Sights and landmarks in Spokane

Sights and landmarks in Spokane

1. See

   Bing Crosby Collection

   Legendary singer (he sang the classic song "White Christmas"), Academy Award winning actor and Gonzaga alum Bing Crosby who moved to Spokane when he was 3 (born in Tacoma, Washington) has a Crosby Collection display at Gonzaga University. There are about 200 items including records, photos, and books.

   Mon-Fri 9AM-4:30PM; Sat 1-3PM·Free

2. See

   Bing Crosby House

   Has items on display from the legendary singer. This was the childhood home of Bing Crosby and the home was built in 1913.

   Free

3. See

   Finch Arboretum

   Contains about 2,000 trees and shrubs, including 65 groups of lilacs, as well as a rhododendron grove, conifer and maple collections, and a nature trail.

   Free

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. See

   Monroe Street Bridge

   This bridge was built in 1911 and is the largest arch bridge in the United States. It is one of the finest examples and also one of the last remaining bridges among the several dozen bridges that once crisscrossed the falls and made Spokane world-famous as the "City of Bridges" during the latter half of the 19th century (i.e, Spokane had the largest number of bridges of any city in the world at the time). Take an inspiring walk across the falls of the Spokane River while admiring the buffalo head sculptures adorning the covered observation decks across the span. The Monroe St Bridge is in the heart of Downtown immediately west of Riverfront Park, the former site of the old train station and rail yards (locals know it well, just ask one). It was restored in 2003-05.

7. See

   Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

   Museum covering the history and native cultures of the inland northwest.

   Wed-Sun noon-4PM·$10/adult, $5/student, $7.50/senior

8. 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

9. See

   Riverside State Park

   Bowl and Pitcher is basalt rock formations in the middle of the fast flowing Spokane River. Overlook and suspension bridge on east side is a great way to experience Spokane's motto: Near Nature Near Perfect. Be careful on the sharp rocks, though.

   Summer: 6:30AM-dusk; winter: 8AM-dusk

10. See

    Spokane County Courthouse

    Worth a visit. This interesting courthouse was completed in 1895 in 16th century French Renaissance style.

11. See

    Spokane Plains Battlefield Monument

    Marks the site of a battle on Sept 1, 1858 where the US military decisively defeated a confederation of the Spokanes, Coeur d’Alenes, Yakamas, Palouses, and other tribes.

12. See Not mapped

    Spokane House Interpretive Center

    Telling the story of the oldest house in Washington state, and the Spokane Indians who lived here.

13. 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

14. See

    Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist

    127 E 12th Ave

15. See

    Davenport Arts District

16. See

    Fort George Wright National Historical District

17. See

    Huntingdon Park

    See Spokane Falls from the edge of Huntingdon Park.

18. See

    Mobius Discovery Center

    Science museum with the child in mind.

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

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