The Perfect 2-3 Day Suggestions for Your Itinerary
Spokane is Washington’s Second City and has an amazing story for all types of travelers, whether you are a solo traveler, a mother/daughter or father/son weekend, or a bunch of friends on a fun weekend. Spokane has a great mixture of food, nature, fun activities, and four seasons that you can truly enjoy. After traveling to Seattle a few times, I wanted to try to see more of the Pacific Northwest and the great state of Washington, thus I spent 3 days in the great “Second City” of Spokane and it opened my eyes to a whole new perspective of Washington State. I had expected it to be rainy, more like the western part of the state but it was quite a sunny surprise.
Read more: A Traveler’s Guide to Spokane – Washington’s Wonderful Second CityNot only the weather was different, but so was the overall feel of the area. It had a great hip vibe with vintage shops, cool coffee scene, and a wonderful connection to the outdoors right in the city. You may not be aware but Spokane was the smallest city that hosted the World’s Fair, called Expo ‘74. This left the city a great legacy for you to explore today, such as the expansive Riverfront Park in Downtown, the SkyRide gondola ride above the waterfalls that run directly in the city, as well as the Centennial Trail stretching all the way to the border of Washington and Idaho.
Spokane – A Brief History of it’s Rugged Past
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Spokane’s history is as interesting and great scenery for such a large city. The city was founded in the late 1800s with the growing fur trade, the town rapidly grew during the later railway boom. Mining and the timber business also drew many settlers to the area. The city did go through tough periods like the fire of 1889 that destroyed the downtown, but it was rebuilt as commerce grew while retaining the beauty of the Spokane River and Spokane Falls, and now can be enjoyed by all.
What Makes Spokane Stand Out
Spokane Washington’s population has grown over the years and is 230k in the city and 456k in the great area that includes part of nearby Idaho, including lovely Coeur d’Alene, Idaho (only 45 minutes away). The city may seem far from Seattle, but a revitalization of the Downtown, the food scene, as well as the cool hip neighborhoods like the Garland District has carved out its’ space for those looking for a less touristy city that offers a unique PNW experience.
While there is a great mix of architecture in various parts of the city, you also can feel a strong sense of connection with the past and present at The Historic Davenport Hotel. This is a great hotel especially if you love history and the Gilded Age. It was constructed in 1914 and recently renovated. It is stunning with its multitude of ballrooms for all sorts of occasions, marble, fireplace, and a great detail of the 20th-century details that adorn the halls. If you get lucky you can also enjoy a tour from their onsite historians.
Weather in Spokane Washington
The weather in Spokane truly surprised me! It was quite warm here. While Seattle in western Washington experiences much more rain, the Spokane region has all four seasons with less rain and more winter activities like skiing. It was also interesting to see sagebrush in the area, as it is a dryer climate vs. the humidity I felt in Seattle.
The average high temperature in Spokane can run up to the 80s in the summer (July/August are the hottest months) and they have more rain in winter than summer. The average temperature in winter averages from the 40s to 50s, but of course lower in the mountains.
Spokane’s Interesting Culture of Adventure and Hipster Vibe
Spokane has blossomed and experienced great gains in its population, given its affordability, both for remote workers and retirees. It’s also considered a very walkable and bikeable city (and you can see that from downtown’s Riverfront Park and Centennial Trail). You may want to rent a bike from one of the many bike stores in Spokane like Spoke ‘N Sport This is a great way to see Spokane or bike the Trail.
Forbes listed Spokane as one of the top 25 places in 2024 for retirees. The city has grown into a cultural hub that celebrates its heritage while embracing modern trends. It’s also been listed as a top 10 Hipster City by MoveHub in 2021. The city has the vibes with its many locally owned coffee shops, vegan meal options, vintage stores, and the many green spaces in the area and awesome cultural activities. Three examples of this include First Avenue Coffee, Fringe & Fray Boutique, and Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.
Best Coffee Shop: First Avenue Coffee
First Avenue Coffee is a great locally owned cafe owned by Doyle Wheeler. They use locally roasted coffee, as well as the newest equipment to get awesome cups of espresso with the perfect precise pour-over process. First Avenue is a place for the community to meet, with remote workers enjoying freshly brewed coffee and pastries. Coffee culture is a point of pride and First Avenue Coffee has a unique vibe with perfectly curated drinks.
