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Have you ever dreamed of visiting the beautiful, nature-filled Spokane, Washington? Or better yet, are you one of the 212,000 people who live in this city, the state’s second largest?

Spokane’s population will do nothing but grow, with a 22% increase expected by 2030. And that’s not by accident. Spokane offers artisan craft breweries, wilderness sightings, and some eclectic restaurants.

And even cooler than all that? The wonderous peak of Mt. Spokane, the highest peak in the County. Reaching almost 5,900 feet high, it is a sight to behold.

If you’re visiting the area anytime soon, take it from the locals: you need to make time for this stop. And maybe lots of time. From skiing to hiking to camping, the options are there.

Feeling adventurous? Keep reading to gather some inspiration for your next trip!

The Tall and Mighty Mt. Spokane

Mt. Spokane, once known as “Baldy,” towers over the surrounding towns at 5,883 feet. On the spread of the mountain lies Washington’s largest state park. Almost 14,000 acres are available for residents and tourists to explore on.

And while you’re here, you have to visit the Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park, a local and tourist favorite. This park offers almost 1,500 acres of land with 2,000 vertical feet to send down.

Mt. Spokane State Park

Are you visiting in the summer? Fall? Winter?

When it comes to Mt. Spokane State Park, it doesn’t matter what time of year you decide to come. It offers something for every season. You’ve got Nordic cross-country skiing trails or a huge plot of land to explore on in the summer.

Are the daytimes cool and the nights breezy? Then it’s the perfect time to pitch a tent in one of the park’s 13,000 acres. Or hike one of the acclaimed, rigorous trails.

Here’s how to go about these awesome activities.

Camping

The State Park has 13, 919 acres of camping land to offer. You’ll be right in the trees of the Selkirk Mountain range. If you’re camping on a clear day, you may be able to see Washington, Idaho, and Montana.

Hiking

Mt. Spokane State Park has so many trails that one could never get bored. Offering at least 90 miles of hiking trails and 100 miles of biking trails, the options are endless.

What trails offer some of the best views, according to the locals?

Eagle Crest
Quartz Mountain
Shadow Mountain

While you’re hiking these trails, keep an eye out for huckleberries! The locals like to keep these spots a secret.

Wilderness Sighting

Your chances of seeing some awesome wildlife are good. There are many critters that could cross your path while camping or hiking:

Bobcats
Bears
Coyotes
Deer and elk
Eagles

And that’s only naming a few of many! Keep your eyes peeled.

Skiing and Snowboarding the Mountain

This one’s deserving of its own category.

Too cold to camp? Then ski instead, and warm your toes by the fireplace in your heated cabin at the end of the night.

Mt. Spokane Ski and Snowboard Park has 60% intermediate routes. The remaining 40% is for the adventurous, advanced types.

Although Steven’s Cowboy Mountain is a similar height, Mt. Spokane is less crowded. Because it’s surrounding metro area is smaller, fewer people come there for skiing. Beginners especially should consider the freedom of space at Mt. Spokane.

And if you’re a local whose already experienced all the skiing Mt. Spokane has to offer, you’re in luck.

By 2019, A $2.5 trillion chairlift is being installed on the Northwest side, adding a whopping 279 acres and 7 runs for skiers. Not only will these runs be exciting and fresh, they’ll be the longest ones on the mountain yet.

50 miles of Nordic trails are great for those who want to enhance their workout. It’s the perfect combination of cross-country skiing and a walk in the woods.

Liquids and Solids

Want to have a night out with the locals? Then The Garland Theater is your place. Offering a romantic, 40s-era vibe, this theater maintains the sacred history of Spokane.

Take your spouse on a date here and enjoy pre-movie cocktails at their bar. Or bring the whole family, because you can actually afford it! Ticket prices are as old-school as the theater itself, ringing up at $5.00.

Are you a fan of craft beer? You’re in luck, too. Spokane has more than half a dozen local breweries, offering anything from Belgian sours to traditional lagers.

As for food? If you’re in a hurry, you can always check out Dick’s Hamburgers. They’re known around town for a great meal with a quick turnout.

And if you’re not in a rush, slow down and enjoy one of the many eclectic restaurants around town that derives their ingredients from local sources.

And One Last Reason to Visit Mt. Spokane?

You mean, other than to say that you did?

Because things are changing every day. The climate is changing. Politics are changing.

And you don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to see Mt. Spokane in its current state. This mountain, and all the world’s others, deserve our care, attention, and adventure. These beauties are worth the look.

If you’ve got a fearless spirit, Mt. Spokane is your region to be in. It’s got much to offer to meet your comfort level, and get you outside of your comfort zone. Few places can do both things in the same space.

