Spokane

Pronunciation

The city is pronounced as "spo-CAN," but often mispronounced as "spo-CANE."

Basics

Spokane is named for a Salish-speaking tribe of Native Americans who were the original inhabitants of the area. The original spelling, Spokan, was given an e by the adoption of the name of the original building, Spokane House (a trapping house built by early European arrivals.
Spokane is the economic hub of an area that serves roughly 1.5 million people. The largest city between Seattle and Minneapolis, its immediate metropolitan area, which includes neighboring Kootenai County, Idaho, is home to roughly 680,000 people. The city itself is home to just over 200,000. Politically, Spokane is as conservative as most regions its size across the west, but the city itself typically votes for Democrats. Despite immigration from other areas of the country and world, Spokane has a fairly small racial minority population of around 15%.

Climate

Spokane receives only a fraction of the rain that falls in Seattle and western Washington. However, winters are a lot colder with much more snowfall. Summers are hotter, but still more mild and less humid that those in the Midwest and East. Even temperatures in the high 90s are often followed by cold early mornings in the low 50s °F. Always have a jacket handy year-round.

By plane

Spokane International Airport

(GEG for Geiger Field) is about to the west of Downtown off of I-90 from Exit #277B (along US Hwy 2) towards Airway Heights. The following airlines serve Spokane (some distant cities are seasonal and/or weekly):

• Alaska Airlines/Horizon (Concourse C, Gates C21-26 & C30-32): (Boise, Portland, Seattle-Tacoma, San Diego (seasonally))
• American Airlines (Concourse C) (Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix); additional flights to Portland and Seattle-Tacoma are operated by Alaska Airlines on a codeshare basis.
• Delta/Delta Connection (Concourse B, Gates B4 - B8 even numbered): (Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle-Tacoma)
• Southwest (Concourse A, Gates A11-13): ( Boise, Denver, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Sacramento, San José; Seasonally from San Diego and Chicago Midway)
• United Airlines/United Express (Concourse B) (Chicago-O'Hare, Denver,San Francisco)
• Frontier Airlines (seasonally from Denver)

There are no non-stop flights from Spokane to outside of the U.S. Most international connections are made in Atlanta, Seattle (most common), Minneapolis, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, or Chicago depending on the airlines you choose.
To travel from the airport to downtown:

• A taxi from the airport will cost $25+ 15% tip.
• The STA #60 bus, costs $1.50 one way (or $3.50 for day pass if requiring to transfer buses) and takes 25 minutes to travel from the airport to downtown (at the 'Plaza' @ W Sprague & Wall St). The stops are outside the police office & conference center at Concourse C and the arrivals concourse past Concourse A at the opposite end of the main terminal building. Click here for a list of additional local (door to door) and long distance buses to Coeur d'Alene, Kettle Falls, Pullman/Colfax, Moscow and Fairfield.

By train

• Spokane Intermodal Center

  address: 221 West 1st Avenue
  Spokane is served by Amtrak and its once-daily Empire Builder train, operating between Seattle/Portland and Chicago. Spokane is at the point where westbound trains are split in half, one half going to Seattle through the Cascades and the other half to Portland OR-Vancouver WA along the Columbia River Gorge, and where eastbound trains from those cities are joined together to continue eastward. The Empire Builder connects with Coast Starlight and Cascades trains in Seattle and Portland and multiple east-west-south trains in Chicago. Spokane Intermodal Center is downtown, close to major hotels and attractions, at 221 W 1st Ave. The station is shared with Greyhound and other long-distance buses.

By bus

The bus station for long distance buses is the same as the train station (intermodal station) at 221 W 1st Ave and/or the airport:

• Jefferson Lines

  phone: +1 509-624-5251
  address: Intermodal Station @ 221 W 1st Ave
  Travels primarily on I-90 (Spokane, Coeur d'Alene, Kellogg, St Regis, Missoula, Butte, Bozeman, Livingston and Billings).

