Downtown Spokane (Spokane) Travel Guide - Free

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Downtown Spokane
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Downtown Spokane blends Spokane Falls, Riverfront Park, historic theatres, local dining and urban trails in Washington’s Inland Northwest city centre.

River, Rail and City Centre

Downtown Spokane occupies the historic urban core of Spokane, Washington, where the Spokane River narrows into a dramatic series of falls. The river remains the defining presence: Riverfront Park stretches across former railway and industrial land, while bridges, overlooks and paved paths bring visitors close to the water. Downtown streets rise gently away from the river into a grid of office buildings, hotels, shops, restaurants and civic institutions, making the area compact enough to explore on foot.
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A Rebuilt Inland Northwest Centre

The district's appearance reflects several eras of growth. Brick commercial buildings and early twentieth-century theatres recall the prosperous city that followed the arrival of the railways, while modern towers and renovated warehouses show how Spokane has adapted its centre for a changing economy. The Davenport Hotel, the Fox Theater, the Bing Crosby Theater and the historic Steam Plant provide particularly strong architectural reference points. The 1974 World's Fair transformed the riverfront, replacing railway yards with a major public park and leaving a lasting mark on downtown's identity.

Culture, Food and Evening Life

Visitors can combine views of Spokane Falls with public art, city history, independent dining and performances in a single walk. River Park Square anchors the retail core, while nearby blocks contain cafés, bakeries, bars and restaurants in buildings of very different ages. After dark, activity centres on theatre, live music, restaurants and hotel bars rather than one concentrated club strip. Downtown is also a practical base for exploring central Spokane, though the river gorge, changing pavements and occasional slopes make comfortable footwear useful.

Best attractions in Downtown Spokane

Riverfront Park is downtown Spokane's principal attraction, combining broad lawns, public art, bridges, walking paths and close views of Spokane Falls. The Numerica SkyRide provides an aerial perspective over the gorge when operating, while nearby park installations and event spaces give the riverfront a changing calendar of activity. Within walking distance, River Park Square offers shops and a central meeting point, and the Spokane Public Library's downtown branch provides an architecturally notable civic space with exhibitions and public programmes. The Fox Theater and Bing Crosby Theater add cultural interest through their historic interiors and performance schedules. Visitors can also follow the Spokane River along sections of the Centennial Trail, though the trail extends well beyond downtown. The attraction of the district lies in how easily water, public space, architecture and performing arts fit into one compact urban itinerary.

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Best landmarks in Downtown Spokane

Spokane Falls is downtown's defining natural landmark, where the river drops through a rocky urban gorge beneath bridges and beside Riverfront Park. The park's Clock Tower, retained from the former Great Northern railway depot, is a prominent reminder of the railway landscape removed for Expo 74. The Davenport Hotel on Post Street is an important example of early twentieth-century urban hotel architecture and remains one of the centre's most recognisable buildings. The Fox Theater, with its richly decorated interior, and the Bing Crosby Theater represent Spokane's historic entertainment culture, while the Steam Plant preserves a striking industrial structure near the river. The Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes, on Riverside Avenue, contributes a major religious and architectural presence to the downtown streetscape. Together these landmarks show how the district has been shaped by water, railways, commerce, entertainment and civic redevelopment.

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Explore Downtown Spokane on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Downtown Spokane, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Downtown Spokane

Downtown Spokane has the city's broadest concentration of restaurants, with choices ranging from hotel dining and polished modern rooms to casual cafés, diners, bakeries and bars serving food. Riverside Avenue, Main Avenue and the blocks around River Park Square contain much of the central dining activity, while restaurants near the riverfront benefit from proximity to Riverfront Park and Spokane Falls. Historic settings are part of the appeal: Frank's Diner occupies a former railway dining car on West Riverside Avenue, and the Davenport Hotel provides several established dining spaces in an ornate early twentieth-century setting. The district also supports contemporary American cooking, steak and seafood restaurants, pizza, sandwiches and coffee businesses, with seasonal and event-related demand shaping the scene. Downtown is a practical place to sample Spokane's restaurant culture, but individual opening days, reservations and menus change, so checking directly is sensible.

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Best bars in Downtown Spokane

Downtown Spokane's evening scene is centred on restaurants, hotel bars, cocktail rooms, live music and theatre rather than a single nightclub quarter. The Fox Theater and Bing Crosby Theater bring concerts, comedy and other performances to the centre, while bars around Riverside Avenue and the adjacent commercial blocks provide places for drinks before or after a show. The historic Steam Plant complex is another recognisable evening setting, combining industrial architecture with hospitality uses. Zola and other established downtown bars have helped give the centre a casual late-evening identity, although the mood changes with concerts, sports fixtures and seasonal events in Riverfront Park. Visitors should expect a mix of seated drinking venues, performance-led nights and quieter hotel lounges, with exact programmes and operating arrangements varying by date.

