Start your driving tour on West Spokane Falls Boulevard. If you have not explored the park, now is a great time to find a parking spot and see the Spokane Falls.


The Park itself is the legacy of Spokane’s Expo ’74 World’s Fair. One hundred acres of beautifully manicured lawns and trees, interesting art, and amazing attractions are located in the heart of downtown Spokane. Riverfront Park is home to the historic 1909 Looff Carrousel and Ken Spierings’s sculpture entitled “Childhood Express”, a unique giant replica of a Radio Flyer Wagon that is actually a slide for children. A sculpture walk follows the Centennial Trail through the park. The many bridges and viewpoints in the park offer spectacular views of the beautiful Spokane Falls. Attractions include the Ice-skating/Roller-skating Ribbon, the Spokane Falls SkyRide, and the Garbage-eating Goat Sculpture.

Turn right onto Monroe Street and head across the bridge and up to Mallon Avenue. Turn right on Mallon Avenue and Flour Mill will be on your right.


Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Flour Mill was originally built over a hundred years ago to harness the energy of the Spokane River to grind local wheat into flour. It was renovated during the excitement prior to the Expo ’74 World’s Fair into an eclectic collection of specialty shops, eateries, and more. The Flour Mill is home to Wonders of the World, Clinkerdagger, Queen of Sheba, and much much more.

The arena is on the left side of Mallon as you pass the Flour Mill. The road will start to curve north as the arena remains on your left.

The Spokane Arena is a 12,500-seat, state-of-the-art, multi-purpose venue. The Arena has hosted a variety of events and concerts, numerous Men's and Women's NCAA Basketball Tournaments, and the record-breaking 2007 and 2010 US Figure Skating Championships. Home of the Spokane Chiefs Hockey Club, the Arena is dedicated to creating event experiences that truly "wow" their guests.

Continue left around the southeast corner of the arena as the road becomes Howard Street. Turn left on Boone Avenue. Turn left on Monroe Street. Turn right on Broadway Avenue. The courthouse is on your right.

Designed by architect W. A. Ritchie in a 16th Century French Renaissance design, this facility has served the citizens of Spokane County since 1895. The courthouse is said to closely resemble two famous 16th century chateaux in the Loire Valley of France, the Chateau de Chambord, built in 1519 and the Chateau d'Azay Le Rideau built in 1516. Detailed exterior trim such as shell patterns with wreaths and festoons and decorative arches are a few of the outstanding features of its design. The beautiful center tower, now lighted at night, is a masterpiece of detail in itself.

Turn left onto Jefferson St., turn left onto College Ave. Turn right onto Monroe Street drive across the bridge.

Spanning the Spokane River, the Monroe Street Bridge was built in 1911. The beautiful deck arch bridge was designed by John Chester Ralston and Kirtland Cutter. After crossing the bridge, you will immediately see the Spokane Club on your right. The iconic building was also designed by Kirtland Cutter to suit the already well-established club of nearly 500 members in 1911.

Continue heading south on Monroe Street, The Fox will be on your right.

Constructed by renowned architect Robert Reamer in an art deco style, the Fox Theater opened to the public in September of 1931. Inside the theater, murals created by Anthony Heinsbergen evolve from underwater floral patterns at the lobby level to landscapes of castles, rivers, and clouds on the mezzanine, culminating with a magnificent 60-foot-wide sunburst that dominates the auditorium. Slated for demolition in 2000, a massive community effort spearheaded by the Spokane Symphony saved the theater. Following a $31 million renovation, The Fox reopened in 2007.

Proceed under the train tracks on Monroe Street and turn left on Third Avenue. Make an immediate left on Lincoln Street and look to the enormous steam stacks on your right.

Built in 1916, the Steam Plant was constructed to produce steam heat and electrical power for all downtown Spokane. The twin 225-foot smokestacks were hand-formed using a total of 333,340 bricks. In operation until 1986, the Steam Plant produced 15,000-370,000 pounds of steam pressure per hour virtually every hour of the day or night. After sitting idle for nearly 10 years, the Steam Plant was purchased and renovated into one of the most unique buildings in Spokane. The Steam Plant now features a restaurant, its own brewing company, and eclectic shopping.

Continue north on Lincoln Street. Turn right on to First Avenue. The Historic Davenport Hotel will be on your left.

The Historic Davenport Hotel has been world-famous since its opening in September of 1914. It was the first hotel with air conditioning, a central vacuum system, housekeeping carts (designed by Louis Davenport himself), accordion ballroom doors and the Crab Louis (Named for Louis Davenport). Re-opened in 2002, after a $38-million top to bottom restoration, the Davenport now revels in its original glory and is known as one of “America’s Exceptional Hotels.” Take the hotel’s fascinating walking tour and stay for lunch at one of their restaurants. Here are just a few historic guests…Charles Lindbergh, Mary Pickford, Amelia Earhart, Bob Hope, JF Kennedy, Cher, Neil diamond, Sting, Jerry Seinfeld and many many more..

Proceed east on First Avenue. Then, turn right on Stevens Street. As you head up the hill, stay to the right as the road splits and becomes Bernard Street. Continue heading south, then turn left on 21st Avenue, the park is on your left.

