Spokane Travel Guide

  1. Spokane

The town of Spokane, to the east of the Cascade Mountain Range in Washington, doesn’t catch the attention of tourists very often. Yet this cultural and commercial refuge stretching along a scenic river, complete with a beautiful waterfall, has a few things to offer visitors including captivating museums, several wineries and a variety of outdoor activities, not to mention the town is the birthplace of Bing Crosby.

The hugely popular Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture is one of the most appealing museums in the Pacific Northwest and presents art and exhibitions documenting Plateau Indian culture. Also worth visiting is the Gothic Cathedral of St John the Evangelist and the neoclassical façades that line Jefferson street.

For something different, pay a visit to Gonzaga University’s Crosbyana Room and study the innumerable memorabilia specifying the life of illustrious film star Bing Crosby. Spokane has a wide range of entertainment on offer such as a lovely handcrafted Looff Carousel constructed in 1909, an ice rink, IMAX theater and the Gondola Skyride. This ride offers a bird’s eye view of the surrounding 100-acre Riverfront Park and the Spokane Falls.

Highlights

Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture: the breathtaking architecture and eclectic collections of this fascinating museum make it one of the best of its kind in the Northwest.

Gothic Cathedral of St John the Evangelist: started in 1925, the cathedral features impressive stained glass windows and an organ with over 4,000 pipes.****

Gonzaga University’s Crosbyana Room: nostalgia buffs will find pleasure in visiting the largest public collection of the film star’s memorabilia on the globe.

Riverside State Park: close to downtown, this is a place for hiking, mountain biking and rafting and it also has scenic views.

Riverfront Park: used as the site for Expo ‘74, the park holds various civic attractions including the Gondola Skyride, the five-story IMAX theater and numerous rides and concessions. Several festivals are held here throughout the year.