Spokane- Food, things to do!

[Geofferson]

Hi, we are coming down to Spokane from Calgary in a couple of weeks and are just wondering about what restaraunts, areas, or attractions we should see!

[Hub for an Empire]

^^^^^ What type of things do you like to do? Food preferences?

Most people would start at downtown Spokane. Riverpark Square is a good place to shop. Visit the "Vintage" Davenport Hotel lobby. Northtown and the Spokane Valley Mall a lot of Canadians stop at to shop. If you like books...try Auntie's bookstore downtown. It's a slow time of year......spring, summer and fall are when Spokane is very enjoyable.....there are more options with Manito Park and the Centennial Trail next to the river, during those times of year.
Spokane Falls can be viewed from Monroe Street Bridge and Riverfront Park. The Carousel is in the Park and the IMAX theater at the US Pavilion. Not sure how much water is going over the Falls now. There is a gondola ride over the Falls.
Spokane has many older buildings. If you like old houses......Brownes Addition west of downtown and the near south hill are good areas to view them. The Museum of Arts and Culture is also in historic Brownes Addition. There are some nice Restaurants downtown........ The Davenport Hotel has a nice Sunday brunch. Fuguzzi is a nice restaurant in the same area. The Steam Plant grill has a nice atmosphere. Clinkerdaggers is a nice restaurant in the Flour Mill next to the river on the northbank of downtown.
There is a Casino (Northern Quest) on the West Plains. The INB performing arts center (always known to me as the Opera House) you can go to Broadway preformances and other concerts. The newly restored Fox Theater and the Bing Crosby Theater and the Big Easy should have other performances.....you can check on events at tickets west....on their website. You can also check the Spokane Visitors and Convention Bureau website. If you like snow related sports....we have snow and Ski resorts. There is also ice skating rink at the US Pavilion.

Feel free if you have more questions.

[chepe]

Hub provided a pretty good list. If you enjoy wines, there are several wineries you can visit, check here for more info: http://www.spokanewineries.net/

Other restaurants worth mentioning: Mizuna, Moxie, Bluefish (for nice mid to upscale places downtown) Churchills or Spencers (for high end steak, also downtown), Domini (famous Spokane sandwich/deli, downtown), Frank's Diner (breakfast, etc. b/w downtown and Browne's Addition), the Elk (great neighborhood pub in Browne's Addition).

Like hub said, you can check http://ticketswest.rdln.com/ for shows, sports, and events that will be happening during your visit.

You can also check weekly papers the Inlander: http://www.inlander.com/

and the Spokesman-Review's "7" http://www.spokane7.com/

for things to do. Finally, check http://www.visitspokane.com/ for a general overview of things to do in the region.

If you have specific interests or questions I know people here will try to point you in the right direction.

[Geofferson]

We have been to Spokane many times before, but it has never really been a destination and I have always wanted to become more familiar with the town.
We are staying in a hotel right by Sacred Heart Hospital, are there any really great restaraunts nearby? preferably a little bit cheaper (about 10 dollars a meal) as we are a family of five.
About how long of a walk is it to the downtown?
And I have been reading about a 'Garland district' as a really interesting shopping area.. where abouts is this?

Thanks a lot for your responses, guys.. much appreciated!

[chepe]

Thanks for the additional information. Considering where you're staying there are two areas within walking distance for restaurants, downtown and the 14th and Grand area. 14th and Grand is only about two blocks but up a fairly steep hill. You'll find Fiesta Mexicana, a pretty decent family Mexican restaurant, a Baskin-Robbins ice cream shop, a Starbucks, Lindemans cafe, Bittersweet Bistro & Cafe, and 1228 tapas (all these places are along Grand). All would be decent options for a family depending on what you're after (1228 and Lindemans are a little more upscale). You can also check out St. John's cathedral, which is also at the top of the hill and is worth a visit. If you're adventerous right across the street is the Park Inn. It is a bit of a Spokane institution and is, for lack of a better term, a dive bar but in an endearing sort of way for many regulars there. Nonetheless, it does have a family restaurant section with burgers, pizza, a couple video games, etc. I always had fun there as a kid.

Walking to central downtown will probably take 15-25 minutes depending on how you go and how fast you travel. I'd still recomend Domini's and Frank's Diner for your situation. Cyrus O' Learys, Luigi's and O'Dougherty's would be good non-chain family options for food (though there are family friendly chains like Red Robin and Olive Garden downtown too).

The Garland district is in north central Spokane, if you find the corner of Garland and Monroe that will put you at the right spot. With kids, check out the milk bottle (ice cream/restaurant) shaped like a giant milk bottle.

[Geofferson]

Fantastic, thanks a lot chepe and hub for an empire.
We are looking forward to our stay!
What will the weather be like for the time? (we are arriving march 18 i believe)
Hopefully its a little bit nicer than up here in calgary!

[ghost22]

weather around that time will be low 50's to mid 60's for highs, upper 30's at night could very well be rain as that is full fledged spring time.

[ghost22]

weather around that time will be low 50's to mid 60's for highs, upper 30's at night could very well be rain as that is full fledged spring time. but the sunsets always look great at that time of the year, great colors and you will normally get a little sun here and there. Another great thing to check out at that time is the falls by walking over the suspended bridge, so much water will be movin through at that time it will be amazing, to get to it go to riverfront park and head toward the ymca building on the northwestern end of the park.

sorry comp messed up during an edit

[Hub for an Empire]

Since you are staying near Sacred Heart Medical Center, you might drive on Cliff Drive and see the city during the day and night. It's only a few blocks from St. John's Cathedral and Grand Blvd. Cliff Drive is 500' or so above downtown Spokane. Nice view in all directions.....north......east and west....... After you are done you can drive west to 9th and Monroe Street.......there is Huckleberry's natural food mart with a nice juice/coffee bar and deli.

If you go to the Garland District, there is an art deco theater (1945) that has budget movies. If you walk the business district it's best during the day. South Perry also has a small business district in South Central Spokane.

Antique stores are on North Monroe Street from the bridge north to the bottom of the hill....not far from Garland Avenue. More antique stores are on North Market in historic Hillyard...NE Spokane.

I like to take drives around Spokane to get it's feeling.....besides Cliff Drive, I would recommend High Drive overlooking U.S. Highway 195 to Pullman and the Hangman Creek area. If you drive from downtown through Brownes Addition and onto Goverment Way you get more views of trees and basalt formations. Riverside Park is in that direction and historic Ft. George Wright campus.

Spokane has a scenic drive that circles the city. Just be careful of the potholes....it's been a bad winter here!

If you want good food that is inexpensive.....but the atmosphere is a bit dated.......1960's atmosphere......try Molly's at 3rd and Lincoln. You can get Lunch sized Chicken fried steak with mashed pototoes.......anytime....for $7.95. More than enough to eat and very good. Nothing fancy, but good. Highly recommended, but don't expect a lot from the atmosphere!

Hope you have a good time in Spokalu!
I'll be glad when Non-stop air service returns to Spokane going to Canadian points! (Calgary, Edmonton, Vancouver)

[Geofferson]

Fantastic! Thanks so much for your help guys
We will for sure check out many of yours suggestions!
If any of you are ever up in calgary be sure to message me and i would love to help out!