Covering over 90 acres, Manito Park is one of Spokane’s largest and most beautiful parks. It includes the Lilac Garden, Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden, Rose Hill, Perennial and Duncan Gardens, and the Gaiser Conservatory. The gardens are spectacular during the spring and summer and the conservatory is stunning year-round as it features a changing collection of exotic plants and flowers from around the world.

Continue on 21st Avenue as it curves to the right around Duncan Gardens. Turn left on 25th Avenue and proceed to Grand Boulevard. Turn left on Grand Boulevard. Turn right on 12th Avenue right in front of the cathedral.

One of the few examples in the USA of classic Gothic architecture, the Cathedral was built in the 1930s. Guided tours are available by appointment only. (509) 838-4277

Proceed on 12th Avenue and make your way back to Grand Avenue by turning right on Cowley Street, then right on 13th Avenue. Turn right onto Grand Boulevard and make your next left onto Cliff Drive. Continue up the hill until the view opens on your right.

Well-known for its panoramic view of the entire city, Cliff Drive is the ideal spot to stop and take a picture. Continuing on to the right at the bend in the road is Cliff Aerie, the former residence of Senator Dill who introduced the bill to build Grand Coulee Dam.

Proceed east on 7th Avenue. Turn right on Stevens Street and stay in the left lane at the fork which becomes 9th Avenue. At the light, turn left onto south McClellan Street and make the next left onto 8th Avenue. The Glover Mansion will be on your left.

Built-in 1888 by famed architect Kirtland Cutter for the “Father of Spokane,” James Glover, the mansion is an exquisite example of late 19th-century design. Tour the mansion and marvel at the featured woodwork from 10 different areas around the world, and the wide array of stained-glass windows.

8th Avenue turns into Washington Street and heads north. Turn left on 2nd Avenue and continue west. After crossing Maple Avenue, stay right on 2nd Avenue. Turn right on Cannon Street and continue past the round-about. Turn left on 1st Avenue and the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture is on the right.

Known as the MAC, The Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, a Smithsonian affiliate, features exhibits of regional and natural history, including America’s largest collection of Northern Plateau Indian art. Take note of the historic homes surrounding the museum, as Browne’s Addition is one of Spokane’s oldest neighborhoods.

Designed in 1898 by Kirtland Cutter, The Campbell House models what homes of the “well to do” looked like during Spokane’s ‘Age of Elegance’. The home housed the original museum after the owner deeded it to the Eastern Washington Historical Society. To tour the historic home, you can purchase a ticket through the MAC.

Follow 1st Avenue as it turns left and becomes Poplar Street. Turn left on 2nd Avenue, then turn right on Spruce Street. Turn right on Sunset Boulevard and continue across the bridge and up the hill. Halfway up the hill, turn left on South F Street and stay right. The arboretum is on your right.

An extensive botanical and tree garden with more than 2,000 labeled ornamental trees, shrubs, and flowers. Walk the many trails that weave through the 65 acres or stop alongside Garden Springs Creek and enjoy the serene setting.

Return to Sunset Boulevard and turn right to head east. At the light, turn left on Government Way. Continue past the historic cemetery, up a slight hill, and turn right on Whistalks Way. The fort, Mukogowa Fort Wright Institute, and the Japanese Cultural Center will be on your left.

The Mukogawa Fort Wright Institute is a branch campus of a university in Spokane’s sister city, Nishinomiya, Japan. Their one-year program is dedicated to teaching young Japanese women English as a second language.

To access Bowl and Pitcher, look for the State Park entrance on the left side of the road. Park in the first lot on your right for an aerial view or continue down the hill and into the park to access the hanging bridge.

The Bowl & Pitcher is famous for its great views of the Spokane River. This area of Riverside State Park features camping and picnic sites, trails leading to the Spokane River, a swinging footbridge, and views of lava rock outcroppings. Two of these outcroppings resemble a bowl and pitcher, giving this beautiful section of the park its name. Note: there is an entry fee unless you have a Discover Pass.

Turn Right onto Aubrey L. White Parkway. Under the bridge turn left, North, onto TJ Meenach Dr. Turn right onto Northwest Blvd./Indiana Ave. for four miles and then turn right on N. Division Street. In five blocks, turn left on Sharp Avenue. Gonzaga University will be on your right.

Gonzaga University has a long healthy relationship with Spokane since 1887. The Jesuit priests, teachers and students have grown together by adding a law school, a school of education, an engineering and business school. Gonzaga Basketball both men’s and women’s have put Spokane on the College Athletic map. The university is Bing Crosby’s alma mater and welcomes visitors to enjoy the country’s largest public collection of Bing Crosby memorabilia in Bing’s boyhood home on the campus The Bing Crosby House Museum.

Head east on Sharp Avenue, turn right on Hamilton Street. Continue past the university and turn right on Spokane Falls Blvd. Spokane Falls Blvd. turns to the right at Stop sign. The Riverpoint Campus is on your right.

The campus is located just east of downtown along the southern bank of the Spokane River. The campus houses facilities of three institutions: Washington State University Spokane (WSU Spokane), Eastern Washington University and Innovate Washington. Currently, a medical school is also being built that will house students from WSU, EWU, University of Washington, and Whitworth. Riverpoint Campus is a part of Spokane’s University District which also includes Gonzaga University directly across the Spokane River.