• Travel Washington Gold Line & Amtrak Thruway

  address: Intermodal Station @ 221 W 1st Ave
  operates the state's "Travel Washington Gold Line" bus between Spokane, Colville & Kettle Falls along US 395. Stops at the airport, STA Plaza at 701 W Riverside, the Intermodal Station & Hasting Rd P&R in N. Spokane.

• Greyhound

  phone: +1 509-624-5251
  address: Intermodal Station @ 221 W 1st Ave
  Travels primarily on Interstate 90 (Seattle, Ellensburg, Moses Lake and Spokane); US395/I-84 (Portland, Tri-Cities-Ritzville-Spokane) & 82 (Stanfield, OR; Pasco, Sunnyside, Yakima & Ellensburg)

• Northwestern Trailways

  phone: +1 509-838-4029
  address: Intermodal Station @ 221 W 1st Ave
  Goes west to Seattle through Ritzville, Ephrata, Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Lake Stevens & Everett along I-90 & US 2. They also go down to Pullman, Moscow, Lewiston, Cottonbird & Boise; east to Couer d'Alene; and north to Sandpoint. They operate the state's "Travel Washington Apple Line" bus between Ellensburg, Wenatchee, & Omak.

• Wheatland Express

  phone: +1 509-334-2200
  address: 4101 SR 270, Pullman 99163
  Goes from the airport down to Colfax, Pullman and Moscow, ID

By car

Interstate 90 (I-90) connects Seattle with Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, and passes through Spokane. Spokane is accessed from Exits #279 (US Hwy 195) through #285 ( "Appleway Blvd and Sprague Ave" from the eastbound lanes and "Sprague Ave" from the westbound lanes) just east of town.
US Highway 2 is a more scenic alternative to I-90. If coming from Seattle, it winds its way eastward through Leavenworth and Wenatchee in the North Cascades. It continues north and east towards Northern Idaho and Montana after leaving Spokane. From the north, US Hwy 2 and US Hwy 395 go through town as N Division St into downtown and along I-90 from Exit #277 from the west.
US Highway 195 connects the Palouse country in the southwestern part of the state to Spokane. It passes through the southwestern neighborhoods of Spokane as a freeway and ends at I-90, at Exit #279 west of downtown.
US Highway 395 connects Spokane to Tri-Cities through Ritzville (at freeway speeds) in the southwest and to Christina Lake, BC in the north (mostly a two-lane highway) through Colville and Kettle Falls in the northeast part of the state. From the north, US Hwy 395 and US Hwy 2 go through town as N Division St into downtown and along I-90 from Ritzville into downtown Spokane.
For those originating or passing through the Salt Lake City area, there are two freeway routes with nearly the same distance. I-15 north to I-90 west is slightly shorter than I-84 west to US-395 north. However, whichever route has the best weather at the time (especially in winter), would be the better choice. The I-15/I-84 split is about 75 miles north of downtown Salt Lake City.

By bus

The STA (Spokane Transit Authority) is an excellent way to get around to the north, south, and west sides as well as to the Valley and Liberty Lake in the east. Public transit is a great way to get to meet the people of a city. Bus route maps can be found in a few stores and gas stations. Most drivers are very friendly and helpful so ask any questions you may have.
The STA offers 2-hour and all-day passes. You must ask the driver for a pass before you put your fare in the fare box.

