Punctuated by an urban river gorge, downtown Spokane is where city life and nature intertwine, making a complete experience. If art and architecture are your passion, you’ll find them. Food fills the soul. Theater, live music, craft beer, wine, whatever you desire, you’ll find it in stunning downtown Spokane. In the middle of it is Riverfront Park. The historic Spokane downtown district features one of the country’s best urban parks, according to National Geographic.
Boot’s Bakery
Indaba Coffee
Eat & Drink in Downtown Spokane
It would take you months to eat at every restaurant, have a drink in every coffee shop or co*cktail bar, every brewery, every winery, to have dessert at every bakeshop in downtown Spokane. If you did make it your mission to do just that, you wouldn’t be disappointed. What was once a culinary wasteland is now a garden of delight. The collaborative nature of local chefs is astounding, and visitors reap the benefits. If we could highlight every establishment right here, we would, but then you’d be reading a lot. Let’s start with the breakfast highlights. The best breakfast spots in Downtown Spokane, Washington are Frank’s Diner, Madeleine’s Patisserie, Boot’s Bakery, First Avenue Coffee, or Indaba Coffee.
Hogwash Whiskey Den
Dine in Downtown
For restaurants: Cochinito Taqueria, Queen of Sheba, Nudo, Wiley’s Bistro, Wild Sage, , Eyvind, Hunt, or Ruins offer unique experiences and, even better, incredible food. For a great burger, try Durkins.
If you want to have a craft co*cktail, go to Tiny Tiki for a nitro mai tai, Hogwash Whiskey Den for a Scofflaw or for an Old Fashioned or Bijou for a co*cktail created with homemade bitters by Skidmore Alchemy.
Lumberbeard Brewing Co.
Barrister Winery
Breweries and Wine Tasting
Let’s wade into beer, wine, and spirits. Many breweries dot the downtown landscape. Lumberbeard Brewing, Whistle Punk, The Steam Plant, and Brick West Brewing are must-stops on the Spokane Ale Trail. Spokane has a vibrant wine scene. Twenty-three wineries make up The Cork District, and many have downtown tasting rooms. For starters, try Terra Blanca, Barrister, Robert Karl, and Cougar Crest.
For cider, Liberty Ciderworks and One Tree Cider are perfect. If it’s locally made whiskey, gin, or vodka, go to Dry Fly Distilling.
Riverfront Park
Radio Flyer RedWagon
Best Things To Do in Downtown Spokane
Riverfront Park should be the first order of business for visitors. Walk down to the Spokane Falls or ride the Numerica SkyRide to see them from above. Skate on the Numerica Skate Ribbon, ride the historic Looff Carrousel, feed the iconic Garbage-Eating Goat, slide down the world’s 2nd largest Radio Flyer red wagon, and when the sun goes down, sit under the US Pavilion and watch the free light show. If it’s summer, you can rent kayaks or standup paddleboards with Fun Unlimited on the Spokane River.
Near the park is Mobius Discovery Center. A perfect place for families with young children. History buffs will love a self-guided tour through The Historic Davenport Hotel.
River Park Square
Martin Woldson Theater at TheFox
Shopping and Entertainment
You will find the perfect something at River Park Square or local boutiques like Lolo, Cues, Echo, and Garland Resale for shopping. Make sure to set aside time for a trip to Auntie’s Bookstore.
If it’s live entertainment you seek, you’ll find it at Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox, home of the Spokane Symphony. Broadway shows come through the First Interstate Center for the Arts. Indie bands frequent Lucky You Lounge, The Bing Crosby Theater, and The Knitting Factory. The Spokane Comedy Club brings in various big names in the comedy world.
If you find yourself bored in downtown Spokane, then you’re doing it wrong.
