Travel Excursion
Spokane offers exciting palette of activities
Sky gondolas that glide over a rushing, sparkling river; a hidden garden whispering from a Victorian past; and the joyous whirl of a classic horse carousel intrigue visitors who experience Spokane, Washington's unique, rich urban center.
Spokane, located in the picturesque realms of Eastern Washington, is the inclusive destination for lively travelers. The once small city has burgeoned into a dynamic natural and cultural Mecca that offers visitors an exciting palette of activities and events all through its four distinct seasons.
Gardens and Parks
Spokane's Riverfront Park is a crown achievement in park planning. With its beautifully lush, landscaped and architecturally aesthetic commons, the park provides a perfect environment to stroll and relax. The 100-acre park meanders past the lovely cascading Spokane Falls and features a bevy of fun sites and activities to explore as well; such as the latest IMAX show or a vortex of spinning amusement rides, train tours, mini-golf, arcade games, the paved Centennial Trail, a world-class ice arena in winter and the Scenic Spokane Falls Skyride. Open year-round, the large-windowed Skyride carries passengers above the Southeast quadrant of the park, offering stunning and panoramic views of the falls and city. Visitors will find the gorgeous, covered and operational 1909 antique Loof Carousel situated on the park's south end. With its carnival music faintly drifting on the breeze, the whirling, brightly hued horses, with their authentic horsehair tails, reflect a simpler and romantic era. It's charming to see all ages flock to this traditional amusement ride and bear the same smiles that seem to mirror the happy child within.
Spokane possesses several magnificent gardens/parks located on the South Hill, starting a just few blocks from the downtown area. Forgotten and obscured by nature, the Moore-Turner Heritage gardens were rediscovered in from a Victorian era 1998. These lovely, terraced perennial gardens were originally created in the 1800s by two prominent families, Frank Rockwood and Sarah Frances Sherlock Moore; and later, Senator George and Bertha Dreher Turner.
Before the garden's creation, the Moores hired famed Spokane architect Kirtland Cutter to design their impressive, multi-styled architectural home that featured sweeping city views. Although the house was eventually demolished in 1940, it served as the dais for the garden's conception. The Turners purchased the house and grounds in 1896 and continued to add to the terraced gardens located behind the eminent home. It was at this period that Mrs. Turner and hired designers created one of the largest perennial gardens in the northwest with a breath-taking rose arbor, teahouse, pond and pergola, water features, conservatory and greenhouses. Old photos taken of Mrs. Tuner in her verdant habitat were duplicated and fashioned onto small podiums around the gardens. It is within these old-fashioned images that her passion about her garden is portrayed and they show where her heart belonged.
Today, the restored heritage gardens are an enchanting site to visit and each little crest, stone path and turn reveal a secret, gurgling fountain or reflection pond that echo from a Victorian past. For additional information, visit www.spokaneparks.org.
Manito Park, designed by the famous Olmstead brothers (creators of Central Park), draws comparisons to Canada's illustrious Butchart Gardens. Manito's 90 acres may not be as densely populated with flora as Butchart; however, the romantic enticement of the sunken European Renaissance Garden, Nishinomiya Japanese Garden and the elegant Gaiser conservatory draws garden enthusiasts from around the globe. There are several additional sublimely landscaped garden themes located within the park and all coincide with a wonderful picnic area, tennis courts, duck pond, drive-loop and softball field as well.
Manito Park is definitely one of Spokane's grandest gems. It's a place where contemplation and the art of formal gardening adds to the appreciation of one's spirit.
The park is open year-round and is free of charge. For additional information, visit www.thefriendsofmanito.org.
Outdoor Recreation
Spokane's moniker 'Near Nature, Near Perfect' is a true designation. Rarely does a city combine chic metro/cultural with abundant green spaces and fantastic outdoor recreation.Two recreational activities that visitors seek during spring through the fall season are biking and kayaking.
The Spokane River Centennial Trail is a fertile 37-mile pathway that starts at Sontag Park, meanders along the Spokane River, and continues past the Idaho border. The Centennial trail features several segments that are relatively flat and are perfect for enjoying the scenic beauty along the trail. There is even a city bike path taking a circuitous route of the downtown area. If you would like to tour a large or small segment of the trail but don't want to bring your own bike, Silver Bike Tours is a wonderful and reputable company that offers guided and self-guided bike tours at a reasonable price. With a patient, relaxed and professional staff, this company caters to beginners or seasoned cyclists. For additional information on the Centennial River Trail, call 509-624-7188 For Silver Bike Tours, visit
www.silverbiketours.com.
