Spokane Staycations

Wondering how you can scratch that travel itch while on a Spokane staycation? The good news is we live in an adventure-rich region. Staycation options are plentiful whether it’s snowing outside or sweltering, whether you’re a hiker or a relaxer or really just need to sit somewhere besides your couch to finish that book you started months ago.

We’ve compiled a list of Spokane staycation ideas to help keep you busy even though everything is canceled and borders are closed.

Spokane Area Camping & Cabins

Even outside the pandemic, Spokane is definitely “near nature, near perfect,” making it easy to spend those vacation dayshere at home.

Riverside State Park

If you’ve lived in Spokane for longer than five minutes, you’ve probably spent a day exploring Riverside. But have you ever camped here? The Bowl and Pitcher campground has thirty-two tent and RV sites, all with easy access to trails and swimming holes. (That said, I definitely recommend booking a, well, riverside site. Farther from the road, closer to the water. Mmmm.) Bowl and Pitcher campground is open year-round at reduced capacity, so trade your hiking boots for snow shoes and your tent for a camper once the snow falls.

Priest Lake

Okay, okay, I know this is technically outside of the Spokane region (about a two-hour drive away), but this relatively nearby getaway is too good not to list. Priest Lake has rental cabins at Hills Resort and Elkins Resort, and though they’re open all year, consider visiting in non-summer, when it’s possible to book without planning months in advance. In winter, warm your hands by the fire after a day spent snowmobiling or cross country skiing on nearby trails. Or bundle up and read all day before walking down to the icy lake, armed with a hot toddy, to watch the sun set over snow-capped trees. Another perk of non-peak season recreation? Cabin prices drop with the temperature.

Liberty Lake Regional Park

No matter what kind of camper you are, the Liberty Lake campground can accommodate all outdoor sensibilities, whether you prefer to sleep in a tent, RV, or cabin. Open early May through September, the campground is near a swimming hole and playgrounds, making it a perfect destination for families with kids. If you’re ready for a few hours of moderate hiking, don’t miss the 8.3-mile Liberty Lake Loop Trail, waterfall included.

RV Rental

A year-round option for you all-weather adventurers. Cruise America has an RV rental pick-up location in Spokane, so whether you plan to park your temporary home-on-wheels in your driveway (for the ultimate staycation), a local campground, or take it for a roadtrip, your adventuremobile is just around the corner.

Spokane Hotels & Resorts

While checking into a resort in Cabo or a hotel in Paris might not be in the books for the foreseeable future, there are still local options for a few nights of luxury a few miles from home.

The Davenport

A Spokane staple, The Davenport has been a staycation locale since before staycation was a word. (Aside from the two decades when the hotel was shut down and nearly demolished, of course.) A building as historic as it is grand, The Davenport is the place to go if you’re in need of pampering and luxury. The rooms are plush, the vibe is royal, and the fireplace is burning all year long. You won’t even need to leave your room. Room service, spa treatments—from seaweed leafwraps to CBD therapeutic massage—and more can be brought to your room’s door.

Coeur d’Alene Resort

Is CDA in Spokane County? No? Oh well. Just a thirty-minute drive and you’re lakeside at one of the region’s most prominent destinations. The Coeur d’Alene Resort sits right on the water, with scenic views in all directions. Of pandemic note is that each room has its own ventilation system, and fine dining room service is available. Outdoor activities abound with easy access to hiking trails and water recreation.

At Home in Spokane

Of course, what we’re able to do during the pandemic is always changing, and sometimes it isn’t feasible to go away for a night or two, even cautiously. While it might not be the vacation you’d planned, there’s something to be said for ordering take-out from your favorite restaurant, pouring a glass of local brew, and settling in to enjoy a night of art and intellect at home.

Virtual Fun

All over Spokane, lectures and panels organized by local museums and universities have been moved online, Lucky You Lounge has created an entire virtual concert series, and Pinot’s Palette is offering online paint classes and take-home paint kits. You can even catch online plays by local playwrights, and Auntie’s Bookstore is hosting virtual readings by writers across the literary spectrum. The Inlander’s calendar is a great place to see what upcoming events are on the docket (make sure to filter for “online”).

Food Journeys

Sure, you can’t exactly trek the globe at the moment, but you can still experience the world—and world-class cuisine—from your couch. You can try food from Sudan, Syria, India and more with take-out orders from Feast World Kitchen, a local nonprofit featuring immigrant and refugee chefs. Need a brew to relax—or some fancy bread to really kick back and indulge? Spokane South Hill favorite The Grain Shed offers new menus weekly, created with take-out in mind.

A staycation can be a lot more than a box of wine and a mud mask, especially with our amazing local community. We’re glad that while we’re staying home that at least our home is Spokane.