Inexpensive things to do in Spokane, WA

[jodim]

I am in Spokane for 1 week for work. Dh was able to get off and come with me at the last moment.

We are kid less (Thank You Nana!) for the week, but have a limited funds since we didn't plan on this being a vacation type trip.

Anyhow, if anyone has ideas for fairly inexpensive things we can do, good places to eat, etc... I would appreciate it.

Thanks.

 

[littlele]

I wish I could help with the fun things to do, but unfortunately we've not yet found that much to do there. I know of some fun shops (Madison Country comes to mind), but that certainly isn't budget friendly! Also fun to drive to Coeur d'Alene and spend some time in and around the resort, but not sure you could do that cheap either.

As far as food, I would recommend you stop at the Old European restaurant for breakfast or lunch. Yummy!

 

[jodim]

We are staying fairly close to there and thought about grabbing lunch there today... we'll have to tomorrow.

I know these probably aren't budget friendly... but can you recommend a good Japanese/Hibachi restaurant?
And if you know of one, a good Chinese buffet..

Thanks!

 

[mtblujeans]

The only time we get over to Spokane, any more, is for an over-night workshop...doesn't leave much time for looking around and Spokane is very spread out. There used to be an outlet mall in Coeur d' Alene, but it is long gone....and that was my favorite spot!

You can check out a few sites and get a feel for the place:

http://www.visitspokane.com/

http://www.go-washington.com/Spokane/

Downtown Spokane has an interesting history. We lived there in the mid-1970's. Where Riverfront Park is now, used to be an older section of town with railroad tracks and (I hear) hobo's that road the rails. That area took a drastic turn when they won the honor of hosting the 1974 World's Fair. Riverfront Park is the remainder of that World's Fair.

http://spokaneriverfrontpark.com/

I hope you have a good time, enjoy Spokane, and have a safe trip. I would love to see what all you and your DH get to do while you are there!

 

[barkley]

if you like indian food there is an AWSOME new place here. it's called "taaj"-and their lunch buffet is only $10. fantastic food.

anthony's is a good place to eat (and for those of us with kiddos-a place we love to go alone). they overlook the falls-and they have good dinner specials (a variety of menu options but they specialize in seafood).

if you like bbq-longhorn barbeque is very good (not the same one as the major chain restaurant).

the weather is supposed to clear up today so you could wander around riverfront park. it's very pretty, and the carousel is beautiful (it's the one that was featured on antique's roadshow). manito park on south hill is beautiful-the varieties of gardens are stunning. just driving around the older sections of south hill is neat-the copper roofed mansions are phenominal.

if you like animals-turnbull national wildlife refuge is just a few minutes down the road from spokane. it's only $3 per car to go in, and given the critters that are frequenting my backyard right now and my close proximity to turnbull, you will likely see deer, elk and moose at the very least.

if you like beautiful restored architecture-visit the davenport hotel in the downtown area, they welcome people to see how lovely it is.


it's not cheap, but not horrendously priced-but coeur d alene has a fantastic japanese place called 'bonsai bistro'. it's right near the resort, which is in an area of coeur d alene that's great for wandering around.