Spokane

Fine Wine & Outdoor Fun

by Robert Painter

Where in the world is Spokane? If I told you that it is in the middle of wine country would you think maybe it’s somewhere in the Napa Valley? You may not know that Washington State is the second largest wine producer in the United States.

Well, Spokane is in the heart of it all.  And, if you’re getting tired of the usual Chardonnay you might want to try the local Rieslings. They are beginning to be recognized world-wide as award winning vintages become available. Don’t give up on the Chardonnays though.  And, hopefully, you didn’t pay too much attention to the movie Sideways. There are plenty of outstanding Merlots being produced here as well. 

Maybe the first thing you should do when you get to Spokane is find a copy of the Arbor Crest Wine Cellars Event Schedule.  The Summer Concert Series festivities are great fun and the view from the crest is spectacular. Arbor Crest has more than 4 acres of gardens and 75 acres of grounds.  Be sure and visit the Cliff House and walk across the special little bridge.  You can even watch the kids down below as they leap off the boulders into the Spokane River.  And bring your dancing shoes – it looks like most of the bands will have you on your feet most of the evening.

Arbor Crest is something you just shouldn’t miss when you visit, but maybe the very first thing you should do is check into your hotel when you get to town.  If you’re lucky and choose the Davenport Hotel as your host for your visit you’ll be staying in what the 2009 Expedia Insider’s Select List has ranked #7 in the nation and #10 in the world.  And National Geographic Traveler’s has placed it in their list of 129 Hotels We Love.

The Davenport Hotel and Tower was first opened in 1914. You’ll be impressed by the magnificent ballrooms and the dining is sensational.  Don’t worry about the 1914 date on the outside – inside your guest suite you’ll find the accommodations are spacious, modern, beautiful and all done in exquisite taste.  Everything in the Davenport is intended for your satisfaction.  You may enjoy the wonderful spa for your daily relaxation and, should you choose to host a dinner party, there are several beautiful private dining rooms available for your group.  Please do view their website and see the many beautiful public rooms as well as the guest suites.

One of the best features of this fabulous hotel is its proximity to the Spokane River and all it has to offer to both residents and visitors. The park alongside the river is just a couple of minutes from the hotel and better than you might imagine.  Probably the first thing that will grab your attention is the children’s water play area. The water shoots straight up from nozzles in the surface and the kids can run and play to their hearts’ content.  And, very close by is a beautiful old carousel with rides for all ages.

 Just a short way beyond you’ll find the giant Radio Flyer – the big red wagon that everyone loves to play on and around.  It is so big that stairs are needed to get on top and there is a slide at the other end to come back down to earth. Yes, the kids loved it, but I saw more than one adult who looked like they were having as much fun with it as their children.  And, a couple of grownups who were there without any kids.

Alongside the river and through the park runs a trail. You can stroll along the river on this trail. You can jog over to the lovely Gonzaga University following this trail.  You can hop on a bike and take this trail all the way out to those boulders I told you about where the young people were leaping into the river.  Or, you can get really adventurous and ride your bike along this trail all the way to the Idaho state line. Not enough of a workout for you?  O.K., you can keep on going from this trail, known as the Spokane River Centennial Trail and continue all the way to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho on the continuation known as the North Idaho Centennial Trail. Maybe 60 miles or so each way.  That spa at the Davenport will be waiting.  That’s not enough?  Well, there are many more bike trails in the area – this is a biker’s paradise.

My visit was in the summer so I haven’t mentioned the snow. I know there is plenty of good skiing nearby, but I’ll let you check that out on your own. Good ice skating here, too.  As a matter of fact, January of 2010 finds Spokane hosting the U.S. Figure Skating Championships. That includes FanFest, 10 days of non-stop partying.  Sounds like a great time to be in Spokane.

