Spokane, WA

Spokane is built around a dramatic waterfall running right through the center of downtown. Riverfront Park covers the islands and riverbanks below the falls, creating a welcoming backyard for the entire city. You can stroll past the historic 1902 clock tower, catch an evening light show under the renovated Pavilion, or ride the hand-carved Looff Carousel. In the winter, locals lace up their skates on the outdoor ice ribbon, which switches over to roller skating and scootering when the weather warms up. With pedestrian bridges crossing the river and views of the roaring water from almost every angle, it is an easy place to spend a Saturday afternoon.

ATTRMartin Kraft / CC BY-SA 3.0

There is always something happening along the water, from summer food truck nights and outdoor concerts to cultural festivals and community basketball games. Beyond the parks, Spokane serves as the main medical, financial, and educational hub for eastern Washington and north Idaho. Healthcare and higher education drive much of the local economy, anchored by the University District just east of downtown. Gonzaga University, Washington State University’s health sciences campus, and major regional hospitals all sit within a few blocks of each other, while aerospace manufacturing and regional agriculture round out the job market.

ATTRWalter Siegmund (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0

The downtown core took shape through a couple of major reinventions. After a massive fire wiped out 32 city blocks in 1889, Spokane rebuilt with the classic brick architecture you still see along Riverside and Main Avenue. Decades later, heavy rail yards and industrial sheds covered the islands beside the falls, cutting the city off from its own waterfront. Spokane changed that when it hosted the 1974 World's Fair. The city cleared out the tracks, kept the old Great Northern train depot's clock tower as a beloved landmark, and transformed the fairgrounds into the green riverfront park system that anchors the city today.

ATTRMark Wagner / CC BY 2.5

Spokane's surrounding neighborhoods each bring their own distinct personality. Browne's Addition features shaded sidewalks, grand historic homes, neighborhood pubs, and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture. To the north, the Garland District draws people for its vintage movie theater and indie storefronts, while the South Perry District is a favorite for weekend bakeries and patio dining. Getting across town is simple thanks to the City Line, an all-electric rapid bus route that runs from Browne's Addition through downtown and the university district out to Spokane Community College.