Spokane, WA Fall & Winter Activities

With Thanksgiving looming and a gentle chill in the air, fall encourages you to have fun in your city. Whether you’re spending time with family or friends, there’s plenty things to do in Spokane this season. If you’re low on inspiration, check out these great fall activities close to home.

See the Colorful Leaves in Spokane Parks

Image by Beth Camp is licensed with CC BY 2.0

You know fall has set in when the foliage changes from lush green to rich red, orange, and yellow. Spokane’s parks are the perfect place to admire fall leaves in all their fiery glory. On a warm fall day, you might enjoy a picnic. Alternatively, just bundle up and take some photos for your social media pages. In the heart of downtown Spokane, Riverfront Park is one of the most convenient parks for your fall foliage fix. You could also admire the rich red maple leaves at Manito Park or take a self-guided walking tour of Finch Arboretum.

Visit the Pumpkin Patches at Green Bluff Growers

Green Bluff Growers is an association of more than 30 family farms just north of Spokane. Fans love visiting during fall to get pumpkins for their Halloween jack’ o lanterns and Thanksgiving pumpkin pies. Children can navigate the straw bale maze to find the singing pumpkins at Knapp’s U-Pick Farm. These orange veggies are so popular at Beck’s Harvest House that one of the friendly farm dogs is even called Pumpkin. You’ll also find plenty of pumpkins for sale at High Country Orchard, Eleven Acres Farm, and Hidden Acres.

Sample Seasonal Brews at Local Breweries

Lawn Love called Spokane the best beer city in 2021. If you’ve never visited a local brewery, or you’re ready for a second helping, fall is the ideal time for a tasting session or tour. Many local breweries make seasonal ales at this time of year that complement their regular selection. Try the Apple Pie Blonde Ale at Four-Eyed Guys Brewing Co. or a Blackberry Apricot Sour Ale at Iron Goat Brewing.

Indulge Your Sweet Tooth With Seasonal Baked Treats

Local breweries aren’t the only ones making the most of fall flavors. Bakeries around Spokane are also releasing special fall treats featuring all the spices, fruits, and vegetables you associate with the season. As these baked treats are seasonal lines, you won’t find them once fall ends. If that’s not a reason to indulge right now, we don’t know what is. Breauxdoo Bakery offers a selection of Thanksgiving pies, including a classic pecan pie and decadent bourbon pumpkin pie. For a little indulgence, try the fall sugar cookies or a square of pumpkin coffee cake at Made With Love Bakery.

Enjoy Some Folk Music

You needn’t wait until next summer to attend a great music festival. The Market District hosts the Spokane Fall Folk Festival every November. Held over the weekend of November 12 and 13 this year, the two-day event features around 100 regional folk musicians playing across eight stages. It’s the perfect opportunity to experience a new style of music, with Celtic, African, Middle Eastern, and blues musicians and traditional dancers all represented at this eclectic event. Vendors selling traditional arts and crafts can help you get a jump on your holiday shopping. Best of all, it’s completely free.

Cheer on the Whitworth Pirates

The Whitworth Pirates, Whitworth University’s football team, play their home games at Spokane’s Whitworth Pine Bowl from early September through mid-November. Their solid support base has undoubtedly helped them earn an impressive reputation at this local stadium, where they’ve played for over 60 years. Sit in the grandstand, bring a picnic, and sit on the grassy north or south end while you cheer on this popular college football team.

Take a Hike

Before the winter chill sets in, fall may be the last time you hike some of the city’s picturesque trails this year. Spokane has plenty great hiking trails, but the Bowl and Pitcher Loop Trail at Riverside State Park is one of the best. Walkers love tramping over the suspension bridge and admiring the Spokane River as it tumbles over the massive basalt formations. Mt. Spokane has more than 100 miles of forest trails, so it’s perfect for a big day of exploring. Check out the views from Quartz Mountain fire lookout, around two miles from the main parking lot.

Enjoy Thanksgiving at a Spokane Restaurant

Thanksgiving doesn’t have to mean sitting down to dinner exhausted after you’ve spent the day slaving over a hot stove. Start a new tradition with a festive feast at one of Spokane’s popular restaurants. While some local restaurants close for the holidays, others are welcoming families and groups of friends. Enjoy all your holiday favorites and leave the washing up to someone else.

Shawn O’Donnell’s Irish Pub serves a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with herb-roasted turkey, salted caramel yams, cranberry sauce, and Irish touches such as Colcannon potatoes and soda bread. 1898 Public House will serve a family-style meal with roasted sage butter turkey, prime rib, green bean casserole, pumpkin cheesecake, and more. These and other local restaurants are likely to book out, so make sure you reserve your table before November 24.

Take Part in a Turkey Trot

The tradition of the turkey trot is alive and well in Spokane, with several events designed to burn those holiday calories. The BRRC Turkey Trot runs on Thanksgiving Day at Manito Park. If you need to shake off your turkey coma, sign up for the Huffin’ for the Stuffin’ Turkey Trot, held the next day on a flat 5k course running through Riverfront Park.

Stay Entertained in Spokane, WA

When you’re having fun in Spokane, you need a reliable set of wheels on your side. Routine maintenance is one of the best ways to help your car perform at its best, but it can be expensive. The last thing anyone needs is a big bill before they start their holiday shopping. If you want to save money on your essential services, head to Spokane Hyundai. Our service and parts coupons can help you save on the services your car needs. Contact us online or visit our Spokane service center to learn more this fall.