By car

Car rentals are available in many locations, mainly near the Spokane International Airport. All the major companies are there. Returning cars at the airport can be a little confusing. The main entrance to the rental return is an entire mile before the airport terminal (left at Flint Rd.) You can also drop off passengers and turn right at Flint Rd. just past the terminal. Note there are no directional signs for rental cars between these two places.
Interstate 90 is an excellent way to cross town east-west. A north-south freeway is under construction, and won't be finished for years. Allow more time if you have to go very far in this direction, as there's no express route yet. (The construction is unlikely to cause you any delays, as it's not on the main roadways.)
Spokane has many uncontrolled intersections in older residential neighborhoods. Watch for cross traffic and yield as necessary. Also, there are a few one-way thoroughfares well outside of downtown.
Check with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for current driving conditions.
The area's roads are designed more or less around a grid system, where most addresses are numbered based on their distance from the city center (Sprague & Division). Nearly all streets run with the compass directions with Sprague Ave (going east-west through downtown to Spokane Valley and in Airway Heights) and W Riverside(west of downtown, west of Walnut St) divide north from south while Division St (US Hwy 2 and 395) north of I-90 and Grand Blvd south of I-90 divide east from west. The "Avenues" run east-west, parallel to Sprague, while "Streets" run north-south parallel to Division & Grand. Most streets are named except the east-west avenues south of Sprague in downtown (and south of downtown) and in Airway Heights which are numbered streets. This also applies to much of the extended areas of unincorporated Spokane County such as Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Country Homes and other surrounding areas outside the Spokane city limits. The addresses in places like Cheney, Deer Park, Medical Lake and Sprangle have their own numbering system and are not based on Spokane's numbering system.

By bike

Within the past five years, Spokane has rapidly developed its bicycling infrastructure, adding both protected and unprotected bike lanes, traffic-separated bike trails and paths, and bike parking areas downtown and in major commercial districts. As a result, biking is a convenient and desirable way to commute. Within the six-month period from April to October when the weather is most reliably bicyclist-friendly, it is not uncommon to see throngs of bicycle commuters traveling downtown or to the various districts, like South Perry and Garland. Many employers now offer showers and changing facilities to their employees to encourage cycling.
The Centennial Trail runs along the Spokane River from downtown Coeur d'Alene through the Spokane Valley and downtown Spokane, ending in Riverside State Park. The nationally-recognized trail is a favorite among bicyclists, runners, and skaters. Be on the lookout for the particularly dramatic section near Mile 23. Here trail users exit the up-and-coming Kendall Yards neighborhood to downtown (when traveling eastbound) and cross under the century-old Monroe Street Bridge, exposing beautiful views of the Spokane Falls. Be sure to take enough time to enjoy this true gem that makes Spokane one of the most beautiful downtown urban areas in the United States. And don't forget a camera.

• Downtown SpokaneThe hub of the region dubbed "The Inland Northwest." It is the center for all of your shopping centers, medical centers, main attractions and hotels. Skywalks connect much of the downtown shops, useful in winter. Riverfront Square is a "mall" containing a parking garage, theaters, restaurant, bars, department and specialty shops, and a food court.

• Riverfront ParkThe host of the 1974 World's Fair. A few of the pavilions still exist, and the park is beautifully maintained. Maps of downtown Spokane (which include a park map) can be found in most hotels and stores and gas stations nearby. The park has fun features: the river and its waterfalls, the dam, two suspension footbridges, a rare, beautiful, and priceless hand-carved Looff Carousel (complete with rings and a target; sit on an outside horse if you want to participate!), the rather frightening gondolas over the falls, a small amusement park, bike rentals, an IMAX theater and game room, concert areas, and annual events including concerts, plays, "Pig Out in the Park", powwows, Battle of the Bands, and children's activities. The striking clock tower is the only remnant of the ugly train yards that once occupied the parkland, and a good place to meet up if you get separated.

• Manito ParkIts steep hills make it a popular and well-used wintertime sledding spot; be careful of the trees, however. A zoo until 1933, Manito is now a year-round home to a friendly flock of geese, ducks, and turtles. Visit the park's Rose Garden in the Summer, the formal Duncan Gardens near the greenhouse (open until dusk), the Japanese Gardens on the Bernard Street side of the park. There are two playgrounds, one for smaller children near the duck pond and the main entrance, another with a waterpad near the ball fields on the south end (25th Avenue). A small restaurant operates in the summer in an old stone building near the perennial gardens, open for lunch and maybe breakfast. Parts of the park are rustic and undeveloped; tennis courts are near the main entrance. The park, like all those in the city, closes at 10PM and is patrolled periodically.

