Liberty Lake, WA Road Trips

The city is pronounced as "spo-CAN," but often mispronounced as "spo-CANE." It is named for a Salish-speaking tribe of Native Americans who were the original inhabitants of the area. The original spelling, Spokan, was given an e by the adoption of the name of the original building, Spokane House (a trapping house built by early European arrivals). Spokane is the economic hub of an area that serves roughly 1.5 million people. The largest city between Seattle and Minneapolis, its immediate metropolitan area, which includes neighboring Coeur d'Alene and Kootenai County, Idaho, is home to roughly 680,000 people. The city is home to just over 200,000. Politically, Spokane is as conservative as most regions its size across the west, but within city limits, it typically votes for Democrats. Despite immigration from other areas of the country and world, Spokane has a fairly small racial minority population of around 15%. Spokane receives only a fraction of the rain that falls in Seattle and western Washington. However, winters are a lot colder with much more snowfall. Summers are hotter, but still more mild and less humid that those in the Midwest and East with even relatively high daytime temperatures followed by cold nights and early motnings. Summer highs peak with averages around 88 °F (31 °C) with lows around 59 °F (15 °C), but some exceptionally hot and sweltering days can see temperatures climb towards or even exceed 97 °F (36 °C) and not going below 65 °F (18 °C) at night. Always have a jacket handy year-round.

The center for all of your shopping centers, main attractions and hotels. Skywalks connect much of the downtown shops, useful in winter. 1 Riverfront Park, ☏ +1 509-625-6600, [email protected]. 6AM-midnight, Skyride 10AM-6PM. 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. (updated Sep 2020) 2 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).

1 Northern Quest Resort & Casino, 100 N. Hayford Rd, Airway Heights, toll-free: +1-877-871-6772. (updated Mar 2018) 2 Numerica SkyRide, 720 W Spokane Falls Blvd, ☏ +1 509-625-6600. Daily 10AM-7PM. Gondolas take you for an up-close view of the falls from a suspended height. (updated Jun 2023) 3 Wonderland Family Fun Center, 10515 N Division, ☏ +1 509-468-3286. (updated Jun 2023) 4 Gonzaga Bulldogs, McCarthey Athletic Center, 801 N. Cincinnati St, ☏ +1 509-313-6000, [email protected]. The sports teams of Gonzaga University, officially nicknamed "Bulldogs" but affectionately called "Zags", are one of the city's great institutions. While the Zags have teams in nine men's and nine women's sports (though not football—the school dropped that sport during World War II), by far the biggest attraction is men's basketball, which has developed into a national power in the 21st century, making the championship game in 2017 and 2021. The McCarthey Athletic Center, home to basketball, always sells out for men's games and often for women's games (the capacity is only 6,000). Usually, one men's game a year is played at the much larger Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, and a second men's game is taken to Seattle. Most other Zags teams play on campus, and tickets are much easier to get than for basketball. 5 The Knitting Factory, 919 W Sprague Ave (Downtown, on the corner of Sprague and Monroe), ☏ +1 509-244-3279. One of the Northwest's premier concert houses.

Spokane's dining scene has come into its own. A wide variety of chef-owned restaurants serve all tastes, with an emphasis on locally-grown and organic ingredients. Don't leave without enjoying a craft pizza at one of the area's many artisan pie shops. The area is known for wild and exotic pizza varieties, including Thai and a four-cheese pie called the "Honey Badger," topped with a honey glaze. 1 Dick's Hamburgers, 10 E 3rd Ave, ☏ +1 509-747-2481. A Spokane institution, serving up the quickest and most efficient cholesterol-delivery systems in the state. No relation to the Dick's chain in Seattle. (updated Oct 2016) 2 Didier's Yogurt & More, 10410 N Division St, ☏ +1 509-466-8434. Quality fast food from a family-owned business. Great burgers and frozen yogurt. On the north side near Whitworth College. (updated Oct 2016) 3 Mary Lou's Milk Bottle, 802 W Garland Ave, ☏ +1 509-325-1772. 11AM-8PM. Built for the now-defunct Benewah Dairy Company in mid-1930s, this small restaurant serves burgers and shakes. The building consists of a stuccoed milk bottle several stories high. A similar structure (not open to the public) is visible from the I-90 westbound off ramp to Maple St. (#280A), and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Cash only. (updated Oct 2016) 4 Ferguson’s Cafe, 804 W Garland Ave (Next to the Milk Bottle), ☏ +1 509-328-1950. This restaurant was featured in three Hollywood movies, Benny & Joon, Vision Quest, and Why Would I Lie?

Spokane experienced an explosion in craft brewing, with local and regional brewers becoming popular. Beyond that, the nightlife scene has a number of bars, pubs, and nightclubs downtown. 1 Jack & Dan's Bar & Grill, 1226 N Hamilton St, ☏ +1 509-487-6546. 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. (updated Oct 2016) 2 O'Doherty's Irish Grille, 525 Spokane Falls Blvd, ☏ +1 509-747-0322. 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. (updated Oct 2016) 3 Twigs Bistro, 401 E Farwell. 10AM-11PM. Twigs is first a martini bar and second a restaurant. However, their breakfast, which is only sold on the weekend, is superb. Their Creme Brule French Toast is wonderful. Dinner is a typical menu, burgers, pizza, etc. Their drink selection is very good. (updated Oct 2016) Spokane is the center of the Inland Northwest Ale Trail of over 25 different microbreweries. Many of them have food or partner with food trucks. 4 No-Li Brewhouse (Northern Lights Brewing Co.), 1003 E Trent Ave, ☏ +1 509-242-2739.

