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Spokane should top your list of places to visit.
Washington State’s second largest city has something for everyone to see and do. There’s a familiar feeling that Seattle is a world removed, thanks to a mayor who wants to tackle the problems plaguing popular cities in the Pacific Northwest.
After flying into Spokane’s spaceship-style airport, a classic example of 1960s architecture, and picking up a rental car, I headed downtown to check into the historic Davenport Hotel.
Saved from demolition — the so-called urban renewal projects that have destroyed countless historic buildings across the country — is owned by Marriott’s high-end Autograph Collection brand. With its old-world-inspired lobby, the hotel is a stark contrast to Parkade Plaza, which at first glance may look like any other giant concrete parking garage, but is a landmark in its own right and serves as a major draw for mid-century modern fans. .
Despite its low reach, the city has been on the map ever since it hosted Expo 74.
Hosting the direct successor to the most famous World’s Fair and World’s Fair, Spokane was the smallest city to experience such an event. And in the year Just as the World’s Fairs of 1899 and 1900 gave Paris the Eiffel Tower and other famous landmarks, Spokane has its own iconic remnant: the one-time American Pavilion that anchors Riverfront Park today.
A once-neglected park that occupies a former industrial and railroad blighted area, it winds along both sides of the Spokane River around the eponymous Spokane Falls. Here, the gondola, Numerica Skyride, takes passengers on a spectacular 15-minute ride above the falls.
The twin spiers of St. Aloysius Church (Roman Catholic) on the campus of Gonzaga University can be seen from anywhere along the river. While the church is well worth a visit, Spokane’s most famous church is the Episcopal Cathedral, located just minutes away from downtown.
The Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, which serves as the seat of an Episcopal bishop, is one of the finest examples of Gothic ecclesiastical architecture anywhere in the United States. I consider it Gothic, not Gothic Revival, because it is built entirely of masonry, like true medieval Gothic (approves Pugin). Given that traditional church architecture was out of fashion when it was built between 1925 and 1961, the pointed arches are not merely decorative or stylistic details.
No visit to Spokane is complete without an adventure on its namesake river.
Two different outfitters offer excursions from stand-up paddleboards to whitewater rafting and casual floats. I took the approximately two hour float from Wiley E. Waters; This can be easily done by anyone, including those with zero driving experience. For me, it was a perfect relief from the 100-degree temperature during my visit in mid-August.
Other must-visits include the 98-acre Manitowoc Park and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.
If you go
Dine at Gander & Ryegrass (reservations are a must) and Anthony’s at Spokane Falls, the latter with a spectacular view of the falls and its famous landmark – the Eiffel Tower of Spokane.
If I could do it over again, I wouldn’t have rented a car. You can get everywhere by walking or using popular ride sharing services. The only thing that requires a rental car is to get to Mount Spokane State Park and the summit of Quartz Mountain at 5,129 feet.
For those arriving by car, the drive to Spokane is about four hours from the Seattle airport. If you choose to fly, American, Delta and United are among the airlines that fly to Spokane with nonstop flights from major hubs.
Dennis Lennox a Travel column For Christian Post.
Dennis Lennox writes about travel, politics and religion. He has been published in the Financial Times, The Independent, The Detroit News, Toronto Sun and other publications. follow @dennislennox On Twitter.
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