Spokane is a diverse city in the Inland Northwest with many things to do. Whether you’re visiting for the weekend or staying longer, plenty of fun and adventurous experiences are waiting to be explored!
From taking a stroll through Manito Park to feeling the spray at Spokane Falls and indulging in some of the delicious offerings from local wineries, this list will serve as your bucket list guide featuring 10 unique activities you must do when visiting Spokane. So go ahead and get your pen ready – it’s time to start crossing off destinations on this ultimate tour of Spokane!
Stroll through Manito Park
Manito Park, treasured by the South Hill Neighborhood, provides a century of magnificently crafted botanical artistic beauty, awarded as a premier garden experience in the nation.
Visitors from all over flock to Manito Park yearly, numbering over 150,000. This renowned attraction offers more than 20 acres of blooming flowers in its five major garden areas, the most celebrated being the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden.
Manito Park offers more than 70 acres of native landscape, providing an additional recreation destination beyond the botanical gardens. Mirror Pond is a notable venue to explore in Scholars’ Park: viewed for its plentiful wildlife by visitors all year round. They can also take advantage of the Gaiser Conservatory–an on-site greenhouse.
Feel The Spray At Spokane Falls
Riverfront Park is well-known for its stunning amalgamation of nature, and artificial creativity, including Spokane Falls and the Spokane, falls blvd. It integrates two falls that make an intriguing configuration – the upper and lower drops providing visitors a heightened gratification towards hustle, power, and delight. Visiting the Spokane River’s spectacular waterfalls during the springtime provides an unforgettable experience. As the snow melts and the river swells, it can be seen cascading down in a torrent of rushing white water.
A visit to the upper falls of the Riverfront is an enjoyable and easy experience. Starting from the Pavilion, one will find that a mere short walk is all needed to access this exquisite natural wonder – a spectacle commanded by a mouth-watering array of sounds emanating from swiftly cascading water. As you walk through the area, prepare to meet other like-minded folks who desire to capture the beauty, such as photographers and other explorers.
The Monroe Street Bridge pedestrian sidewalk offers beautiful views of the lower falls, as does the new A Place of Truths plaza, nestled next to the bridge. This makes for two excellent options for viewing these majestic cascades. Like Mount Spokane state park, Riverfront offers an array of unforgettable vistas – and the Numerica SkyRide provides one of the best. Riders are offered gondola-style tours overlooking Spokane’s river. As they sail across while enjoying 360-degree views, they can admire natural landscapes, bridges, and architecture from new perspectives.
Bike The Centennial Trail
1989 marked the Centennial Celebration of Washington and created the foundation for constructing the first segments of the Spokane River National Recreational Trail, known as the Spokane River Centennial Trail.
If you’re looking for a recreational activity with plenty of scenic views, take a trip to the Riverfront Park downtown and explore the 37-mile paved and non-motorized trail. It’s the perfect place to enjoy biking, running or roller skiing; you’ll be captivated by the beautiful Eastern Washington landscapes as you travel. You can make your journey more exciting by taking different paths and even heading out to mount spokane ski, which is also a great place for skiing. There’s something for everyone there, so have an unforgettable experience!
Hike Rocks Of Sharon, Dishman Hills
The city of Spokane is surrounded by a variety of natural spaces, many of which are Conservation Areas that generous landowners and non-profits maintain. Like riverside state park, the area contains many hiking trails to explore and enjoy, making it easy for nature lovers to access the outside wilderness. Exploring the breathtaking location of Rocks of Sharon near Spokane, Wa, accessible by a top-tier hiking trail, proves to be an incredibly delightful experience.
Located on the city’s south side is an elevated landscape incorporating several immense granite outcroppings dubbed The Rocks of Sharon. From the rocks, views of awesomeness can be appreciated across the Palouse countryside – the lush fields adorned in golden and green stretch far beyond. Appreciating their gargantuan reputation is truly a remarkable sight.
Visiting The Northwest Museum of Arts And Culture
The MAC – the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture – is renowned throughout the Inland Northwest, famed as the area’s biggest cultural institute. For one to undertake a lifetime of learning, the Michigan State University Museum of Art and Culture (MAC) offers its colossal collection of over one million artifacts related to regional history, visual arts, and American Indian culture. Visitors can explore these artifacts spread across five underground galleries featuring rotating exhibits.
Visitors to the cafe, Café Mac, can enjoy refills of their coffee throughout their visit and get a glimpse into a 19th-century Washington lifestyle on the adjacent Campbell House tours. Additionally, there are exhibits for them to explore at the museum itself.
Downtown Spokane Shopping
Riverfront Park has an enriched, diversified shopping option, with River Park Square, a mall just south of the park, being its central hub. From prestigious stores like Banana Republic, Nordstrom, and the Apple Store to more fashion-forward stores such as Anthropologie and Lululemon.
The flour Mill building, where the Kitchen Engine and Wonders of the World reside, carries items in its offerings along the Spokane River. Additionally, do not forget the independent bookstores and Boo Radley’s or Auntie’s, as they have a vast stock of quirky, strange things representing Spokane.
Spokane Wineries
Uncovering the distinctive tastes of the Northwest is effortless when you explore downtown Spokane–home to more than a dozen wineries, which are conveniently located within easy walking distance from one another. With a selection that varies from sweet and tangy to dry and robust, there’s something for everyone to savor while they admire the city’s vibrant atmosphere. Don’t forget to visit the historic Davenport hotel, which also serves fantastic wines.
Visit John A. Finch Arboretum To Encounter Wildlife
John A. Finch Arboretum: 65 acres of woodlands in southwest Spokane, perfect for reconnecting with Washington’s natural beauty. The Garden Springs Creek provides a stunning backdrop for the 2,000-plus labeled varieties of trees, shrubs, and seasonal wildflowers that make up this botanical showcase.
The Arboretum, which offers a variety of activities throughout the warmer seasons, provides free admission and allows people to take their self-guided tours. The Fall Leaf Festival is an annually anticipated autumn event that many visits. While visiting the Arboretum, keep watch for the resident wildlife. Among them: were marmots scurrying about and wild turkeys strutting around.
Visit The Great Spokane Indians
This season, the local minor-league baseball club has jumped to the next level, which means they will play in more games and compete against teams of even greater skill. Visiting Avista Stadium in Spokane Valley is always a memorable experience, as it is steeped in history and tradition. If you’re looking for an exciting summer outing that guarantees thrilling entertainment, attending one of their upcoming games should be on your list.
See The Martin Woldson Theater At The Fox!
The Fox Theater opened in 1931 and was the first to bring air conditioning to Spokane. Its debut movie sensation attracted a large and illustrious audience who witnessed all manner of presentations over the following seventy years: vaudeville acts, silent films, and talking movies.
Like the Spokane symphony, the Fox Theater was fitted with roomy stage space, a finished orchestra pit, and extensive balcony seating prepared for both live and recreated acts. It, unfortunately, showed its last movie in 2000 and had plans to be demolished for a parking garage.
Conclusion
Spokane is a hidden gem in the Pacific Northwest with plenty to offer residents and visitors. From outdoor adventures to shopping and dining, there’s something for everyone in this charming city. And what better way to experience all Spokane has to offer than by completing a bucket list of the top 10 things to do? So whether you’re a local or just passing through, check off these must-dos while in town.