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Spokane
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Spokane pairs dramatic Spokane Falls, expansive parks and Inland Northwest history with museums, neighbourhood districts, craft food and outdoor escapes.

River, Landscape and Urban Character

Spokane stands in eastern Washington where the Spokane River cuts through a broad Inland Northwest landscape of pine-covered hills, rolling farmland and high desert country. The river is the city's defining presence, rushing through the centre in a series of falls and channels before continuing east towards Idaho. Riverfront Park, created and substantially reshaped for Expo '74, links downtown with this dramatic waterscape through lawns, footpaths, bridges and public spaces.
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Heritage and City Life

The central streets combine late-nineteenth- and early-twentieth-century commercial buildings with converted warehouses, civic architecture and contemporary restaurants. Downtown's historic Davenport Arts District, the restored Steam Plant and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture reflect different chapters in Spokane's development, while neighbourhoods such as Browne's Addition, the Garland District and South Perry offer a more local rhythm of cafés, independent shops and older homes. Spokane's cultural identity is also rooted in the history of the Spokane people, whose ancestral homeland encompasses the river and surrounding region.

Parks, Arts and the Outdoors

A visit can move easily from galleries and theatres to the gardens of Manito Park, the trails of Riverside State Park or viewpoints over the river. Seasonal farmers' markets, craft breweries, live music and a growing food scene give the city contemporary energy without obscuring its practical, spacious character. Nearby destinations such as Mount Spokane and the Palouse extend the range of outdoor experiences, but remain distinct from the urban landscape itself.

When is the best time to visit Spokane?

Best: June–August · 23–27°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January443
February632
March1034
April1428
May1938
June (best)2328
July (best)2715
August (best)2621
September2124
October1435
November745
December350

Getting to and around Spokane

How to get there

Spokane International Airport is the principal air gateway, located west of the city centre and serving eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Travellers arriving by rail can use Spokane station, served by Amtrak's Empire Builder, which links the region with points including Seattle, Portland, Minneapolis and Chicago, although schedules and routes should be checked before travel. Long-distance coaches also serve the metropolitan area, while Interstate 90 provides the main east-west road connection. US 2 and US 395 are important approaches from the north and south. The airport, railway station and coach connections are separate facilities, so allow time for transfers.

Transportation

Spokane's downtown and riverfront are reasonably walkable, particularly around Riverfront Park, the Davenport Arts District and central shopping streets. Spokane Transit Authority operates local bus services across the city and neighbouring communities, while taxis and app-based car services supplement public transport. Cycling is practical on selected trails and quieter streets, with the Centennial Trail following the Spokane River through the region, though it is not a replacement for citywide transit. A car can be useful for Manito Park, Riverside State Park and mountain or lake excursions, but visitors should account for winter weather, hills and seasonal road conditions.

Best attractions in Spokane

Spokane's central attractions gather around the Spokane River, whose falls can be viewed from Riverfront Park, bridges and the Spokane Falls SkyRide. The park also includes open lawns, public art and spaces created from the legacy of Expo '74. Nearby, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture presents regional art, history and Indigenous perspectives, while the historic Davenport Arts District introduces visitors to preserved commercial architecture, galleries and cultural venues. Manito Park, on the city's south side, is a major botanical attraction with formal gardens and wooded paths rather than a single monument. The restored Steam Plant offers a striking example of industrial reuse, and the Bing Crosby Theater connects downtown with Spokane's performing-arts history. Beyond the centre, Riverside State Park provides river trails and wooded scenery within the metropolitan area, offering a change of pace from museums and urban streets.

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Best landmarks in Spokane

Spokane Falls is the city's natural landmark and the physical reason the central settlement developed, with bridges, channels and viewpoints revealing how the Spokane River shaped urban life. The historic Davenport Hotel, opened in 1914, remains one of the most recognisable buildings in the city and represents the confidence of Spokane's early commercial era. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes and the nearby First Presbyterian Church contribute prominent religious architecture to downtown, while the Spokane County Courthouse in nearby downtown Spokane expresses the civic ambitions of the early twentieth century. The restored Steam Plant, with its tall brick stacks, preserves an industrial presence beside Riverfront Park. The Pavilion in Riverfront Park, created for Expo '74 and later transformed, symbolises the city's shift from railway and industrial land towards public riverfront space.

