It was late October when I touched down at Spokane International Airport—crisp air, golden leaves fluttering across the sidewalks, and that quiet calm you only get in smaller cities tucked far from the buzz of big coasts. I had visited many places in the Pacific Northwest before, but Spokane wasn’t one of them. This time, I wasn’t just passing through. I came with a purpose: to slow down, breathe deeply, and really get to know this city that locals speak of with pride and visitors often call underrated.
If you’re planning your first trip to Spokane, let me make your planning easier. These are 10 unforgettable places you shouldn’t miss—and not just for the photos. Each of these sites left a mark on me. And I believe they’ll do the same for you.
1. Riverfront Park
📍 Location: 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201
🎟 Entry Fee: Free (some attractions inside require tickets)
I started my Spokane journey where it truly begins—Riverfront Park. It sits right in the heart of downtown, sprawled across 100 acres along the Spokane River. Even if you do nothing else here, just standing on one of the footbridges over Spokane Falls, with the roar of the water beneath you and fall colors all around, is worth the visit.
But I didn’t stop there. I took a ride on the Numerica SkyRide, a vintage-style gondola that glides above the lower Spokane Falls. It was surreal, being suspended above roaring rapids in a glass capsule, with mist rising like smoke and the city skyline watching quietly behind you.
💡 Insider Tip:
Book your SkyRide ticket online through VisitSpokane.com or directly at the park’s info center. It cost me \$10.75 for a round trip, and it was worth every penny.
🛎 Booking Platforms to Consider:
- GetYourGuide – offers bundled tickets for the SkyRide and Looff Carousel
- Trip.com – sometimes has park experience passes available
- Klook – great for mobile ticketing
2. Manito Park & Botanical Gardens
📍 Location: 1702 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA 99203
🎟 Entry Fee: Free
This place felt like a secret garden out of a fairy tale. I took a quiet Lyft ride from downtown to the South Hill neighborhood, and within minutes I was walking beneath canopies of maple and oak trees painted in amber and crimson.
The Japanese Garden was the highlight for me. I arrived early, before the light grew too harsh, and watched koi swim lazily through still water under wooden bridges. There’s a tranquility here you can’t manufacture.
Other Gardens Worth Seeing:
- Duncan Garden (formal European-style)
- Rose Hill (fragrant and blooming well into October)
- Lilac Garden (Spokane is the Lilac City, after all)
💡 Pro Tip:
Bring your own snacks or coffee. There are no food vendors inside, and trust me—you’ll want to stay a while. I used Google Maps to find Rockwood Bakery nearby and picked up a warm croissant and espresso afterward.
3. Spokane Falls & Monroe Street Bridge
📍 Location: Monroe St & W Spokane Falls Blvd
🎟 Entry Fee: Free
You don’t usually get dramatic waterfalls in the middle of a city. But Spokane doesn’t play by the rules. I stood at the Monroe Street Bridge, a striking concrete arch built in 1911, watching as the Spokane River surged beneath me in two spectacular drops.
There are multiple vantage points to view the falls, but walking along the Centennial Trail gave me the best shots. I even sat on a bench just off the trail with a sandwich from Domini Sandwiches (massive, by the way) and just soaked it all in.
💡 Photo Tip:
Go during golden hour or late morning in fall—when the leaves and the mist combine, it’s pure magic.
4. Centennial Trail
📍 Location: Trail begins near Riverfront Park and extends 37 miles
🎟 Entry Fee: Free
I rented a hybrid bike from Wheelsport Downtown, just two blocks from my hotel, and took off down the Centennial Trail. This multi-use path snakes along the river all the way into Idaho (yes, Idaho!), but even if you just ride the first 5-7 miles, you’ll get scenic urban parks, riverside views, and a healthy dose of fresh air.
I passed local joggers, couples walking dogs, and plenty of leaf-peepers. There’s something satisfying about biking through a city and watching it shift from urban to forest in real time.
💡 Bike Rental:
Check Spoke ‘N Sport or book via Viator or REI Experiences if you want guided rides.
5. Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC)
📍 Location: 2316 W 1st Ave, Spokane, WA 99201
🎟 Entry Fee: \$12 for adults
I always make time for a good museum, and the MAC did not disappoint. It explores Inland Northwest history, art, and culture. I walked through exhibits on Native American history, regional art, and rotating contemporary works that left me thoughtful and inspired.
The grounds themselves are peaceful and include the historic Campbell House, which you can tour if you plan ahead.
💡 Booking Platform:
Reserve online via northwestmuseum.org or use CityPASS for bundled museum access.