I probably should mention that the Little Spokane River offers some really nice Class III rapids, a perfect way to spend a warm afternoon.  Between the rapids, you can jump out and float downstream and enjoy the view.  Plan a picnic and stop along the way.  Or bring a couple of kayaks and trade off between your raft and a little paddling on your own.   Photo # 519

If you’d rather take it a little easier you’ll find the Cat Tales Zoological Park an intriguing place to spend some time.  It’s a rescue and training facility and the cats are bountiful and beautiful.  I loved the Leopards.  By an interesting coincidence I had seen a wonderful white tiger show at the New Mexico State Fair just a few days earlier, so it was rewarding to be able to see the white tigers here up close and easy to view.  But, the leopards were my favorite.

Another easy venture is a visit to a U-Pick farm.  Check out Green Bluff Growers, a group of family-owned U-Pick farms, bakeries and gift shops near Mt. Spokane.  At Walter’s Fruit Ranch we rode around in a wagon pulled by a tractor through the orchards where we stopped to pick fresh, tree-ripened cherries and apricots.  We ate them on the spot – delicious. 

Now for the quiz. Who is the most famous person to grow up in Spokane? Why Harry Lillis, of course. He moved to Spokane when he was three and lived here throughout his youth.  He even enrolled at Gonzaga University with the idea of eventually becoming a lawyer.  Fortunately, for all of us he became enamored with music and became a singer, although he did win an Academy Award for his portrayal of Father Chuck O’Malley.  You may know him best for his biggest musical hit – White Christmas.  By now you probably know I’m talking about Bing Crosby. If you’re a fan, you’ll enjoy the Crosby Collection at Gonzaga and you may want to visit the Bing Crosby Theatre in downtown Spokane.

What have I left out of this story?  What is perhaps the most important part of any vacation or holiday?  You are absolutely correct.  It is FOOD!  There are so many options you may need to spend an extra day or two in Spokane to try them all.

I’ve mentioned the wine and spectacular view from the Arbor Crest Wine Cellars.  Yes, you can dine there as well. You can’t stay at the Davenport and not have at least one breakfast in the hotel. Try the Palm Court or the Safari Room.  If you’re really clever and plan your trip to include a weekend you can enjoy the Champagne Sunday Brunch served in one of the beautiful ballrooms. I won’t even talk about the grand dessert buffet for fear of gaining three pounds just thinking about it.  For dinner try the Palm Court for prime rib or the Peacock Room for something lighter, like open-faced crab sandwiches and your favorite martini.

For a really special treat try for a Wine Dinner at Europa with John Allen of Vino! A Wine Shop. If you’re not a wine aficionado, don’t worry, John puts on a very comfortable evening with fine wines and fine food and it is all very casual and very delicious.  And, unpretentious.

Another excellent choice is the Wild Sage American Bistro.  Anticipate the chef’s choice of fresh and locally grown produce for a comfortable and delicious dinner.

For lunch, try one of the local “dives.”  There are several choices and some of menu items are interesting to say the least.  Choose from any of these and you’ll be fine. Fast Eddie’s, Domini’s, Satellite Diner or Red Lion BBQ & Pub.  Just be sure and plan another bike ride or a long hike beside the river to burn off some of the excess calories.

Of course, Spokane has plenty of shopping.  I didn’t have time to hit the shops, but I heard about a few that sounded interesting. Check out Finder’s Keepers and Auntie’s Bookstore.  With those names how can you miss?

One place that is high on my list for my next visit is Dry Fly Distilling.  I hear they make a great vodka, but I just didn’t have time.  There was so much to see and do during my short 4 day visit to Spokane that I know I missed a lot.  The good part about missing stuff when you travel is that it gives you a great excuse to go back.  And, when you find a terrific spot like Spokane that’s a really good thing.  Maybe I’ll see you there.

Keep on Traveling.

http://www.visitspokane.com. Check here to find out what’s happening now in Spokane and what’s coming during the time you’ll be there.

http://www.arborcrest.com. Pop your cork here!

http://www.thedavenporthotel.com. View the hotel, check out the amenities and make your reservations right here.

http://www.cattales.org. Learn all about the Cat Tales Zoological Park right here.

http://www.greenbluffgrowers.com. Not just u-pick – learn all about the area growers.

http://www.spokanecentennialtrail.org. Learn about this wonderful 37 mile trail to the Idaho border.

Story and Photos by Robert Painter, Luxury Adventure Travel Editor      Photo # P1040421