Riverside (Spokane) Travel Guide - Free

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Riverside
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Riverside Spokane brings together Spokane Falls, Riverfront Park, historic hotels, galleries, restaurants and bridges in Washington’s urban core.

A River-Centred Urban District

Riverside occupies Spokane’s central river corridor, where the Spokane River, downtown streets and remnants of the city’s railway-era commercial core meet. The neighbourhood is best understood through its contrasts: rushing water below the bridges, office buildings and historic hotels on the streets above, and broad public spaces created during the city’s transformation for Expo ’74. Its most memorable landscape is Spokane Falls, where the river narrows through a dramatic basalt channel close to the centre of town.
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Architecture and Public Life

Walking through Riverside brings together late nineteenth- and early twentieth-century commercial buildings, restored theatres, civic spaces and modern developments. Riverside’s streets lead to Riverfront Park, the Clocktower, the Spokane Convention Center and the historic Davenport Hotel, while the Monroe Street Bridge frames views across the river gorge. River Park Square provides a retail and dining focus, and nearby blocks contain cafés, galleries, theatres and independent bars. The result is a neighbourhood that feels more urban and event-oriented than Spokane’s surrounding residential districts.

Water, Culture and Evening Atmosphere

The river gives Riverside its strongest sense of place. Paths in and around Riverfront Park offer changing views of the falls, bridges and downtown skyline, while the Spokane Pavilion and Numerica SkyRide provide distinctive ways to experience the city centre. Cultural venues such as the Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox and the Bing Crosby Theater add evening appeal, alongside restaurants and bars concentrated around downtown streets. Riverside is also Spokane’s practical civic hub, so everyday work, shopping and entertainment share the same compact setting as its most recognisable landmarks.

Best attractions in Riverside

Riverside’s central attractions are concentrated around Spokane Falls and Riverfront Park, a large public landscape created from the former Expo ’74 site. Visitors can follow viewpoints and paths beside the rushing water, see the Great Northern Clocktower and take in the river gorge from the Monroe Street Bridge. The park also contains the Spokane Pavilion, the Looff Carrousel and the Numerica SkyRide, whose route offers elevated views towards the falls, although individual attractions may operate seasonally or under changing arrangements. Downtown blocks add the restored Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, the Bing Crosby Theater, River Park Square and the historic Davenport Hotel. Together these places reveal Riverside’s unusual mix of civic parkland, performing arts, shopping and early commercial architecture rather than a neighbourhood built around a single museum or monument.

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Best landmarks in Riverside

Spokane Falls is Riverside’s defining natural landmark, where the Spokane River drops and accelerates through a basalt-lined urban gorge. The Monroe Street Bridge, first opened in the early twentieth century and later rebuilt, is both a working crossing and a major viewpoint over the falls. The Great Northern Clocktower recalls the railway infrastructure that once occupied the riverfront before Expo ’74 reshaped it as parkland. The Davenport Hotel, opened in 1914, represents Spokane’s early twentieth-century commercial confidence and remains one of downtown’s most recognisable historic buildings. Nearby theatres, including the Fox and Bing Crosby Theater, add cultural importance to the streetscape, while Riverfront Park embodies the city’s decision to turn a formerly industrial central waterfront into a civic landscape.

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Explore Riverside on the map

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

Best restaurants in Riverside

Riverside is Spokane’s most concentrated central dining area, with options spread through downtown blocks around River Park Square, the Davenport Hotel and the theatres. The scene ranges from cafés and bakeries suited to a daytime walk to full-service restaurants, bars with substantial menus and contemporary venues serving regional Pacific Northwest ingredients. The Spokane Public Market, just beyond the immediate riverfront area, adds a more casual food-oriented stop when vendors and businesses are operating. Downtown dining is particularly useful before performances at The Fox, the Bing Crosby Theater or events at the convention centre, while the park offers a setting for informal refreshments rather than a neighbourhood-specific food tradition. Visitors should distinguish Riverside’s broad urban restaurant mix from the more specialised dining identities found in some of Spokane’s outlying districts.

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Best bars in Riverside

Riverside’s evening life centres on downtown restaurants, hotel bars, independent drinking venues and performances rather than a single concentrated club strip. The historic Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox and the Bing Crosby Theater bring concerts, comedy and other programmed entertainment to the neighbourhood, while bars around the central blocks provide places to meet before or after events. River Park Square and the streets near the Davenport Hotel are generally busier when performances, festivals or conventions are taking place. Night-time character can change quickly between the active entertainment core and quieter office or residential edges, so visitors should plan their return route rather than assuming every downtown block remains lively late into the night.