• Monroe Street BridgeThis bridge was built in 1911 and is the largest arch bridge in the United States. It is one of the finest examples and also one of the last remaining bridges among the several dozen bridges that once crisscrossed the falls and made Spokane world-famous as the "City of Bridges" during the latter half of the 19th century (i.e, Spokane had the largest number of bridges of any city in the world at the time). Take an inspiring walk across the falls of the Spokane River while admiring the buffalo head sculptures adorning the covered observation decks across the span. The Monroe St Bridge is in the heart of Downtown immediately west of Riverfront Park, the former site of the old train station and rail yards (locals know it well, just ask one). It was restored in 2003-05.

• Riverside State Park

  phone: +1 509 465-5064
  Bowl and Pitcher is basalt rock formations in the middle of the fast flowing Spokane River. Overlook and suspension bridge on east side is a great way to experience Spokane's motto: Near Nature Near Perfect.

• The Knitting FactoryOne of the Northwest's premier concert houses. It is a 1,500-capacity concert venue, and features top performers from around the world and dance club nights hosted weekly. It is easily found in the heart of Downtown Spokane, on the corner of Sprague and Monroe.

• Spokane County Courthouse

  address: W 1116 Broadway
  Worth a visit. This interesting courthouse was completed in 1895 in 16th century French Renaissance style.

• Cat Tales Zoological Park

  phone: +1 509 238-4126
  address: 17020 N Newport Hwy, Mead, WA

• Finch Arboretum

  phone: +1 509 363-5466
  address: West 3404 Woodlawn Blvd

• Broadview Dairy Museum/Caterina WineryThe Broadview Dairy building has been a landmark in Spokane since the 1920s. It was built as a commercial dairy, and has been openef to the public. It has a milk production museum, the still operating dairy, and the Caterina Winery.

• Davenport Arts District - at 2nd and Madison
• Ft. George Wright National Historical District
• Gonzaga University

• Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

  phone: +1 509-456-3931
  address: 2316 W First Ave
  Museum covering the history and native cultures of the inland northwest.
• Spokane Falls, on the edge of Riverfront Park

• Mobius Children's Museum

  phone: +1 509-321-7121
  address: 808 W Main Ave

• Mobius Science Center

  phone: +1 509-321-7133
  address: 811 W Main Ave
  Temporarily on the 3rd floor of the Downtown Spokane Library

• Bing Crosby Collection

  address: Gonzaga University
  Legendary singer (he sang the classic song "White Christmas"), Academy Award winning actor and Gonzaga alum Bing Crosby who moved to Spokane when he was 3 (born in Tacoma, Washington) has a Crosby Collection display at Gonzaga University. The collection (about 200 items-records, photos, books, etc.) is at the Crosby Student Center’s Crosbyana Room and additional items are on display at Bing Crosby's childhood home (the Bing Crosby House at 508 E Sharp Ave-free admission) built in 1913.

• Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

  phone: +1 509 838-4277
  address: 127 E 12th Ave

• High Bridge Park

  address: 136 South A St

• Northern Quest Resort & Casino

  address: 100 N. Hayford Rd, Airway Heights

Golf- There are 33 golf courses within a short drive of the city center. The city of Spokane runs 4 public golf courses including the award winning Indian Canyon, Spokane County runs 6 other public courses. The Coeur d'Alene resort golf course features a green floating in the lake.

• Riverfront Park

  ,

• Wonderland Family Fun Center

  - in Spokane

• Gonzaga Bulldogs

  phone: +1 509 313-6000
  address: McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St.
  The sports teams of Gonzaga University, officially nicknamed "Bulldogs" but affectionately called "Zags", are one of the city's great institutions. While the Zags have teams in nine men's and nine women's sports (though not football—the school dropped that sport during World War II), by far the biggest attraction is men's basketball, which has developed into a national power in the 21st century, making the Final Four for the first time in 2017. The McCarthey Athletic Center, home to basketball, always sells out for men's games and often for women's games (the capacity is only 6,000). Usually, one men's game a year is played at the much larger Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, and a second men's game is taken to Seattle. Most other Zags teams play on campus, and tickets are much easier to get than for basketball.

