7 Fun Family-Friendly Outings To Explore Spokane, Washington

Spokane, Washington, is a pure playground for households with the mighty Spokane River carving its method by means of downtown. Located east of the Cascade Range, the town earned the nickname of “Lilac City” as a result of abundance of blooming lilacs in spring. Spokane’s choices embody waterfalls, scenic trails, and certainly one of America’s most iconic city parks, in addition to gardens, festivals, and a top-tier eating scene. Small kids will love exploring inexperienced areas like Manito Park, whereas youngsters will not neglect the adrenaline-inducing enjoyable of rafting the Spokane River. Spokane is a metropolis that actually delivers on actions that cater to all ages and pursuits.

In a WalletHub research, Spokane took the 13th spot for “Family Life & Fun” rating throughout 114 Washington cities. Even Travel + Leisure editor-in-chief Jacqui Gifford described Spokane on the Today Show as “You have all the outdoor attractions in an urban environment.” We’ve gathered collectively this checklist of enjoyable, family-friendly issues to do in Spokane by evaluating scores from Yelp, Tripadvisor, and Google, balanced with indoor and out of doors choices. Spokane is a 4.5-hour drive over the Cascade Mountains from Seattle. However, Spokane International Airport (GEG) lately ranked as one of many “50 Best Airports in America” in keeping with the Washington Post, making it simple to achieve with out the necessity to fly into the state’s largest metropolis.

A visit to Spokane is not full with out visiting Riverfront Park, full with America’s largest city waterfall and rides. Visitors will rapidly see why it made the 2026 USA Today 10Best checklist for Best Riverwalk. There’s one thing for all ages — scenic walkways, enclosed gondola rides over the river, an all-inclusive playground, a pavilion gentle present, and a carousel from 1909, simply to call a couple of. Plus, a shuttle now connects numerous park points of interest. One Tripadvisor reviewer raved that review noting, “Many fun things for kids of all ages to do,” whereas another added, “Best playground I’ve ever seen.”

Rafting the Spokane River is a enjoyable exercise that older kids and fogeys will get pleasure from. The better part? The entry level is lower than a mile from downtown Spokane. Local rafting corporations supply adventures for youths as younger as 3, with a tougher route for many who are curious about a bit extra adrenaline. One Google reviewer stated, “I brought five children, aged 18, 15, 12, 9, and 5…all of them loved it. Enough excitement to keep the 18-year-old happy…never for a single instant felt like the 5-year-old was unsafe.”

The “Lilac City” blossoms at Manito Park, positioned about 2 miles south of downtown Spokane. Spanning practically 80 acres, households can discover the park’s 5 gardens, the Gaiser Conservatory, a mirror pond, playgrounds, and a seasonal cafe. A 2-mile pathway over storybook bridges connects all of them. Check the schedule free of charge kids’s actions like scavenger hunts and enjoyable courses. If you are visiting within the winter, head for the Lower Manito Sledding Hill, a convention that dates again generations, or the Mirror Pond for ice skating.

Part museum, half science middle, the Mobius Discovery Center in downtown Spokane provides over a dozen STEM-focused hands-on experiences for adults and children. From an enchanted forest for youngsters below the age of three to science experiments to reside reptiles, it is simple to spend a day exploring this reimagined industrial area. One Tripadvisor reviewer stated, “Plenty to see and do but not too big to be overwhelming.” Mobius Discovery Center additionally participates in reciprocal membership applications that would get guests free or discounted admission.

Food, enjoyable, and household actions fill the Wonder Building in downtown Spokane. Originally house to a bakery for Wonder Bread, this industrial area now serves as family-friendly leisure. The first ground is house to the Wonder Market, a meals corridor with tables, video games, and large screens. In the basement, Wonderground consists of pickleball courts and a golf lounge. One native information on Google Maps famous that, “There’s plenty of room for kids to run around and adults to chill.”

Turns out a galaxy far, far-off is simply 10 minutes east of downtown Spokane. Jedi Alliance is extra than simply an arcade with retro video games; it is also an enormous memorabilia assortment. One admission price will get entry to greater than 150 video games, the toy museum, and film prop assortment. Jedi Alliance additionally earned the #2 spot on Newsweek Reader’s Choice for Best Arcade in 2025. One Yelp reviewer said, “I would recommend this to anyone looking for a super fun night with friends or family of any age!”

The entire household will love the climbing choices at Palisades Park. Tucked lower than 4 miles west of downtown, this is likely one of the largest inexperienced areas in Spokane with over 1,000 acres to discover. Families can sit up for exploring the park’s wetlands and basalt rock formations, alongside a number of waterfalls. The park consists of the Rimrock Trail, which gives aerial views of Spokane, and different hikes to idyllic corners like Mystic Falls. One AllTrails reviewer stated, “Brought my 3-year-old and had zero issues other than being ready to nap afterwards!”