Waterfalls and More in the Biggest City in the Inland Northwest

By Bill Malcolm

Towering Pondera Pines dot the Spokane landscape

Spokane is an amazing historic city in far eastern Washington. The Riverfront Park features stunning huge waterfalls. The downtown is very walkable. Towering ponderosa pines give it a feel more of the Rocky Mountains than the Cascades. The basalt lined Spokane River features a lengthy bike and hike trail. It combines an urban feel with the best of the outdoors. The new 40 mile Centennial Trail starts in Riverside State Park and runs all the way to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

Do

Spokane River Falls in Riverfront Park, downtown Spokane (author shown)

Make your first stop Riverfront Park downtown. The 1909 Looff Carrousel in Riverfront Park is nice as is a Sky Ride gondola ride over roaring Spokane Falls. The huge waterfalls plunge along basalt lined banks and converge as three rivers in a spectacular finish. I've never seen anything like it, much less in a city downtown. It's what makes Spokane unique.

Dinner at Sarnac Public House was great. Try the blackened salmon sandwich. Across the street you can grab a salad to go at the salad bar at the Market, 44 West Main. It's a health foods grocery store with a broad selection of local beer and wine.

The Steam Plant Restaurant and Brew Pub at 1159 South Lincoln was good. The restaurant is in an old steam plant built in 1916 that has been carefully repurposed. The salmon was excellent and served with a spicy sauce.

Visit Browne's Addition, Spokane's oldest neighborhood. It is accessible on the new Spokane City Line rapid express bus which runs every 10 minutes and makes limited stops. The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture is a must. Check out the new exhibits on fire in the Northwest and the West, Fire: Rebirth and Resilience. Check out the evolution of the Japanese Sword Exhibit along with Samurai Sunrise. Also on now is Andrea Joyce Heimer: No Name That I Know Of. Heimer was a Washington based artist who "reconstructs tangled memories of her upbringing in rural Montana." Check out the current exhibits at NorthwestMuseum.org.

Next door is the historic Campbell House which is included with the museum admission.

Built in 1898, it was designed by architect Kirtland Cutter. After your visit, walk around to check out the historic homes in this historic neighborhood.

Enjoy Best of Broadway Productions like Hamilton. The theater is across the street from the Grand Hotel along the Riverfront Park.

Stay

I stayed at the Davenport Grand Hotel, one of the many Davenport brand hotels. The Grand Hotel overlooks Riverfront Park. I had a room with a magnificent view of the river and points north. Everything was perfect including the lobby bar. However, the amenity fee of $20 per night (which was subject to tax) and an unknown TPA fee of $5 per night (a city tourism fee) were both annoying. The Ruby River Hotel is another option. There is also a Doubletree right along the Riverfront Park.

Nightlife

nYne bar in Spokane's downtown, women owned, with several other bars nearby

The nYne Bar at 232 W. Sprague was fun and is a historic building. It has a display on the history of LGBTQ activity in Spokane. Friday night featured a great drag show. The food is good especially the burgers. It's a fun local crowd.

Next door is the new Q Lounge and is really fun. Local women own both.

The Blind Buck/Globe Night Club at 204 N. Division is another fun option. All these bars are close by in the downtown area and walkable from the downtown hotels.

Getting There

I took Delta through their Salt Lake City hub. Delta offers great service, free WiFi, and a great new terminal in SLC. From Seattle, you can take Alaska or Delta. It is just over a four hour drive and there is even an Amtrak option although the return hours from Spokane are bad (3 a.m.).

I took the #60 Spokane Transit bus for $2 from the airport to downtown. The line runs every 30 minutes and takes 20 minutes.

Insider Tip/More Information

Try the local microbrews and Washington State wines.

Salmon is on the menu everywhere in the Northwest and Spokane is no exception.

You can find SGN in the bars. The weekly alternative paper is full of fresh local news, The Inlander. It is in print and on line at inlander.com.

The Spokesman Review just went to a nonprofit business model but covers the local news.

VisitSpokane.com is your source for traveler information.

I really enjoyed my trip to Spokane and plan to return to explore nearby Coeur d'Alene (Idaho) and other attractions.

*Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated LGBTQ+ travel columnist who focuses on value travel and local experiences. He is based in Indianapolis.

About the Author

Bill Malcolm Bill Malcolm is North America's only syndicated travel columnist. He focuses on value and pays his own way. He takes local transit and seeks to go where the locals go. He has appeared 100 times in LGBTQ publications and on websites including the IGLTA travel blog. You can find his work in GRAB Chicago, Erie Gay News, Seattle Gay News, and other places. He does this as a volunteer and does not charge for his work. He boycotts hotels and hotel chains with resort fees, amenity fees, destination fees, and other made up junk charges. He resides in Indianapolis. Follow him on Facebook.