Events

• BloomsdayThis 12-km run/walk is one of the world's largest timed road-races with over 50,000 participants each year. The all-ages race is always the first Sunday in May.

• Lilac FestivalThe country's largest Armed Forces Day celebration including the Armed Forces Torchlight Parade. Held annually on the third Saturday in May.

• HoopfestThe world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, with courts spread out all over downtown. Hoopfest takes place over the last weekend in June.

• OutSpokane Pride Parade & Rainbow FestivalEastern Washington's largest gay, lesbian, and transgender festival. Held annually every June.

• Spokane Gay/Lesbian Film FestivalHeld annually on the first weekend of November, the festival presents a weekend of independent film.

• Get Lit! Programs FestivalThe week long literary festival held annually in the Spring with educational outreach programs throughout the year. It celebrates literature for all ages with readings, workshops, panel discussions, slams, fairs, contests, and more.

• Bare Buns Fun RunLargest clothing-optional timed road race in the U.S. Five kilometers run/walk on pressed gravel. Family-oriented code of conduct applies. Last Sunday in July since 1984. North Deer Lake Road exit from US-395, then about 10 miles (16 km). Drive with caution on the narrow, winding road, which becomes unpaved at the end of the lake shore.

Many of the newer, suburban-style stores and shopping centers are on the far north side of the city. The huge Northtown Mall is on the NE corner of Division (US Hwy 2/395) & Wellesley. A mile further up is Francis Ave., and there are many places to shop as you go north on both Division (US 395) and the Newport Hwy (US 2) (which soon splits off from Division).

• Huckleberry's Natural Market

  phone: +1 509 624-1349
  address: 926 South Monroe St
  The 9th Street Bistro inside this grocery store is a bustling cafe that serves $4 breakfast specials. Vegetarian friendly deli. Enjoy a toasted bagel with lox from the meat counter, or some freshly rolled sushi. Huckleberry's is the only natural grocery store of its kind in Eastern Washington. Large wine and bulk foods selection. Some Rosauers Grocery Stores and Super 1 Foods also have a smaller Huckleberry's Market (without a bistro) inside the store.

• River Park SquareRenovated shopping center in the center of downtown, just across from Riverfront Park. River Park Square is home to a 20-screen movie theater. Upscale stores such as Nordstroms, Williams Sonoma, Macy's and Restoration Hardware. A diverse collection of specialty stores selling items ranging from walking sticks to chocolates. Satisfy your hunger at the fast food court or at one of its many sit down restaurants. River Park Square is also a great place for kids with a childrens museum, bookstore and toy store. Skywalks connect River Park Square with the rest of downtown.

Spokane's dining scene has come into its own in recent years. A wide variety of chef-owned restaurants serve all tastes, with an emphasis on locally-grown and organic ingredients. You can't leave without enjoying a craft pizza at one of the area's many artisan pie shops. The area is known for wild and exotic pizza varieties, including thai and a four-cheese pie called the "Honey Badger," topped with a honey glaze.

Budget

• Dick's Hamburgers

  phone: +1 509 747-2481
  address: 10 E 3rd Ave
  A Spokane institution, serving up the quickest and most efficient cholesterol-delivery systems in the state. No relation to the Dick's chain in Seattle.

• Didier's Yogurt & More

  phone: +1 509 466-8434
  address: 10410 N Division St
  Quality fast food from a family owned business. Great burgers and frozen yogurt. On the north side near Whitworth College.

