Okay let's be honest - when most folks search for things to do in Spokane, they get the same recycled list of attractions. Riverfront Park, Manito Park, maybe the Bing Crosby House. And yeah, those are great, but if that's all you do? You're missing the soul of this place. I've lived here 12 years and what makes Spokane special isn't just the postcard spots - it's the hidden river trails, the weird little museums, the breakfast joints where everyone knows your name.

Spokane sneaks up on you. At first glance it's just another mid-sized city, but then you discover the waterfall right downtown, the world-class hiking 15 minutes from your doorstep, the food scene that punches way above its weight. This guide? It's what I actually tell friends visiting from out of town. No corporate sponsorships, no AI-generated nonsense - just real experiences from someone who spends weekends exploring every corner of this place.

Outdoor Stuff That Doesn't Feel Like Exercise

Look, I'm not some ultra-marathoner. My idea of outdoorsy is a leisurely walk with coffee. But Spokane makes nature stupidly accessible:

The Riverfront Park Redux

Yeah yeah, everyone tells you to visit Riverfront Park. But most tourists stick to the Clocktower and leave. Big mistake. Here's what locals actually do:

• The SkyRide ($12 adults, $9 kids) isn't just a gondola - it's the best city view you'll get. Go at sunset when the falls turn golden.
• Ice Age Trail - Free riverside path behind the Pavilion. Saw a beaver there last Tuesday.
• Looff Carrousel ($2 per ride) - Sounds cheesy until you see grown men fighting for the dragon seat.

Hikes Without the Sweat Stain

You want outdoor things to do in Spokane that won't destroy your work clothes? Try these:

• Dishman Hills Natural Area - 530 acres with trails for all levels. The Eagle Peak route? Killer skyline views without killing your knees (free)
• Centennial Trail 37 miles total Mostly flat Riverside biking/walking with brewery pit stops
  Local tip: Rent bikes from Wheel Sport East ($35/day hybrids). Avoid downtown kiosks - their seats feel like medieval torture devices.

  Rainy Day Lifesavers (Because It's Spokane)

  When the drizzle hits - which it does often - here's where locals hide:

  Underrated Museums That Won't Bore You

  • Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture ($10 adults) - Their "Secret Spokane" exhibit explains why we have underground tunnels downtown. Creepily fascinating.
  • Mobius Discovery Center ($12.50 kids, adults free) - Hands-on science chaos. Watch your 8-year-old build a earthquake-proof tower while you drink coffee.
  • Jundt Art Museum (Free) - Gonzaga's hidden gem. The Dale Chihuly glass collection alone is worth it.
  Confession time: I dragged my feet to the MAC for years. Then I saw their vintage Spokane neon sign collection - now I drag everyone there. Their rotating exhibits on regional history? Surprisingly metal.

  Weird Little Spots Only Locals Know

  These don't make most "things to do in Spokane" lists but should:

  • Boo Radley's - Comic book store meets oddity shop. Where else can you buy Sasquatch jerky next to Hello Kitty bandaids?
  • Garland Theater ($4 matinees) - Historic single-screen showing second-run films. Feels like stepping into 1953.
  • Comstock Park Rock Garden - Volunteer-built stone labyrinths and tiny castles. Free and strangely magical.

  Indoor Spot	Perfect For	Cost	Local Hack
  Merlyn's Comics	Rainy afternoons	Free to browse	Ask about local artist nights
  Pottery Place Plus	Crafty families	$10-40 per piece	Tuesdays = half-price studio fee
  Kendall Yards Night Market	Summer Thursdays	Free entry	Vendor food > food trucks

  The Food Scene (Where Spokane Shocks People)

  Visitors expect chain restaurants. What they find? James Beard nominees and grandma-style diners side-by-side.

  Breakfast That'll Ruin Your Diet

  • Frank's Diner ($8-15) - Actual 1906 railroad car. Pancakes bigger than your face. Warning: 45+ minute weekend waits.
  • Old European ($10-14) - Danish pancakes with lingonberries. Feels like eating in Copenhagen minus the airfare.
  • Bruncheonette ($12-18) - Hipster meets hearty. Their bacon flight? Worth the Instagram shame.
  I've eaten at Frank's 27 times (yes I count). Pro tip: Their hash browns "extra crispy" with gravy will cure any hangover. But seriously - go at 7:30am or you'll starve waiting.