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Explore Spokane on the map

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Neighbourhoods in Spokane

Best restaurants in Spokane

Spokane's food scene reflects the agricultural abundance and layered cultures of the Inland Northwest rather than a single signature cuisine. Independent restaurants serve Pacific Northwest ingredients, including seasonal produce, cherries, apples, berries, grains and regional meats, alongside familiar American, Mexican, Asian and European traditions. Downtown, the Davenport Arts District and the neighbourhoods of Perry District and Browne's Addition contain a mix of chef-led dining rooms, cafés, bakeries and casual eateries, while breweries and taprooms often pair locally influenced food with regional beer. Farmers' markets provide seasonal fruit, vegetables, preserves and prepared foods, and the city's coffee culture is well established. Inland Northwest wines and craft beers frequently appear on menus, reflecting eastern Washington's agricultural hinterland and the wider Columbia Valley wine country.

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Best bars in Spokane

Spokane's evening life is concentrated less in giant clubs than in a spread of breweries, cocktail bars, pubs, theatres and live-music rooms. Downtown offers the broadest mix, with venues around the Davenport Arts District and central riverfront, while the Garland District and South Perry have a more neighbourhood-oriented selection of bars and late cafés. Craft beer is a prominent part of the local social scene, joined by Washington wines, spirits and contemporary cocktail programmes. The Bing Crosby Theater and other performing-arts venues bring concerts, comedy and theatre into the evening, and seasonal events add outdoor entertainment when weather permits. Nightlife is generally more relaxed and locally focused than in a major coastal city, with activity varying by day, event calendar and individual district.

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Best nightclubs in Spokane

Spokane's evening life is concentrated less in giant clubs than in a spread of breweries, cocktail bars, pubs, theatres and live-music rooms. Downtown offers the broadest mix, with venues around the Davenport Arts District and central riverfront, while the Garland District and South Perry have a more neighbourhood-oriented selection of bars and late cafés. Craft beer is a prominent part of the local social scene, joined by Washington wines, spirits and contemporary cocktail programmes. The Bing Crosby Theater and other performing-arts venues bring concerts, comedy and theatre into the evening, and seasonal events add outdoor entertainment when weather permits. Nightlife is generally more relaxed and locally focused than in a major coastal city, with activity varying by day, event calendar and individual district.

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Best shops in Spokane

Shopping in Spokane ranges from central retail to independent neighbourhood businesses and seasonal markets. River Park Square is the principal downtown shopping complex, surrounded by restaurants, galleries and the streets of the Davenport Arts District. The historic Garland District has an established independent character, with specialist shops, vintage finds and local businesses, while South Perry combines small retailers with cafés and community activity. Farmers' markets and craft fairs are useful places to find eastern Washington produce, preserves, baked goods, ceramics, artwork and other locally made items, with the exact range changing by season. Books, outdoor equipment, regional food products and Northwest-themed gifts are more useful souvenirs than generic mass-produced merchandise, while nearby antique and vintage shops reflect Spokane's long commercial history.