• Mary Lou's Milk Bottle

  phone: +1 509 325-1772
  address: 802 W Garland Ave
  Built for the now-defunct Benewah Dairy Company in mid-1930s, this small restaurant serves burgers and shakes. The building consists of a stuccoed milk bottle several stories high. A similar structure (not open to the public) is visible from the I-90 westbound off ramp to Maple St. (#280A), and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cash only.

• Ferguson’s Cafe

  phone: +1 509 328-1950
  address: 804 W Garland Ave
  Next to the Milk Bottle (above), this restaurant was featured in three Hollywood movies, Benny & Joon, Vision Quest, and Why Would I Lie? Opens early for breakfast, and well known for its "blue plate specials."

Mid-range

• Bennidito's Pizza

  phone: +1 509 455-7411
  address: 1426 S Lincoln
  A local jewel. The pizza and calzones are fantastic. Always some good beers on tap, or you can get a bucket full. Recommended: garlic cheese bread, beer buddies, chicken wings, pesto ranch dressing, hot Italian sausage, saxon pizza, New Yorker calzone.

• Longhorn Barbecue

  phone: +1 509 924-9600
  address: 2315 N Argonne Rd

• Chicken-N-Mo

  phone: +1 509-838-5071
  address: 414 1/2 W Sprague Ave
  "Soul Food", catfish, ribs, etc. In Downtown.

• The Elk Public House

  phone: +1 509 363-1973
  address: 1931 W Pacific Ave
  Eclectic to standard food, large selection of microbrews on tap. Outdoor seating in the historic Brownes Addition.

• The Two-Seven Public House

  phone: +1 509 473-9766
  address: Lincoln Heights Shopping Center, 2727 S Mt Vernon St # 5
  On the South Hill, has the same menu as The Elk (and their two sister pubs in north Idaho). Full bar, microbrews, specials, outdoor seating in summer, TV but you can get away from it if you want, and great service.

Other

• The Rockwood Bakery

  address: 315 E 18th Ave
  Less than a block from Manito Park, the Rockwood Bakery is great for a mid-day coffee or pastry after a day in the park.

• Saunders Cheese Market

  phone: +1 509 455-9400
  address: 210 S Washington
  In the east central part of downtown, this shop offers many cheeses from the United States, including the Pacific Northwest, and abroad. Cheese plates are also offered, and there is wine by the glass, or you can bring in wine from the conveniently neighboring Vino! Wine Shop.

• Your City BitesA food tour of downtown Spokane that features local reastaurants.

Within the past ten years, Spokane has experienced an explosion in craft brewing, with new local and regional brewers rapidly expanding in popularity. Beyond that, the nightlife scene has grown significantly with the addition of a number of bars, pubs, and nightclubs downtown.

• Jack & Dan's Bar & Grill

  phone: +1 509 487-6546
  address: 1226 N Hamilton St
  Classic sports bar owned by the father of former NBA & Gonzaga University star John Stockton. Sitting on the edge of Gonzaga University, it naturally caters to the students and is packed to watch basketball games. Children are welcome in the restaurant until 10PM.

• O'Doherty's Irish Grille

  phone: +1 509 747-0322
  address: 525 Spokane Falls Blvd
  This is a place to gather, chat, tip a pint and enjoy a little Irish flavor. Guinness and Harp on tap. Live Irish music on Tuesday nights. After you've been there a while you'll probably want to become a member of the O'Doherty's family by standing on the bar, singing a song for the entire bar, and stapling a dollar on the wall. Children are welcome in the restaurant until 10PM.

• Twigs Bistro

  address: 401 E Farwell
  Twigs is first a martini bar and second a restaurant. However, their breakfast, which is only sold on the weekend, is superb. Their Creme Brule French Toast is wonderful. Dinner is a typical menu, burgers, pizza, etc. Their drink selection is very good.

Breweries

Spokane is the center of the Inland Northwest Ale Trail of over 25 different microbreweries. Many of them have food or partner with food trucks.

