help spark their curiosity.