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Best nightclubs in Downtown Spokane

Downtown Spokane's evening scene is centred on restaurants, hotel bars, cocktail rooms, live music and theatre rather than a single nightclub quarter. The Fox Theater and Bing Crosby Theater bring concerts, comedy and other performances to the centre, while bars around Riverside Avenue and the adjacent commercial blocks provide places for drinks before or after a show. The historic Steam Plant complex is another recognisable evening setting, combining industrial architecture with hospitality uses. Zola and other established downtown bars have helped give the centre a casual late-evening identity, although the mood changes with concerts, sports fixtures and seasonal events in Riverfront Park. Visitors should expect a mix of seated drinking venues, performance-led nights and quieter hotel lounges, with exact programmes and operating arrangements varying by date.

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Best shops in Downtown Spokane

Downtown Spokane's main retail focus is River Park Square, a central shopping complex beside the city's traditional commercial streets, with nearby blocks offering cafés, services and smaller independent businesses. The retail environment is urban rather than market-based: visitors are more likely to find fashion, books, gifts, specialist services and locally made items in individual shops than a large permanent produce market. Riverside Avenue and Main Avenue are useful for combining shopping with historic façades, restaurants and public art, while seasonal events and farmers' markets may bring additional stalls to downtown public spaces at particular times of year. Retail activity can be quieter outside the core shopping hours, especially on office-oriented blocks. The district's appeal lies in pairing conventional city-centre shopping with riverfront walks and architecture rather than in a single speciality shopping tradition.

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Downtown Spokane essentials

Getting There
Downtown Spokane is the city's main public-transport hub and is served by Spokane Transit Authority buses, with the STA Plaza on West First Avenue providing a central interchange. The neighbourhood is also accessible from Spokane International Airport by public bus and road, although visitors should check current routes and connections before travelling. Interstate 90 runs south of downtown, with road approaches leading towards the central business district. Greyhound and other intercity services may use locations outside the immediate core, so confirm the current departure point rather than assuming it is beside Riverfront Park.
Getting Around
Much of downtown Spokane is straightforward to explore on foot, particularly the blocks between Riverfront Park, Riverside Avenue, Main Avenue and River Park Square. Paved park paths and bridges connect river viewpoints, but the gorge, steps and changing gradients can make some routes less accessible. Spokane Transit buses link downtown with surrounding districts, while the Centennial Trail approaches the riverfront from the east and west. Scooters and bicycles may be available through changing local schemes, but visitors should check current conditions and use care around pedestrians, bridges and busy crossings.
Safety
Use normal city-centre precautions: keep phones and belongings secure in crowded areas, remain alert around traffic and bicycles, and avoid leaving valuables visible in vehicles. Riverfront paths, bridges and park areas can be quieter at certain times, so stay on marked routes and take care near water, steep edges and changing weather. Evening conditions vary by block and by event; use well-lit streets, travel with others where practical and choose a licensed taxi or recognised ride service if you do not wish to walk. Do not enter restricted river or construction areas.
Emergency Situations
In the United States, call 911 for police, fire or urgent medical assistance; state whether you need an ambulance, firefighters or police and provide the nearest street address or landmark. Riverfront Park signs, bridge names and building addresses can help emergency responders locate you. For urgent but non-emergency police matters, use the current Spokane Police Department non-emergency number rather than 911. Visitors experiencing a mental-health crisis can call or text 988 for the national Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. For medical care, follow 911 instructions or use a recognised hospital outside the immediate downtown core.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect residents, office workers and performers by keeping noise under control near hotels and residential buildings, particularly late at night. Stay on public paths and observe signs around Spokane Falls, river edges, construction zones and park installations. Ask before photographing people closely, performers or private events, and do not climb on public art or historic structures. In restaurants and bars, queue politely and remember that tipping is customary for table service in the United States. Dispose of rubbish properly and treat the riverfront as a shared civic space rather than an informal party area.
Local Tips
Riverfront Park is easiest to understand when viewed from several levels: begin near the falls, cross a bridge, and then climb towards the downtown streets for changing perspectives over the water. Pair the park with the historic core around Riverside Avenue, the Davenport Hotel and the Fox Theater rather than treating them as separate excursions. The downtown grid is compact, but large events can alter pedestrian routes and parking. For architecture, look above ground-floor signage, where ornate façades, theatre details and early commercial buildings reveal how Spokane's railway-era prosperity shaped the centre.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

