Spokane Has a Waterfall Downtown and Costs 35% Less Than Seattle

The Pacific Northwest City You Overlooked

Most people driving through eastern Washington treat Spokane as a pit stop on the way to somewhere else. That’s a mistake.

This city of 230,000 has a roaring waterfall in the middle of downtown, a 40-mile paved trail to Idaho, and over 9,000 acres of state parkland nine miles from the city center. The food scene has James Beard nominations.

The craft beer trail has 35 breweries. And the whole thing costs about a third less than Seattle.

Here’s why Spokane deserves a spot on your travel list.

A Waterfall Crashes Through Downtown

Spokane is one of the only cities in America where you can watch a major waterfall thunder through the urban core.

The Spokane Falls drops in two sections along the Spokane River, with the upper and lower falls visible from bridges, overlooks, and walking paths.

In spring, when snowmelt swells the river, the mist soaks pedestrians on the suspension bridges. You’re not driving to some trailhead an hour outside town.

You’re standing in the middle of downtown, shopping bags in hand, watching whitewater roar past office buildings.

Ride a Gondola Over the Falls

The Numerica SkyRide carries you in an enclosed cabin 200 feet above the Spokane River.

The 15-minute round trip glides past art deco City Hall, drops down over Huntington Park, crosses directly in front of the falls, and passes under the historic Monroe Street Bridge.

The cabin windows open so you can snap photos without glare. Spring offers the most dramatic water flow, but the ride operates year-round.

Kids 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult, and tickets run about $10.

100 Acres of Parkland Surrounds the Falls

Riverfront Park wraps around the falls with trails, public art, and attractions that appeal to all ages. The Looff Carousel dates to 1909 and features 54 hand-carved horses.

Kids climb a giant Radio Flyer wagon and feed coins to the Garbage Goat, a metal sculpture that vacuums up trash. In winter, the Numerica Skate Ribbon offers a 650-foot-long path of ice.

The Great Northern Clocktower still runs the old-fashioned way, with someone climbing five stories to crank it 99 times each week.

A 9,000-Acre Wilderness Nine Miles Away

Riverside State Park feels like it should be hours from civilization, but the entrance is a 15-minute drive from downtown.

The park covers 9,194 acres along the Spokane and Little Spokane rivers, with 80 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Bowl and Pitcher area is the most popular spot, where a swinging suspension bridge crosses the rapids and towering basalt formations rise from the water.

You can camp here, paddle the river, or just spend an afternoon on the 2.1-mile loop trail.

40 Miles of Paved Trail to Idaho

The Centennial Trail is a 40-mile paved pathway that starts in Spokane and ends at the Idaho border, where it connects to another 24 miles of trail leading to Lake Coeur d’Alene.

The route passes through downtown, riverside forests, basalt canyons, and quiet neighborhoods.

More than 2.5 million people use it each year for walking, running, biking, and skating. Rent a bike downtown and ride as far as you want, or pick a trailhead and do an out-and-back.

The trail is flat enough for beginners but long enough to challenge anyone.

Five Ski Resorts Within Two Hours

Mount Spokane State Park sits about 30 miles from downtown and offers 52 runs across 1,600 acres. Four other ski areas are within a two-hour drive.

That means you can hit the slopes in the morning, drive back to the city, and grab dinner at a downtown restaurant the same evening.

In summer, Mount Spokane opens 100 miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, with views stretching across the Inland Northwest from the 5,883-foot summit.

35% Cheaper Than Seattle

Spokane offers Pacific Northwest scenery and culture at a fraction of Seattle’s prices.

Cost of living comparisons show Spokane running 35% to 40% cheaper overall, with the biggest savings in housing and rent. A nice dinner, a craft beer flight, a night at a historic hotel—all of it costs less here.

Your tourism dollar stretches further, which means you can stay longer, eat better, and do more without blowing your budget.

A Food Scene That Earned National Attention

Food & Wine called Spokane the best overlooked food scene in the Pacific Northwest.

Multiple local chefs have earned James Beard Award nominations, including names from Ruins, Sante, Zona Blanca, and Italia Trattoria. The city sources heavily from surrounding farms, so menus change with the seasons.

You’ll find everything from upscale tasting menus to creative taquerias to old-school diners. The Davenport Hotel claims to have invented the Crab Louis salad, and the recipe is still on the menu.

More Than 35 Breweries on One Trail

The Spokane Ale Trail connects over 35 craft breweries across the city and surrounding valley. No-Li Brewhouse has been a local institution since 1993.

Iron Goat lets you build your own pizza while you drink. Perry Street Brewing anchors a walkable neighborhood on the South Hill.

Many breweries source hops and grains from farms in the Inland Northwest, so the beer tastes like the region. Download the trail pass, collect stamps, and earn rewards as you go.

A Grand Hotel at Non-Seattle Prices

The Historic Davenport Hotel opened in 1914 and nearly got demolished in the 1980s before a local couple rescued it with a $38 million restoration.

The lobby features hand-painted frescoes, Italian marble, and gold leaf around the fireplace. The Peacock Room Lounge has a 5,000-piece stained-glass ceiling and serves double martinis under Jazz Age decor.

Rooms start lower than comparable historic hotels in Seattle or Portland, so you can sleep in a landmark without emptying your wallet.

Walkable Neighborhoods With Character

Browne’s Addition is Spokane’s oldest neighborhood, with Victorian mansions, tree-lined streets, and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.

The Perry District has boutiques, coffee shops, and one of the city’s best breweries. Kendall Yards sits above the river with restaurants, a wine bar, and direct access to the Centennial Trail.

Downtown itself is compact enough to explore on foot, with most attractions within a 15-minute walk of each other.

Big-City Culture Without the Crowds

Gonzaga University brings Division I basketball and a lively campus atmosphere.

The Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox hosts Broadway touring shows in a restored 1931 art deco movie palace. Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, takes over downtown streets each summer.

Bloomsday draws 50,000 runners for a 12K through the city every May.

And you can actually get tickets, find parking, and enjoy these events without fighting Seattle-sized crowds.

Explore the Falls and Trails in Spokane, Washington

Spokane sits in eastern Washington, about 280 miles from Seattle and 30 miles from the Idaho border.

Spokane International Airport offers direct flights from major hubs including Seattle, Denver, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Riverfront Park is free to enter and open daily, with paid attractions like the SkyRide ($9.50 adults) and carousel ($3. 50) available seasonally.

Riverside State Park requires a Washington Discover Pass ($11 day, $30 annual) for vehicle entry. The Centennial Trail is free.

For maps and current hours, check the official Spokane tourism site.

This article was created with AI assistance and human editing.

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