Explore Washington State
Spokane has grown into a kid-friendly city in recent years and it always seems to be getting better. Between Downtown Spokane, North Spokane and South Spokane, there is always something to do or see for kids of all ages. Downtown Spokane with Kids Riverfront Park Riverfront Park was recently renovated to include some great new...
Lions and tigers and bears, OH MY! My mom, sister, her three little girls and I went on an adventure to the Cat Tales Wildlife Center in Spokane. They serve as a center for retired and rescued exotics and wildlife unable to be returned to the wild. Cat Tales Wildlife Center is the only zoo...
Manito Park on Spokane’s South Hill is known throughout our community as the crown jewel of Spokane. It boasts five meticulously cultivated gardens, a pond, hiking trails and soft hills of grass and pine trees. The Friends of Manito non-profit organization will be adding to that with the first-ever Art Festival to be held in...
Not far off of the highway and tucked into the Perry District of Spokane, Wisconsinburger is a Midwestern-themed burger stop you don’t want to miss. From its creative menu to its authentic Wisconsin custard and cheese, visitors get a real taste for the dairy state with every visit. I recently sat down with Jeff Nordvall,...
Bagels: More than just fat pieces of bread, the right bagel can take you back to your childhood, brunch moments with friends, places you’ve traveled — or just heartily fill you up. Bagels seem simple: round bread made of easy-to-find ingredients with a hole in the middle. However, a bagel is so much more than...
Only 9 miles northwest of downtown Spokane, lucky visitors will stumble upon the cozy community of Nine Mile Falls. There are plenty of worthwhile experiences, breathtaking views and culinary treats on both sides of the river. Even though it is just a short drive from the city, Nine Mile Falls provides a great getaway to...
Kitty Cantina is Spokane’s first and only cat café. Its long-awaited opening took place on June 8th, 2020, having been delayed a few months due to the Covid-19 statewide shutdown. Their original opening date was set in April, but they were only able to operate their drive-thru coffee window until Phase 2 of Washington’s reopening...
Regardless of season, Mount Spokane State Park is a remarkable resource for outdoor adventure in the state of Washington. It is the tallest peak in the densely forested Selkirk Mountain range. It also happens to be the largest state park in Washington at 13,919 acres. On a clear day, visitors can see all the way...
It’s impossible to talk about Spokane’s thriving coffee scene without mentioning one of the best local roasters in town, Roast House Coffee. When owner Deborah Di Bernardo started the company, she implemented a literal open-door policy to encourage a passerby to stop in and learn about the roastery. The warehouse doors were open to the...
Following the Cheney Spokane Road from southwest Spokane will take you through a scenic corridor filled with Ponderosa pine, lakes, farms and railroad tracks. You’ll see turn offs for Fish Lake, the Columbia Plateau Trail and eventually, a ‘Welcome to Cheney’ sign made of dark brown logs. Stores begin to show through the farm fields...
Nestled along the banks of the Spokane river, just to the east of downtown Spokane, lies the historic liberal arts college of Gonzaga University. Well known for its Men’s Basketball team, Gonzaga is a thriving Roman Catholic University that was established in 1887. At that time, Gonzaga enrollment totaled a mere 7 students, a far...
On the hunt for your next easy hike to tackle in Eastern Washington? Find your next favorite day hike near Spokane with Explore Washington State contributor Molly Lindquist. Near nature, near perfect. Spokane is comfortably nestled at the start of the Rock Mountain foothills, has one hundred lakes within an hour’s drive, contains Washington’s largest...