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[ˈhaʊdi]
GoodbyeSee ya[siː jə]
YesYep[jɛp]
NoNah[nɑː]
Please/You're welcomePlease/You're welcome[pliːz/jɔr ˈwɛlkəm]
Thank youThanks[θæŋks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me[ˈpɑrdn mi]
How are you?How's it going?[haʊz ɪt ˈɡoʊɪŋ]
Fine. And you?Good. You?[ɡʊd juː]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[jə spiːk ˈɪŋɡlɪʃ]
I don't understandI'm lost[aɪm lɔst]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseI wanna check the menu, please[aɪ ˈwɑnə ˈtʃɛk ðə ˈmɛnjuː pliːz]
I don't eat meatI don't do meat[aɪ doʊnt duː mit]
Cheers!Cheers![ʧɪrz]
I would like to pay, pleaseI'm ready to pay, please[aɪm ˈrɛdi tuː peɪ pliːz]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Help![hɛlp]
Go away!Get lost![ɡɛt lɔst]
Call the Police!Call the cops![kɔl ðə kɑps]
Call a doctor!Call a doc![kɔl ə dɑk]
I'm lostI'm lost[aɪm lɔst]
I'm illI'm sick[aɪm sɪk]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I wanna buy...[aɪ ˈwɑnə baɪ]
I'm just lookingJust browsing[ʤʌst ˈbraʊzɪŋ]
How much is it?How much?[haʊ ˈmʌʧ]
That's too expensiveThat's spendy[ðæts ˈspɛndi]
Can you lower the price?Can you drop the price?[kæn juː drɑp ðə praɪs]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[wɑts ðə taɪm]
It's one o'clockIt's one[ɪts wʌn]
Half past (10)Half past (10)[hæf pæst (10)]
MorningMorning[ˈmɔrnɪŋ]
AfternoonAfternoon[ˌæftərˈnun]
EveningEvening[ˈivnɪŋ]
YesterdayYesterday[ˈjɛstərˌdeɪ]
TodayToday[təˈdeɪ]
TomorrowTomorrow[təˈmɑroʊ]
1One[wʌn]
2Two[tuː]
3Three[θriː]
4Four[fɔr]
5Five[faɪv]
6Six[sɪks]
7Seven[ˈsɛvən]
8Eight[eɪt]
9Nine[naɪn]
10Ten[tɛn]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Where's the...?[wɛərz ðə]
What's the address?What's the address?[wɑts ðə ˈædrɛs]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can you show me (on the map)?[kæn juː ʃoʊ miː (ɒn ðə mæp)]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next (bus)?[wɛnz ðə nɛkst (bʌs)]
A ticket (to ....)A ticket (to ....)[eɪ ˈtɪkɪt (tu ...)]

History of Downtown Spokane

The Falls and Early Settlement

The Spokane River falls were the original geographical focus of the area later occupied by downtown. The Spokane people had long-standing connections to the river and its fisheries before American settlement expanded in the nineteenth century. The falls offered water power and helped attract traders, missionaries and settlers to the wider Spokane region. A permanent town developed around the river crossing and commercial opportunities, although the later downtown grid was shaped more decisively by railways, speculative development and regional trade than by a single planned foundation.

Railways Build a Commercial Centre

Rail connections arriving in the 1880s positioned Spokane as a major Inland Northwest distribution and business centre. Warehouses, hotels, banks and retail premises gathered around the downtown core as rail lines linked the city with mining, timber and agricultural districts. The resulting prosperity produced substantial brick and masonry buildings, many of which still define Riverside Avenue, Main Avenue and adjacent streets. Downtown became the region's principal place for commerce, accommodation and civic life, while the river's industrial potential encouraged mills and other infrastructure close to the falls.

Fire and Reconstruction

A major fire on 4 August 1889 destroyed much of central Spokane, including a large portion of its early commercial fabric. Reconstruction followed quickly, and the rebuilt centre adopted more substantial masonry construction alongside wider streets and ambitious public and commercial buildings. The disaster therefore altered downtown's appearance rather than ending its growth. The Davenport Hotel, completed in 1914, symbolised the confidence of the early twentieth-century city, while theatres, department stores and office buildings reinforced downtown Spokane's role as the Inland Northwest's principal urban centre.

From Expo 74 to Riverfront Renewal

For much of the twentieth century, railway yards and industrial infrastructure occupied land beside the river in the heart of downtown. Spokane's hosting of Expo 74, an environmental world's fair, prompted the removal of much of this railway landscape and created Riverfront Park. The fair left a public riverfront that became one of downtown's defining assets. Later redevelopment added new public spaces, housing, restaurants and renovated cultural venues, while the park's early twenty-first-century improvements renewed attention to Spokane Falls and the relationship between the city centre and its river.

Downtown Spokane in Photos

Browse through our photo collection highlighting the charm and character of the destination.

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