1 Days Inn & Suites Spokane Airport Airway Heights, 1215 S Garfield Rd, ☏ +1 509-850-9413. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. Free local and long distance calls in the continental United States; free wireless high-speed Internet access all rooms; advance online check-in and check-out with unlimited access to online folio information. Includes remote TV with ESPN, CNN and one movie channel and complimentary continental breakfast. (updated Apr 2026) 2 Motel 6 Spokane East, 1919 N Hutchinson Rd (Argonne Rd & I-90 junction at Exit #287), ☏ +1 509-926-5399, fax: +1 509 928-5974. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Apr 2026) 3 Super 8 (Super 8 by Wyndham), 11102 W Westbow Rd, ☏ +1 509-209-9971, toll-free: +1-800-454-3213. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Apr 2026) 4 Tiki Lodge, 1420 W 2nd Ave (W 2nd St at S Walnut. From 2nd Ave it's behind Jenny's Restaurant. Office is accessed from Walnut St), ☏ +1 509-838-2026. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: 11AM. (updated Apr 2026) 5 Best Western Plus Peppertree Airport Inn, 3711 S Geiger Blvd, ☏ +1 509-289-2760, toll-free: +1-800-799-3933, fax: +1 509-838-6416. Offers spacious, comfortable rooms near some of Washington’s most popular golf courses, universities and visitor attractions. 6 Comfort Inn & Suites, 12415 E Mission Ave, ☏ +1 509-728-9392, fax: +1 509-892-1914. (updated Apr 2026) 7 Courtyard Spokane, 401 N Riverpoint Blvd, ☏ +1 509-456-7600, fax: +1 509 456-0969. (updated Oct 2016) 8 Fairfield Inn & Suites Spokane Downtown, 311 N Riverpoint Blvd, ☏ +1 509-747-9131, fax: +1 509 747-0501.

1 Spokane International Airport (GEG IATA, Geiger Field), 9000 W Airport Dr (7 mi (11 km) west of Downtown, I-90 from Exit #277B (along US Hwy 2) towards Airway Heights.). The following airlines serve Spokane (some distant cities are seasonal and/or weekly): Alaska Airlines/Horizon (Concourse C, Gates C4-C9): (Boise, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle-Tacoma, and from Los Angeles) Allegiant: (Concourse A, Gate A2) (Las Vegas, Phoenix-Mesa AZ, Los Angeles) American Airlines (Concourse A, Gates A4-A5) (Chicago O'Hare, Dallas/Fort Worth, Phoenix); additional flights from Portland and Seattle-Tacoma are operated by Alaska Airlines on a codeshare basis. Delta/Delta Connection (Concourse B, Gates B2, B4-B6): (Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle-Tacoma) Southwest (Concourse A, Gates A1 & A3): (Denver, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Sacramento, San Jose (CA),) United Airlines/United Express (Concourse B, Gates B1 & B3) (Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, San Francisco) There are no non-stop flights to Spokane from outside of the U.S. Most international connections are made in Atlanta, Seattle (most common), Minneapolis, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, or Chicago depending on the airlines you choose. To travel from the airport to downtown: A taxi from the airport will cost $25+ 15% tip. The STA #60 bus, costs $2.00 one way (or $4.00 for day pass if requiring to transfer buses) and takes 25 minutes to travel from the airport to downtown (at the 'Plaza' @ W Sprague & Wall St).

The STA (Spokane Transit Authority) is an excellent way to get around to the north, south, and west sides as well as to the Valley and Liberty Lake in the east. Bus route maps can be found in a few stores and gas stations. Most drivers are very friendly and helpful so ask any questions you may have. The STA offers 2-hour and all-day passes. You must ask the driver for a pass before you put your fare in the fare box. Car rentals are available in many locations, mainly near the Spokane International Airport. All the major companies are there. Returning cars at the airport can be a little confusing. The main entrance to the rental return is an entire mile before the airport terminal (left at Flint Rd.) You can also drop off passengers and turn right at Flint Rd. just past the terminal. Note there are no directional signs for rental cars between these two places. Interstate 90 is an excellent way to cross town east-west. A north-south freeway is under construction, and won't be finished for years. Allow more time if you have to go very far in this direction, as there's no express route yet. (The construction is unlikely to cause you any delays, as it's not on the main roadways.) Spokane has many uncontrolled intersections in older residential neighborhoods. Watch for cross traffic and yield as necessary. Also, on the northwest side of the city, Maple Street (northbound) and Ash Street (southbound) are one-way thoroughfares. Be extra careful where Northwest Boulevard intersects Ash and Maple at a 45-degree angle.

People in Spokane are generally quite kind and hospitable. The city is safe, and violent crime is rare. That said, Spokane has had ongoing challenges with property crime and vehicle theft. If parking a vehicle, be sure to lock the doors and ensure that all valuables are in the trunk. Also, use caution when walking through Riverfront Park or on the Centennial Trail at night. Do not swim or wade in the Spokane River, drownings are not uncommon. While Spokane has a few hospitals (typical for a city its size), it does not have a Level 1 trauma hospital. While the need is rare, patients are flown by air ambulance to Harborview Medical Center in Seattle.