Spokane

Spokane sits at the eastern terminus of I-90, about 280 miles east of Seattle. The drive takes approximately 4.5 hours from downtown Seattle under normal conditions. Give yourself closer to 5 hours if you are leaving during Seattle rush hour. I-90 is a direct shot across the Cascades and through the Columbia Basin. Snoqualmie Pass (3,022 feet) can see winter closures and chain requirements from November through March. Check WSDOT road conditions before heading east in winter.

From Portland, the drive north takes approximately 5 hours via I-84 East to US-395 North into Spokane. From the Tri-Cities (Kennewick/Richland/Pasco), Spokane is about 140 miles north via US-395, roughly 2.5 hours.

Spokane International Airport (GEG) serves daily direct flights from Seattle (Alaska Airlines, approximately 50 minutes), Portland, Denver, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Las Vegas. If you prefer the train, Amtrak’s Empire Builder passes through Spokane on its Chicago to Seattle route with daily service in both directions.

Spokane’s food scene runs deeper than most visitors expect, and the best of it is spread across the city’s distinct neighborhoods rather than concentrated in one downtown strip.

The Elk Public House in Browne’s Addition has anchored the neighborhood since 1999. It sits at 1931 W Pacific Ave with an honest beer selection, homemade soups, and a patio that fills up on warm evenings. It is the kind of place you can go to on a Tuesday and feel like a regular.

Perry Street Brewing at 1025 S Perry St is the social center of the South Perry District. The taproom features locally sourced food, rotating market specials, and a dog-friendly patio. Open Tuesday through Sunday.

No-Li Brewhouse at 1003 E Trent Ave sits on the north bank of the Spokane River near Gonzaga University. It is one of Spokane’s largest craft breweries, with an outdoor beer garden, river views, and a food menu that runs beyond bar snacks.

For coffee, Roast House Coffee in East Central has been a consistent favorite. For bakeries, brunch spots, and the full rundown of the Spokane coffee scene, the EWS guides below go deep on each category.

Green Bluff is about 15 miles north of downtown, roughly 30 minutes. Green Bluff is an agricultural community where local farms and orchards open to visitors for u-pick fruit, wine tasting, and farm stands. The fall harvest season draws the biggest crowds, but spring blooms are worth the drive too. EWS has a full guide to visiting Green Bluff farms.

Nine Mile Falls is about 15 miles northwest of Spokane. Nine Mile Falls is a quick day trip to the Long Lake reservoir area with access to the Little Falls Dam and trails along the Spokane River. EWS has a full day trip guide.

Palouse Falls State Park is about 75 miles south of Spokane, roughly 1.5 hours via US-195 and WA-261. Palouse Falls drops 198 feet into a basalt canyon and is one of the most dramatic waterfalls in the state. Washington’s official state waterfall. Worth the drive.

Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is just 30 miles east of Spokane via I-90, about 35 to 40 minutes. Coeur d’Alene sits on the northern shore of a lake by the same name. Downtown CDA is walkable with restaurants, shops, and a lakefront resort. It makes an easy half-day or full-day add-on from Spokane.

The best time to visit Spokane depends on what you are after. Late spring (May through June) brings the Lilac Festival, blooming gardens at Manito Park, and comfortable temperatures before summer heat sets in. Summer runs hot (July averages in the 80s Fahrenheit), which makes the Spokane River and nearby lakes central to the schedule. Fall is arguably the best kept secret: the Palouse turns gold, Green Bluff farms go into harvest mode, and the crowds thin out significantly. Winter brings snow and the ski season at Mount Spokane.

Two to three days gives you time to cover the main neighborhoods, catch a meal in South Perry, and make one day trip. Spokane is walkable downtown but a car helps for reaching Mount Spokane, Green Bluff, or the state parks on the edges of the city.