Have you ever wondered, What’s Eastern Washington all about? What is Spokane known for? We’re sharing fun facts about Spokane in this post!
Pronounced Spo-KAN (not Spo-KANE), the Lilac City is full of friendly people, known for its hiking, and within close proximity to all kinds of outdoor adventures.
Keep reading to learn all about this Eastern Washington city and the best ways to see it for yourself!
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ToggleSpokane is currently the second most populated city in Washington and rated as one of the most neighbor friendly cities in the US!
Spokane was named after the Spokane Tribe of Indians and has a rich history that you can discover at places like the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.
The population of Spokane, the metropolitan area, is 593,466.
As the crow flies, Spokane is the largest city for 1,656 miles!
Spokane is also a hub for healthcare and has the largest concentration of hospitals, labs, clinics, health education, and research in the Inland Northwest and Northern Idaho.
While the city was originally named Spokane Falls, it was later shortened to Spokane, which comes from the Spokane Tribe of Indians and means “Children of the Sun.”
Spokane officially became a city in 1881 when it only had 350 residents and has grown to a population of half a million metropolitan area!
Each spring, Spokane goes into full bloom, as lilacs around the city burst into beautiful hues of purple and white.
With the high number of lilac bushes around the expanse of the city, Spokane has rightfully been nicknamed the Lilac City!
Because of the city’s iconic Spokane Falls, Spokane has also received the nickname, River City.
Just outside of Washington’s high desert, Spokane is at an elevation of 1,843 feet above sea level, allowing residents to have the pleasure of experiencing all four seasons!
Due to the city’s location in Eastern Washington, Spokane is just 18 miles (29 km) from Idaho, 92 miles (148 km) south of the Canadian border, and 229 miles (369 km) east of the well-known Washington city, Seattle.
Due to the elevation of Spokane (1,843 feet) and proximity to Idaho’s Selkirk Mountains, Spokane residents get to experience all four seasons.
With an average low temperature of 22ºF and high of 33ºF in the winter, Spokane gets cold, snowy weather November through March. The temperature can even get below 0ºF!
Moving into the spring, Spokane blooms with lilacs, daffodils, and tulips, and reaches an average low temperature of 31ºF and high of 67ºF throughout March and May.
Spokane’s summers are hot and dry (average low temperature of ºF and high of ºF), and is the perfect time for hiking or a day trip from Spokane and greater Pacific Northwest!
Finally, fall in Spokane is pleasant and cool (average temperature ranges between 37ºF and 73ºF), with the trees changing into a vibrant spectrum of oranges, yellows, and reds.
To help residents of Spokane explore the culture, education, and business of other countries, Spokane is sister cities with six cities across the world!
Spokane’s sister cities are:
This is one of the most unique Spokane facts and one that you can discover for yourself at Spokane’s Riverfront Park, where there’s a sculpture park dedicated to the sister cities.
Some of the most prominent industries in Spokane, Washington include agriculture, construction, mining and forestry products, healthcare, energy, and distribution.
The biggest companies and organizations in Spokane are Amazon, UPS, Clearwater Paper, Pyrotek, URM Stores, and the US Air Force at Fairchild Air Force Base.
Due to its convenient location in the Pacific Northwest, Spokane acts as a gateway between the Pacific Coast and Rocky Mountain regions, therefore being a major transportation and shipping center for many companies.
Not once but three times has Spokane been ranked in the Top 10 All-American Cities!
In 1974, 2004, and 2015, Spokane was recognized as having good schools and educational programs, flourishing community projects, and focused efforts for raising graduation rates.
In 2020, Spokane received another award as one of the Top 100 Cities in the United States for its growing restaurant scene, good coffee shop vibes, fun nightlife, and affordable cost of living.
According to the Spokane Winery Association, Spokane has over 20 wineries of 50 varieties within 10 miles of the city!
Some of the most popular wineries in Spokane, Washington include Maryhill Winery, Latah Creek Wine Cellars, Helix Wines, Barrister Winery, and Arbor Crest Wine Cellars.
Join in on Washington Wine Month each March and August and go tasting at any of the top-tier wineries in the Spokane area!
If you’ve ever been to Fergusons Fountain Cafe, downtown Spokane, Riverfront Park, local high schools and universities, or the Spokane Valley, you know that one of the coolest Spokane facts is that these locations have been used for popular TV shows and films.
Some of the most well known films that have been done in Spokane include Z Nation, Tag (which is based on a true story about Gonzaga Prep graduates!), Benny and Joon, which features Johnny Depp, and more!
Spokane hosted a World’s Fair in 1974, and evidence of the event is still around to this day!
The now renovated Spokane Pavilion was built for the 1974 World’s Fair, in addition to the popular Riverfront Park, which was formerly used as a rail yard.