Fringe & Fray
Fringe & Fray is a great example of a vintage shop found throughout Spokane. There are all types of vintage shops offering treasures that you may adore. F&F has a great collection of both women’s and men’s clothes. But you can find so many stores in the area.
Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture
The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture is a must-visit museum that will be enjoyed by both art and history buffs. You can see various exhibits that explore the region’s contemporary art scene, indigenous history, and so much more. Just check the dates and times. The neighborhood also has a great collection of homes and estates. I visited the museum on day 3 just before I left.While I was there I saw a great exhibit celebrating the 50th anniversary of the ‘74 EXPO. It was great to learn more about what transformed much of the downtown area of Spokane. Here you can also visit the Campbell House to see what life was like circa 1910 when the house was built after the silver mining boom in the area. The Cambell house is open Tuesday through Sunday 12 pm-4 pm.
Garland District
The Garland District in Spokane has this amazing hip, retro vibe that I just love. This district is full of vintage shops, colorful murals, and quirky cafes, giving it such a unique and nostalgic charm. Walking through, you’ll notice mid-century architecture and classic diners that make you feel like you’ve stepped back in time, but there’s also a modern edge with trendy boutiques and live music spots. It’s got this lively, welcoming community that makes it a favorite for anyone wanting to soak in Spokane’s creative energy.
Restaurants, Coffee Shops, and Cafes in Spokane
Spokane also has various great restaurants, some are located in historic buildings like Steam Plant Square and others are hidden gems located in nostalgic Milk Bottles that will surprise you. However, for my first night we dined at Mizuna for dinner. Mizuna offers locally sourced seasonal ingredients and a great curated menu of creative northwest cuisine. We enjoyed two amazing entrees including the Grilled Fresh Steelhead with cilantro citrus rice, broccolini and wasabi aioli, and my mom got the Pan Roasted Chicken soubise, fried artichokes, and summer squash when we visited.
For breakfast you will find a load of choices from hip coffee shops to unique takes on classics like waffles.
A must visit when in town is People’s Waffle. This is a locally owned business that started from a food truck to its current location in Downtown Spokane. They have unique takes on waffles from sweet to savory options that truly provide a one of a kind experience for breakfast that all incorporate waffles. Later if you are ready for a burger or shake, you can enjoy a great chocolate shake like I did at historic Mary Lou’s Milk Bottle. It’s an icon of the Garland District. I loved their chocolate shake. The neighborhood is also so funky and has many nostalgic neon signs and old school buildings like the Garland Theater that was established in 1945. The Garland Theater hosts events like visiting comedians, movies, and is perfect for a post dinner activity in Spokane.
Dine with a Purpose
If you want to try a new concept and help the downtown community try FEAST | World Kitchen. FEAST is a non-profit restaurant and its mission is to help both immigrants and former refugees by empowering them by providing new skills like cooking, sales, management, etc., and fostering community connections. The menu rotates and highlights a new chef using the chef’s menu based on their background/culture. By working at FEAST they learn new skills, earn funds to help themselves and their families, and share more of their country’s culture through their food. I had a great Mexican meal while supporting the community and loved meeting the chef that day. It was great to meet the chef and learn about the dishes that she curated for the menu.
Maisa Abudayha is Feast’s Co-Executive Director and one of the original co-founders and works to help the community grow in a positive forward way. It also serves as a resource for the members to acclimate to their move to the USA. So many like Maisa help pay it forward by sharing their experiences at FEAST.
Best coffee shops in Spokane
Everyday I was never bored in terms of coffee shops, I went to quite a few while I was in town including the Little Garden Cafe, a quaint, cozy neighborhood place for a scone and latte before heading to Riverside State Park.
Another day after rafting the Spokane River, I headed to get an iced latte at New Love Coffee which partners with Bean & Pie and offers great pies and pastries. Loved my iced latte to cool down and enjoyed the view from Kendall Yards of the Spokane city skyline.
Best Pizza in Spokane?
If you are a pizza lover, Spokane offers not one, but two amazing pizza joints praised by locals. I ended up trying one Republic Pi. Republic Pi is close to Manito Park and has a great selection of wood-fired artisan pizzas.
After touring the awesome park, I was famished and headed there to try Waikiki a spicy twist on a Hawaiian pizza. This was so fire. If you have more time, check out their sister property and popular eatery The Flying Goat. From talking to the people here, Flying Goat offers different tasty types of pies, so you can’t go wrong with either place.
