The Inland Northwest is a hot spot for bucket list activities. With downtown’s recent facelift, there are tons of ways to spend your day wandering around the city. Take a drive out of town and experience beautiful skiing, biking, and hiking trails at Schweitzer Mountain. Go north and find the beautiful sunflower fields and Green Bluff farms.
Whatever way you are looking to spend your day, these activities are a MUST for exploring Spokane to the fullest. Make a mental note of these happenings and let us know which ones are your favorite!
Pick fruit at Green Bluff | greenbluffgrowers.com
Green Bluff’s promise of an old-fashioned farm experience brings thousands of visitors each year to the rolling hills of northeast Spokane. Over 30 farms within the relatively small area (About 12 square miles) grow hundreds of different crops varying by season. Take a trip the Bluff and you’re are bound to have fun with the whole family!
Downtown at Riverfront Park | Instagram: @riverfrontspokane
Taking a walk on the Centennial Trail around Riverfront Park is a bucket list activity in itself; the beautiful bridges and views of the river take you into the heart of the city. Grab lunch downtown and take a seat on one of the many public benches and enjoy the view. At sunset, ride the gondola with a beautiful view of the Upriver Dam. Ice skating at the ribbon and walking below the lighted pavilion are a must and kid-friendly!
Bowl & Pitcher Hike at Riverside State Park | 4427 N Aubrey L White Parkway, Spokane
Has one of your friends ever taken an extremely gorgeous photo on a hike in the Spokane area? With a majestic backdrop of the river? They probably went to Riverside State Park’s Bowl & Pitcher in north Spokane. Most of the trails are easy and fun for all ages. The views are gorgeous, relaxing, and peaceful. The main loop trail can either start near the Spokane House of Riverside State Park, or near Bowl and Pitcher. A paved road is available for running and biking, but hiking trails also run along the side river. A Discovery Pass is required to park near the trailhead.
Hiawatha Bike Trail |Instagram: @ridethehiawatha
The Hiawatha Bike Trail is a brilliant 15-mile-long, mostly downhill, biking trail on the border of Idaho and Montana. Rent a bike and explore 15 miles of an old train track with 10 train tunnels and 7 sky-high bridges. The scenery is unparalleled; this is how it has gotten the reputation of being one of the most scenic stretches of railroad in the country! Tickets are sold online.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort | Instagram: @cdaresort
The Coeur d’Alene Resort is a place to enjoy lakeside surroundings and a wealth of activities. Explore, stay, play, dine, and relax at their beautiful lakeside getaway. Make memories paddle boarding, walking the boardwalk, relaxing at the spa, and attending some of their awesome events like the 4th of July parade.
Spokane Hoopfest | Instagram: @spokanehoopfest
Spokane Hoopfest is the largest 3-on-3 outdoor basketball tournament on Earth. That means 6,000 teams, 3,000 volunteers, 225,000 fans, and 450 courts spanning 45 city blocks! Can you say bucket list? Beyond being the best basketball weekend on earth, Hoopfest is an outdoor festival with shopping, food, and interactive entertainment. Whether you’re a baller or just a fan, attending Hoopfest in July is a Spokane rite of passage.
Explore Manito Park | 1702 S. Grand Boulevard, Spokane
Manito Park is THE place to see in Spokane! A public park located in the beautiful South Hill neighborhood, Manito has five gardens, a conservatory, and a duck pond toured by hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. The 90-acre park includes spacious manicured lawns to sit and enjoy lunch, playgrounds, walking and biking paths, flowers, and multiple picturesque gardens. You simply must go.
Schweitzer Mountain | Instagram: @schweitzer_mountain
Are you a skier? A hiker? A biker? Maybe just a walker? Whichever way you prefer to spend your time outside, you will find a beautiful way to enjoy the outdoors of Schweitzer Mountain in all seasons. Find fun on the mountain, activities in the village, or relax and spend the weekend at their beautiful mountain resort.
Cat Tales Wildlife | Instagram: @cattaleswildlife
Tiger King anyone? Connect with nature and help make a better future for animals by visiting Spokane’s only big cat and wildlife sanctuary. The company’s goal is to educate people on the endangered species of the world, and share their love for the animals, hoping that future generations will do their best to see their survival. You really can’t get more bucket lists than seeing these wild cats in person.
Visit the Sunflower Fields | Facebook page: Deer Park Sunflower Fields
The Deer Park Sunflower Fields are a seasonal activity, with full bloom occurring in early-mid August. Make sure you go during golden hour (right before sunset) to get that perfect picture. **Please be respectful when taking the photos and do not enter the fields. The flowers are private property and we want to keep them looking beautiful and intact!
Arbor Crest Winery | @arborcrestwine
The Inland Northwest’s premier family-run winery, wedding, and event facility is simply gorgeous. Perched 450 feet above Spokane, you’ll experience a visit full of lots of laughter, good wine, and great company. Make a reservation and enjoy your meal overlooking stunning views. You won’t regret it.
Kendall Yards and Hello Sugar | Instagram @kendall_yards and @hellosugar
Spokane’s premier urban neighborhood along the Spokane River gorge (Kendall Yards) features scenic views, diverse businesses, and follows the Centennial Trail. Make a stop at Veraci Pizza and finish off your trip at Hello Sugar for some delicious mini donuts and Indaba coffee.
Farmer’s Markets | Spokane Eats Blog: Spokane Farmers Market Schedule 2020
Say yes to local, fresh products and community support! One of my favorite summer activities is visiting local farmers markets and browsing all the products vendors have for sale. Switch up your weekly routine and support local by doing your shopping at one of the many markets in our area.
Spokane Indians Baseball Game | 602 N. Havana Street Spokane
While we cannot enjoy America’s favorite pastime right now, we can still enjoy ballpark food on the field at the Spokane Indian’s Avista Stadium. It’s a great way to spend the afternoon and let your kids work off all their energy running the bases. Fingers crossed that next year we will be able to enjoy a low-key baseball game with hotdogs, fun entertainment, and Cracker Jacks. The Indians are a minor league baseball team whose season goes from June to early September.
While these are some of my personal favorites, make sure to let us know if there’s any other must-do Spokane activities we’re missing!
Hi! I'm Chandler, owner of Spokane Eats, and I think life is too short for the mediocre. Our team is here to help you discover why we fell (and continue to fall) in love with Spokane Washington!
Love this post, your pictures are fun and lovely. I would add a couple of close attractions such as Steptoe Butte and the Palouse Falls to this as they are actually in Washington and a quick day drive. Thank you for your page, it’s always upbeat =).
This is an awesome list! and such great pictures! Here are a few of my suggestions:
– Summertime drive to the Mt Spokane Ski Resort to watch the sunset.
– A small hike up Big Rock Trail to pick your own rock and have a picnic with a view
– Coldstone
– Second Look Books (the classic section in the basement is amazing!)