These Spokane fun facts are deeply ingrained in Spokane’s culture and community, and you can check them out for yourself!
Bing Crosby was a resident of Spokane from grade school through college at Gonzaga University. He made a lasting impact on the city, which is commemorated by the Bing Crosby Theater!
Bing Crosby’s singing career began in Spokane, as he and his group, the Musicaladers, began performing at local venues like the Odd Fellows Hall, the Elks Club, the Manito Park Social Club, and the Pekin Café.
This is one of the most fun facts about Spokane, as you can remember Bing Crosby’s legacy every time you visit the popular theater, Bing Crosby House Museum.
For all you swimmers, cliff jumpers, hikers, and backpackers out there, these Spokane fun facts are for you!
In the greater Spokane area of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho, there are tons of easily accessible lakes and parts of the Spokane River. They are perfect for a midsummer dip to cool off from the heat or ice fishing in the winter.
Some of the best lakes in the Spokane area include Lake Coeur d’Alene (perfect for seniors!), Priest Lake, Long Lake, and Bear and Bead Lake.
Need help planning your next lake day? Check out our complete guide to planning a low-key lake weekend getaway!
There are so many buildings on the National Historic Register in Spokane.
Some of these buildings include:
Most of these buildings in Spokane can be explored on your own. Just a walk through downtown Spokane will have you time traveling to the past!
When combined with the Lower Spokane Falls, Spokane Falls is considered the largest urban waterfall in the US at 146 feet!
Spokane Falls is not only a power source for the Inland Northwest, but is also a popular attraction for visitors and locals alike.
You can see Spokane Falls from the popular Huntington Park, SkyRide Gondola, or from the nearby Centennial Trail.
One of the most fun facts about Spokane is that Father’s Day was invented right here in the city!
The first Father’s Day was on June 19th, 1910.
It was recognized as a national holiday by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924 after Sonora Smart Dodd, with the help of the YMCA and Ministerial Alliance, spread the word to those outside of Spokane!
You can learn more about its creation from a plaque at the Dodd home in the South Perry District.
Since 1977, Spokane has hosted the 12K (7.46 miles) race, Bloomsday–the largest timed race in the world that attracts over 38,000 participants each year!
What makes Bloomsday unique is that all participants get a recorded time, which is not normal for other races.
Bloomsday happens on the first Sunday of every May.
Kirtland Cutter designed many historic buildings in Spokane. They include the Historic Davenport Hotel, Monroe Street Bridge, Spokane Club, Glover Mansion, Washington Water Power Company, Finch House, and lots of private houses.
If you walk through downtown Spokane, the chances you’ll pass by a Kirtland Cutter creation is high!
Taking over 45 city blocks in downtown Spokane, Hoopfest is one of the most popular events in the city and something residents and visitors look forward to each year.
Each June, Hoopfest brings in over 250,000 people, 3,000 volunteers, 422 courts, and 24,000 players from 44 states and 6 countries!
Spokane gets the nickname Hooptown USA from this popular annual event.
Just under 2 hours from Spokane, the Grand Coulee Dam stands proud against the intensity of the Columbia River.
The Grand Coulee Dam is one of the largest concrete structures in the world. It was a feat of humanity in the 1940s, built by thousands of men during the Great Depression.
The massive Grand Coulee Dam stands 550 feet high and 5,223 feet long (just shy of a mile!). It took eight years to build (completed in 1942)!
You can explore the area surrounding the Grand Coulee Dam on the 150-mile Coulee Corridor National Scenic Byway.
You can also visit the Grand Coulee Dam Visitor Center for more information about the structure and annual events, including a laser light show.
The Centennial Trail in the Spokane area stretches from Nine Mile Falls, Washington to the Idaho state border. It attracts all kinds of outdoor adventurers–especially bikers, runners, and those who love an easy, paved walk.
While you can complete the entire trail, there are numerous, easily accessible points along the way. The Centennial Trail in Spokane have loads of epic views of the Spokane River and Spokane Falls.
Some of our favorite spots along the Centennial Trail in Spokane include the Kendall Yards area, where you can grab a coffee at Indaba and stroll with a friend, or Riverside State Park.
The Centennial Trail in Spokane is a great activity for seniors, families, couples, friends, and individuals!
Sometimes called “the Forgotten City,” Spokane is actually a hidden gem!
It’s the gateway to many incredible places in the Inland Northwest. They include Glacier National Park, the Canadian Rockies, the Columbia Basin, the High Desert regions, and Idaho’s Snake River Valley.
While larger cities in the PNW like Seattle and Portland may be on your radar, Spokane has a lot to offer itself. It has some of the best and most unique local experiences in the nation!
Love winter in Spokane? You’re in luck, because there are 5 premium ski resorts within close proximity of Spokane!
These include:
Love these fun facts about Spokane? Share this post with someone who loves our city too!