The popular sport of kayaking is predominant in Spokane, especially with its many rivers that flow through abundant natural and wildlife areas. One of the absolutely best kayak trips within close proximity to the city (about 25 min.) is located on the Little Spokane River. Put in (kayak) by the St. Georges School and let the gentle, crystal-clear water from an aquifer drift you downstream with birdsong and lush greenery, while dangling your foot in the cool river. If serenity had an occupation, this would be it! This area is also second in the country with a bird diversity of 180 different species.
This particular stretch of river is easy to navigate, great for beginners and fun enough for serious kayakers. The river averages about two feet, but is no deeper than three feet in mid-summer. It takes about an hour-and-half before you reach Painted Rocks, a good place for taking out your kayak. Visitors can bring their own kayak, rent one from a local REI, or contact the Spokane Parks and Recreation if a guided trip is desired. The parks department provides weekly individual or group trips and will even pick you up at your hotel and shuttle you to the river. Their kayak rentals are wonderfully inexpensive and part of the tour cost. For additional information, visit www.spokaneparks.org or call, 509-25-6200
Downtown Attractions
Every urban center offers special shops that appeal to the avid browser and Spokane is no exception. Here are three shops worth your perusal: Finders Keepers, offering an enormous selection of quality, vintage and modern jewelry and clothing and Lillian Conn; these purveyors of seriously beautiful antiques, interiors and fine art are a must-visit for that perfect house décor you've been seeking. Auntie's Bookstore is a main staple for residents and visitors alike, who desire a massive selection and want a large offering of quality games as well.
The Museum of Arts & Culture features the main contemporary museum and the adjacent historic Campbell House. The Mac features six galleries of exhibits, a 300-seat outdoor amphitheater and fascinating permanent and traveling art exhibits, such as the current and popular John Buck Iconography exhibit. The museum also proffers large collections of American Indian exhibits and historical artifacts from the northwest. Their newest American Indian Exhibit is the Living Legacy Gallery. The new gallery displays beautiful original tribal clothing and artifacts from daily life enclosed in clear Plexiglas cubicles. The transparent display cases are so flawlessly constructed, it seems as if you could reach out and touch the soft leather pants of an Indian chief.
The gorgeous and opulent Campbell house designed by Kirtland Cutter, located next door to the main museum, makes for an intriguing tour. Experience how Spokane's upper crust lived and decorated in the Victorian era. Make sure to check with the museum for tour times. For additional information, events and special programs on the Mac or Campbell House, visit www.northwestmuseum.org.
Normally, a hotel would not make it into a downtown attractions section; however, when the establishment is a living legacy of history, it consistently garners top global hotel accolades. And, offers everything from fabulous spas, a florist, a gourmet confectionary shop, a stained-glass lounge, superb restaurants, a stylish gift shop where home décor is to be envied, and is in itself a walkable art museum. It has achieved the zenith of Spokane's downtown attraction sites!
The magnificent Davenport Hotel is the heart of Spokane. The hotel's illustrious history stems from the legendry Louis Davenport, who created one of America's finest luxury hotels in 1914 with innovative procedures and impeccable services. The hotel faded after he sold it in '45 and then degenerated in later years, almost succumbing to the wrecking ball.
Llewellyn "Louis" Davenport arrived in Spokane in the spring of 1889. He was a young man of 20 years without hotel skills, but helped his uncle in the restaurant business. When the great Spokane fire of 1889 burned most of the downtown to ashes, Davenport's innate entrepreneurial sense was born. He purchased a tent and set up a waffle foundry serving generous portions. Years later, Davenport grew the business into a restaurant and eventually into creating one of the most fascinating and beautiful hotels of its time, the Davenport.
Davenport was perfectionist and innovator. His attention to detail, quality and his customers set the standard for many other hotels at the time. The housekeeping carts that are used in hotels today are originally his invention and so is Crab Louis. He installed the first central vacuum and air-conditioning systems. He even had the hotel's money washed in a special machine located in the basement before giving it out as change. These were just a few of the many "hotel firsts" that Davenport would implement.
Davenport had respect for his employees and customers as well. While walking around the mezzanine one day, he happened to glance down on the main lobby area of the hotel. An older couple had brought in their sack lunches and proceeded to eat their lunch, while enjoying the luxury and comfort of the grand lobby and large, plush chairs. Davenport called to one of his staff and told them to bring a table with plates, glasses, silverware and napkins to the older couple so that they could enjoy their lunch in style and feel welcome. That was the kind of man he was and that same graciousness extended to the atmosphere of the hotel and his staff.
