If at the mention of Spokane, your first thought is men’s basketball, it’s no surprise. The Zags are the only team in the sport to win 30 games or more in five consecutive seasons and also the only team to reach the Sweet 16 in each of the past six NCAA men’s tournaments. Gonzaga is ranked number 1 again this year and with approximately 7,400 students compared to 36,500 at Arizona (ranked #2), that’s pretty impressive.
But I’m not suggesting that the best way to spend one day in Spokane is by attending a game. Spokane‘s city center is built around the Spokane River which allows for gorgeous natural beauty and a vibrant city center to live harmoniously side-by-side. Pair that with good food, local pubs, and sunnier climate than much of WA and you’ve got the recipe for a fabulous destination. It would be nearly impossible to explore it all in just one day. But if you only have a day, get a feel for Spokane via bike.
Start your ride at Riverfront Park, which is smack in the middle of the city and was built to host the Expo 1974 World Fair. This 100-acre park sits on an island in the middle of the Spokane River, making it one of the top places to visit in Spokane. Within the park there are multiple sites including the Great Northern Clocktower, spacious lawns, the 1909 Looff Carrousel, fountains, sculptures, and more.
Ride the south side of the river, heading east and cross over near the Gonzaga campus.
To the west, Upper and Lower Spokane Falls are at the west end of Riverside Park and apparently, together, they hold the record for the largest urban waterfall in the US. For the best view bike over to the Monroe Street Bridge.
If you head into the downtown area there are plenty of restaurants, breweries and other vices….like Bruttles, the soft peanut brittle candy shop.
With a bike and one day in Spokane you can get a feel for the area. It’s one we’d like to explore more as it checks a lot of our retirement boxes: a walkable city, cycle friendly, college town, offering nearby hiking, economically robust, with moderate politics, a Costco, and an international airport.