Healthy Dinner Option in Spokane
If you are looking for awesome salads and a local spot, head to Elliotts an Urban Kitchen. What a great place with a relaxed, casual atmosphere to eat and enjoy such a great meal. The service was great too! I enjoyed the Flank steak salad and it was definitely the healthy end to a long day of exploring.
Things to Do in Spokane and Great Outdoors
Spokane will not disappoint you with its great mix of outdoor activities. It’s very different from the western part of Washington. The city has sprawling parks, many trees, and stunning scenery. You can take casual strolls or more challenging hikes and there are also bike trails to enjoy. Spokane’s wonderful natural attraction is the Spokane River, which flows through downtown. It’s not just a river but you’ll see the Spokane Falls, a dramatic urban waterfall. Both the urban and natural landscapes are unforgettable.
Besides the great downtown with the hotels, stores, and mall (River Park Square), it is so close to the outdoors with Riverfront Park. Riverfront Spokane – City of Spokane, Washington hugs the river and offers many things to do, besides just walking or biking the trails. I suggest visiting the Skyride around Golden House and also taking a ride on the famous Looff carousel.
Riverside State Park
Just 15-20 minutes from downtown there is Riverside State Park | Washington State Parks with approximately 15,000 acres of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, as well as stunning views of the river and surrounding area. Don’t miss its Swinging Bridge over the river with wonderful views. A day pass was only $10, but the park does offer camping. A cool view of the river below is the Bowl and Pitcher viewpoint in the park (Riverside State Park – Bowl and Pitcher Area).
Spokane River Rafting
The Spokane River is a great place for locals, visitors, adults, and kids. You can enjoy rafting or kayaking down the river or sit by the banks to enjoy it. I loved my two-hour rafting trip down the river with Wiley E. Walter’s Whitewater Rafting – Spokane. Depending on the season the level of the river changes, but my ride was amazing and relaxing at the end of the summer. The owner guided our tour and was awesome as he told me more about the river, rafting, and the area. I definitely would go again!
Manito Park
Another option in Spokane is Manito Park, an urban refuge with manicured gardens. It offers various gardens including the Japanese Garden and a wonderful European-style Duncan Garden that provides a respite from the urban core. Duncan Garden and its greenhouse were my favorite and reminded me of traveling in Europe. Manito Park also has walking and bike paths, and most of all, the park is free.
Spokane Centennial Trail
If you are up for a longer walk or bike ride, you can travel the Spokane Centennial Trail. This is a National Designated Trail. The paved Trail is 40 miles long to the edge of the Washington/Idaho Border and is open to pedestrians and non-motorized vehicles (bikes). What’s even more interesting is it continues 24 more miles into Idaho (called the North Idaho Centennial Trail) to the beautiful lake and town of Coeur d’Alene. If you do take the trail check first if there are any closed areas, since at times they do resurface certain areas of the trail.
Mount Spokane State Park
Mount Spokane State Park | Washington State Parks is the state’s largest park with 12,444 acres including activities like camping, biking, hiking, horseback riding, etc. There are over 100 miles of trails in the park with awesome views. While it was summer when I traveled to Spokane, I didn’t get to Mt. Spokane since it is more like 45 minutes and I ran out of time, but I hear it is wonderful.
From December 1 – March 31 the Discover Pass mentioned below does not cover entrance to the park, you would need a Sno-permit from the Snow Park Mt. Spokane Sno-Park | Washington State Parks The mountain itself is 5,887 feet altitude and it also offers winter activities like skiing, snowshoeing, etc.
- Discover Pass – The Discover Pass is an annual pass to state parks in Washington. It is more than just a parking pass since you get many acres of land in the state and many hiking trails, including the state parks mentioned above. The Annual Pass is $35 and a Day Pass is now $11.50 based on the current rates, but check the website for current rates.
Day Trips from Spokane
- Leavenworth, Washington is a beautiful Bavarian-style town, nestled between the mountains and a few hours from Spokane and a great side trip from Spokane. It draws many to see this cute town, I enjoyed it.
- Coeur D’Alene, Idaho is another beautiful town considered part of the great Spokane area and about a 45-minute drive. I went for the day and dove in the wonderful lake there. It was interesting to learn that many celebrities have a home here as well since the lake is so large. Lake Coeur D’Alene is over 49 square miles. What a refreshing experience! Plus I did get to go for a short hike through the local park too. Before leaving I had an ice cream cone at Bear Paw Cookies Bakery. It was a perfect half day trip from Spokane to take a dip and also enjoy the main street in Coeur D’Alene with its’ many shops/restaurants.
