Less than 20 minutes from Idaho, you will find the second-largest city in Washington, Spokane. It is a four-season destination you can visit throughout the year: cultural attractions, outdoor recreation spots, nightlife scenes, and modern city facilities are waiting to be explored.
Indeed, there are limitless things to discover in Spokane for people of all ages. Some of the best attractions are highly accessible through public transit or commuting. You can even wander around the city even without a car.
And to maximize your experience here, you should check out this list of the +12 Things to do in Spokane without a car:
List of Contents
1. Downtown Spokane
Downtown Spokane is one of the most communal places you can visit in the city. Near the city center, you will find it at 10 N. Post St., Spokane, Washington. Downtown Spokane is near Riverside, where locals and tourists usually hang out around hip pubs, clubs, and old-fashioned eateries.
It is a highly walkable area where attractions are near each other. You do not need to bring a private car to jump from one place to another. You can easily access the 1914 Historic Davenport Hotel or the Martin Woldson Theater on foot.
Downtown Spokane is full of shops, indie boutiques, and dine-in places. Marvel the fascinating structures and architecture surrounding the site, visit one of its galleries or theaters, and spend your evening at a local bar or pub. You can always take a one-day trip to the area and explore what Downtown offers.
2. Green Bluff
If you are the kind who adores spending time with nature, Spokane has the perfect spot for you – Green Bluff. It is a small farming community northeast of Spokane.
The farm will greet you with fresh air, fruits, and vegetables upon your visit. It is an all-season attraction with varying activities to try and explore.
You can pick your favorite fruits from strawberries, apples, or peaches and taste them in their freshest form. You also can visit the Big Barn Brewing Company and explore its winery and brewery tasting rooms. They provide a farm-to-bottle brewery experience for every visitor, too.
See the Beck’s Harvest House and have Spokane’s freshest and sweetest strawberries. You can head straight to the Smith’s Hilltop Orchard or Walter’s Fruit Ranch for those who love peaches. If you visit during the spring, take a chance to attend the Peach Festival, where you can try out fresh peach ice cream, cakes, pies, and homemade peach cobblers!
3. Barrister Winery
Barrister Winery is one of the most successful wine businesses in Spokane.
The winery has a state-of-the-art tasting bar and offers award-winning liquors and wine.
It has two locations in North Washington and one near the Davenport Grand Hotel.
It is a great place to enjoy a drink in the city, where many locals and tourists visit. Try its award-winning pieces, including its Malbecs and Merlots. The Sangioveses and Cabernet Sauvignons are also a must-try.
When you visit its flagship location in North Washington, you should take this opportunity to see its century-old warehouse where the first wine was conceptualized.
There are also artworks and exhibits retelling the story and success of Barrister Winery. Take a sample of wines and enjoy its atmospheric tasting room for a more memorable wine experience.
4. Mt. Spokane Ski Resort
If you visit Spokane during the winter, pay a visit to Mt. Spokane Ski Resort. The ski resort is northeast of Spokane, with stunning scenery and great views. It is one of the major destinations in the city to explore during the holidays.
Mt. Spokane Ski Resort has more than 1,700 acres of properties, six chairs, and 52 ski runs. Here you can learn to ski or enhance your skills because it offers ski areas for all levels. For amateurs or pros, the resort has the perfect spot for everyone.
Aside from the runs, the resort offers various amenities, too. When you visit the Vista House at the mountain’s summit, you can enjoy beer, snacks, and hot drinks. On the other hand, the Ancillary Spaces and Yurt is the best place to meet new friends during special events and celebrations.
The Mt. Spokane Ski Resort is indeed the best winter destination in Spokane.
5. Fox Theater
For a satisfying cultural immersion, Spokane offers you the Fox Theater. The theater was built in 1931 and is considered an art deco treasure in the city. It is under the management of Spokane Symphony and the latter’s permanent home in Spokane.
Fox Theater is an exceptional venue for performing arts. It is part of the National Register of Historic Places, the Washington Heritage Register, and the Spokane Register. The theater holds significant value to the city and the state through these affiliations.
As a cultural heritage, you will discover that Fox Theater has years of portfolio to entertain guests and give excellent performances. You can watch opera, ballet, musical, and orchestra performances during your visit. Even the building and interior are an art form because of the impressive murals, well-adorned auditorium, and mezzanine.
6. The Scoop
If you are stopping by for a delicious sweet treat in the city, you should take advantage of The Scoop. It is a famous dessert parlor located at 1001 W 25th Ave, Spokane, WA 99203, United States. The parlor specializes in ice cream and waffles, perfect for every sweet tooth like you.
The Scoop re-imagines ice creams and sorbets through its fresh and exciting ingredients. You will discover that they craft the creamiest, newest, and most flavorful scoops of ice cream. They even offer out-of-this-world ice cream servings through colorful liquid nitrogen.
