Things To Do
Riverfront Park
This is where the ceremony will be held, but there's so much more to see! This site of the 1974 World Expo and nationally recognized park is nested downtown alongside the Spokane River. It is currently undergoing a multi-year renovation that should (hopefully!) be done just in time for the ceremony. The most notable feature is the 100 year old clock tower, which is wound by hand once a week. Check out the world-famous Louff Carousel in its new digs on the south side of the park or take a scenic gondola ride over the Spokane Falls on the west end. Other key features include the iconic trash goat (a statute that you can literally feed trash), created for the Expo and the giant Radio Flyer Wagon slide. Riverfront Park is steps away from the restaurants and shopping in downtown Spokane and serves as a walking/biking path toward Kendall Yards to the west and Gonzaga to the east. We have spent countless hours in the park together over the years and it is one of our favorite places.
Gonzaga University
Where we met! Gonzaga's campus is stunning in autumn. Take a stroll through campus and see if you can spot the Bing Crosby, Aluminum Jesus, and Spike the bulldog statues. If you like Bing there's also a museum in the Bing Crosby House. There's an on-campus bar in the recently constructed John J. Hemmingson Center (kids these days get all the nice things!), exhibitions at the Jundt Art Museum, and beautiful St. Aloysius Catholic Church, whose spires are recognizable from across the city.
Green Bluff
Located about 35 minutes north of downtown Spokane, Green Bluff features a collection of farms where you can pick your own seasonal fruits and veggies (in September: apples, cherries, peaches, pumpkins, and more) and buy specialty wine, pies, honey, cider, and huckleberry products. Some of the farms have activities for kids such as pony rides, corn mazes, and petting zoos. There are craft vendors, live bands, and dining options. Walter's Fruit Ranch and Siemers Farm are a couple of our favorites. Every season is beautiful on the bluff, but in September the fall colors shine.
Dockside Restaurant
If you're in the mood for ice cream, Dockside is the place to go. They serve large goblets of ice cream to share, or smaller (but still sizeable!) individual goblets. Dockside is located in the Coeur d'Alene Resort, right on the lake, about 40 minutes from downtown Spokane. Reservations recommended. While you're there, downtown Coeur d'Alene is a fun place to check out as well!
Manito Park
Manito Park has five gardens in different styles. We especially like the rose garden and Japanese garden. Located minutes from downtown in the South Hill neighborhood.