About Spokane

Students walking outside of River Park Square

The City of Spokane

Spokane (pronounced Spo-CAN) is the largest metropolitan area between Seattle and Minneapolis, with 199,630 residents within city limits and more than 446,700 people in the greater Spokane area. Spokane is home to an array of historical landmarks, community events, arts & entertainment, and athletic competitions.


River Park Square

River Park Square - Downtown

River Park Square, located about one mile from Gonzaga's campus, boasts popular stores like Nordstrom, GAP, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Mariposa, Helly Hansen, Aveda, Bath & Body Works, and Pottery Barn. A three-story movie theater is also located within the shopping center.


Arts & Entertainment

For current information on Arts & Entertainment offerings in Spokane, check out the Official Site of the Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau.



Schweitzer Ski Resort


Mountain Sports

The Spokane area is a mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with four major ski areas within a 90-minute drive. Find out what Schweitzer, Mt. Spokane, 49° North, and Silver Mountain resorts have to offer.


Lake Arthur

Lake Adventures

Spokane has 76 lakes within a 60-minute drive of downtown, with Lake Coeur d'Alene (pronounced Kor-duh-LANE) being a popular hotspot for weekend getaways and student life activities. In approximately 30 minutes by car, students can enjoy lake activities, Coeur d'Alene's sandy beach, and the occasional boat cruise. Lake Coeur d'Alene is approximately 30 miles east of Spokane, in Idaho.


Silverwood Theme Park


Silverwood Theme Park & Boulder Beach Water Park

Silverwood Theme Park and Boulder Beach Water Park - located just 15 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - is the Northwest's largest amusement park! Silverwood is proud to hold the largest roller coaster in the region and has over 60 rides, games, and attractions for students to enjoy. (Open May through October.)

Famous Events

Hoopfest: Spokane plays host to the largest three-on-three basketball tournament in the country on the last weekend of June every year. The event draws over 6,700 teams, 3,000 volunteers, 200,000 players and fans, 428 courts spanning 40 downtown city blocks.

Spokane Lilac Festival: The Spokane Lilac Festival has been a "Lilac City" tradition since 1938. Every May, an elaborate Lilac Festival parade decorates the streets of downtown Spokane to honor and showcase the community of Spokane and the Inland Northwest.

Bloomsday: This Spokane event is one of the top ten road races in the United States and one of the largest timed running events in the World. The Lilac Bloomsday Run draws over 50,000 runners and walkers to the 12k race on the first Sunday of May every year. The run draws many people from throughout the Northwest, the Nation, and the World to take part in one of Spokane's most famous annual events.

Spokane River

A Bit of History

Spokane County is located on the western slopes of the Coeur d'Alene Mountains along the Idaho-Washington border. East of the Cascade Mountains, it was first settled by the "Spokane"--Native Americans who fished for salmon along the banks of the Spokane River. Immigrants soon came, attracted by the wildlife, fertile soil, mines, forests, and of course the mighty Spokane Falls. Spokane is known as the heart of the Inland Northwest, the city situated along the Spokane River and the Falls.


Spokane Resources Online


Current Spokane Weather

Spokane has four seasons - white winters, fresh springs, crisp falls and sunny summers!

For the current weather in Spokane, click here.