Everyone knows the city of Seattle, but what do you know about Washington’s second-largest city, Spokane? A 4 to 5-hour drive away from the Emerald City, Spokane is just 18 miles west of the state of Idaho. Spokane can be visited as a day trip from Seattle, but to get the most of your time, we recommend spending at least a weekend there, which is what we did for Memorial Day weekend. We write this travel guide from the perspective of adventure photographers and video makers, with an emphasis on the best photo spots. However, this travel guide just scratches the surface of all there is to do in Spokane. There is so much to do, from camping, hiking, and exploring the city life that Spokane has to offer.

6 Facts About Spokane

It’s known as the birthplace of Father’s Day.
The official nickname is “lilac city.”
Spokane’s motto is “Creative by nature.”
The first people to live in the area were the Spokane tribe.
Spokane means “children of the sun” in Salishan.
Spokane was founded in 1873 by James Glover.

Spokane Weather & The Best Time to Visit

Spokane is sandwiched between the Cascades Range and the Rocky Mountains. This protects the city from typical Pacific Northwest weather patterns. Spokane receives less than half of Seattle’s average annual rainfall of 37 inches. If you seek warm, dry weather, it is best to visit between June 1 and September 30th. The warmest time of the year is usually in August. Meanwhile, winter generally brings snow, and Spokane averages 44 inches of annual snowfall. This is great if you love snow sports as there are five ski resorts within a couple of hours of driving distance.

Getting Here

About 5 miles west of downtown Spokane, you’ll find the Spokane International Airport. Flying in from the larger and busier Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is a possibility. But bear in mind the need for a rental car. If you have access to a vehicle, it’s best to drive to Spokane, especially if you are based in nearby Seattle or Coeur d’Alene.

If you opt to road trip from Seattle to Spokane, it’s a straight shot on Interstate-90. The first part of the drive east from Seattle is incredibly scenic. You will drive by mountains including Snoqualmie Pass and Mount Si, plus Cle Elum Lake. If you want to break up your drive, consider stopping by Snoqualmie Falls, or for a coffee and snack at Cle Elum Bakery.

Where to Stay in Spokane

As the second-largest city in Washington state, there are plenty of hotels in Spokane. 2-star hotels can be had for an average of $60 per night, while luxury hotels are priced upwards of $150 per night. Among the most notable hotels in Spokane includes The Centennial Hotel and The Historic Davenport. To take full advantage of downtown Spokane, choose an accommodation near Riverfront Park (more on that below).

We happened to visit Spokane in the time of COVID-19, right after it reached Phase II. Thus, many of the hotels were still closed down and we had to go more rustic. There are many campsites in the areas surrounding downtown. In our case, we opted for the Spokane KOA Journey. It’s an RV resort with full hookups as well as tent campsites and guest cabins. We got a charming cabin equipped with 3 beds and a communal bathroom for $85 per night. Note that no linens are included, so pack sleeping bags and towels along with your usual overnight bag.

Things to Do in Spokane - Downtown

Also known as Riverside, Downtown Spokane is worth a stroll for several reasons. First, it is full of Romanesque Revival-style architecture. Many of these buildings were restored after the Great Fire. You’ll find corporate office buildings, restaurants and bars, and indie boutiques. Adjacent to downtown is the hip University District. Home to Gonzaga University and an outpost of Washington State University, this area is full of pubs, cafes, and student services.

Spokane Parks

If you love the outdoors and nature, you’ll really love Spokane as there are over 87 parks covering 4,100 acres. Most parks offer stunning photo opportunities and hiking trails for outdoor lovers.

Riverfront Park

In 1974, downtown Spokane was transformed to host the World’s Fair Expo. At the time, it was the smallest city to host a World’s Fair. What remains of the fairgrounds became the 100-acre Riverfront Park. Located just blocks from the urban downtown core and Spokane Convention Center, the park is full of grassy meadows, the Lilac Bowl natural amphitheater, the Great Northern Clocktower, a carousel, and the U.S. Pavilion. But the crown jewels are the waterfalls. The massive Spokane River runs right through the park. Upper Spokane Falls is the second-largest urban waterfall in the United States. If you combine it with the Lower Spokane Falls, you get the largest urban waterfall in the USA.

There are a couple of footbridges that lead you across various parts of the waterfalls. To get an up-close view, opt for a cable car ride over Spokane Falls.

Palisades Park

For one of the best views of Spokane, head up to Palisades Park. It’s about 7 miles west of Riverfront Park and it offers stunning views of Mount Spokane and the Selkirk Range. You can grab photos from the parking lot or spend a whole day here exploring the hiking trail systems. Be sure to bring a telephoto lens to get the best photos here.

Manito Park

From Riverfront Park, head 2 miles south to Manito Park. This giant public park spans 90 acres and includes an arboretum, conservatory, botanical gardens, and two playgrounds. Of particular note are:

Duncan Garden - a 3-acre European garden
Gaiser Conservatory with tropical and desert plants.
Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden
Lilac Garden
Dahlia Garden
Rose Hill - with over 1500 rose bushes

Spokane River Centennial Trail

Endurance athletes will love this 40-mile trail that spans through eastern Washington to Lake Spokane on the Idaho border. There are many scenic and historical stops on the trail including trailheads to smaller paths. After crossing into Idaho, the trail continues to Coeur d’Alene via the North Idaho Centennial Trail.