You can check out everyone’s most-raved flavors in The Scoop, like Raspberry Dole Whip, Orange Dreamsicle, Salter Caramel, and Vanilla Bean. If you are fortunate, you might also experience The Scoop Food Truck! It has become a local’s favorite, prompting them to open another location in the city along 1238 W. Summit Pkwy 99201.
7. Centennial National Recreational Trail
The Centennial National Recreational Trail is a well-recognized spot in Spokane. It has over 37 miles of trail stretching from the Spokane River to the Nine Miles Falls. The path is intentionally designed to serve people of all ages and even with physical incapabilities.
Even if you do not have a car, you can enjoy the Centennial National Recreational Trail by bringing or renting a bicycle. It has a dedicated lane for bicycles, in-line skating, and a pedestrian lane. The trail is conducive to bikers, walkers, and runners, too.
You will appreciate how this trail welcomes people and makes them more comfortable and safe. Aside from the track itself, the place has the Spokane House Interpretive Center and displays some historical kiosks and statues that tell its story and legacy.
8. Wild Sage Bistro
For excellent food and a friendly atmosphere, you should try the Wild Sage Bistro located at 916 W 2nd Ave, Spokane, WA 99201, United States. It is a lovely restaurant that not only serves meat but seafood, as well. The cafe offers fresh food made from locally sourced ingredients.
The Wild Sage Bistro creates a memorable dining experience with your friends and family because of its high-quality meats, fresh seafood, and seasonally inspired food. Its farm-to-table bistro concept is also one of the endless reasons people keep returning to this restaurant.
Grab a bite of its meat menu, such as the Pork Belly Crostini served with grilled sourdough, tomato jam, and goat cheese mousse. The taste of parmesan garlic cream, mushrooms, pecorino romano, and cherry tomato can satisfy your sensitive palate. Its Spring Shrimp Fettuccine is a must-try, too.
9. Historic Davenport Hotel
If you like to take the road down memory lane, visit the Historic Davenport Hotel. The hotel is a luxurious and iconic attraction in Spokane City. It held a hundred years of history when it opened in 1914.
It has classic architecture reflected in its ornate lobby, ballrooms, guest rooms, and dining hall. It was brilliantly reinvented to revive its luster, sophistication, and elegance to keep up with the changing times. Now it has the Davenport Tower just across from the hotel.
Here you can experience the bold nightlife, spend shopping sprees, and enjoy live entertainment. The reinvention of Davenport ensures that travelers, families, and clients can fully appreciate this luxurious destination.
10. River Park Square
For a modern city amenity, River Park Square is our top recommendation. It is a vast shopping mall and entertainment complex that opened in 1974.
The square is more than 50,000 sq ft with two levels.
It has ample retail space that houses famous brands like The Crescent, Nordstrom, and JCPenney.
The River Park Square holds numerous establishments such as Urban Outfitters, Macy’s, Nike Factory Store, and Bon Marche’s. It also has endless food hubs, including mid-range ones like Panda Express, Cosmic Cowboy Grill, and Subway. The AMC Theater is also available at the square.
Spend your weekend here at River Park Square. If you want to keep on a particular budget or splurge, the mall has something for you, from dining options to shopping activities. You can invite your family and friends to watch a new movie hit at the AMC Theater.
11. First Interstate Center for the Arts
Another popular entertainment venue in Spokane is the First Interstate Center for the Arts.
It is a 2,700 sq ft theater and entertainment center located in Downtown Spokane.
The center is under the management and ownership of the Spokane Public Facilities District.
The city constructed a large venue where people can gather together and share entertaining and worthy art activities in one place. The center for the arts is for the World’s Fair. Since its establishment in 1974, it has become a hotspot for people who enjoy performing arts, orchestras, musicals, ballet, road shows, and art exhibits. It also serves as a venue hosting lectures, conventions, travelogues, and musical stage productions.
The Phantom of the Opera and The Lion King are famous productions held at this entertainment center. Great comedians like Jerry Seinfeld also performed in this massive space. Visit the place, check out its present performances, and have an unforgettable moment here at the First Interstate Center for the Arts.
12. Campbell House
If you want to learn the story of Spokane in the early 1900s, there is one place I like to recommend – Grace Campbell Memorial House. It is one of the city’s significant landmarks with years of history. You will know more about the state of Spokane from this period through the Campbell Family.
The house features an excellent interior design surrounded by wallpapers and fabrics. It shows the family’s affluent lifestyle and how they worked their way up to their legendary social status. Through this house, you will see Washington’s finest buildings in the early 1900s.
Explore this iconic museum and check out the affluent lifestyle of the Campbell family. You will see an English-Tudor-inspired structure with stucco, bricks, sandstone, and heavy timbers. Enter the large main house and wander through the rooms, halls, and dining areas. Never miss the adjacent carriage house justifying the wealth of the Campbell family.
Start planning your trip to Spokane, and visit all the places mentioned in this list. The list offers diverse attractions that can make your trip a huge success. Some are free, while a few will cost you a small amount. But wherever you go, all the attractions will show you the beauty of Spokane City.