Stay in town and you can see waterfalls and friendly restaurants – and if you’ve parked up for the day, you can visit some fabulous wineries. Head out of town and you’ll be greeted by rugged and captivating landscape that’s breathtaking throughout all of the four seasons. Bing Crosby was born here, and there’s no better soundtrack for your visit than the soft croon of a man whose style mirrors that of Spokane itself – modest, but marvellous.
Down by the river
The Riverfront Park area is very much the heart and soul of the Lilac City. This is where the 1974 World’s Fair was hosted, but its history stretches back hundreds of years, when Native Americans once lived here. It was the Native Americans who gave the city its name, which translates as Children of the Sun.
Spokane is now a place for rest and relaxation, where you can admire landmarks on the Sculpture Walk, admire the Monroe Street Bridge and amble across the others that span the river in the 100-acre park. Take the Spokane Falls SkyRide to get as close as possible to the falls themselves. It’s unusual to see falls in such an urban area, and they’re certainly the city’s most breathtaking slice of nature.
Fairground wonders
The people of Spokane have done a great job of maintaining and preserving some of their oldest buildings and relics – slices of Americana that are to be treasured. There’s the Looff Carousel, hand-carved in 1909 by Charles ID Looff, and a historic fairground piece of whimsy. The Fox Theater is another gem on the US National Register of Historic Places. This 1931 Art Deco theater was renovated at the start of the millennium, fully recapturing its timeless glory. Catch a show here or drop by the bar to admire the decor.
Guesting the stars
The Fox is close to the Historic Davenport Hotel, a glamorous spot that’s been open for more than a century, and one that survived the threat of demolition to be restored to its former glory. The hotel has hosted an abundance of well-known faces, from JFK to Amelia Earhart, Bob Hope and Babe Ruth to Clark Gable and Snoop Dogg. Even if you’re not staying here, see if you can catch a glimpse of the Hall of Doges – its grand ballroom – or just peek into the Spanish Renaissance lobby.
Religion and architecture
The Cathedral of St John the Evangelist is a fine piece of early 20th century Gothic Revival architecture, with stained-glass windows and a renowned organ. More modest is the Bing Crosby House, his childhood home now converted into a museum at Gonzaga University – where the star himself went. There’re some great memorabilia for Crosby fans to admire.
Beyond the city itself, the Riblet Mansion, Green Bluff Farm, the Centennial Trail and the huge Riverside State Park await. See everything the area has to offer with Hertz car retnal in Spokane.