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Best nightclubs in Riverside

Riverside’s evening life centres on downtown restaurants, hotel bars, independent drinking venues and performances rather than a single concentrated club strip. The historic Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox and the Bing Crosby Theater bring concerts, comedy and other programmed entertainment to the neighbourhood, while bars around the central blocks provide places to meet before or after events. River Park Square and the streets near the Davenport Hotel are generally busier when performances, festivals or conventions are taking place. Night-time character can change quickly between the active entertainment core and quieter office or residential edges, so visitors should plan their return route rather than assuming every downtown block remains lively late into the night.

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Best shops in Riverside

Shopping in Riverside is concentrated around River Park Square and the surrounding downtown streets, where national retailers share space with cafés, salons, galleries and smaller independent businesses. The area is more of a mixed urban retail district than a specialist market neighbourhood, making it useful for combining shopping with the riverfront, lunch or a theatre visit. The Spokane Public Market, near the downtown core, provides a food and small-business focus that differs from enclosed retail. Visitors can also browse books, gifts, locally made goods and gallery displays in the wider central district, though the selection and operating pattern of independent shops varies. Riverside’s retail identity comes from its proximity to Spokane Falls, offices, hotels and cultural venues rather than from one continuous traditional shopping street.

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Riverside essentials

Getting There
Riverside is Spokane’s central downtown area and is reached most easily by Spokane Transit Authority buses serving the city centre and the downtown transit hub. Interstate 90 runs along the southern edge of the central district, with city streets connecting the riverfront to residential neighbourhoods on both sides of town. Spokane International Airport lies west of downtown rather than within Riverside; visitors arriving there can use airport-area ground transport or taxis and rideshares for the onward journey. The neighbourhood is also accessible on foot from Browne’s Addition, Peaceful Valley and nearby parts of the central city.
Getting Around
Riverside is compact enough to explore primarily on foot, with Riverfront Park, Spokane Falls, River Park Square, downtown theatres and historic hotels within a walkable central area. The river, rail corridors, busy roads and changes in elevation create a few less direct connections, particularly around the falls and between downtown and Peaceful Valley. Spokane Transit buses are useful for longer journeys, while cycling is practical on some streets and paths but requires attention near traffic, bridges and crowded park areas. The Centennial Trail and riverfront paths provide recreational routes, although they extend beyond the immediate neighbourhood.
Safety
Use ordinary city precautions while exploring Riverside, particularly around busy events, transit stops, car parks and crowded sections of Riverfront Park. Keep phones and bags secure, avoid leaving valuables visible in vehicles and take care near the river’s fast water, drops, bridges and wet surfaces. Downtown activity varies by block and time of day, so visitors attending evening performances should plan their route and use well-lit public streets. Watch for traffic when crossing broad downtown roads, and stay alert around cyclists and shared paths.
Emergency Situations
Call 911 in the United States for police, fire or ambulance emergencies, giving the operator the precise downtown street, building, park entrance or riverfront landmark. Spokane’s falls and river edges require particular care: do not enter restricted areas or attempt to approach fast water for photographs. For urgent medical help, ask 911 for an ambulance; visitors should carry identification and any essential medical information. For non-emergency assistance, accommodation providers, venue staff and Spokane police or fire personnel can direct visitors to appropriate local services.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect barriers, signs and protected edges around Spokane Falls, and do not climb on historic structures or enter the river. In Riverfront Park and downtown venues, follow event staff instructions and be considerate of residents, workers and other visitors. Ask before photographing performers, artists or people in close-up, and leave public art and historic buildings untouched. Keep noise under control near residential blocks and hotel entrances after evening events. When shopping or dining locally, allow independent businesses time to serve customers and follow posted queueing and photography policies.
Local Tips
Begin at Riverfront Park to understand Riverside’s geography, then cross the Monroe Street Bridge or walk along the park’s river viewpoints for a fuller sense of the falls. A loop taking in the Clocktower, River Park Square, the Davenport Hotel and downtown theatres works well without requiring a car. The river looks different in changing light and water conditions, so returning at another time can reveal details missed on a first walk. Check cultural and event calendars before setting out, since performances, exhibitions and public gatherings often reshape the central district.
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[haw-dee]
GoodbyeSee ya later[see yuh lay-ter]
YesYep[yep]
NoNope[nohp]
Please/You're welcomePlease/No problem[pleez/no problem]
Thank youThanks[thanks]
Excuse me/SorryPardon me/My bad[par-dn me/my bad]
How are you?Howdy partner?[haw-dee par-tner]
Fine. And you?Just dandy. How 'bout you?[just dan-dee. how bout yew]
Do you speak English?Ya speak English?[yah speak ing-glish]
I don't understandI'm lost[ahm lost]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseCan I check out the grub options?[kan eye chek out thee grub op-shuns]
I don't eat meatI'm a veggie[ahm uh veh-gee]
Cheers!Bottoms up![bot-ums up]
I would like to pay, pleaseCheck please[chek pleez]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!SOS![ess oh ess]
Go away!Get lost![get lost]
Call the Police!911![nine one one]
Call a doctor!Doc, I need help![doc eye need help]
I'm lostI'm all turned around[ahm all turned uh-round]
I'm illI'm feelin' under the weather[ahm feel-in under thee weh-thur]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...I'm lookin' to purchase...[ahm look-in to pur-chase]
I'm just lookingJust browsin'[just brow-sin]
How much is it?What's the damage?[whats thee dam-ij]
That's too expensiveThat ain't worth it[that aint wurth it]
Can you lower the price?Can ya cut me a deal?[kan yuh kut mee a deel]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?What's the time?[whats thee time]
It's one o'clockIt's one[its one]
Half past (10)It's half past ten[its half past ten]
MorningMornin'[mornin]
AfternoonAfternoon[afternoon]
EveningEvenin'[evenin]
YesterdayYest'day[yest-day]
TodayToday[today]
TomorrowTomorra[tom-or-rah]
1One[wun]
2Two[too]
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 can I find...?[where kan eye find]
What's the address?What's the street?[whats thee street]
Can you show me (on the map)?Can ya point it out?[kan yuh point it out]
When's the next (bus)?When's the next ride?[whens thee next ride]
A ticket (to ....)A pass (to ....)[uh pass to]