- Green Bluff Growers – In nearby Mead, WA about a 30-minute drive from Spokane you visit Green Bluffs, where many of the local growers are located. Washington is the largest state for apple production and some come from this very area. Depending on the season some of the many growers may be closed depending on the season but check the website to learn more about the many growers. I wish I had made it here, but I ran out of time. Keep in mind apple season is in the fall and there are many great farms to get some fresh produce/fruit.
How to get to Spokane Washington – Trains, Planes, and Automobiles
There are many ways to get to Spokane as reflected below. I also wanted to point out that Spokane is a college town too. If you’re a college men’s basketball fan, Gonzaga University is located in Spokane so you may want to consider that when traveling. They have a very competitive team.
- Driving – The major West-East interstate highway across the state is I-90. I traveled mainly from Seattle via I-90 to stop along the way to Spokane (the highway also goes onto Coeur D’Alene in Idaho). It’s about 280 miles to Spokane, or 3-4 hours depending on the way you go.
- Airplanes in Spokane – There is Spokane International Airport (code GEG) however, it is a smaller airport and you may want to fly to Seattle’s international airport called Seattle-Tacoma Airport (code SEA). Most call the airport SEA-TAC for short. It appears to be an hour-long direct flight from Seattle to Spokane. SEA-TAC is a large, busy airport since many flights are international.
- Buses check out Busbud: You will find there arer bus services between Spokane and Seattle, depending on your budget. Times do vary so check their sites.
How Long to Stay in Spokane
Depending on your time constraints and what activities you like, I would stay at least 3-4 days, especially if you want to take a day trip or do more hiking, etc. Spokane offered reasonably priced hotels in and around the city. I wish I had another day or two to get a few hikes in, maybe ride a bike on the Centennial Trail. You may also want to go apple picking or visit the farm areas for a piece of apple pie. Plus during the warm summer, I would try to swim more in the area lakes that are very clear, cool, and relaxing. Last, for you shoppers, there is a mall downtown plus all the vintage shops!
Where to stay in Spokane, Washington
There are many hotels located in Spokane and I often use www.Booking.com to look at options. But the Historic Davenport Hotel was the first on my list since I love historic hotels and it didn’t disappoint. The Historic Davenport Hotel is over 100 years old and is an Autograph Collection hotel (part of Marriott Bonvoy) and part of the Davenport Hotel collection. The hotel has all the conveniences having restaurants, doormen, spa, inside pool, etc. It offers 284 rooms and suites and it’s located right in the heart of downtown, a stone’s throw from Riverfront Park, Spokane River, the local mall, and many restaurants, cafes and so much more. I highly recommend it.
Spokane, an Eclectic Mix of History, Nature, and PNW Culture
Spokane was a wonderful surprise for this East Coast girl. As I said before, I envisioned more rain/gray days but didn’t realize it would have more sunny days, less rain, and four seasons. I even found differences compared to the west coast in some of the trees and even saw sagebrush. But even more, I found the folks in Spokane to be so friendly for a large city, plus the amazing downtown mix of an urban city with so many green spaces. It was also a very walkable downtown, with the Spokane River running rapidly through the center of the city. Fun fact Spokane has the largest urban waterfall in the entire USA.
In Conclusion
Spokane beautifully balances modern energy with a nostalgic charm that resonates throughout the city. The city is vibrant is with contemporary boutique shops, trendy eateries, and lively entertainment venues, reflecting a fresh, urban spirit. Yet, Spokane’s historic architecture, vintage neighborhoods, and iconic landmarks evoke a sense of timelessness, reminding visitors of the city’s rich past. Whether strolling through areas like Garland District with its retro vibe or enjoying the elegance of the Historic Davenport Hotel, Spokane offers a unique blend of the new and the old, making it a city that feels both fresh and familiar.
Spokane is a second city you must explore… enjoy the journey!
Fun Facts about Spokane
- Spokane was the first city to celebrate Father’s Day on June 19th, 1910 (June 19th is also my birthday).
- People call Spokane the Lilac City. Each year they have an annual Lilac Festival that started back in 1938. This is a fun time of year to visit Spokane.
- Spokane also hosts the yearly Spokane HoopFest the largest 3on3 basketball tournament in the world.
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October 1, 2024
