Things to do with kids in Spokane

Things to do with kids in Spokane

1. Eat

   Didier's Yogurt & More

   Quality fast food from a family-owned business. Great burgers and frozen yogurt. On the north side near Whitworth College.

2. See

   High Bridge Park

   Much of the park is forested. There is an 18-hole disc golf course, a grass field, picnic shelter and playground.

3. Drink

   Jack & Dan's Bar & Grill

   Classic sports bar owned by the father of former NBA & Gonzaga University star John Stockton. Sitting on the edge of Gonzaga University, it naturally caters to the students and is packed to watch basketball games. Children are welcome in the restaurant until 10PM.

4. See

   Manito Park

   Its steep hills make it a popular and well-used wintertime sledding spot; be careful of the trees, however. A zoo until 1933, Manito is now a year-round home to a friendly flock of geese, ducks, and turtles. Visit the park's Rose Garden in the Summer, the formal Duncan Gardens near the greenhouse (open until dusk), the Japanese Gardens on the Bernard Street side of the park. There are two playgrounds, one for smaller children near the duck pond and the main entrance, another with a waterpad near the ball fields on the south end (25th Avenue). A small restaurant operates in the summer in an old stone building near the perennial gardens, open for lunch and maybe breakfast. Parts of the park are rustic and undeveloped; tennis courts are near the main entrance. The park, like all those in the city, closes at 10PM and is patrolled periodically.

5. Drink

   O'Doherty's Irish Grille

   This is a place to gather, chat, tip a pint and enjoy a little Irish flavor. Guinness and Harp on tap. Live Irish music on Tuesday nights. After you've been there a while you'll probably want to become a member of the O'Doherty's family by standing on the bar, singing a song for the entire bar, and stapling a dollar on the wall. Children are welcome in the restaurant until 10PM.

6. Buy

   River Park Square

   Renovated shopping center in the center of downtown, just across from Riverfront Park. River Park Square is home to a 20-screen movie theater. Upscale stores such as Nordstroms, Williams Sonoma, Macy's and Restoration Hardware. A diverse collection of specialty stores selling items ranging from walking sticks to chocolates. Satisfy your hunger at the fast food court or at one of its many sit down restaurants. River Park Square is also a great place for kids with a children's museum, bookstore and toy store. Skywalks connect River Park Square with the rest of downtown.

7. See

   Riverfront Park

   The host of the 1974 World's Fair. A few of the pavilions still exist, and the park is beautifully maintained. The park has fun features: the river and its waterfalls, the dam, two suspension footbridges, a rare, beautiful, and priceless hand-carved Looff Carousel (complete with rings and a target; sit on an outside horse if you want to participate!), the rather frightening gondolas over the falls, a small amusement park, bike rentals, an IMAX theater and game room, concert areas, and annual events including concerts, plays, "Pig Out in the Park", powwows, Battle of the Bands, and children's activities. The striking clock tower is the only remnant of the ugly train yards that once occupied the parkland, and a good place to meet up if you get separated.

   6AM-midnight, Skyride 10AM-6PM

8. Do Not mapped

   Bare Buns Fun Run

   Largest clothing-optional timed road race in the U.S., since 1984. 5 km run/walk on pressed gravel. Family-oriented code of conduct applies. Drive with caution on the narrow, winding road, which becomes unpaved at the end of the lake shore.

   Last Sun in July

9. See

   Cat Tales Wildlife Center

   Cat Tales Zoological Park

   17020 N Newport Hwy, Mead

   Adults $15, seniors 65+ $12 (free on Thursday), students (max age 22) $12, children (5-12) $10, age 0-4 free

10. See

    Mobius Discovery Center

    Science museum with the child in mind.

    Wed-Sun 10AM-5PM·$10 (adults and kids alike)

11. Do

    Wonderland Family Fun Center

    10515 N Division

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Spokane (CC BY-SA 4.0).