Located 280 mi/450 km east of Seattle and 18 mi/30 km from the state border with Idaho, Spokane, Washington, offers an abundance of activities for visitors, from hiking and skiing to boating and fishing to shopping and dining. The city also provides plenty of cultural, arts and entertainment options.
Spokane is the commercial center of an agricultural region and serves as a gateway to the recreation areas of eastern Washington, northern Idaho and western Montana.
History
The first European trading post in the Pacific Northwest was established in the Spokane area in 1810.
Some of the region's early history is on display at the restored Fort Spokane, which was built in the 1880s to keep the peace between Native Americans and white settlers.
Sightseeing
The Campbell House was constructed in 1898 by a wealthy Spokane resident and has been restored to its former glory. More vintage homes can be found along Riverside Avenue, in the Browne's Addition Historic District and in the neighborhood known as "the Hill."
Spokane's Gonzaga University is home to the Crosby Library, which displays alumnus Bing Crosby's Oscar, gold records and other mementos. Crosby was born in Tacoma, Washington, and grew up in Spokane.
The Spokane area also offers several award-winning wineries, and nearly 30 family farms at the base of Mount Spokane allow you to pick your own produce.
Recreation
Spokane offers a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, white-water rafting, hiking and golf. Skiing is available at several resorts within two hours.
Spectator Sports
Spokane is a small city that acts big. It does not want to be outdone by larger nearby cities, so it aims high. It has hosted a number of notable sporting events.
Basketball
In 2010, Spokane will host the first and second rounds of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament.
The city also is home to the annual Spokane Hoopfest, the world's largest three-on-three basketball tournament. Nearly 25,000 players from 42 states and three countries travel to Spokane to play basketball in the streets during the last weekend in June. Some 200,000 spectators cruise the courts, including former NBA stars such as John Stockton, Craig Ehlo and Dan Dickau.
Other Options
On the first Sunday in May each year, Spokane holds one of the nation's largest timed footraces. Called the Bloomsday Run, the 12K race draws some 50,000 athletes who strap on their ankle timers and face the challenging course, culminating in Doomsday Hill.
In 2007, Spokane was the smallest city to host the U.S. Figure Skating Chapionships, and in 2010, it will welcome back the championships—the final qualifier for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, British Columbia. This makes Spokane the first city in more than 50 years to host them twice in the four-year Olympic cycle.
For More Information
For more information about Spokane, contact the visitors bureau at 509-624-1341 or http://www.visitspokane.com.