6. Green Bluff Growers
📍 Location: Just north of Spokane, in Mead, WA
🎟 Entry Fee: Free (activities & U-pick are paid)
If you’re in Spokane in late October like I was, don’t skip Green Bluff. It’s a 30-minute drive north of downtown and home to dozens of small farms, pumpkin patches, cider mills, and orchards. I picked apples with families, drank hot spiced cider, and even watched kids lose their minds in a giant corn maze.
It felt like I’d stepped straight into a Hallmark movie. I bought pumpkin doughnuts and apple butter and left with a full heart and sticky hands.
💡 Must-Visit Farms:
- Beck’s Harvest House – famous for its pie and cider
- Siemer’s Farm – great for kids
- Walter’s Fruit Ranch – charming and old-fashioned
Check seasonal info and farm hours via greenbluffgrowers.com
7. Garland District
📍 Location: Along W Garland Ave, Spokane, WA 99205
🎟 Entry Fee: Free to explore
Every city has that one quirky, retro neighborhood that feels like a movie set—Garland District is Spokane’s. I walked from shop to shop, stopping in for vintage clothes, handmade soaps, second-hand books, and the best cherry pie I’ve had in years at The Milk Bottle.
And then there’s the Garland Theater, a restored art deco cinema from the 1940s where I watched an indie flick for just \$5. It’s kitschy and genuine in all the right ways.
💡 Tip:
Visit on a weekend afternoon. Many shops don’t open until 11 a.m. or later.
8. Mount Spokane State Park
📍 Location: About 45 min NE of Spokane
🎟 Entry Fee: \$10/day (Discover Pass required)
I rented a car for a day via Turo, packed a picnic, and headed out to Mount Spokane State Park. This is where the city fades and the wilderness begins. In late October, the higher elevations were already getting dusted with snow. I hiked the Quartz Mountain Fire Lookout Trail and was rewarded with panoramic views of golden larches, snowy ridgelines, and deep green valleys.
Bring layers—the weather changes fast up here—and plenty of water.
💡 Pass Info:
Purchase a Discover Pass online at discoverpass.wa.gov or get one-day access at the entrance kiosk.
9. Kendall Yards Night Market (Seasonal)
📍 Location: Summit Pkwy, Spokane, WA 99201
🎟 Entry Fee: Free
If you’re in town on a Wednesday evening between May and October, you’re in luck. The Kendall Yards Night Market is a beautiful blend of Spokane’s community spirit, local flavor, and riverfront ambiance. I bought handmade earrings, sipped on hard cider from a local distillery, and devoured street tacos as the sun set behind the Spokane River Gorge.
This is where Spokane really feels alive—music, conversation, families, and couples all sharing the same street.
💡 Tip:
Parking can get tight—walk from downtown if you can, or take a scooter. Check hours at kendallyardsnightmarket.org
10. Glover Mansion
📍 Location: 321 W 8th Ave, Spokane, WA 99204
🎟 Entry Fee: Private tours or events only (inquire ahead)
Last but definitely not least: The Glover Mansion. I stumbled on this place during a self-guided architectural walking tour and was floored. Built in 1888, this sandstone mansion is a testament to Spokane’s Gilded Age boom and is now a venue for weddings and private events.
Though not always open to the public, you can book a private tour or check for open house events. The attention to detail in the woodwork, stained glass, and original fixtures is jaw-dropping.
💡Where to Book Flights, Lodging, and Food
If you’re planning your trip, these platforms made my life easier:
- ✈️ Flights: Google Flights, Expedia, Hopper
- 🛏 Hotels: Booking.com, Hotels.com, Airbnb
- 🍽 Restaurants & Reservations: OpenTable, Yelp, Resy
- 🎫 Attractions & Tickets: GetYourGuide, Viator, Klook
As I zipped up my jacket on that final crisp October morning, standing once more at Riverfront Park watching the mist rise over Spokane Falls, I realized something that’s rare in domestic travel: I didn’t just visit Spokane—I connected with it. The city is welcoming in ways that aren’t loud or flashy. It doesn’t beg for attention. Instead, it reveals itself slowly, one neighborhood, one vista, one unexpected encounter at a time.
From the quiet serenity of Manito Park to the electric energy of Kendall Yards, from history-rich corners like the Glover Mansion to the simple joy of picking apples at Green Bluff, Spokane offers something far more valuable than just pretty photos—it offers presence. It invites you to slow down, breathe deeper, and notice the world around you again.
For a first-time visitor, these 10 places are just the beginning. They gave me a framework to understand Spokane’s soul—its natural beauty, its community pride, its small-town heart beating inside a growing, modern city.
If you’re on the fence about visiting Spokane, let me say this: go. Not just for the waterfalls or the food (though those are excellent), but for how the city makes you feel. It reminded me why I travel in the first place—not just to see the world, but to feel more alive in it.
And that, to me, is the very best kind of trip.