• No-Li Brewhouse

  phone: +1 509 242-2739
  address: 1003 E Trent Ave
  Fresh local beer on the banks of the Spokane River. This is a true brewpub, offering sampler trays (and pints, of course) of its fine locally made ales, including its famous Crystal Bitter and Chocolate Dunkel. Also has an ambitious food menu.

• River City Brewing

  address: 1325 W 1st Ave
  Small bar that usually has a food truck outside. They have lots of different beers in any size from a taster to a pint.

• Steamplant Brewery

  phone: +1 509 777-3900
  address: 159 S Lincoln
  A larger restaurant and bar in a former steam plant. They brew several beers and offer their flights in a steamplant-shaped holder. They have a happy hour daily.

Budget

• Days Inn & Suites Spokane Airport Airway Heights

  phone: +1 509-244-0222
  address: 1215 S Garfield Rd
  Free local and long distance calls in the continental United States; free wireless high-speed Internet access all rooms; advance online check-in and check-out with unlimited access to online folio information. Includes remote TV with ESPN, CNN and one movie channel and complimentary continental breakfast.

• Days Inn by Wyndham-Downtown

  phone: +1 509 747-2011
  address: 120 W 3rd St

• Motel 6 Spokane East

  phone: +1 509 926-5399
  address: 1919 N Hutchinson Rd

• Motel 6 Spokane West-Airport

  phone: +1 509 459-6120
  address: 1508 S Rustle St

• Sleepy Lodge

  phone: +1 509 326-5500
  address: 3033 N Division

• Super 8

  phone: +1 509-838-8800
  address: 11102 W Westbow Rd, Spokane, WA 99224

• Tiki Lodge

  phone: +1 509 838-2026
  address: 1420 W 2nd Ave

Mid-range

• Best Western Plus Peppertree Airport Inn

  phone: +1 509 624-4655
  address: 3711 S Geiger Blvd
  Offers spacious, comfortable rooms near some of Washington’s most popular golf courses, universities and visitor attractions.

• Comfort Inn & Suites

  phone: +1 509 926-7432
  address: 12415 E Mission Ave

• Courtyard Spokane

  phone: +1 509 456-7600
  address: 401 N Riverpoint Blvd

• Fairfield Inn & Suites Spokane Downtown

  phone: +1 509 747-9131
  address: 311 N Riverpoint Blvd

• Holiday Inn Spokane Airport

  phone: +1 509 838-1170
  address: 1616 S Windsor Dr

• Holiday Inn Express Spokane-Valley

  phone: +1 509 927-7100
  address: 9220 East Mission

• Holiday Inn Express Spokane-Downtown

  phone: +1 509 328-8505
  address: 801 Division St

• Oxford Suites Spokane Downtown

  phone: +1 509 353-9000
  address: 115 W North River Dr

• Oxford Suites Spokane Valley

  phone: +1 509 847-1000
  address: 15015 E Indiana Ave

• The Centennial

  phone: +1 509 326-8000
  address: 303 W North River Dr
  Situated at the edge of Riverfront Park, on the banks of the cascading Spokane River, The Centennial is a beautifully renovated hotel.

• Ruby River Hotel

  phone: +509 326-5577
  address: 700 N Division St

• Residence Inn Spokane East Valley

  phone: +1 509 892-9300
  address: 15915 E Indiana Ave

• Stratford Suites (Airport)

  phone: +1 509 321-1600
  address: 11808 W Center Ln
  Airway Heights. Extended stay rates available.

• Wingate by Wyndham Spokane Airport

  phone: +1 509 838-3226
  address: 2726 S. Flint Rd
  Courtesy Spokane Airport shuttle, free breakfast and complimentary Wi-Fi.

