Spokane Through My Lens: A Deep Dive for Photography Lovers

Mircea

I’ve spent the better part of the last decade chasing light.

From the glowing orange canyons of Arizona to the misty mornings of the Pacific Northwest, my camera and I have seen plenty. But Spokane, Washington—a city tucked away in the Inland Northwest—was a surprise. A quiet stunner. The kind of place that whispers instead of shouts, offering photographers a tapestry of textures, tones, and perspectives that rival any major metro in the U.S.

I landed in Spokane with a lightweight kit and a week to spare. I left with a full SD card, a full heart, and a deeper appreciation for a city that never once asked to be anything other than itself. If you’re a photographer—professional, hobbyist, or even just an Instagram wanderer—Spokane is worth every frame.

Here’s my full photo-diary of what to shoot, where to go, what to know, and how to experience this city like an image-hunter.

1. Riverfront Park: Where Nature and City Collide

📍 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201
🎟️ Admission: Free; SkyRide: \$10–\$12 (tickets via spokanecity.org)

Why It’s Photogenic

If I had to choose one place to represent Spokane through my lens, it would be Riverfront Park. It’s not just a park—it’s the soul of the city. What makes it extraordinary is the collision of opposites: modern sculpture meets old stone bridges, wild waterfalls crash through manicured plazas, and city dwellers in business suits stroll beside drifting ducks. For a photographer, it’s a cinematic set waiting to be captured from every angle.

This 100-acre urban space was originally built for Expo ’74—America’s first environmentally-themed World’s Fair—and it still holds that forward-thinking energy. But it’s the visual variety that keeps drawing me back. Whether I was chasing reflections at dawn or capturing shadows stretching long at twilight, Riverfront Park offered up fresh compositions with each hour of the day.

The heart of the park is Spokane Falls—an urban waterfall that feels more fitting for a national park than a downtown core. The falls split into Upper and Lower sections, and depending on the season, their power can be thunderous or tranquil. I recommend shooting from the Post Street Bridge, which gives you a broad, cinematic view. But for something more immersive, hop on the SkyRide Gondola—an enclosed cable car that glides directly over the Lower Falls. It’s hands-down one of the most thrilling, unique urban aerials I’ve ever photographed.

What to Shoot

  • SkyRide Views: This is where you go wide. I used a 16-35mm lens paired with a polarizer to cut down on window glare. As the gondola swings above the rushing water, you get unparalleled shots of the river, the canyon walls, and the underbelly of the Monroe Street Bridge.
  • Suspension Bridges: Riverfront Park features several pedestrian bridges. These become golden walkways at dusk. Set up your tripod and slow your shutter to turn joggers into ghostly blurs of motion.
  • The Pavilion at Night: This reimagined Expo ’74 relic is now a sculptural LED-lit structure. When it lights up after sunset, it becomes pure futuristic magic. I played with long exposures to create radiant streaks of light across the frame.
  • Clock Tower: A Spokane icon. I recommend catching it during sunrise, when the tower glows orange and reflects into the river. Look for leading lines from the riverbank to compose a strong foreground.

Pro Tips

  • Arrive early—especially if you want those perfect, clean compositions. Before 9 AM, you’ll find serene reflections and fewer crowds.
  • Visit in autumn. The contrast between fiery orange foliage and the white foam of the falls is unlike anything else in Washington state.
  • Bring a neutral density (ND) filter to experiment with waterfall effects.
  • The SkyRide gets busy in peak season (June–August). I booked mine through the city’s official website: spokanecity.org. You can also purchase tickets at the park, but lines can get long on weekends.

Personal Takeaway

One evening, just as the Pavilion lights blinked on, I sat down beneath the structure, resting my legs after hours of shooting. I set my camera on a gorilla pod, pointed it upward, and waited. That’s when I saw them—a young couple, barefoot, dancing slowly in the middle of the plaza beneath the rainbow LEDs. They didn’t notice me. I snapped a few frames from a distance. The final image was blurry—just outlines in motion and soft light—but it felt real. Unposed. Honest.

That’s the magic of Riverfront Park. It’s not just a spot for postcard shots. It’s a place where real moments happen—if you’re still enough to catch them.

2. Manito Park: A Botanical Playground for Macro and Mood

📍 1800 S Grand Blvd, Spokane, WA 99203
🎟️ Admission: Free

Why It’s Photogenic

Manito Park isn’t just a park. It’s a world within a world. Five gardens—each with its own aesthetic—stretch across 90 acres. There’s structured symmetry, wild bursts of bloom, reflective pools, and even a glass conservatory.

It’s ideal for macro lovers, bokeh chasers, and portrait shooters. And yet, even landscape purists will find plenty to love.

