Spokane area
Around Spokane area
Photo: SounderBruce · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Greater area · Washington · 793k people
Spokane area
Locals say Inland Northwest · “Lilac City”
River city, mountain soul.
Spokane Chiefs redGonzaga blue
Welcome to Spokane, the heart of the Inland Northwest. Whether you're here for the rivers, the trails, or the hoops, you'll find a friendly community that loves the outdoors. Grab a huckleberry treat and enjoy the four seasons!
Clubs for Spokane area
No clubs for Spokane area yet.
The room
Spokane area is big: its rooms are its areas'. This is Spokane's; the others are below.
One room for everyone around Spokane. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
No events in the next month. Events made in the room show up here.
Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Spokane area. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Riverfront Park Urban park surrounding Spokane Falls, with the Pavilion, SkyRide, and carousel.
- Manito Park Historic botanical garden with themed gardens, a conservatory, and walking paths.
- Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) Regional museum with art, history, and the Campbell House.
- Mount Spokane State Park Large state park with ski slopes, hiking trails, and panoramic views.
- Riverside State Park Rugged river canyon with the Bowl and Pitcher rock formation and trails.
- Centennial Trail 37-mile paved trail along the Spokane River connecting to the Valley.
- Outdoors Hike Mount Spokane
- Outdoors Bike or run the Centennial Trail
- With kids Ride the historic Looff Carousel at Riverfront Park
- With kids Explore Manito Park's gardens and duck pond
- Evenings Craft brewery hopping in downtown and the Valley
- Evenings Live music at the Knitting Factory
- Locals love Riverfront parks
- Locals love Hiking and ski trails
Through the year
- Bloomsday May One of the largest timed road races in the US, drawing tens of thousands every May.
- Spokane Hoopfest June The world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, turning downtown courts into a hoop festival.
- Pig Out in the Park Labor Day weekend A five-day food and music festival in Riverfront Park over Labor Day weekend.
- Spokane County Interstate Fair September Classic county fair with livestock, carnival rides, and local exhibits each September.
- Spokane Lilac Festival May A spring parade and community celebration, a local tradition for decades.
Spokane has four distinct seasons: snowy winters, mild wet springs, hot dry summers, and crisp falls. The best time to be outside is summer, when the sun shines and the rivers and lakes are warm. Best: Summer (June–September) is the prime time to be out—warm, dry, and sunny with long daylight.
Talk like a local
- “Spokane (spo-KAN)”
- The local pronunciation of the city name, with a short 'a'.
- “The Valley”
- Refers to Spokane Valley, the suburban area east of the city.
- “South Hill”
- The affluent residential area south of downtown.
- “The Falls”
- Riverfront Park and the surrounding area near the falls.
Getaways
- Coeur d'Alene Lake resort town with beaches, dining, and the famous floating boardwalk.
- Sandpoint Ski at Schweitzer or relax on Lake Pend Oreille; a year-round mountain town.
- Pullman Home of Washington State University; enjoy college-town energy and the Palouse hills.
- Moscow University of Idaho's charming downtown and the nearby Palouse Prairie.
Local flavour
Teams
- Spokane Indians MiLB (High-A West)
- Spokane Chiefs WHL
- Spokane Velocity USL League One
- Spokane Zephyr FC USL Super League
- Gonzaga Bulldogs NCAA Division I
- Eastern Washington Eagles NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Huckleberry treats Shakes, pies, and jams made from wild huckleberries, a regional specialty.
- Local craft beer A thriving brewery scene with many small-batch breweries and taprooms.
- Smoked salmon Pacific Northwest staple, often locally sourced from the Columbia River system.
Where people go
- Riverfront parks Riverfront Park and the Spokane Falls are central gathering spots.
- Hiking and ski trails Mount Spokane and the surrounding national forests offer year-round outdoor recreation.
- Breweries and taprooms A strong local craft beer culture with many neighbourhood breweries.
