D E S T I N AT I O N
SPOKANE
COMETH SPOKANE A full-spectrum renaissance is transforming Spokane into Washington’s “it” city { WRITTEN BY FLANNERY ROBERTS }
O
ver the past few years, we’ve witnessed a renaissance in Washington’s second largest city. Anchored by an airport with increasing direct flights and expanding universities, Spokane has seen an influx of investment from those betting on lifestyle over density. Spokane has seen some major wins over the past few years that have put it in a national spotlight. Spokane International Airport, for example, has added direct flights to Chicago and Dallas and increased its flights to San Francisco. Washington State University won the right to become the state’s second public school to offer a degree in medicine (the first license was granted to the University of Washington in 1946). Enrollment at The Elson S. Floyd School of Medicine has climbed to eighty new students per year from sixty over the past two years. Spokane has been named a federally designated Smart
City, a public-private funded zone for testing civic improvements for a healthier, safer and more sustainable community. In 2021, Spokane will get a bit smarter with a $53 million Department of Transportation grant to complete an all-electric 6-mile corridor bookended by the Browne’s Addition neighborhood and Spokane Community College. Home to such sporting events as the Bloomsday Run, a 12K race which draws more than 40,000 runners each May, and Spokane Hoopfest, which pits 6,000 teams of three against each other every June, Spokane is vying for next-level sports events with a $42 million state-of-the-art sports facility that will have 4 acres of space when it opens in 2021. Visitors will also notice a surge in the quality of restaurants, lodging and arts, too. We’ve broken down many of the new venues here by category for both visitors and Spokane locals.
Spokane is experiencing a renaissance of sorts, with renovated parks, new university facilities, expanded flights and fine dining.
{2019} DESTINATION SPOKANE 2
Whistle Punk Brewing has a constantly rotating tap list.
RESTAURANTS & BARS
DRINK IT IN The bar scene, too, has been broadening and deepening in terms of diversity of options. A few of the many new bars include Lucky You Lounge, Whistle Punk Brewing and Tiny Tiki. » Lucky You Lounge, on W. Sunset Boulevard, opens this summer and will host cool music acts such as Mudhoney in its opening days.
GREAT BITES The number and quality of restaurants in Spokane has surged, adding international cuisine and local farmto-table venues.
RÜT
Located just south of downtown on W. 14th Avenue, RÜT brings a new veggie-based ethic to the South Hill District. The collaboration of longtime friends Justin Oliveri and Josh Lorenzen, RÜT has a fresh take on traditional dishes. Tacos al pastor, for one, are made from king-oyster mushrooms, pineapple radish salsa, and guajillo chiles piled on corn tortillas. A creative salad item is its sesame-ginger crunch salad with fried wonton crisps. {www.rutspokane.com}
Smoke & Mirrors
On the other end of the spectrum from plant-based RÜT is
Jeremy Hansen’s upscale meatand-beer saloon, formerly Sante. Some vestiges remain of Hansen’s fine-dining restaurant, such as the charcuterie board but join burgers, steak and duck confit in a parade of protein. Located in the historic Liberty Building downtown, Smoke & Mirrors caters to an upscale pub audience. {www.drinksmokeandmirrors.com}
The Grain Shed For the Grain Shed in the Perry District, it’s all about the yeast. Craft beer and three-day fermented breads lead the offering at this artisan eatery. All grains and almost everything else are sourced locally here, so those seeking the quintes-
ABOVE RÜT offers a variety of vegetarian options, such as this beet root and pear salad.
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sential local culture through food should consider this the first stop. {www.thegrainshed.coop}
Umi Kitchen and Sushi Bar
A new addition to Kendall Yards, Umi is an explosion of color and artistry from chefs Tong Liu and Haru Wang. Sourcing fresh fish from Seattle, Umi brings sushi aficionados joy with its salmon, tuna and crab creations. It also has a full range of bento boxes and traditional entrees such as General Tso’s chicken and Korean short ribs. {www.umispokane.com}
{www.facebook.com/lucky youlounge}
» Tiny Tiki is both tiny and tiki lit, with a fun cocktail atmosphere in eastern downtown Spokane. Rum, mai tais, grass mats and surf rock characterize this intriguing hole-in-the-wall bar that opened last spring. {www.thetinytiki.com}
» Whistle Punk Brewing opened in 2015, and is a welcome addition to the craft brewing scene in what is becoming a crawlable downtown craft network. Tucked back on Railroad Alley in an old brick building, its location almost has the feel of a speakeasy with good beer. {www.whistlepunkbrewing.com}
EVERY CITY HAS AN EXPERIENCE THAT DEFINES IT. Reimagined and redesigned as a gathering place for the region, River Park Square is the heart of Spokane. Shop at Nordstrom, Nike Factory Store, Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, Apple, Pottery Barn and more—including a full spectrum of specialty shops and retailers. Enjoy AMC 20 Theatres with IMAX and Mobius Children’s Museum. Experience many restaurants and night spots. And take advantage of our convenient indoor parking to explore the wonders of Riverfront Park and downtown, just steps away from our doors.
DOWNTOWN SPOK ANE AT M AIN & POST
riverparksquare.com
LODGING MORE DINING OPTIONS After a restful night at one of Spokane’s hotels, we’ve got your breakfast and midday drinks covered.
