There’s something delightfully unpretentious about Spokane. It doesn’t need to scream for attention with flashy landmarks—it’s quiet but vibrant. When I first landed in Spokane, I had zero expectations beyond relaxing falls, maybe some good coffee, and a quieter pace than LA or Seattle. What I found instead was a city that welcomed slower travel—where afternoon light dances off the river, trolley rides feel nostalgic, and outdoor art and river trails unfold just a few blocks from your hotel.
If you’re planning your first trip to Spokane, here’s everything I wish I’d known from day one. These lazy-traveler-friendly tips will help you maximize joy and minimize stress.
✅ Tip 1: Book a Hotel Right Near Riverfront Park or Downtown
For first-timers, location is everything. Staying just a short walk from Riverfront Park means you’ll be able to stretch your legs riverside any time you like, grab a coffee, or stroll leisurely without hopping in a car. I stayed at the Hotel Ruby Spokane, steps from the falls, and being able to walk back at sunset after exploring was priceless.
I can’t stress enough how refreshing it was to be able to roll out of bed, grab a latte from Atticus Coffee, and within five minutes be sitting beside the river, watching mist lift off the falls like a waking dream. In the evening, I wandered back under strings of lights along West First Avenue, the city’s historic brick facades glowing softly. There was zero pressure to catch a ride or plan anything elaborate—everything was within reach, which is what makes this area ideal if you’re new to Spokane.
Other solid options I checked out or heard great things about include The Davenport Tower, which has an Art Deco vibe and is right in the heart of downtown, and The Steam Plant Hotel, which is built into a renovated power plant (yes, with real smokestacks and original steelwork on display). These places give you both comfort and character.
Booking Platforms to Use:
- Booking.com for free cancellation rates and generous filters for amenities like parking or pet-friendliness
- Expedia for bundled hotel + flight deals that can save up to 15–20%
- Airbnb if you prefer a homey stay in the Garland District with local character and kitchens
✅ Tip 2: Schedule Your Arrival for the Morning or Early Afternoon
Spokane is compact, but arriving late—especially after 6 pm—can mean missing daylight for a first stroll. On one trip, I landed at 11:30 am and had time to drop luggage at the hotel, walk the Centennial Trail, pause at Riverfront Park, and have dinner before dusk. That timing gave me a full afternoon without rushing.
When you fly in early, Spokane feels immediately accessible. There’s no sprawling urban sprawl or confusing metro system to tackle. Spokane International Airport is just 15 minutes from downtown, and within 30 minutes of touchdown, I was on the riverwalk. The cool fall air, the distant hum of the Monroe Street Bridge, and the crunch of golden leaves beneath my boots—it was all part of the welcome.
On a separate trip, my flight arrived after 8 pm, and I immediately regretted it. It was pitch dark, and while downtown is safe and well-lit, I lost that magical first-impression window—the moment where a new city speaks to you through light, motion, and mood.
Travel Tip: Book a morning or mid-day arrival flight using tools like Google Flights or Skyscanner, which let you filter by arrival time. It might cost a few dollars more than a late-night option, but trust me, it’s worth it. Early arrivals also mean better hotel check-in flexibility—and if your room isn’t ready, most hotels will hold your bags and offer early access to public spaces like lounges or lobbies.
✅ Tip 3: Rent a Car for Just a Day
While downtown Spokane is delightfully walkable, some of the most memorable parts of my trip came when I ventured beyond the city limits. I rented a car for just one full day using Expedia, and it ended up being one of the best decisions of the trip. For less than \$40, I had the freedom to explore Mount Spokane State Park, breathe in crisp mountain air, and take in sweeping views from the summit.
Later that same day, I detoured to Green Bluff, where I wandered through apple orchards, tasted local cider, and brought home a warm pie wrapped in butcher paper. It felt like stepping into a Hallmark movie.
If you’re staying three days or more, plan one day for a drive—maybe even over the border to Coeur d’Alene in Idaho. You won’t need a car the entire time, which makes short-term rental ideal.
Booking Tools:
- Expedia.com or Priceline for hotel + car bundles
- Turo.com for flexible, local-owned vehicles
✅ Tip 4: Start at Riverfront Park
This is the natural heart of the city. Between the Looff Carousel, SkyRide, Providence Playspace, and Ice Age Floods playground, there’s something for every pace of curiosity. I started here every morning during my fall trip: coffee, gondola ride above Spokane Falls, and a few stretches on the skateboard ribbon before crowds arrived.
