Sprawling east of Spokane, Spokane Valley is the largest suburb in the “Lilac City”. It is named after the Spokane River that flows through “The Valley” and is edged by a multi-use recreational trail. Spokane Valley is home to an excellent local history museum and a foundation dedicated to vintage aircraft.
Things to do in Spokane Valley
Don’t miss a visit to the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum, which occupies the Spanish Mission Revivalist-style Opportunity Township Hall. It features engaging exhibits that detail the people of the Spokane region, including the Coeur d’Alene tribe and early pioneers. Learn about the apple orchards that once blanketed the valley and hear about the “Spokane Sun God”, the first airplane to make a non-stop transcontinental roundtrip flight.
Aviation enthusiasts can visit the Historic Flight Foundation, which boasts an impressive collection of historic aircraft. See a Douglas DC-3 that was designed to fly across the Himalayan Mountains during World War II and get up close to a British-built Supermarine Spitfire. To see some of the aircraft in action, coincide your visit with one of the foundation’s Fly Days.
For a more active experience, you can hike or cycle along the Spokane River Centennial Trail, a 60-kilometre-long route that extends from Sontag Park in Nine Mile Falls to the Washington/Idaho border. The section that leads through Spokane Valley takes in Mirabeau Point Park, a picturesque area of meadows, forests and springs. Kids can let loose on the discovery playground and picnic shelters are available.
Getting around Spokane Valley
Spokane Valley is around 10 minutes’ drive from the centre of Spokane and 20 minutes from Spokane International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the United States. Buses travel throughout Spokane Valley and connect most of its attractions.