What to Shoot

  • Duncan Garden: European symmetry + saturated floral colors = drone heaven.
  • Japanese Garden: Koi ponds, tiny bridges, bamboo shadows.
  • Lilac Garden: Spokane is the Lilac City for a reason—come in May or early June.
  • Gaiser Conservatory: Rainforest plants and succulents with perfect indoor lighting.

Pro Tips

  • Bring a macro lens. You’ll kick yourself if you don’t.
  • Golden hour here creates backlit flower petals with a soft glow—like nature’s stained glass.
  • No tripods allowed in some garden areas—check signage.

Bonus: Pack a picnic and stay a while. There’s something timeless about this place, and slowing down will sharpen your creative eye.

3. The Garland District: Retro Charm and Urban Color

📍 W Garland Ave, Spokane, WA 99205
🎟️ Admission: Free

Why It’s Photogenic

If Manito is soft and botanical, Garland is gritty and bold. This district is a time capsule of mid-20th-century Americana. Think: neon signs, vintage diners, street murals, and indie storefronts.

It’s one of Spokane’s best-kept secrets for street photography and vintage aesthetic shots.

What to Shoot

  • Garland Theater: One of the oldest operational theaters in Washington. The neon alone is worth the visit.
  • Street Murals: There are dozens, each with distinct color palettes and moods.
  • Ferguson’s Café: Inside and out, this place screams “mid-century road trip.”

Pro Tips

  • Shoot early morning for empty streets and rich shadows.
  • Bring a 35mm prime lens—it’s ideal for street work.
  • Locals are friendly. Don’t be shy about asking for portraits.

4. High Drive Bluff Park: Epic Vistas Over Latah Valley

📍 High Drive & 29th Ave, Spokane, WA 99203
🎟️ Admission: Free

Why It’s Photogenic

Want sweeping landscapes without the tourist crush? This is your spot.

High Drive Bluff Park sits on a ridge overlooking Latah Valley, offering wide-open views of forests, farms, and the distant outlines of the Bitterroot Mountains.

Perfect for golden hour, moody blue hour, and even astrophotography on clear nights.

What to Shoot

  • Sunsets: The sky ignites in oranges and purples—bring a graduated ND filter.
  • Mountain Silhouettes: Shoot with a long lens for layering.
  • Drone Shots: If you’re licensed, the views from above are spectacular.

Pro Tips

  • Bring water—it’s a climb to some of the best lookout spots.
  • Stay past sunset. Civil twilight lasts longer here than you think.
  • Local bikers often ride these trails—be mindful of foot traffic.

5. The Historic Davenport Hotel: A Lens into Spokane’s Glamorous Past

📍 10 S Post St, Spokane, WA 99201
🎟️ Free to enter and photograph public areas; rooms start at \$180/night

Why It’s Photogenic

Step inside the Davenport Hotel, and it’s like entering a Wes Anderson dream.

The lobby is dripping with gold accents, ornate woodwork, and stained-glass skylights. Chandeliers reflect off polished floors. Velvet seating invites portrait work. The whole place oozes elegance.

Even if you’re not staying the night, come in for a coffee at the Peacock Lounge and snap a few shots.

What to Shoot

  • The Lobby Ceiling: Symmetry lovers, get ready.
  • The Grand Staircase: Frame portraits here.
  • Peacock Lounge: Low-light interior photos, mood shots.

Pro Tips

  • Use a fast prime lens (f/1.8 or lower) for low-light interior shots.
  • Be respectful—this is an operating luxury hotel.
  • If you stay the night, ask for a room on a higher floor for urban views.

Bonus Excursion: Palouse Falls

📍 Palouse Falls Rd, LaCrosse, WA 99143 (1hr 40min from Spokane)
🎟️ \$10/day vehicle fee (Washington Discover Pass required)

Why It’s Photogenic

If you have time for a day trip, Palouse Falls is unmissable. A 200-foot waterfall plunges into a basalt canyon, surrounded by golden prairie hills. It’s pure drama.

What to Shoot

  • Waterfall from Above: Shoot during golden hour for warm canyon hues.
  • Star Trails: Dark sky area, ideal for astrophotography.
  • Drone: Unparalleled if you’re FAA-certified.

Where to Book Your Spokane Adventure

🛫 Flights:

🏨 Hotels & Lodging:

🎟️ Tickets & Experiences:

🍽️ Restaurant Reservations:

  • OpenTable: Book tables at Clinkerdagger, Wild Sage, etc.
  • Yelp: Filter by photo-worthy interiors and menus

Spokane, A City for Stillness and Surprise

Spokane isn’t trying to be flashy. It doesn’t ask for your attention—it earns it.

It’s the rust on a fire escape, the reflection of an old sign in a puddle, the way sunlight hits pine needles at 6:43 AM. For photographers, these moments are everything. And in Spokane, they’re everywhere.

So pack your camera, your curiosity, and your patience. You won’t find celebrity landmarks here. But you will find poetry—in brick, in water, in sky.

And that, to me, is the ultimate photo.

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