Spokane

Spokane is a city in the Palouse region of eastern Washington, also known as "The Inland Empire", pre-dating by nearly a century the use of the same title by a region in Southern California. It is the second largest city in the state, and the largest between Seattle and Minneapolis.



Pronunciation
The city is pronounced as "spo-CAN," but often mispronounced as "spo-CANE."

Basics
Spokane 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 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%.

Climate
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. Even temperatures of to  are often followed by cold early mornings with temperatures not much more than. Always have a jacket handy year-round.

By plane
( for Geiger Field) is about to the west of Downtown off of 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 C22-25 & C30-31): (Boise, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco,San Jose, Seattle-Tacoma, and seasonally from Los Angeles)
 * Allegiant: (Las Vegas, Mesa AZ, Orange County)
 * American Airlines (Concourse A, Gate A4) (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 B4 - B8 even numbered): (Atlanta, Los Angeles, Minneapolis-St Paul, Salt Lake City, Seattle-Tacoma)
 * Southwest (Concourse A, Gates A11-A15 odd numbered): (Denver, Las Vegas, Oakland, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Sacramento, San Jose (CA))
 * United Airlines/United Express (Concourse B) (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 stops are outside the police office & conference center at Concourse C and the arrivals concourse past Concourse A at the opposite end of the main terminal building. Click here for a list of additional local (door to door) and long distance buses to Coeur d'Alene, Kettle Falls, Pullman/Colfax, Moscow and Fairfield.

By train

 * Train operator:
 * Route serving Spokane:
 * Empire Builder operating daily between Seattle/Portland and Chicago including stops at Spokane, Glacier National Park, Fargo, Saint Paul, and Milwaukee. The trains split into separate branches between Seattle and Spokane, and between Portland and Spokane, while operating as trains consisting of train cars from both branches between Spokane and Chicago.

By bus
The bus station for long distance buses is the same as the train station (intermodal station) at 221 W 1st Ave and/or the airport:

By car
Interstate 90 (I-90) connects Seattle with Billings, Montana via Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and Spokane. Spokane is accessed from Exits #279 (US Hwy 195) through #285 ( "Appleway Blvd and Sprague Ave" from the eastbound lanes and "Sprague Ave" from the westbound lanes) just east of town.

US Route 2 is a more scenic alternative to I-90. If coming from Seattle, it winds its way eastward through Leavenworth and Wenatchee in the North Cascades. It continues north and east towards Northern Idaho and Montana after leaving Spokane. From the north, US Hwy 2 and US Hwy 395 go through town as N Division St into downtown. US Route 2 runs concurrent on I-90 between Exit 281 (Division St) and 277("Spokane Airport Davenport") where it continues west towards Davenport as a separate road.

US Route 195 connects the Palouse country in the southeastern part of the state to Spokane. It passes through the southwestern neighborhoods of Spokane as a freeway and ends at I-90, at Exit #279 west of downtown.

US Route 395 connects Spokane to Tri-Cities through Ritzville (at freeway speeds, and shares its route with I-90 into Spokane after Ritzville). From the north, Christina Lake, BC (mostly a two-lane highway) goes through Colville and Kettle Falls in the northeastern part of the state. US Hwy 395 and US Hwy 2 go through Spokane as Division St, but with the new freeway, just US Hwy 2 will be Division St. and US Hwy 395 will be the North-South Freeway.

E Trent Ave goes across the northeastern part of town, parallel I-90, towards Rathdrum, Idaho via Antoine Peak Conservation Area. It becomes ID-Hwy 53 in Idaho.

W Francis Ave begins from N Division in the northwestern part of town. It eventually leaves town alongside the Spokane River towards Long Lake.

For those originating or passing through the Salt Lake City area, there are two freeway routes with nearly the same distance. I-15 north to I-90 west is slightly shorter than I-84 west to US-395 north. However, whichever route has the best weather at the time (especially in winter), would be the better choice. The I-15/I-84 split is about 75 miles north of downtown Salt Lake City.

By bus
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. Public transit is a great way to get to meet the people of a city. 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.

By car
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.

Check with Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) for current driving conditions.

The area's roads are designed more or less around a grid system, where most addresses are numbered based on their distance from the city center (Sprague & Division). Nearly all streets run with the compass directions with Sprague Ave (going east-west through downtown to Spokane Valley and in Airway Heights) and W Riverside(west of downtown, west of Walnut St) divide north from south while Division St (US Hwy 2 and 395) north of I-90 and Grand Blvd south of I-90 divide east from west. The "Avenues" run east-west, parallel to Sprague, while "Streets" run north-south parallel to Division & Grand. Most streets are named except the east-west avenues south of Sprague in downtown (and south of downtown) and in Airway Heights which are numbered streets. This also applies to much of the extended areas of unincorporated Spokane County such as Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Country Homes and other surrounding areas outside the Spokane city limits. The addresses in places like Cheney, Deer Park, Medical Lake and Sprangle have their own numbering system and are not based on Spokane's numbering system.

By bike
Within the past five years, Spokane has rapidly developed its bicycling infrastructure, adding both protected and unprotected bike lanes, traffic-separated bike trails and paths, and bike parking areas downtown and in major commercial districts. As a result, biking is a convenient and desirable way to commute. Within the six-month period from April to October when the weather is most reliably bicyclist-friendly, it is not uncommon to see throngs of bicycle commuters traveling downtown or to the various districts, like South Perry and Garland. Many employers now offer showers and changing facilities to their employees to encourage cycling.

