Planning a Trip To Spokane, Washington: Riverfront Park, Nearby Lakes, And Local Events
Spokane, Washington offers a remarkable blend of urban attractions and outdoor recreation that makes it an ideal destination for travelers of all interests. Whether you're drawn to distinctive landmarks, sparkling waterscapes, or year-round celebrations, the city's heart and soul revolve around its scenic centerpiece and surrounding natural beauty. This guide covers the essentials for planning a memorable visit to Spokane, focusing on its crown jewel and the experiences that await just beyond.
Spokane's Riverfront Park is considered one of the most scenic urban parks in the nation, featuring over 64 acres to explore with magnificent Spokane Falls and River, historic landmarks, and scenic trails. The park serves as the perfect base for understanding what makes this Inland Northwest destination special.
Riverfront Park: The Heart of Downtown Spokane
The Spokane River Falls are Spokane's finest natural attraction, as well as the heart of Riverfront Park. The park's dramatic centerpiece is impossible to miss and provides stunning photo opportunities from multiple vantage points. Beautiful walking paths take you to the Rotary Fountain, footbridges, and one offers a close-up view of Spokane Falls.
For the best aerial perspective, the Numerica SkyRide is a cable car that glides you over the Spokane River and its dramatic lower Spokane Falls. This experience offers an unmatched vantage point, especially between March and June when the water current is particularly powerful.
Classic Attractions and Family Activities
The Looff Carousel is a must-see for those who appreciate beautiful craftsmanship, and it is open year-round and located right in the center of the park. This hand-carved carousel built in 1909 is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Families with children will find numerous play areas throughout the park. The Ice Age Floods Playground features a 3-story Columbian slide tower, Glacial Dam splash pad, a log jam climber, an alluvial deposit fossil dig, and more. Other attractions include an interactive fountain, a giant Red Wagon play structure and an outdoor skating ribbon open to roller skates, non-motorized scooters and skateboards.
Providence Playscape is an inclusive playground designed to be adaptive and focus on sensory play. The park includes beautiful walking trails and several fun attractions for families, providing a great area for burning off some energy and letting kids run and play.
Seasonal Experiences
The Numerica Skate Ribbon is a 16-foot-wide and 650-foot-long ribbon of ice that is open from November through February. This becomes a focal point for winter visitors seeking outdoor skating fun. During the winter, the pavilion is converted into a superb outdoor skating rink called the Ice Palace where you can rent ice skates and watch a curling match.
Lakes and Water Recreation
Spokane's surrounding area features many lakes, with around 76 lakes in the Spokane area providing multiple choices for recreation. Each lake offers distinct characteristics for different activities and preferences.
| Lake Name | Distance from Downtown | Best For | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty Lake | Just east of downtown | Swimming, kayaking, fishing | Clear, turquoise waters perfect for swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding |
| Fish Lake | About 20 minutes south | Family outings, swimming | Sandy swimming beach and non-paved boat launch |
| Medical Lake | Nearby | Swimming, paddling, fishing | Spring-fed lake with ideal summer temperatures for both swimming and paddling |
| Bear Lake | About 15 miles north | Swimming, paddling | Spring-fed lake with a nice swimming beach and ability to launch canoe, kayak, or stand-up paddleboard from the beach |
| Clear Lake | Nearby | Snorkeling, nature observation | Small lake with incredibly clear waters surrounded by lush forests, ideal for snorkeling, with opportunities to see deer, elk, and various bird species |
Horseshoe Lake, a shallow lake 10 miles west of Nine Mile Falls, is considered one of the best local paddling destinations and also features some cool waterfalls. For anglers, Eloika Lake is a 659-acre lake located north of Chattaroy that boasts a plentiful supply of bass, crappie, perch and rainbow, with bass and crappie easily caught with plugs and spinners at the north and south ends of the lake.
Fishtrap Lake, located about an hour's drive from Spokane, is known for its abundant populations of bass, crappie, and perch, with anglers able to fish from the shore or rent a boat to explore the deeper waters.
Outdoor Trails and Biking
The Spokane River Centennial Trail is a long path running through the park that is 37 miles long and connects to another trail in Idaho. The park offers scenic walking and biking trails and family-friendly playgrounds. This network of trails makes Spokane exceptionally convenient for cyclists and hikers who want easy access to natural scenery.
The Centennial Trail provides both urban and scenic sections, allowing visitors to choose segments based on their fitness level and available time. Trail access is free and the surface accommodates various types of users from casual walkers to serious cyclists.
Year-Round Events and Celebrations
Spokane hosts diverse events throughout the year that add vibrancy to any visit. Riverfront Park hosts various exciting events year-round, including the Spokane Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival, as well as the Washington State Chinese Lantern Festival.
Ghost Story Tours allow visitors to discover the spooky side of Riverfront fun for all ages, with local historian Chet Caskey leading lightly eerie walking tours through Riverfront Park. The Spo-Candy Crawl offers spooky scenes happening all over downtown Spokane, where visitors can locate each scene and decipher a riddle to earn a bag full of fall goodies.
Holiday Season Events 🎄
The Numerica Skate Ribbon opens for the ice skating season, and the Numerica Tree Lighting Celebration invites visitors to grab ice skates, hot cocoa and count down to light the community tree. Horse-drawn carriage rides are offered through the scenic beauty of Riverfront Park. Holiday Village, presented by Gesa Credit Union, offers the magic of the season at downtown Spokane throughout early December.
Planning Your Visit: Key Considerations
Best times to visit depend on your interests. Spring and summer offer pleasant weather for outdoor activities, lakes, and hiking. Fall brings colorful scenery and special events. Winter transforms the park into a skating and holiday celebration destination.
Accessibility features make Riverfront Park welcoming to visitors of all abilities. Multiple playgrounds including accessible options, paved trails, and convenient parking near major attractions ensure that families and individuals with mobility considerations can fully enjoy the park.
- 🎪 Visit Riverfront Park's attractions year-round, with seasonal modifications to activities and hours
- ⛰️ Choose a nearby lake based on your activity preference—swimming, fishing, kayaking, or quiet nature viewing
- 🚴 Use the Centennial Trail for biking or walking, with numerous access points throughout the area
- 🎉 Check the event calendar before your trip to catch festivals, concerts, or seasonal celebrations
- 🏖️ Plan for both urban park time and time in surrounding natural areas for a balanced experience
- 📱 Confirm current hours, admission fees, and any weather-related closures with official sources before visiting
Spokane's combination of urban park attractions, pristine natural scenery, and year-round programming makes it a destination suited to many travel styles. Whether you're seeking adventure on the water, leisurely strolls through meadows, historic carousel rides, or family-friendly entertainment, the region's diverse offerings ensure you'll find experiences that match your interests. The proximity of lakes, trails, and events to downtown means you can maximize your time by staying centrally located while still accessing the variety of outdoor and cultural attractions that define this dynamic Pacific Northwest city.