Spokane: River Landscapes, Culture and Nature Experiences

Spokane combines impressive river landscapes, established culture and diverse nature experiences. When planning your trip, you can choose between historic sites, trails along the Spokane River, parks with lake access, urban gardens and regional farm offerings. This allows you to tailor your search for a vacation rental or holiday home to the focus you want for your trip.

History and Culture along the Spokane River

A special starting point for historical discoveries is the Spokane House Interpretive Center. It is located at the site of the North West Company trading post called “Spokane House,” which existed from 1810 to 1826 and is considered the first permanent Euro-American settlement in the state of Washington. The center is also located on the grounds of a traditional village of the Spokane Tribe of Indians. A short, self-guided interpretive trail explores the history of food gathering and trade along the Spokane River and leads to the Peavine Jimmy Barn, one of the oldest structures in Spokane County.

Spokane Falls also has important cultural significance: The site has been a gathering place of the Spokane Tribe of Indians since earliest times. Riverfront Park offers views of the falls, walking paths, a sculpture walk and bicycle access to the Centennial Trail. The park is also home to the Looff Carrousel, built in 1909 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The Spokane Visitor Center in Riverfront Park provides free brochures and maps as well as historical information and information about tours. Those who would like to include art and regional history can visit the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, a Smithsonian Affiliate founded in 1916.

Nature, Trails and Water Experiences

Mount Spokane State Park covers 12,444 acres and has 100 miles of trails. The multi-use trails are suitable for hiking, cycling and horseback riding. In winter, almost 37 miles of groomed cross-country ski trails are available. This gives the state park different ways to shape your trip according to the season and the activity you want to pursue.

The Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail runs from the Nine Mile Recreation Area on Lake Spokane to the Idaho border. Along the way, the landscape changes between high-desert terrain, Ponderosa pine forests and basalt canyons. Several access points to the Spokane River allow for swimming, fishing and non-motorized boating. Sections of the trail in Riverside State Park are groomed in winter for cross-country skiing and fat biking. When choosing your accommodation, therefore, consider whether you primarily want to include nature trails, water experiences or cultural destinations in your days.

Liberty Lake Regional Park covers 3,591 acres of wetlands, shoreline, montane forest and irrigated lawns. A public swimming beach adds a specific opportunity for spending time by the water to the landscape. For quieter nature observation, the John A. Finch Arboretum is located southwest of Spokane on 65 acres of wooded hills. Its collection of trees and woody plants was established along Garden Springs Creek and includes labeled native and cultivated plants. A Walking Guide is available for download for a self-guided tour through the collections and specimen trees.

City, Seasonal Events and Regional Specialties

The 64-acre Riverfront Park combines views, walking paths and cultural orientation. Its year-round entertainment is aimed at families and groups; at the same time, the park can be combined with the Spokane Visitor Center and the Looff Carrousel without implying a specific daily itinerary. At the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, the events calendar includes the Spokane Interstate Fair in September. If this event fits your trip, it can provide an additional focus.

The farms of Green Bluff show another side of the region. They offer U-pick opportunities for fruit, fresh vegetables and fresh flowers, as well as entertainment and relaxation on the farm. Siemer's Farm offers fresh ingredients, beer, cider, wine, jams, juices, as well as pumpkin and huckleberry doughnuts. Much of this is made from locally grown fruit and vegetables. Such offerings are particularly interesting if you would like to combine nature experiences with regional products when planning your trip.

Places for Further Planning

For further orientation, you can also visit the location pages for Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Airway Heights, Cheney, Nine Mile Fls, Mead and Mica. For arrival, Spokane Transit Authority provides bus connections from Spokane International Airport to the transit hub in downtown Spokane. This can be helpful when choosing a vacation rental if you initially want to focus your trip planning on connections to the city.

For the broader travel overview: Washington.