There is enough to see and experience in
Spokane to keep all types of people interested. There are several
relaxing areas where you could relax for the day or read a book.
Shopping is abundant. There is beautiful architecture. There are museums
and other attractions for the entire family.
Manito Park is well worth a visit, especially for those who enjoy
plants and formal gardens. There are very few signs directing one to
these gardens. From downtown you can take Washington to Bernard and then
turn into the park. From downtown you can also take Stevens Street. Stay
in the far right lane. Go to 21st Ave and then take a left into the
gardens. Manito Park is situated in an older residential community. I
was very impressed with this community. There are several brick homes
that look like the front for a movie set.
The main attractions worth seeing at this park are the Duncan Garden,
the Gaiser Conservatory, the Perennial Garden, the Rose Hill, the
Nishinomiya Japanese Garden, and in Spring, the Lilac Garden. You can
pick up a walking tour brochure of the park at the Gaiser Conservatory.
Admission to any of these gardens in the park is FREE. The park used to
be called Montrose Park but was changed to Manito which means
"spirit of nature" in the Algonquin Indian language. For more
information about this park call PHONE NUMBER (509) 625-6622, Monday
through Friday. Group tours are given but you will need to call in
advance and reserve one. First, the Duncan Garden is a formal garden and
was built in 1913. You may see older pictures of this garden in your
travel research, but the look has completely changed. In 1996 the garden
was greatly expanded and revised. The revision maintained the classical
European Renaissance style which has a central fountain, a central water
area, and geometric planting beds. There is a large granite fountain in
the center of this garden, donated in 1956.
Good photos here:
www.madlantern.com/plants/manito
The Gaiser Conservatory is a large glass greenhouses containing
several adjoining greenhouses. This would be a nice place to work in
during Spokane's winters. Many assorted tropical plants are contained in
this greenhouse. Flowers for the gardens are also started and grown
here.
The Perennial Garden is located just north of the conservatory.
There are many bulbs, primroses, and chrysanthemums planted here. This
garden quadrupled in size in 1996.
The Rose Hill is a neat place to stop and smell the roses. There
are many different varieties of roses planted here. In fact there are
over 1,500 rose bushes. Recently an arbor was added to the garden to
allow climbing rose bushes to grow.
The Japanese Garden is rather small. There is a small walking
bridge that is built above a small pond. There are some rather large
carp that live in the pond.
Lastly the Lilac Garden is rather dull except during the Spring
when it truly becomes alive with color. The Lilac is the official flower
of the city of Spokane. The same variety of Lilacs were sent to
Spokane's sister city, Nishinomiya in Japan.
There is some incredible architecture near 1st and Jefferson Streets,
located downtown, just south west of Riverfront Park. Look at the tall
building that curves around to a point at the end of one block. Make
sure you look at the Spokane Club, for members only. There is a long
columned building next door which houses state offices, and the church
near the Spokane Club is also good material for photographs. All these
buildings are within walking distance of Riverfront Park. I would say
they are about 5 or 6 blocks away.
The Cathedral of St. John is an outstanding example of Gothic
architecture. This is only one of several interesting churches in
Spokane. There are 49 bells in this church and they weigh from 17 to
5000 pounds. Guided tours are offered Monday, Thursday, and Saturday
from noon until 3pm. For more information PHONE NUMBER (509) 838-4277.
www.stjohns-cathedral.org
The Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (formerly known as the
Cheney Cowles Memorial Museum) is well worth seeing. They were closed
for a 2-year $30 million expansion during 1999/2000 in which the size of
the museum was more than doubled. They reopened in December 2001. This
regional cultural treasure is located on 2316 First Ave. Their major
disciplines are visual art, American Indian and regional history. Allow
at least two hours. They are open Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday &
Sunday from 11am until 5pm. On Wednesday & Friday they are open from
11am until 8pm. They are closed Mondays and on major holidays. Adult
Admission is $7 - senior and student discounts are given. For more
information call PHONE NUMBER (509) 456-3931 or visit their very
informative website at:
www.northwestmuseum.org
Gonzaga University is located north of Spokane River surrounded
by Division, Sharp, Hamilton, and Trent streets. This university is one
of 28 Jesuit universities in the United States. Can you name the other
27? Gonzaga's student population is about 5000. Gonzaga is one of four
universities in Spokane and 2 community colleges. This pretty campus
lies near the old industrial area of Spokane. It was built in the mid
1890's and the buildings reflect this vintage. The main building is
huge. The offices of records and the academic offices are in here.
