Things to do in Spokane

Don't really plan to spend anytime downtown. Seems like most big city downtowns are chitholes. Spent a few days in Portland last May and I can't imagine it could be worse than that dump. Going to Portland was like stepping into a third world country. We walked by 3 crack heads passed out on a corner while the parking police were writing parking tickets 2 cars away. Absurd what's going on there. Anyhow, will take some suggestions given here and do a few things.
 
Don’t compromise your family’s safety and 100% skip Washington all together.

Head to the greater Coeur d’Alene area and experience North Idaho and America.
If I could skip Washington I would but it's the only place besides Seattle that has the training that is within driving distance.
 
Coeur d alene is not the best place for washington to go to.

If you like hiking, or frisbee golf or kick ass mountain bike trails, check out camp sekani\beacon hill in spokane valley. I was mtn biking there yesterday. Never did see a needle.
 
Northern Quest Casino in Airway Heights, drop the kids off at Kids Quest and go double your paycheck! Cant afford not to!
 
I’ve been in Spokane for 10 years and there are parts of downtown that are super sketchy. You just need to be bear aware. It isn’t as bad as Seattle or Portland. There’s a ton to do with kids and lots of great businesses to support. There’s also loads of outdoor activities. I’m originally from MT and will be returning for a slower life, but Spokane has its highlights.

I am a Science teacher and Möbius Science Center is awesome for kids. The mall downtown has a great movie theater, and there are loads of great restaurants. Mac Daddy’s is a little kids dream, as a Mac and cheese centered restaurant. Riverfront Park is awesome, and they work hard to keep the homeless out. Flat stick Pub has mini-hold indoors and a solid menu. Wonderland is a little up north and has go karts and mini-gold and such. You can rent paddle boards on the river, and there are lots of great hikes around.

Southhill is where I live and is pretty quiet. The bluff has great hiking and Manitou Park has an awesome Japanese garden. The Rocket Market is on top of it and has great snacks for adults and kids alike. There’s even a place for Laser Tag and another for indoor rock climbing class. Biking of all sorts and trails for every level are boundless. From a paved river trail to founder black diamond mountain bike trails in town.

I could go on.
 
You mentioned Silverwood as an option but it was closed. So if CDA is an option as part of Spokane (CDA might disagree) read on.

CDA carousel downtown is fun as is the escape room down there. Fudruckers toy shop was a hoot! Tripple Play is still a hit with my older kids too. The Red Barn petting zoo was real cool also.
 
Spent a day in Spokane after road tripping through Idaho, could not believe the change. I've always heard stories about the bums in Washington but always thought this was more of an issue on the other side of the state, boy was I wrong. Pretty clear example of what happens when a state goes far left. Just for perspective, I live in Miami and we have homeless/junkies here as well like any big city but for the size and remoteness of Spokane it was pretty eye opening. What stood out to me the most was the relatively young age of the ones I saw, pretty sad.
 
People saying they love the CDA area would have really loved it 20 years ago. The whole area is getting worse and worse by the day. The amount of people in the area is nuts with no end in sight
If I knew 30 yrs ago what would transpire throughout the region I never would have settled here.

Escape plan is in motion!
 
I live just south of CDA and occasionally I am forced against my will to go to Spokane. I hate it. It’s my least favorite “big city” besides Portland. At least Seattle has mountains you can look at to try and ignore the druggies, Spokane has nothing. I would recommend staying in CDA and don’t bring the family into Spokane if you can help it. In CDA I’d check out tubbs hill for a little hike, near that is the best coffee shop ever (with really good little pies) called Evan’s Bros, figpickles toy shop and some of the other shops downtown are neat. There’s a petting zoo my wife loves but I’ve never been.

I will say, I’ve lived in the area 12 years, and it’s just gotten so much busier and more urban. I wouldn’t want to live IN CDA but it’s not a bad place to visit.
 
There is an axe throwing joint on division and some eacape room businesses too. Might be interesting for the kids.
 
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