About Spokane

THE CITY

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. Click here to learn more about Spokane.

Students walking outside of 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.

River Park Square

ARTS & ENTERTAINMENT

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

Listed below are entertainers and musicians who have recently performed (or soon will be) at one of the many venues in the Spokane area:

311
Alison Krauss
Avenged Sevenfold
Avril Lavigne
Ben Cummins - Comedian/GU grad
Ben Folds
Ben Harper
Beyonce
Bill Cosby - Comedian
Blue Man Group
Blues Traveler
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony
Brad Paisley
Brooks & Dunn
Casting Crowns
Def Leppard
Drowning Pool

E-40
Elevators
G. Love & Special Sauce
George Clinton & P-Funk Allstars
Hinder
Incubus
Jay Leno - Comedian
Larry the Cable Guy - Comedian
Lewis Black - Comedian
Keith Urban
James Taylor
Jason Mraz
Mannheim Steamroller
Mat Kearney
Michael Buble
Modest Mouse
Newsboys

Nickelback
Rascal Flatts
REO Speedwagon
Ron White - Comedian
Sevendust
Shawn Colvin
Social Distortion
Sting
Styx
Switchfoot
Tech N9ne
The Drew Davis Band
The Fray
The Presidents of the United States of America
Tool
Yellowcard

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.

Schweitzer Ski Resort

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.

Lake Arthur

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.)

Silverwood Theme Park

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 more than 6,000 teams and 24,000 participants to play on almost 400 courts lined out on the streets of downtown Spokane.

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.

RIGHT NOW IN SPOKANE

Visit www.accessspokane.com and www.visitspokane.com to explore the latest events and attractions in and around the Spokane metropolitan area.

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.