Photographers will feel frustration if they try to photograph this
building from the south side. The reason for this is that it is almost
completely hidden by large trees. Jundt Hall is the art building located
on the edge of campus towards the industrial section. It stands out
because it is the only brick building in the area, and also because of
its large spire. It is located next to a small pond. This museum is
worth visiting because of their Rodin sculptures. I tried to visit this
museum but unfortunately it was closed for August. Apparently workers
were remodeling parts of the inside of the building.
www.gonzaga.edu
While you are at Gonzaga University be sure to stop and visit the Crosby
Center, named after their famous son, Bing Crosby. He grew up in
Spokane, attended grammar, high school, and college in Spokane. He is
the most famous graduate of Gonzaga. Before he died on a golf course in
Madrid, Spain in 1977 he donated his time, finances, and energy to this
campus. Today, several buildings are named after him, there is a bronze
statue erected in his honor in front of the Crosby Center, and inside
this center there is a intimate museum devoted to Bing. This museum
contains numerous musical awards - his gold and platinum records, as
well as mementos from his early childhood. Admission is FREE. Bing's
boyhood home is now the home of the Gonzaga Alumni Association. It is
located at 508 East Sharp Street. Memorabilia is also on display in this
building. If you want to find out more information about Bing Crosby you
can call this PHONE NUMBER (509) 328-4220 ext. 3847 between 8am and 5pm
on weekdays.
Riverfront Park is a place the entire family can enjoy. There is
enough to do for all age groups. The Spokane River flows right next to
the park. I was crossing one of the walking bridges when I happened upon
a family fishing from the bridge. I thought they were crazy and wouldn't
have a chance of catching fish from a river that flowed through a large
city. Imagine my surprise when I peered over the railing of the bridge
and saw several large shiny trout being held in the water by a nylon
rope. After talking to this family for several minutes I found out that
this river is well fished and people always catch trout. They were using
only bread for bait. It was the first time that I had heard of trout
being attracted to bread. They said that they also catch quite a few
salmon from the Spokane River.
Riverfront Park is the former site of Expo '74, the World's Fair. The
park is 50 acres. During the right time of year, mainly the latter part
of winter and Spring you can view the rushing Spokane Falls. These falls
are similar to Niagra Falls only to the extent that they are quite wide.
They are really quite small compared to the Niagra, but are neat to look
at nonetheless. Some attractions still remain from the World's Fair.
They are the Amphitheaters, the Opera House, the Convention Center, and
the IMAX theatre. This theatre has a 5 story screen and shows a variety
of films. Some of the nicest people I have met work in this IMAX
theatre. They were extremely helpful in giving me directions and
providing me with inside travel information. Admission to the theatre is
$5.50 for adults.
On the south side of the park you will find an old carrousel. It was
built in 1909 by the man who put the first carrousel on Coney Island,
New York. Admission to this is a single dollar. Near the carrousel you
will find the tall clock tower, which is visible from most anywhere in
downtown Spokane. Also check out the oversize red wagon that is near the
clock tower.
There is a gondola that carries people over the Spokane River, the
Spokane Falls and over other parts of the park. This gondola is located
on the west side of the park. Admission is $3. For more information call
PHONE NUMBER (509) 625-6600.
One other thing worth mentioning is that in the summer there is a large
carnival in the central portion of the park, near the IMAX theatre. This
carnival consists of many children's rides and food vendors.
For those who enjoy bike riding the Spokane River Centennial Trail may
be for you. It is a 39 mile long paved path and is 12 feet wide. The
trail is closed to all motorized traffic. It starts at the junction of
the Spokane and Little Spokane Rivers and ends at the Idaho border. From
the border the Idaho Centennial trail connects to downtown Coeur d'
Alene.
www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com
The Splashdown Waterslide Park is off of the 90. Take exit 289
and then go south of Mission Ave in the Valley Mission Park. There are
five water slides here. They are open Monday through Saturday from 10am
until 7pm and Sunday from noon until 7pm. These times are good from
Memorial Day through then Labor day weekend. Admission is $9. Those
between the ages of 3 to 11 are $7.25. For more information call PHONE
NUMBER (509) 924-3079.
www.splashdownwaterpark.net
For more information about outdoor activities in the Spokane area please
visit: www.spokaneoutdoors.com