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Spokane essentials

Currency and Payment
The currency is the United States dollar (USD). Debit and credit cards, including contactless payments, are widely accepted at hotels, restaurants, shops and attractions, although small cash purchases and occasional market or independent-business transactions may still require notes or coins. ATMs are available in commercial districts, at banks and in many larger shops, but international visitors should check whether their card issuer applies foreign-exchange or withdrawal fees. Prices generally exclude sales tax, which is added at the till, and restaurant bills normally require a tip for table service; a gratuity of around 15–20 per cent is customary when service is not already included.
Safety
Spokane is a sizeable regional city, and ordinary urban precautions are appropriate. Keep valuables secure in busy areas, on public transport and in parked vehicles, and avoid leaving bags visible in cars. Downtown and the riverfront are active during the day, while quieter streets and parks require more awareness after dark. When walking or cycling near the Spokane River, follow signed paths and barriers because water levels, rocks and changing conditions can create hazards. Winter snow and ice may affect pavements and roads, while summer heat and wildfire smoke can influence outdoor plans; check local conditions before heading into parks or the mountains.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 for police, fire or urgent medical assistance anywhere in Spokane and the United States. Give the operator the exact location, including a building address, trail name or nearby landmark, and explain whether anyone is injured or in immediate danger. For non-urgent police matters, use the local department's published non-emergency contact rather than 911. Emergency departments are available at major Spokane hospitals, including Providence Sacred Heart Medical Center and MultiCare Deaconess Hospital, but emergency care should be sought according to the severity of the situation. Visitors should carry travel-insurance details and bring identification when accessing healthcare.
Do's and Don'ts
Do observe posted rules in Riverfront Park, conservation areas and historic buildings, and keep to marked paths around the river and on mountain trails. Do stand back from wildlife and respect Indigenous cultural places and community events. At restaurants and bars, tipping is customary for table service, while counter-service expectations vary. Do not assume that public land permits unrestricted fires, camping or vehicle access, particularly during dry weather. Smoking and alcohol regulations vary by property and public space, and Washington's legal drinking age is 21. When driving, allow for pedestrians and cyclists, and never drive after drinking.
Local Tips
Downtown is the most efficient starting point for the falls, Riverfront Park, museums, historic hotels and central cultural venues, while Browne's Addition, the Garland District and South Perry provide different neighbourhood atmospheres. The Centennial Trail offers a way to follow the river beyond the central parks, but its length and surface vary by section. Farmers' markets and seasonal outdoor events are part of Spokane's local calendar, with dates changing throughout the year. If visiting in winter, plan flexible travel time; if visiting in summer, carry water and check wildfire or air-quality notices before longer outdoor excursions.
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From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloHowdy[how-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya[see yah]
YesYup[yuhp]
NoNah[nuh]
Please/You're welcomePlease/You're welcome[Please/You're welcome]
Thank youThanks[thanks]
Excuse me/SorryExcuse me/Sorry[Excuse me/Sorry]
How are you?How's it goin'?[hows it goin']
Fine. And you?Good. You?[good. yoo]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[yah speak English?]
I don't understandI don't get it[I don't get it]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I see the menu, please[Can I see the menu, please]
I don't eat meatI don't eat meat[I don't eat meat]
Cheers!Cheers![Cheers!]
I would like to pay, pleaseCan I pay, please[Can I pay, please]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![Help!]
Go away!Get outta here![Get outta here!]
Call the Police!Call the cops![Call the cops!]
Call a doctor!Call a doc![Call a doc!]
I'm lostI'm lost[I'm lost]
I'm illI'm sick[I'm sick]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[I wanna buy...]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[Just browsing]
How much is it?How much does it cost?[How much does it cost?]
That's too expensiveThat's spendy[That's spendy]
Can you lower the price?Can ya drop the price?[Can ya drop the price?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[What's the time?]
It's one o'clockIt's one[It's one]
Half past (10)Ten thirty[Ten thirty]
MorningMorning[Morning]
AfternoonAfternoon[Afternoon]
EveningEvening[Evening]
YesterdayYesterday[Yesterday]
TodayToday[Today]
TomorrowTomorrow[Tomorrow]
1One[One]
2Two[Two]
3Three[Three]
4Four[Four]
5Five[Five]
6Six[Six]
7Seven[Seven]
8Eight[Eight]
9Nine[Nine]
10Ten[Ten]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[Where's the...?]
What's the address?What's the address?[What's the address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me (on the map)?[Can you show me (on the map)?]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[When's the next (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[A ticket (to ....)]