From the Davenport's beginning, historical events, famous people, royalty and guests would play an important role in adding to the character of the grand hotel. Indeed, odd occurrences would also add an unexpected bent to the hotel's history. For decades, a ghost was reputed to haunt the hotel. Guests would account the story of seeing a woman clothed in the '20s style fashion, ambling around the second floor mezzanine. She was reported to stare down upon the lobby as if looking for someone. Several years ago, a search through the city's newspaper archive ensued to see if there could be some historical link to this reoccurring odd incidence. It was discovered that the ghost might be that of Mrs. Ellen McNamara. The unfortunate woman had fallen to her death through the lobby skylights on August 17, 1920. Her last words to a physician who happened to be in the hotel that night were, "Where did I go?" Apparently, she still searches for this answer.
In 2000, Walt and Karen Worthy purchased the Davenport. Their entrepreneurial spirit, unyielding work and determination have returned the Davenport to its glorious splendor, succeeding beyond imagination.
The Davenport Hotel's design is of intricate classic European grandeur. A majestic lobby of complimenting-hued marbles, fresh floral bouquets, plush furniture, a classic fountain, gilded accenting and regal décor emanates an elegant, yet warm and welcoming ambiance. The majesty carries throughout the hotel with the exquisite ballrooms, such as the two-tiered Marie Antoinette Ballroom, a romantic creation of delicate French beauty accented with crystal chandeliers, murals and floating dance floor; and, the Hall of Doges Foyer, an awe-inspiring design of the height of Florentine art and cachet.
The hotel's 611 rooms and suites offer a sumptuous accompaniment of period-styled hand-carved furniture in warm tones, the Davenport Bed (custom pillow-top mattresses) with divine Frette linens and a personal level of comfort that is emblematic of the hotel. In addition, the bathrooms feature large walk-in travertine marble showers with marble enclosed tubs, gold fixtures, Lady Primrose bath products and a vanity most women would swoon to own.
The Davenport offers guests an unparalleled level in accommodations, as well as service. It has so many treasures to discover that guests are encouraged to take their time to explore, such as the hallways. They're covered with large, framed photographs of guests and events in the hotel spanning the years. These old portraits are like the Davenport; they offer a fascinating glimpse of history and reveal intimate stories within their depths. In these halls, and in the mysterious symbols found within the structure's ornamentation, lays the key to the soul of this magnificent hotel and the key to the man who began it all. For additional information, visit www.thedavenporthotel.com
Girlfriend's Getaway
In a quest to carve out time for relaxation and girlfriend socialization, gal pals across the country are setting a new trend with spa dates and glamour sessions. Downtown Spokane is among the leading chic metropolises proffering establishments dedicated to this vogue.
Two fabulous salons that cater to girlfriend ensembles are the Spa Paradiso and The Make-Up Studio. Both venues create an incomparable duo for rejuvenation and beauty accentuation with an ideal soirée environment.
Spa Paradiso, located in the gorgeous, European-style Davenport Hotel, is a beautiful and tranquil milieu with a soft-hued décor featuring full spa and hair salon facilities. Paradiso recommends several excellent services for women friends to experience together and individually. The session begins with a relaxing and sublime Tranquility Massage with aromatic oils and soft ethereal background music. After the massage, take a stroll to the private Serenity Room for a leisurely chat with your girlfriends, while indulging in a glass of champagne (or your favorite beverage) and light fare. Refreshed and rejuvenated, it's a perfect moment for a soothing, Warm Buttered Pedicure. Paradiso's pedicure is an immersion into pure physical delight with lovely fragrances and warmed booties for added coziness.
Tension from mind and body released, your blissful troupe is ready for a Wash and Blow-Out Style. This important session removes any remaining massage oil from your tresses, and ensures a fresh style without the need for a redo.
The Make-Up Studio, located on North Bernard, is your next destination. Julie Farley, a renowned make-up artist for famous Hollywood film and TV stars, as well as a former European model, owns and operates this unique studio. Farley and her team have created a marvelous Beauty Night Clinic to educate women on accentuating their own exquisite beauty. This incredible catered affair of wine, cuisine and make-up session (fantastically inexpensive for groups of 8 to 12) teaches women how to buy cosmetics, apply them, what to look for, and what colors best emphasize their appearance.
Farley's make-up lessons are no department store makeover by a teen or 20-something. The professionally taught sessions deal with all age demographics and are often a life- changing experience for many women. In fact, the studio's innovative Hyperbaric Oxygen Treatments offer amazing anti-aging results.
You and your girlfriends are relaxed, radiant and ready for a sumptuous evening. The soft lighting, tinkling cocktails and atmosphere of Spokane's Wild Sage restaurant add to an exquisite day that is simply perfect!
For additional information on the Spa Paradiso, visit
www.spaparadiso.com
For additional information on The Make-Up Studio, visit
www.themakeupstudio.com
For additional information on the Wild Sage, visit
www.wildsagebistro.com
For additional information on the Davenport Hotel, visit
www.thedavenporthotel.com