  Dinner Spots That Don't Require Heels

  Spokane's best meals aren't fancy. They're flavorful:

  • Italia Trattoria ($18-32) - Family-run Italian. The wild boar pasta haunts my dreams.
  • The Gilded Unicorn ($14-28) - Gastropub with elk sliders and whiskey flights. Dark, loud, perfect.
  • Phonthip Thai ($13-19) - Tiny family spot. Level 4 spicy will make you cry (in a good way).

  Restaurant	Must-Order	Price Point	When to Go
  Inland Pacific Kitchen	Mushroom Toast	$$$	Date nights only
  Ruins	Kimchi Burger	$$	Late night (open til 2am)
  De Leon's Taco Stand	Al Pastor Tacos	$	2pm lull (avoid lunch rush)

  Seasonal Stuff You Shouldn't Miss

  Spokane transforms dramatically by season. Here's the local calendar:

  Summer (June-Aug)

  • Pig Out in the Park - Biggest free music fest in the Northwest (Labor Day weekend).
  • Spokane Indians Games ($12-25 tickets) - Minor league baseball with river views. Fireworks Fridays!
  • Spokane River Swim - Crazy locals swimming the frigid river. Spectating recommended.

  Winter (Dec-Feb)

  • Winter Lights at Riverfront - Millions of lights with hot cocoa stations (free).
  • 49° North Mountain Resort ($89 lift tickets) - Powder days beat anything in Idaho.
  • Bing Crosby Holiday Film Fest - Free classic movies at the historic Garland.
  Local hack: Buy Mt. Spokane ski passes early November for 30% off. Their night skiing? Magical under the lights.

  Burning Questions About Things to Do in Spokane

  Q: What's the one thing I absolutely shouldn't miss?
  A: Walking the Centennial Trail at sunset. Start at Kendall Yards, end at Riverfront. You'll see wildlife, the falls lit up, and why we love this river city.

  Q: Where do locals go to avoid tourists?
  A: South Perry District coffee shops (Ladder Coffee especially) or Peaceful Valley's antique stores. Tourists rarely cross the river.

  Q: What's overrated?
  A (unpopular opinion): The Davenport Hotel tours. Beautiful lobby? Sure. Paying $15 to see rooms? Skip it. Grab a cocktail in the Peacock Lounge instead.

  Q: Best free things to do in Spokane?
  A: Garland Street Fair (August), First Friday art walks, hiking Dishman Hills, summer concerts in the park (check Browne's Addition schedule).

  Q: Where can I taste local flavors?
  A: Main Market Co-op's tasting counter or the Saranac Commons food hall. Try huckleberry anything and Dry Fly whiskey samples.

  Making It Work: Practical Stuff

  Let's cut through the tourism brochure nonsense:

  • Getting Around: Downtown is walkable but you'll want wheels for hikes. Uber/Lyft available but sparse in suburbs. Rent a car if hitting multiple spots.
  • Parking: Downtown garages max $10/day. Street parking free Sundays. Avoid Riverside Ave during rush hour - tow trucks circle like sharks.
  • Timing: Summer = festivals but crowds. Fall = stunning foliage (late Sept-Oct). Winter = snowy magic but some attractions close.
  • Money Saving: Get a Park & Recreation "Passport" ($25) for discounts to Mobius, SkyRide, and pools.
  Last February a friend visited insisting on "authentic Spokane." We spent the morning snowshoeing Mt. Spokane ($15 rentals), ate chili dogs at Zips ($4.25), then drank craft beer at Bellwether Brewing ($6 pints). Total cost under $30. Sometimes the cheap stuff is the best stuff.

  Final Reality Check

  Spokane won't blow you away with world-famous attractions. It grows on you slowly - through morning fog on the river, the smell of ponderosa pines on Iller Creek trail, the way baristas remember your order after two visits. The best things to do in Spokane aren't about checking boxes. They're about sitting on a Garland District porch with ice cream from Ferguson's ($3.75 for a double scoop), watching the world go by slower than anywhere else.

  Come for the waterfalls. Stay for the weird little city that feels like home after three days. Just don't tell too many people - we like our secrets.