Heritage and traditions
Spokane is proud of its blend of natural beauty and urban culture, with the Spokane River running through downtown, a strong arts scene, and a deep connection to the outdoors and its Native American heritage.
Say it like a local: “Inland Northwest” — The region around Spokane, including eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
Festivals
- Spokane Scottish Highland Games September Celtic music, dancing, and athletic competitions.
- Spokane Hops and Harvest Festival September Craft beer and local food with live music.
Landmarks with a story
- Cathedral of Our Lady of Lourdes Historic Catholic cathedral with ornate architecture.
- St. John's Cathedral Episcopalian cathedral with Gothic revival style.
- The Davenport Hotel Iconic 1914 hotel known for its luxury and history.
- The Bing Crosby Theater Historic theater named after the famous singer, hosting performances.
- The Campbell House Victorian home from 1898, part of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.
- The Steam Plant Former steam plant converted into offices and dining.
Food traditions
- Huckleberry milkshakes A summer treat made from wild huckleberries picked in the nearby mountains.
- Dutch oven cooking Pioneer-style stews and breads cooked over coals, a camping tradition in the Inland Northwest.
- Smoked salmon chowder A hearty soup made with locally smoked salmon, reflecting the region's river heritage.
Music and arts
- Spokane Symphony Classical music performances at the Martin Woldson Theater.
- Spokane Jazz Orchestra Jazz concerts and events.
- First Friday art walks Monthly gallery openings and art events downtown.
- Public murals Colorful murals on buildings throughout downtown.
A little history
- 1889 The Great Fire of 1889 destroyed much of downtown, which was rebuilt with brick.
- 1974 Expo '74 World's Fair brought Riverfront Park and international attention.
- 1881 City incorporated as Spokane Falls.
- 1910 Population boom as a railroad hub.
- 1890 Spokane becomes a major city in the Inland Northwest.
Rivalries
- Gonzaga vs. Saint Mary's College basketball rivalry that often decides the WCC regular-season title.
- Spokane Chiefs vs. Portland Winterhawks WHL hockey rivalry with intense playoff battles.
- Eastern Washington vs. Montana Big Sky football rivalry with a loud, packed stadium.
- Game day Gonzaga basketball's 'Kennel' atmosphere
- Game day Spokane Chiefs hockey's 'Teddy Bear Toss'
- Outdoors Huckleberry picking
- Outdoors Floating the Spokane River
- With kids Spokane Indians baseball games
- With kids The Garland Theater's weekend matinees
Locals pronounce Spokane as 'spo-CAN' (rhymes with 'can'). The accent is largely General American with a few Pacific Northwest touches, like calling soda 'pop' and referring to the western part of the state as 'the coast.'
Only here
- Spokane Falls in the middle of downtown.
- Bloomsday is one of the largest timed road races in the world.
- Hoopfest is the world's largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament.
- The Lilac City nickname from the many lilacs that bloom in spring.
New here? A few tips
- Pronounce Spokane as 'spo-CAN' (rhymes with can).
- Be ready for four distinct seasons with cold winters and hot summers.
- The Inland Northwest is drier than the west side, so less rain.
- Traffic is generally manageable, but watch for snow in winter.
- Try huckleberry treats and local craft beer.
Make this page better
Know a place, a festival, a word locals use, or something here that's wrong? Suggest it; someone at Popchat checks every one.
Sign in and join a club here to suggest.
Areas in Spokane area
Nearby
Every areaKellogg–St. MariesIdahoWhere the pines meet the rivers and history runs deep.DavenportWashingtonRolling wheat, endless skies, and small-town pride.Pend OreilleWashingtonHome to the wild Pend Oreille and the Selkirk high country.SandpointIdahoLife at the edge of the lake and the sky.PullmanWashingtonRolling hills, crimson pride, and a taste of home.MoscowIdahoHeart of the PalouseLewistonIdahoWhere the rivers meet and the hills rollMoses LakeWashingtonSun, sagebrush, and a big blue lake.
Spokane-Spokane Valley-Coeur d'Alene, WA-ID CSA. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.