History of Riverside

The Spokane River and Indigenous Homelands

The river corridor long before Spokane’s modern downtown was part of the homeland and seasonal life of the Spokane people, whose name is associated with the wider region and whose relationship with the river predates the city. The falls provided a powerful natural landmark and a source of water and energy, while the surrounding river valley supported travel, fishing and exchange. Visitors should understand Riverside’s later urban buildings and public spaces as developments imposed upon an older Indigenous landscape rather than as the beginning of the area’s history.

Trading Post to Commercial Centre

Non-Indigenous settlement expanded around Spokane Falls in the nineteenth century, with trade, milling and transport helping establish the town that became Spokane. The river’s waterpower supported early industry, while rail connections and growing regional commerce encouraged dense commercial construction near the present downtown. Streets around the river became the city’s principal business district, linking warehouses, shops, hotels and civic institutions. Riverside’s central location therefore reflects Spokane’s transformation from a river settlement into an inland commercial centre serving farms, mines and communities across eastern Washington.

Rebuilding After the 1889 Fire

A major fire in 1889 destroyed much of Spokane’s early commercial core, prompting rapid reconstruction in more substantial materials and helping shape the downtown streetscape associated with Riverside today. New blocks of masonry buildings, hotels, offices and cultural venues replaced the earlier town. The rebuilding period also coincided with Spokane’s rapid growth as railways and regional trade expanded. Surviving and restored buildings from the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, including the Davenport Hotel and nearby commercial architecture, preserve the ambitions of that prosperous era.

Expo ’74 and the Riverfront Transformation

The most consequential modern change came with Expo ’74, Spokane’s environmentally themed world’s fair, held on former railway and industrial land beside the river in 1974. The event accelerated the removal of rail infrastructure from the central riverfront and created the public landscape now known as Riverfront Park. The park, bridges, Clocktower and later attractions repositioned the river as a civic and recreational focus rather than an industrial back edge. Subsequent redevelopment, including the 2010s Riverfront Park renewal, strengthened Riverside’s role as Spokane’s principal public gathering district.

Riverside in Photos

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

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Neighbourhoods near Riverside

The closest neighbourhoods to Riverside, if you have time for more than one stop.

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Spokane
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