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Things to Do in Spokane WA Year-Round: Best Hikes, Lakes, Family Fun, Festivals & Winter Activities In and Around Spokane
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items My local guide to the best things to do in Spokane, Washington in every season. As a Spokane local with a busy family (and two cats at home), these are the places we actually go: Riverfront Park and Spokane Falls, easy hikes and state parks, summer l...
Sections
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Downtown Spokane & Riverfront Park
Best Hikes & Nature Spots Near Spokane
Summer Fun: Lakes, Parks & Theme Parks
Spokane Festivals & Events by Season
Winter Things to Do in Spokane
Indoor & Rainy-Day Things to Do in Spokane
Downtown Spokane & Riverfront Park
The heart of Spokane, open all year. Start here if you're new to town or showing visitors around.
Our go-to for an easy day downtown. You can walk the paths over the river, see the falls, let the kids loose on the playgrounds and grab food nearby. Something is going on here in every season.
Riverfront Park
The gondola ride down over the falls is the best view of the Spokane River you can get. I take every out-of-town guest on it, and spring, when the river is roaring, is the most impressive time to go.
Numerica SkyRide over Spokane Falls
A historic hand-carved carousel right in the park. It's a sweet, inexpensive treat for little ones and it runs indoors, so it works even on cold or rainy days.
Looff Carrousel
The big lit-up pavilion is a Spokane landmark. It's fun to walk under in the evening, and it hosts concerts and events in the warmer months.
Riverfront Park Pavilion
A paved trail that follows the river from Spokane toward the Idaho line. We bike or walk sections of it whenever the weather is decent, and it's flat enough for kids and strollers.
Spokane Centennial Trail
Best Hikes & Nature Spots Near Spokane
Easy-to-moderate hikes, wildlife and gardens within a short drive of town. Great in spring, summer and fall.
My favorite quick escape from the city. The swinging bridge over the river and the big rock formations at Bowl and Pitcher are worth the trip alone. Bring good shoes, the trails can be rocky. A Discover Pass is needed to park.
Riverside State Park (Bowl and Pitcher)
A South Hill gem with a Japanese garden, rose garden, duck pond and the Gaiser Conservatory. We go in every season, and the conservatory is a warm green escape in the middle of winter.
Manito Park & Gardens
Close-in trails in Spokane Valley with pretty views and wildflowers in spring. It's a good pick when you only have an hour or two to get outside.
Dishman Hills Natural Area
Just south of Cheney, this is the place to see birds, deer and maybe even moose. The flat trails and the auto tour route make it easy for the whole family. Bring binoculars.
Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge
In summer the drive up Mt. Spokane opens up hiking trails, huckleberry picking and huge views across the Inland Northwest. It's noticeably cooler up top on hot days.
Mount Spokane State Park (summer)
When I want to see what's happening this weekend, I check Visit Spokane. It has event calendars and ideas for every season, which helps me keep this list fresh.
Spokane Visitor Guide (Visit Spokane)
Summer Fun: Lakes, Parks & Theme Parks
Spokane summers are hot and sunny. These are our favorite ways to cool off and have fun from June through September.
The biggest theme park in the Northwest is about an hour away in north Idaho, with rides plus the Boulder Beach water park. Plan a full day and go on a weekday if you can to beat the crowds.
Silverwood Theme Park
A short drive east for a lake day. We swim at the city beach, walk the Tubbs Hill trail around the point and grab ice cream downtown. It's an easy day trip from Spokane.
Lake Coeur d'Alene & Tubbs Hill
A Spokane County park with a swim beach, picnic spots and a trail out to a waterfall. It's closer than Coeur d'Alene when you just want a quick lake afternoon.
Liberty Lake Regional Park
Minor league baseball at Avista Stadium is one of the most fun and affordable summer nights out in Spokane. Kids love the mascots and the fireworks nights.
Spokane Indians Baseball
Spokane Festivals & Events by Season
The big yearly events Spokane is known for, from spring runs to summer basketball to fall harvest.
One of the biggest timed road races in the country, held every May. Whether you run, walk or just cheer from the sidelines, the whole city shows up for it.
Lilac Bloomsday Run (May)
Spokane is the Lilac City, and this festival and its Armed Forces Torchlight Parade are a spring tradition for our family.
Spokane Lilac Festival (May)
The world's largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament takes over downtown every June. Even if you don't play, walking the courts is a blast.
Hoopfest (June)
Our fall must-do. Green Bluff farms north of Spokane have u-pick berries in summer and apples, pumpkins and cider in fall. Weekends in October get busy, so go early.
Green Bluff Growers (summer & fall)
Winter Things to Do in Spokane
Snow sports, ice skating and holiday lights to make the most of a Spokane winter.
The closest ski hill to town, less than an hour from downtown. It has night skiing, which makes it easy to fit in a few runs after school or work.
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park
A family-friendly ski area north of Chewelah with lots of beginner and intermediate terrain. It's a great place for kids learning to ski.
49 Degrees North
The big mountain of the region, near Sandpoint, Idaho, with views over Lake Pend Oreille. Worth the drive for a special ski day or a winter weekend getaway.
Schweitzer Mountain Resort
An outdoor ice skating loop in Riverfront Park that winds like a ribbon. Confession: I was always better at roller skating, but it's a fun winter outing even if you hug the wall.
Numerica Skate Ribbon
Every holiday season the resort and downtown Coeur d'Alene light up with a huge display. Seeing the lights from the lake cruise is a magical family tradition.
Coeur d'Alene Resort Holiday Light Show
A free holiday light display in Kendall Yards that runs Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027, kicking off with opening-night fireworks on Nov 21. Bundle up and stroll the lights, then grab dinner or hot cocoa in the neighborhood.
Winter Glow Spectacular at Kendall Yards
A Spokane holiday tradition from the Spokane Symphony Associates: beautifully decorated trees on display free at the Davenport Hotel and River Park Square, Dec 1-13, 2026. Buy $1 raffle tickets for a chance to win a tree, with proceeds supporting the...
Christmas Tree Elegance at the Davenport & River Park Square
Indoor & Rainy-Day Things to Do in Spokane
Museums, shows and local favorites for cold, smoky or rainy days when you still want to get out of the house.
In Browne's Addition, the MAC has rotating art and history exhibits plus a strong collection on the Inland Northwest's tribes. It's a good one for curious kids and adults.
Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC)
A gorgeous restored art deco theater and home of the Spokane Symphony. Catching a show or the holiday Nutcracker here feels like a real night out.
Martin Woldson Theater at The Fox
WHL hockey at the Spokane Arena is loud, fast and family friendly. It's our favorite way to spend a winter Friday night.
Spokane Chiefs Hockey
As a cat lover I had to include this one. This nonprofit sanctuary north of Spokane is home to tigers, lions and other big cats, and the guided tours are fascinating.
Cat Tales Wildlife Center
Downtown climbing gym that's a great way for teens and adults to burn off energy when it's too cold or rainy to be outside.
Wild Walls Climbing Gym
A locally owned coffee shop at 510 S. Pines Rd. in Spokane Valley where you can sit down and build Lego sets while you sip. There's a bulk Lego area, a build-your-own minifig bar, Lego-themed games, and new and used sets for sale. The drink menu cove...
Bricks & Beans (Lego Coffee Shop, Spokane Valley)