Breakfast » The Yards Bruncheon One reason: Wild huckleberry pancakes {www.theyardsbruncheon.com}
» Hello Sugar, One reason: Mini donuts for all! {www.hellosugarspokane.com}
» Dolly’s Corner Cafe One reason: Eggs Benedict {www.dollyscornercafe. restaurantwebexpert.com}
Whiskey Dens
L
odging is one area of the tourism economy that is greatly transforming how visitors connect with Spokane. Once governed by the give-me-Davenport-orgive-me-death mantra, the quality and sophistication of the lodging product has made large strides in recent years. The comely Davenport is now one of many choices for upscale overnight stays in Spokane. The Davenport Collection includes the Historic, the Tower, the Grand, the Lusso,
an intimate Italianate luxury venue and the new Centennial on the other side of the river. Jerry Dicker’s collection of Ruby Hotels is also abuzz. The Ruby Hotel Group announced the opening of the new Ruby River Hotel next to Davenport’s Centennial. The Ruby River differentiates itself from its urban competitors with a retreat-like property that includes two pools, a tennis court and easy connection to the multi-recreation Centennial Trail. Ruby River Hotel
joins Dicker’s portfolio of other downtown Spokane hotels Hotel Ruby, Ruby2 and The Montvale Hotel, a stone’s throw from the performing arts Bing Crosby Theater, another renovation passion project of Dicker’s. Also coming on the market is a 112-room luxury property from InterContinental Hotel Group. Being built in a historic building in downtown, Hotel Indigo Spokane will have a restaurant, a bar and a fitness center.
ABOVE The Davenport Grand Hotel feels especially luxe, and is one of five Davenport properties in Spokane. (photo: Young Kwak/Pacific Northwest Inlander Advertising)
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» Hogwash Whiskey Den One reason: The speakeasy basement {www.drinkhogwash.com}
» Spencer’s Steakhouse One reason: Classic pairings {www.bit.ly/spencersspokane}
» Churchill’s Steakhouse One reason: Understated and elegant
{www.churchillssteakhouse.com}
» Peacock Room Lounge at The Historic Davenport Hotel One reason: #TheMostClassy
{www.davenporthotelcollection.com}
What a Sweet Welcome DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center is at the center of everything that is great about the Inland Northwest. It doesn’t matter what brings you to our city, when you stay at the DoubleTree you will be just steps away from everywhere you want to be: • Centennial Trail • Spokane Falls and Riverfront Park • Gonzaga and the University District Combine our convenient location with our outstanding guest service and warm chocolate chip cookie at check-in and you have the makings of a perfect experience!
For more information about the DoubleTree by Hilton Spokane City Center, or for details about our Hilton Honors program, please visit us at www.Spokane.DoubleTree.com.
ARTS & CULTURE
A
ll is for naught without a thriving arts and entertainment scene. Gonzaga University gets a long-awaited performing arts center on campus with the grand opening of the Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center. The world-class space will feature acts from Gonzaga’s choral, jazz and symphony orchestras as well as dance and theater.
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“A lantern for the community” is the latest project underway on the $64 million masterplan Riverfront Park. The pavilion will be lit with a towering array of LED nodes on acrylic blades that, at night, will create a stunning lantern-like display. This is only a piece of the second of three phases of renovation that will place Spokane’s Riverfront Park at the top of its cultural icons.
The Fr. Bernard J. Coughlin, S.J. Theater in the recently opened Myrtle Woldson Performing Arts Center at Gonzaga University. (photo: courtesy of Gonzaga University)
1002 W Riverside, Spokane WA Spokaneclub.org
A WONDERFUL HOTEL
LOCATED ON THE SPOKANE RIVER • Airport Transportation • Downtown/Local Area Transportation • Free Onsite Parking • Wireless High-Speed Internet • Complimentary Bikes • Pool & Fitness Center • Pet-Friendly Rooms • In-Room Coffee • River-View Dining at Osprey Kitchen COMING SOON!
• Newspaper • Steps from the Centennial Trail, Spokane Convention Center & Riverfront Park
700 N. Division St., Spokane | 509-326-5577 | rubyriverhotelspokane.com
• Adjacent to Gonzaga University (152 Acres of Beautiful Grounds and Campus Buildings)
A DINING EXPERIENCE
LIKE NO OTHER
Gilded
UNICORN
CRAFT COCKTAILS, BITES, & PLATES 110 S. Monroe St. 509-309-3698
MODERN AMERICAN 1242 W. Summit Parkway 509-443-4410
IT’S ALWAYS BRUNCH 1248 W. Summit Parkway 509-290-5952
BREAKFAST, LUNCH, OR DINNER 909 W. 1st Ave., Ste A 509-443-4215
If is in your nature, Spokane is your destination.
Experience Spokane by engaging in jaw-dropping adventures such as adrenaline-pumping whitewater rafting through our wild urban river canyon, scaling nearby mountain peaks, or strolling through one of our many breathtaking parks. visitspokane.com/things-to-do
THE
UNIVERSITY FOR
WASHINGTON From Spokane to Tacoma, the UW is partnering with communities to make higher education accessible for everyone — and to tackle today’s most pressing challenges, from cancer to climate change. It’s all part of our commitment to the state we call home.
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