The Timeless Gem of Spokane

• November 28, 2009
• Rated 5 of 5 by greatwhitenortheh from Penticton, British Columbia

Located in the heart of downtown Spokane, Riverfront Park truly is a special place! It captures a type of picturesque beauty that you would seldom expect to find in a city. I find it to be a very pleasant place to be in; it is a great place to relax, and enjoy what man and nature has created. You will rarely find an urban park as peaceful as this one.

The first thing you will likely notice is Spokane River, the river from which the park gets its name. It is best when the water is high, typically from March to June. Regardless of when you visit the park, the river will provide natural beauty for you to enjoy. There are a series of waterfalls and diversion dams that make up Spokane Falls. The dams have a different sort of appeal from the river, but are still very impressive. You may come to the park expecting more conventional waterfalls, but I will assure you that these are great in their own way, and do not disappoint. Like the river as a whole, they are most striking during the high water season.

The lush plant life of the park is very pleasing to the eyes, and makes it very easy to relax. Visiting the park, you will find a variety of botanical life, including trees, shrubs, and flowers. Even the grass in the park has a certain charm to it. The plant life makes the park very colourful. Walking through the park, you will likely need to just sit down, and drink in your surroundings. I know that I found the meadows and greenery of Riverfront Park to be quite overwhelming, and most people that appreciate nature will likely be overwhelmed by the park as well.

There are a series of walkways and viewpoints in the park. Many of the viewpoints offer perspectives of the river and falls, from all kinds of different angles. There are quite a few bridges in the park, where you will get some of the best views, looking down, or up river. If you are taking pictures at any of the viewpoints, you don’t really need to try; pretty much any picture you take will look like a work of art, fit to be on the cover of a nature magazine!

Riverfront Park is also home to the historic Looff Carousel. Anyone with children will definitely want to pay a visit to this attraction. Inside the building where it is lodged, one can purchase souvenirs, as well as a variety of sweets. I noticed that the children on the carousel all seemed to be entranced by its magic and beauty. The carousel is very timeless, and a perfect picture of preservation. Even though it mostly will appeal to kids, it is very fun for adults as well. The adults riding the carousel seemed to enjoy it nearly as much as the kids, but it is even fun to just sit down and watch it for a few minutes. This is definitely something to see.

Near the carousel is the Rotary Fountain, a popular way for the young to conquer the crushing summer heat. Being near the Looff Carousel makes this entire area heavily favoured by children. The fountain has an interesting abstract type of design and shape. The fountain has a variety of jets, mist jets, and upwards-shooting jets. It is easily a million times better than a backyard sprinkler!

One of the park’s main attractions is the "Skyride over Spokane Falls". You have to pay admission to ride it (4 dollars for children; 6.25 for teenagers, seniors and military; 7.25 for adults), but it is well worth it. If possible, I recommend riding it during the spring, as the falls and river are more scenic. The Skyride is a gondola ride that gets you down close to the falls. Three gondolas depart in a chain at a time; if you can, don’t take the middle gondola. Your view will be partially blocked by the other two gondolas. Also, this ride can be very, very, uncomfortable in the hot summer. It get incredibly stuffy and sweltering hot inside the little carriages, so try to time your ride.

There are many other attractions at the park. The Pavilion is an interesting tent-like structure that houses an IMAX theatre, mini-golf, amusement park rides and a skating rink. It is one of the major attractions of the park, and provides something fun for each season. There is also a tour train that takes guests on a forty minute tour of the park. This is one of those attractions that loses its appeal in the summer heat. I would recommend riding it later on in the afternoon, after the heat of the day. There is also a 155 feet tall clock tower and a giant red wagon (that has a slide for kids on the handle) that you can see.

The overall atmosphere of Riverfront Park is very serene. I really enjoyed my visit to the park, and it has given me lasting, positive memories of Spokane. This is a world class park, and worth a visit from anyone who is going anywhere near Spokane. There are so many opportunities for fun!

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Riverfront Park

• December 30, 2006
• Rated 5 of 5 by travellingdave from Calgary, Alberta

This wonderful city park, in my opinion one of the best in the World, is the key highlight and main tourist attraction in Spokane. It is simply the perfect way to spend a summer's day.

While visiting, we walked around and viewed the beautiful sculptures and artwork that adornes the park. The Canada monument is a highlight, a sterling silver Canadian flag designed as a symbol of peace between the two countries.

The Riverfront Park also has a gondola ride, which takes you by cable car and descends you to the Spokane Falls, a tiny waterfall on the Spokane River, for $6 per person. An IMAX theater, carousel, and other fun fair-like attractions are strewn through the park.

The park is located in downtown Spokane, across from City Hall and the massive Riverfront Mall.

From journal Conquering the Inland Empire

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Riverfront Park

• July 11, 2006
• Rated 4 of 5 by sharp02 from Spokane, Washington

It's a great place for your family to have fun at the park. They have a new water fountain for the kids to run though. And the carousal is almost always open. You can ride bikes go feed the ducks, play on the big red wagon, or just hang out and relax and watch people.

From journal SpokoMoJo

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Riverfront Park

• March 9, 2001
• Rated 4 of 5 by Eve Carr from Fredericksburg, Virginia

Come find out what it's like to be a kid again. Riverfront Park in Spokane is the place to be to relax, have fun and enjoy nature, regardless of your age. In this 100 acre park, you can take your choice of great outdoor activities: bike, skate, walk, jog, picnic, fling a Frisbee, or just lay out your blanket and soak up the sun. Bicycle, skate and wheelchair rentals are available as well.

The park is popular all week long, but, on weekends, it seems as if all Spokane is here. Who could blame them. The park is a great way to take a break from it all, relax and enjoy nature.

Don't miss having your photo taken along side of the gigantic red wagon, a major landmark. We especially liked the carousel and, even though we're not kids any more, had a great time riding it. It's wonderful that this beauty has not only been preserved, but is in active use so the kids of today will have the memories that the rest of us have of our carousel rides in childhood. www.spokanecity.org.parks/riverfront

From journal Spokane is Spectacular!

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