Apres Ski at its Finest

Beyond the Slopes

There are world-class winter sports destinations all within a quick drive of Spokane, but save some energy, as the apres ski options are top-notch as well. Down in the Spokane/ Coeur d’Alene urban lowlands you can satisfy that hunger you worked up, browse some one-of-a-kind shops and take your pick from a wide variety of entertainment options, from the Best of Broadway right in Spokane to Vegas-level casino gaming.

With iconic places to stay and great neighborhoods to explore, complete your winter sports getaway by taking advantage of the full Spokane experience.

Vieux Carre Nola Kitchen

Follow Your Tastebuds

Spokane and the Inland Northwest have a great culinary scene, with longtime local favorites and exciting newcomers sharing the stage. One of those newcomers is VIEUX CARRE NOLA KITCHEN, a little chunk of New Orleans right in Kendall Yards. Hushpuppies? Yep, along with bacon-wrapped shrimp, gumbo and beignets. Seattle superchef Ethan Stowell has staked an outpost of his beloved pastaria, TAVOLATA, right in downtown Spokane across from Riverfront Park. The house special is the delicious rigatoni with spicy sausage ragu.

If you want something totally out there, like from Maine, there’s Chef Chad White’s HIGH TIDE LOBSTER BAR, inside the Wonder Building near the Spokane Arena. Butter, fresh lobster — perfection! And for an elevated take on the humble taco, visit COCHINITO Drink Up! TAQUERIA right downtown, where you can choose from octopus, lamb or pork belly You’re the type to try the local for your protein. Don’t forget to try the libations? The Spokane area grilled corn elote bowl appetizer. has so many craft breweries, Nothing is more humble — or more cideries, distilleries and satisfying — than that all-American wineries people are losing standby, the hamburger. Just off the track of how many. No-Li beaten track on the lower South Hill you’ll Brewhouse near Gonzaga find WISCONSINBURGER, where you can University, Twilight Cider get fried cheese curds on your burger. Works at Green Bluff, Dry Did we mention the Wisconsin part? And Fly Distilling above one of take a quick trip out to the Lake City to downtown Spokane’s busiest streets and the Liberty Lake Wine Cellars are just four of many to check out. check out HUDSON’S HAMBURGERS, where the Hudsons have been slinging some of the tastiest, most classically old-school burgers since 1907. 

From Here

Happy Browsing!

There are a ton of one-of-a-kind, locally owned shopping options across the Spokane region. One category that just keeps getting hotter is vintage, and you can find great stretches of shops along Spokane’s North Monroe, in Coeur d’Alene’s Midtown and even scattered around places like Hillyard Find Your Fun and Rockford. Out on North Monroe, one popular destination You want to feel your inner pinball wizard? Check out JEDI ALLIANCE in Spokane is 1889 SALVAGE CO., where multiple vendors Valley. Or grab a pizza along with indoor mini golf at FLATSTICK PUB. You want to share a space. And the old general store work on your actual golf swing? Northern Quest Casino has a TOPGOLF SWING SUITE that served the tiny wheat farming town inside its EPIC sports bar. Or learn to paint at PINOT’S PALETTE, taught in downtown of Rockford just south Spokane by a real artist while you sip wine. of Spokane is now the HURD MERCANTILE, jam-packed with farm chic decor.

For a gift that reflects the region, check out MIX IT UP in downtown Coeur d’Alene, where they also offer home decor and jewelry. And in the River Park Square Mall, you’ll find FROM HERE, a showcase of some of the region’s best artists. With clothing, paper goods and stuff for your kids or pets, every purchase supports a real, live artist!

Spokane has a strong boutique scene as well, offering the kinds of finds you won’t see at the chains. Near Franklin Park on Spokane’s North Side you’ll find SWANK BOUTIQUE, where the staff will always help you look great. And out in Spokane Valley for more than a decade now, JEMA LANE keeps it fun and friendly, with new stuff arriving regularly. 

NOVEMBER

The Holiday Season kicks off in downtown Spokane with THE ARRIVAL OF SANTA CLAUS to his winter throne at River Park Square Mall on Friday, Nov. 19. There’s a full DOWNTOWN HOLIDAY PARADE to help him make his way, along with the annual CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING in Riverfront Park. Comedy is coming to Spokane in November, with HASAN MINHAJ filling up the First Interstate Center on Tuesday, Nov. 16. At the Spokane Comedy Club they have a couple of headliners, too, in PAULY SHORE (Jan 13-15) and JAY PHAROAH (Nov. 19-21).

DECEMBER

Among the Inland Northwest’s biggest family holiday traditions are the JOURNEY TO THE NORTH POLE CRUISES, departing three times each night all month long from the famed Coeur d’Alene Boardwalk. Sip some cocoa as you make your way across the lake to visit Santa’s workshop. And for one day only, craftspeople from across the Inland Northwest join the usual retailers at River Park Square to offer their one-of-akind, handmade holiday gifts at BRRRZAAR on Saturday, Dec. 18. You’ll find ceramics, prints and more — showing off the region’s creativity.

JANUARY

THE NORTHWEST MUSEUM OF ARTS AND CULTURE, always has something fascinating on display. And if you’ve ever watched what a Tiffany lampshade fetches on Antiques Roadshow, you’ll want to check out some of the finest pieces ever created by LOUIS COMFORT TIFFANY, all month at the MAC. THE SPOKANE SYMPHONY is a great orchestra, playing in the impeccably restored Fox Theater in downtown Spokane. But sometimes guest artists can take it to another level, and PINK MARTINI is one of those; they’ll be joining the Symphony on Saturday, Jan. 29

FEBRUARY

Spokane’s arts season is punctuated every year by the STCU Best of Broadway series, bringing New York City’s best musicals to the First Interstate Center for the Arts. JERSEY BOYS, running Feb. 11-13, follows the career of the Four Seasons and Franki Valli.

The culinary scene of the Inland Northwest is on display every February with INLANDER RESTAURANT WEEK. Spanning across Eastern Washington and North Idaho over 10 days, and featuring more than 100 restaurants, you get three yummy courses for one set price. Opening night is Thursday, Feb. 24.