The Centennial Trail runs along the Spokane River from downtown Coeur d'Alene through the Spokane Valley and downtown Spokane, ending in Riverside State Park. The nationally-recognized trail is a favorite among bicyclists, runners, and skaters. Be on the lookout for the particularly dramatic section near Mile 23. Here trail users exit the up-and-coming Kendall Yards neighborhood to downtown (when traveling eastbound) and cross under the century-old Monroe Street Bridge, exposing beautiful views of the Spokane Falls. Be sure to take enough time to enjoy this true gem that makes Spokane one of the most beautiful downtown urban areas in the United States. And don't forget a camera.

Do


Golf- There are 33 golf courses within a short drive of the city center. The city of Spokane runs 4 public golf courses including the award winning Indian Canyon, Spokane County runs 6 other public courses. The Coeur d'Alene resort golf course features a green floating in the lake.
 * - in Spokane
 * - in Spokane

Buy
Many of the newer, suburban-style stores and shopping centers are on the far north side of the city. The huge Northtown Mall is on the NE corner of Division (US Hwy 2/395) & Wellesley. A mile further up is Francis Ave., and there are many places to shop as you go north on both Division (US 395) and the Newport Hwy (US 2) (which soon splits off from Division).



Eat
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. You can'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.

Mid-range

 * Bark, A Rescue Pub, 905 N Washington St. Located in the former Broadview Dairy building, this restaurant also serves as an adoption center for dogs and cats with a site in back and supports animal adoption causes. +1 509-418-2551
 * Bark, A Rescue Pub, 905 N Washington St. Located in the former Broadview Dairy building, this restaurant also serves as an adoption center for dogs and cats with a site in back and supports animal adoption causes. +1 509-418-2551
 * Bark, A Rescue Pub, 905 N Washington St. Located in the former Broadview Dairy building, this restaurant also serves as an adoption center for dogs and cats with a site in back and supports animal adoption causes. +1 509-418-2551
 * Bark, A Rescue Pub, 905 N Washington St. Located in the former Broadview Dairy building, this restaurant also serves as an adoption center for dogs and cats with a site in back and supports animal adoption causes. +1 509-418-2551
 * Bark, A Rescue Pub, 905 N Washington St. Located in the former Broadview Dairy building, this restaurant also serves as an adoption center for dogs and cats with a site in back and supports animal adoption causes. +1 509-418-2551
 * Bark, A Rescue Pub, 905 N Washington St. Located in the former Broadview Dairy building, this restaurant also serves as an adoption center for dogs and cats with a site in back and supports animal adoption causes. +1 509-418-2551

Drink
Within the past ten years, Spokane has experienced an explosion in craft brewing, with new local and regional brewers rapidly expanding in popularity. Beyond that, the nightlife scene has grown significantly with the addition of a number of bars, pubs, and nightclubs downtown.



Breweries
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.



Splurge




Stay safe
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. As such, use common sense––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, as this is very dangerous; 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.

Connect
Spokane is one of a few cities nationwide that has Wi-Fi access just about everywhere Downtown. The entire Downtown area is a Wi-Fi hotspot or an area where wireless Internet is provided free of charge (2 hours per day) if your computer is equipped for Wi-Fi. There is also free Wi-Fi at the airport (with commercials before access).

Cope
During the first Sunday in May, Spokane hosts the Bloomsday 12-km timed street run, while the Hoopfest basketball tournament is on last weekend in June (could be June 30th/July 1st). These are both hugely popular events with tens of thousands of visitors. If you're not interested in either, avoid the area altogether on these two weekends, as traffic will be extremely bad, and accommodation impossible. Even Thursday night should be avoided for Hoopfest. Barring some unusually severe weather, the other 50 weekends each year should be just fine for visiting.

Go next
Although the destinations of Seattle, Portland, Glacier National Park, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens are popular with locals, these are not day trips, and even a two-day excursion will seem rushed. The distance to Mt. St. Helens is easily underestimated, as the only access is from I-5 between Seattle and Portland (with substantial backtracking).

The area to the west and south before the mountain ranges can be considerably hotter in summertime than it is in Spokane. Bring plenty of drinking water.


 * Being in the foothills of the Rockies, Spokane has excellent skiing in the wintertime, including cross-country. Forty-five minutes (by car) north of city lies the closest local ski area; Mt. Spokane Ski Resort
 * If you don't ski, Mt. Spokane State Park, has camping and daytime recreation. In the Selkirk Mountains, at the top of the 5,883-foot summit there are great views as far as Canada. US Hwy 2 north to Mt. Spokane Park Dr. (Hwy 206), then 19 miles east. (Don't use Day Mt. Spokane Road, as this goes into the backcountry.) Entry to Mt. Spokane requires a Washington State Parks Discover Pass (including the privately run ski resort.)
 * Also, 40 minutes east of downtown is the lakefront tourist town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. It's also known for its quaint downtown. (Note that all marijuana is illegal in Idaho, and their laws are very strict.)
 * Fairchild AFB, just west of Spokane International Airport on US Highway 2 (only for special events open to the public; otherwise a current Department of Defense ID card is required)
 * Grand Coulee Dam &mdash; About from Spokane, the largest electric power-producing facility in the U.S., and one of the largest concrete structures in the world. A laser light show is sometimes held after dark on summer nights (check schedule).
 * Walla Walla &mdash; It has been known for its funny name and famous sweet onions. Traditional crops have been replaced by the vineyards of over 100 area wineries. Due to the distance (157 mi/256 km) and large number (for its size) of hotels and Bed and Breakfasts, many visitors stay overnight. If too pricey, accommodation in Pendleton, Oregon is much cheaper.