Spokane: Play Here
Spokane, a hidden gem tucked away in the mountains of the Inland Northwest, was recently recognized by the The NY Times as an outdoor wonderland and by Powder Magazine as a next American Ski Town.
The area’s 76 lakes, five skiing areas, 20 golf courses, and three major shopping malls within a short drive of campus offer students and faculty a variety of off-campus pursuits. Multiple music venues, live theater and Broadway plays, the Spokane Symphony, two professional sports teams (Spokane Chiefs hockey and Spokane Indians baseball), and a vital downtown shopping and entertainment district add a lively spirit to the mix.
- 5 area ski resorts
- 4 distinctly beautiful seasons
- Walk to downtown
- Home to the largest timed street race, Bloomsday
- Host of Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament
- Strong support for the nationally ranked Gonzaga basketball programs
Arts and Entertainment
From the First Friday art walk to film festivals, Spokane has a little bit of everything for the museum goer, music lover and art fan.
The performing arts are a major part of the Spokane lifestyle. You can catch a big-ticket concert, a Broadway musical or community theater production, or performance by the Spokane Symphony or Spokane Jazz Orchestra. Live music also fills the scene at many local restaurants.
The Davenport Arts District includes loads of galleries and the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture, a Smithsonian affiliate museum, houses a large collection of Native American artifacts and features regional and national traveling art exhibits. The Mobius Science Center and the Mobius Kid's Museum will fascinate explores of all ages.
Outdoor Activities
The Spokane region—with its natural landscape of forests, mountains, lakes and rivers—is an outdoor enthusiast’s playground. Biking. Hiking. Skiing. Fishing. Rafting. Golfing. We have it all right here in Spokane or within minutes (under an hour) of city limits.
Our city parks are also popular destinations. Riverfront Park, just minutes from Gonzaga’s campus, features a carousel, sky ride over the Spokane Falls, fun family activities and easy access to the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River. And just south of downtown is Manito Park—imagined by the same landscape architects who designed Central Park in New York City—with acres of walking trails and botanical gardens.
Shopping
Whether you prefer to shop small, local boutiques or an everything-in-one-place mall, Spokane has you covered. River Park Square mall is a mile from Gonzaga's campus, and includes major clothing retailers, spots to eat, and a 20-screen movie theater. There are also two major shopping malls in the area.
Annual Events
- Hoopfest: It's no secret that love for basketball runs deep in Spokane. Every June, our city hosts the largest three-on-three basketball tournament in the country. The event draws more than 6,700 teams, 3,000 volunteers, and 200,000 players and fans.
- Spokane Lilac Festival: The Spokane Lilac Festival has been a tradition since 1938. Every May, the colorful Lilac Festival parade enlivens the streets of downtown, honoring the community of Spokane and the Inland Northwest.
- Bloomsday: This 12k race is one of the top ten road races in the United States and one of the largest timed running events in the world, drawing more than 50,000 runners and walkers.