If you need more tips on how to make the most of your trip, check out our Spokane blog!

People tend to sidestep when they see hot poop on Main Street in Anywhere, USA. However, folks from all over the world have traveled to Walla Walla just to march right through Hot Poop. Not the dog stuff but the record store… where did you really think I was going with this?

It’s fast, it’s furious but it has nothing to do with cars. Spinning wheels for sure but the only engines running at Roller Valley are powered by rage and an intense competitive spirit. After an extended time away from the oval due to Covid 19, The Lilac City Roller Derby is back in action.

Tucked in Browne’s Addition just across from Coeur D’ Alene Park sits one of Spokane’s most elaborate mansions. Built in 1897 by famous architect Kirtland Cutter for the Clark family, this mansion was built in a Moorish style and is filled with Tiffany glass and wood carved accents.

We’ve all been there. The dread, the woe and the living hell that is arguing with your partner about whether you want a leather or cloth sofa. Sure, the cloth is comfier, but the cats will have a field day scratching up the side that your guests will see most frequently. On the flip side, maybe the leather just doesn’t feel right. Regardless, if you’re me then you’re wrong and you just go with what the wife decides anyway.

Spokane has a great gardening culture. People come from all over the world to explore our award winning public gardens and they’re known as calm places of serenity. Whether it’s the manicured English style garden, a traditional Japanese garden or even a near vertical climb of a garden, Spokane has a park for everyone.

Spokane is full of oddities. When you look at our history, you might be tempted to tell Austin or Portland to take a back seat to Spokane’s own style of weird.

You might not know this, but Spokane has an epic pizza scene. If you’re a fan of a beautiful crust, savory sauces and toppings that seem to have been placed by God almighty himself then a trip to Spokane is absolutely the destination for you.

Runners can find just about any type of race to participate in these days. Whether you’re a princess on the go, a spartan looking for a conquest or you want to run 5 kilometers naked through the woods. Yup, I said it. How did this happen?

Spokane has some amazing ice cream spots. If you want some epic homemade ice cream and a trip through a nostalgic toy museum, then look no further than Doyle’s Ice Cream. It’s kind of like a twofer for the price of a single scoop. Get the waffle cone…seriously it’s worth it.

If you’re more of a soft serve fan, then it’s honestly hard to beat Dairy Queen. Sure it’s a chain but seeing that there’s a constant line around the building, I don’t think Spokanites mind so much.

However, if you’re looking for a unique experience AND the best dang frozen treat this side of the Magic Kingdom… yeah that one. Seriously… then look no Further than Dick’s! Again, seriously. I know it sounds weird, Dick’s is the place for a great burger and the best people watching in Spokane. Never would I have considered getting an ice cream cone there. These days, I make special trips just for the golden frozen delicacy that is Pineapple Dole Whip.

I’m not alone. Upon my last visit, I extolled the virtues of this pineapple flavored soft serve with another customer, and he said that he had made a special trip just for the treat. So did I. Dole Whip even has a massive cult-like following. So much so that you can literally express your love of the whip in an official shirt sleeve. I wear an XL by the way. For a true fan, a special trip isn’t really that big of a chore.

Pineapple Dole Whip gained its fame on the Disney properties. Of course, in the Polynesian resort as well as inside the parks. A pineapple Dole Whip was always a highlight of the trip. I’d wait 45 minutes in line just to get a taste. I was never alone; many-a-fan of the “whip” would make a pilgrimage to the Enchanted Tiki Room just to get soft served. While there are several flavors of Dole Whip, pineapple is the only one that matters.

Imagine my surprise when I went to get my Whammy, no onions, fries and soda only to see the Dole Whip sign. I was shocked. Never before have I gotten away with buying the whip without paying an admission fee and seeing families in matching t-shirts. At Dick’s it just cost me $2.15 for a large cone and instead of people wearing matching shirts, apparently they never bothered to put up the no shirts no service sign at the home of the Whammy.

Are you vegan? Lactose intolerant? No worries. Pineapple dole whip is vegan and Dairy free. Despite that, it’s also amazing.

Now here comes the bad news. Even with the large volume of cones flowing through the order window, the end is nigh. Unfortunately, Dick’s only carries the whip seasonally. With the summer coming to an end, you only have a few weeks left. The manager told me that they would most likely quit selling Dole Whip at the end of August. Until next year that is. I guess that’s the silver lining of this golden treat.

So quick, get to Dick’s and get that soft serve. It’ll melt in the heat so EAT! EAT! EAT!

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