Splurge

• The Davenport Hotel and Tower

  phone: +1 509 455-8888
  address: 10 S Post St
  Spokane's only four-diamond hotel. Rated in the top ten best hotels in America by Expedia. In the heart of Downtown and the Davenport District (Art District), the Davenport Hotel and Tower offers luxury accommodations and first class service. Three restaurants and bars. The hotel, which under went a multimillion dollar renovation in 2002, is locally owned and operated. You can see the hotel's extensive history, that included the visits of many historical icons including Charles Lindbergh, Amelia Earhart, Mary Pickford, Clark Gable, John Philip Sousa, Lawrence Welk, Bob Hope, Bing Crosby, Benny Goodman, Vachel Lindsay, John F. Kennedy, and Babe Ruth. Hotel history dating back from 1914 is scattered throughout the hotel's Western European inspired rooms, lobbies and restaurants.

• The Davenport Lusso, Autograph Collection By Marriott

  phone: +1 509 747-9750
  address: 808 W Sprague Ave
  Small Mediterranean-style hotel in the heart of downtown.

• Montvale Hotel

  phone: +1 509 747-1919
  address: 1005 W First Ave
  Small European-style boutique hotel in the heart of downtown by the Fox Theater.

People in Spokane are generally quite kind and hospitable. The city is safe, and violent crime is rare. That said, Spokane has had ongoing challenges with property crime and vehicle theft. As such, use common sense––if parking a vehicle, be sure to lock the doors and ensure that all valuables are in the trunk. Also, use caution when walking through Riverfront Park or on the Centennial Trail at night.
Do not swim or wade in the Spokane River downtown, as this is very dangerous. Drownings are, unfortunately, not uncommon.

Spokane is one of a few cities nationwide that has Wi-Fi access just about everywhere Downtown. The entire Downtown area is a Wi-Fi hotspot or an area where wireless Internet is provided free of charge (2 hours per day) if your computer is equipped for Wi-Fi. There is also free Wi-Fi at the airport (with commercials before access).

During the first Sunday in May, Spokane hosts the Bloomsday 12-km timed street run, while the Hoopfest basketball tournament is on last weekend in June (could be June 30th/July 1st). These are both hugely popular events with tens of thousands of visitors. If you're not interested in either, avoid the area altogether on these two weekends, as traffic will be extremely bad, and accommodation impossible. Even Thursday night should be avoided for Hoopfest. Barring some unusually severe weather, the other 50 weekends each year should be just fine for visiting.

Although the destinations of Seattle, Portland, Glacier National Park, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens are popular with locals, these are not day trips, and even a two-day excursion will seem rushed. The distance to Mt. St. Helens is easily underestimated, as the only access is from I-5 between Seattle and Portland (with substantial backtracking).
The area to the west and south before the mountain ranges can be considerably hotter in summertime than it is in Spokane. Bring plenty of drinking water.

• Being in the foothills of the Rockies, Spokane has excellent skiing in the wintertime, including cross-country. Forty-five minutes (by car) north of city lies the closest local ski area; Mt. Spokane Ski Resort
• Even if you don't ski, Mt. Spokane State Park, has camping and daytime recreation. In the Selkirk Mountains, at the top of the 5,883-foot summit there are great views as far as Canada. US Hwy 2 north to Mt. Spokane Park Dr. (Hwy 206), then 19 miles east. (Don't use Day Mt. Spokane Road, as this goes into the backcountry.) Entry to Mt. Spokane requires a Washington State Parks Discover Pass (including the privately run ski resort.)
• Also, 40 minutes east of downtown is the lakefront tourist town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It's also known for its quaint downtown.
• Fairchild AFB, just west of Spokane International Airport on US Highway 2 (only for special events open to the public; otherwise a current Department of Defense ID card is required)
• Grand Coulee Dam About from Spokane, the largest electric power-producing facility in the U.S., and one of the largest concrete structures in the world. A laser light show is sometimes held after dark on summer nights (check schedule).
• Walla Walla It has been known for its funny name and famous sweet onions. Traditional crops have been replaced by the vineyards of over 100 area wineries. Due to the distance (157 mi/256 km) and large number (for its size) of hotels and Bed and Breakfasts, many visitors stay overnight. If too pricey, accommodation in Pendleton, Oregon is much cheaper.