City Spotlight: Spokane, Washington

Overhead view of the great city of Spokane, Washington

There is more to Washington than just that popular rainy city that will remain nameless. All the way on the other side of “The Evergreen State” is a great yet overlooked town called Spokane. The city of Spokane’s nickname is the “Lilac City” due to the amount of that particular flower flourishing throughout. After experiencing a busy 48-hours in this city, I felt the need to pass along some of the more memorable places that I came across.

What is the cure to just about any ailment? Simple, lots and lots of chocolate. So when you are suffering from a lack of the sweet stuff, be sure to fill your prescription at the Chocolate Apothecary. Opened in 2005 by former pharmacist turn chocolate master Susan Davis, this local shop has some of the most interesting and original chocolates that I have personally ever tasted.

Mmmmm chocolate.

Some of the more eclectic chocolate ideas include “Spicy Maya” (which is a dark chocolate combination of cayenne & cinnamon) and my personal favorite chocolate with pop rocks. Truly a chocolate lover’s destination when in Spokane and if you are unable to make it out to this shop, they also take orders online at www.chocolateapothecary.com.

So many chocolates...so little time.

The city of Spokane offers visitors and locals just tons of parkland, biking trails, and outdoor adventure. I was lucky enough to be in town when the weather was picture perfect. Two of my favorite “green” parts of Spokane  include Duncan Garden in Manito Park and the Japanese Garden.

Stunning Duncan Garden in Manito Park

The Spokane Japanese tea garden was tranquil and kid friendly.

Located right next to Duncan Garden in Manito Park is the Gaiser Conservatory which includes a plethora of plants. From numerous varieties of cactus to chili plants, this place had plenty to keep you green thumb travelers smiling.

One of many types of cactus on display at Gaiser Conservatory

Red hot chili pepper plants...pretty cool.

The Steam Plant Grill is an absolutely perfect place to check out in Spokane if you love amazing architecture, good food, and amazing micro-brew beer. Long before they were serving tasty treats and mouthwatering adult beverages, this structure was an actual Steam Plant that produced steam heat and electrical power for all of downtown Spokane.

However, by 1986 the plant was just not financially practical to operate. So it was shut down and left to waste away for nearly a decade. Finally some investors came in and turned this once dirty old factory into offices, retail space, and the Steam Plant Grill. I loved the look of this place and how a piece of history in Spokane was spared and now is bustling with activity.

Good times had at the Steam Plant Grill.

When you do visit this restaurant, you must try their nine beer sampler which included one of the best stouts I have ever tasted. It was like a smoother Guinness with a hint of vanilla. Check out this legendary locale at www.steamplantgrill.com

A damn good breakfast is served at Frank's Diner daily.

The most important meal of the day is breakfast. So when your belly is rumbling, make sure you head on over to Frank’s Diner. As a New Yorker, I have had my fair share of good and bad diner experiences over the years. Frank’s definitely gets my seal of approval. I mean just look at the exterior of this place, how can you not like Frank’s before even stepping through their front door. The diner is located inside of an actual rail car!

Definitely choo-choo choose Frank's for breakfast....mmmm biscuits and white gravy.

Speaking of which, feast your eyes on that artery clogging goodness.

Located in the downtown corridor, Frank’s Diner includes all of the usual diner goodies, but be sure to check out their insanely delectable biscuits and white gravy with a side of scrambled eggs. Something about loads of white gravy poured over soft biscuits at 7am that is just devilishly good.

Spokane is kid friendly, so you will definitely want to bring the little ones to Riverfront Park, which was home to the 1974 World’s Fair. When you are in the park, be sure to check out some of the attractions like the new gondola Skyride that carries you over the Spokane falls and the historic 1909 Looff Carrousel.

Gondola Skyride over the Spokane River Falls.

Beautiful Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane.

Tons of children were enjoying a day on the 100-year old Loof Carrousel.

Both were great to check out in person and had many smiling faces checking them both out on a picture perfect afternoon in Spokane. (As cool as the Loof Carrousel looked, I was alone on this trip and figured a 29-year old sitting by himself on this ride might scare off some people. So I just checked it out from the sidelines.)

Vodka…whiskey…gin. Oh yes, three drinks that I have enjoyed in my lifetime. So if you love your liquor, then I suggest you take your adult beverage loving self over to Dry Fly Distillery.  This local distillery has been pumping out some of the tastiest and smoothest vodka, whiskey, and gin in the United States for over two years now. They are also the first legal grain distillery in the state of Washington since prohibition.

Screw Absolut...buy Dry Fly!

Their hard work has paid off with such honors bestowed upon them like “Best Vodka Award” in San Francisco at the World Spirits Competition. Dry Fly’s business has been booming, even with the lousy economy, and currently offer their product in 250 statewide bars, 26 states and two Canadian provinces.

Where the magic happens.

When I visited their distillery they told me that 99 percent of Dry Fly’s ingredients were Washington-grown. That might be why so many locals volunteer to help out on weekends at the distillery. Or it might be in hopes of tasting some of the goodness being created here. For more information on Dry Fly Distillery, check out www.dryflydistilling.com.

If you are staying in Spokane, then there really is only one place you should be resting your weary head. That place is the stunningly beautiful and historic Davenport Hotel. Opened in 1914, the Davenport just blows you away upon entering the gorgeous lobby. I could have spent the night sleeping in the lobby and I would have been fine. It was one of those rooms that you just sat back and took in with great joy.

Loved my stay at the Davenport Hotel. Such a luxurious locale in Spokane.

Some famous faces that have spent the night here include Amelia Earhart, Clark Gable, Bob Hope, Benny Goodman, and Mr. Spokane himself Bing Crosby. The room I stayed in was so beautiful and the service was top notch. Check back on September 1 for a full review of my stay at the Davenport Hotel, as it will be featured as one of my “hotels of the month.”

Overall my experience visiting “that other city” in Washington was great. I highly recommend checking out Spokane if you are an outdoorsy traveler and if you are looking for a place to visit with children. For more information on Spokane, Washington check out VisitSpokane.com.

(I would like to thank Pam Scott for being such a gracious host when I visited Spokane.)