History of Spokane

The Spokane People and the River

The Spokane people, whose name is commonly interpreted as referring to people of the sun, have longstanding cultural and historical ties to the Spokane River and the wider Inland Northwest. The river supported fishing, travel and seasonal life, while the surrounding plateau connected Indigenous communities through trade and movement. European-American settlement later altered these patterns through land seizure, military expansion, missionary activity and commercial development. The Spokane Tribe of Indians today maintains its own government and cultural institutions west of the city, and Indigenous history remains essential to understanding the region rather than a separate prelude to Spokane's urban story.

Settlement at Spokane Falls

Euro-American settlement accelerated in the 1870s around Spokane Falls, where the river's energy and location made the site attractive for mills, trade and transport. James N. Glover is often associated with the establishment of the settlement that became Spokane, purchasing land near the falls in 1873. The community was incorporated as Spokane Falls in 1881 and later adopted the shorter name Spokane. Hydropower, timber, mining and agriculture in the surrounding region helped turn the settlement into a commercial centre, while a growing grid of streets and permanent buildings replaced the earlier frontier town.

Railways and the Inland Empire

Railway expansion in the 1880s transformed Spokane into a distribution and financial centre for the Inland Northwest, a region whose economy depended on timber, mining, agriculture and ranching. The arrival of the Northern Pacific Railway in 1881 was followed by other connections, bringing goods, workers and investment while linking the city with the Pacific coast and the American interior. Downtown buildings, warehouses and hotels multiplied as Spokane became a regional headquarters for commerce. This prosperity also brought social inequality, environmental pressure and rapid urban growth, patterns that shaped the city's neighbourhoods and institutions.

The Great Fire and Reconstruction

A major fire swept through central Spokane in August 1889, destroying much of the downtown area. The disaster occurred during a period of rapid growth, but it also created an opportunity for substantial rebuilding in more durable materials and with more formal urban planning. Masonry commercial blocks, civic buildings and grand hotels rose in the following decades, giving present-day downtown much of its historic architectural character. The rebuilding period also reinforced Spokane's role as a regional centre, even as debates over street design, public services and the distribution of wealth accompanied the city's expansion.

Industry, Culture and Civic Growth

During the early twentieth century, Spokane developed a broad civic and cultural life alongside its commercial role. Department stores, theatres, schools, churches, parks and professional offices served an expanding population, while the city's economy remained closely tied to the resources and farms of the Inland Northwest. Manito Park and other public landscapes reflected the era's investment in civic improvement. The Davenport Hotel, built in 1914, became a prominent expression of Spokane's confidence and architectural ambition. Later decades brought industrial change, suburban growth and the decline or adaptation of some older commercial areas.

Expo '74 and Downtown Renewal

Spokane hosted Expo '74, an international environmental exposition held from May to November 1974 on land that had included railway yards and industrial uses along the river. The fair helped remove or conceal parts of the former rail landscape and created the foundation for Riverfront Park, which remains one of the city's central public spaces. Expo '74 also placed environmental concerns and urban redevelopment at the centre of Spokane's civic identity. Subsequent investment in historic preservation, arts districts, riverfront amenities and adaptive reuse has continued to reshape downtown while retaining visible traces of the railway and industrial past.

Spokane in Photos

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  • Historical insights and travel essentials for visiting Spokane
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  • Curated local tips to experience Spokane like a local
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Welcome to Spokane, Washington! Whether you're a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler, Evendo is your go-to app for making the most of your trip. Imagine stepping into Riverfront Park and marveling at the iconic Spokane Falls, or exploring the historic district of Browne's Addition. With Evendo, you'll have detailed information on all these attractions and more right at your fingertips.

Evendo is packed with rich content on Spokane's top landmarks, including the stunning Manito Park and the fascinating Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. Craving some culinary delights? Discover local favorites like Wild Sage Bistro and Frank's Diner through our curated restaurant lists. Each location comes with images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details, making your planning seamless.

But Evendo is more than just a guide. The app allows you to book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly, eliminating the need for multiple platforms. Whether you're interested in a guided tour of the historic Davenport Hotel or a thrilling adventure at the Spokane River, Evendo has you covered. Our 'Near Me' feature ensures you never miss out on nearby attractions, bars, shops, and nightclubs.

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