Tickets & Platforms:
- GetYourGuide or Klook for SkyRide combo deals
- VisitSpokane.com for booking carousel tokens in advance
✅ Tip 5: Embrace the Centennial Trail
Consider the Centennial Trail your scenic spine. Whether you walk, jog, or bike, it winds along the river into natural beauty. I rented a hybrid bike from Spoke ‘N Sport and peddled just 7 miles one morning—quiet, fresh, breezy, and rewarding.
Transportation Tip:
- Rent bikes through Viator Experiences or REI Experiences for guided options
- Many hotels offer bike rentals directly or through guests
✅ Tip 6: Go to Green Bluff if You’re Visiting in Fall
In October, I took a 30-minute drive to Green Bluff Growers, a cluster of family-run farms offering apple picking, cider tastings, corn mazes, and pumpkin patches. I arrived late morning, spent two hours wandering orchards, then picked up fresh pies and doughnuts. For leaf-lovers and wine fans, this felt like a colorful, sweet chapter in Spokane.
Planning Tools:
- Check Trip.com or Klook for seasonal farm tours and combo deals
✅ Tip 7: Include Indoor Museum Time
On day two, I visited Mobius Discovery Center (just steps from Riverfront Park). The kids (and I) loved building catapults, dissecting virtual brains, and exploring hands-on STEAM zones. For older visitors, the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) offered culture-rich exhibitions. Both are spacious, engaging, and low-stress for a lazy travel pace.
Booking Info:
- Book tickets on MobiusDiscoveryCenter.org, or bundle with CityPASS
- Purchase MAC tickets at northwestmuseum.org
✅ Tip 8: Dine Like a Local Without the Fuss
Rather than hunting for Michelin-starred menus, Spokane’s food scene is full of cozy, honest local places. I regularly grabbed breakfast at Indaba Coffee, pizza at Satchel’s, or burgers at the Rocket Donuts food truck. Early dinner at Steam Plant Kitchen + Brewery, followed by a stroll across the brightly lit Monroe Street Bridge, felt like the perfect evening.
Platforms that helped me discover and reserve:
- OpenTable for sit-down dinner needs
- Yelp for all-day restaurant ideas from locals
- Resy occasionally lists pop-ups or special events
✅ Tip 9: Watch Evenings Glow at Riverfront
Riverfront Park shines at dusk. On a Friday evening, I watched the pavilion light show with my partner, while local vendors sold kettle corn. The lights on the historic Looff Carousel and the illuminated Numerica SkyRide each have a soft glow against the river’s shimmer.
Memory Tip:
Bring a light jacket and stay at the park after dinner; one free performance of lights is enough to transform how you think about Spokane’s pace and glow.
✅ Tip 10: Buy Combo Tickets for Best Value
Between attractions like the SkyRide, carousel, and SkyRide + Looff package, combo passes save both time and cash. I booked through GetYourGuide, bundled together with trolley tickets and museum passes—and saved nearly 20% compared to buying individually.
Suggested platforms:
- GetYourGuide, Viator, Klook, and Trip.com offer user-friendly mobile booking with flexible cancellation
Travel Platforms I Seriously Used During My Trip
- Google Flights for initial pricing and monitoring airfare trends
- Expedia and Booking.com for hotel and car rental bundles
- Hotels.com for loyalty points on repeat nights
- Airbnb for neighborhood stays like Garland District
- GetYourGuide, Klook, Trip.com, and Viator for attraction passes and guided tours
- OpenTable, Yelp, and Resy for meals reserved or discovered
Between built-in flexibility, loyalty points, and smart bundle bookings, these platforms helped me piece together a trip filled with downtime, exploration, and effortless value.
Why This Lazy-Guide Approach Works So Well for First-Timers
Selecting just enough to enjoy and not feeling pressured to tick every box made my Spokane visit restful yet memorable. From riverside mornings to farmer’s market afternoons, casual museum afternoons, group dinners watching lights, and spontaneous wine tasting—the city unfolded at my pace.
Downtown was compact enough to feel familiar; attractions were thoughtfully walkable; and planning minimal—just cozy hotels, good coffee, and a few scenic drives.
Spokane reminded me why I travel: not to cross landmarks off lists, but to feel grounded, curious, and open to how a place unexpectedly breathes life into you.
Give yourself a day or two here, move slowly, stay in the heart of the city, and let Spokane’s sweet rhythm unfold. If you’d like this turned into blog posts with booking links or social media-ready mini-guides, I’d be happy to expand it further!
