Splash Down Family Water Park in Spokane Valley, WA

The weather is finally hot in the Spokane area, so it is time to head to one of the several water amusement parks in the area. Here are the three best options in the region. If you are wondering why Wild Waters is not listed, it is because that park is closed for the summer to make improvements that will be unveiled in summer 2011. Grab your swimsuit and family and go play!

Splash Down Family Waterpark

Located in the Spokane Valley, this outdoor waterpark is the closest major facility to Spokane. Splash Down offers tall, straight drop slides for those who want to see just how fast they can go as well as long, curving slides and swimming pools. Be sure to check out some of the park’s newest attractions, including Splashketball, water balloon battles, Petey’s Lil Puffer Fish Lagoon with pools and slides for tots, and Frisbee golf. Low admission prices ($13–$16) and the option of bringing your own picnic or BBQ supplies make this an affordable day of fun for families. Although you can bring your own coolers in, alcohol is not allowed. Monday through Saturday, the park opens at 11:00 a.m., and Sunday it opens at noon. Generally, the park closes at 6:00 p.m., but on Tuesdays and Thursdays hours are extended to 8:00 p.m., with live music on Thursday nights. The address is 11127 East Mission Avenue, Spokane Valley, WA.

Boulder Beach at Silverwood Theme Park

Rumble Falls at Silverwood. Copyright Silverwood and Boulder Beach.

North Idaho’s Silverwood Theme Park is the largest theme park in the Northwest. Admission includes admittance to both the amusement park and the water park and costs $21.99 for kids 3–7 years old and $41.99 for general admission. If you are looking for a big park with incredible attractions, this is it. The large water park features long and high fast-paced slides (check out Avalanche Mountain, at 650 feet), but there are plenty of more relaxing options, such as Elkhorn Creek, a lazy river to float on with a tube. There is an area just for younger children as well as two large wave pools. One major advantage of this park is that if you don’t want a full day in the water, or if the weather turns less than sunny, you can always go enjoy the high-quality rides in Silverwood. Many Boulder Beach lovers advise waiting for a hot day, as the park is so large that visitors can do a lot of walking in wet bathing suits, and this can be a little uncomfortable on cooler summer days. No outside food or beverages are permitted in the park, but there are numerous restaurants, some with alcoholic drinks, and concession stands. Limited camping is available, which is great if you want to stay for two days or if you prefer to eat lunch in your RV; call for reservations. Both parks are open 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The address is 27843 N Highway 95, just north of Coeur d’ Alene.

Silver Rapids Indoor Waterpark at Silver Mountain Resort

Although this waterpark is for guests only at Silver Mountain Resort, it is definitely worth staying here if you are travelling with children in North Idaho. It is located in Kellogg, Idaho, just off I-90. Completely enclosed, this warm waterpark is fun in any weather. Although it is small compared to other area waterparks, there are a few great slides, and Silver Mountain makes great use of the space that is available. Several interactive play areas will keep toddlers and kids of any age happy for hours, including the FlowRider, a continuous wave that can be body boarded or surfed after some practice. Adults can enjoy hot tubs and a bar overlooking the water park area. If you do stay at Silver Mountain, you can easily make a week’s vacation out of it. The area is an incredible outdoors playground. You can take a scenic gondola ride to the top of the mountain and go for a nature walk, play disc golf, and eat at the Mountain Haus restaurant. There are also some great mountain biking opportunities in the area as well as several lakes. Summer hours for the waterpark are Monday through Thursday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., and Sunday 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

More »

North Spokane Farm Museum

A short, pretty drive fifteen miles north of Spokane, WA off state highway 395 leads you to the North Spokane Farm Museum. Follow the sign from the highway to the “Red Shed,” a 5,000 sq. ft. teach and touch museum that displays farm machinery and farm artifacts from 1850–1950. All the farm equipment has been painstakingly researched and restored to near its original splendor. You can also check out what life was like in the first half of the 1900s, with a working 50s kitchen, a 40s bedroom, a 20s kitchen, and the largest collection of Ironstone China in the Pacific Northwest, with more than thirty-six sets from 1850 to 1976.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. most days, but it is best to call ahead at 509-466-2744 to make sure the hosts are not out working in the field, as this Spokane-area museum is located on a real working farm.

Spokane Sea Services Museum

Captain of the USS Spokane

Are you interested in military or naval history? Then be sure to visit the Spokane Sea Services Museum, which began as just a few display cases at the local Reserve Center in 1987 and has grown to occupy its own building. It is located at the Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Readiness Center on 5101 N. Assembly Street and includes an entire room dedicated to the USS Spokane.

Ship’s memorabilia at the museum include the ship’s bell, a life ring, a holiday Union Jack, Storm Ensign, Watch Quarter, Station Bill, Battle Efficiency Plaque, official ship photographs, news clippings, original programs from the commissioning, sea stories, copies of the ship’s newspaper “The Spoke,” boiler room information plates, and a picture of the first CO with the USS SPOKANE Silver Service.

Museum hours are Wednesday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Mike Webb at 509-270-5319 for more information.

Cheney Historical Museum

Located in Cheney, WA, the Cheney Historical Museum houses information and artifacts that tell the stories of the Four Lakes, Marshall, Cheney, Tyler, and Amber districts of southwest Spokane County. These communities were born from agriculture and railroads, so here you can learn about the typical experience of rural farming communities in the West, along with discovering the people and traditions that made these places unique. The collection was started in 1935 by the Tilicum Club, a women’s social and service organization, because they were asked by pioneer families to preserve items of their history.

The museum is open May through September, Thursdays and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Fridays 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. October through April, the Cheney Historical Museum is open Fridays only 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Call 509-235-2202 for more information.

More »

Fireworks show in Riverfront Park, Spokane, WA

Sure, Spokane, WA has a spectacular fireworks extravaganza on July 4th, but the fireworks show is the culmination of two full days of revelry in Riverfront Park. Spokane’s 4th of July Festival begins on Saturday, July 3. All day long, you can watch live music at three different outdoor stages, including an American Idol competition with Spokane’s top ten competitors, the Spokane Jazz Orchestra, a dozen or so popular local/regional bands, and a karaoke competition. On Saturday night, don’t miss Ignite Community Theatre’s presentation of the melodrama Blazing Guns at Roaring Gulch (7:30 p.m.) followed by a showing of the film The Basket, which was filmed right here in Spokane. Roving performers will entertain you while you walk around. The shows are all free and fun for the whole family. For the complete schedule, go to the Riverfront Park website.

The historic Loof Carousel in Riverfront Park

Riverfront Park will also offer specials on day passes all weekend for the park’s many attractions including the historic Loof Carousel, the IMAX theater, amusement rides, and the Spokane Falls SkyRide gondola. Food choices will be diverse, with an international selection of food booths, and beer and wine will be available at the Boulevard Bistro. You can also browse exhibitor booths and enjoy art activities and games.

Do you have something you’ve been dying to say on stage? Sign up for a five-minute slot on the Freedom of Speech stage, which will be open on both days.

The big finale fireworks show starts at 10:00 p.m. on Sunday. If you want the best seats, you can purchase reserved seating tickets for $8.00, which includes a collectible stadium seat cushion. Tickets can be purchased at Riverfront Park’s Guest Services or by calling 509-625-6602 (there will be a $3.50 handling fee for phone transactions.) Quantities are limited and will be on sale until July 1, 2010 based on availability.

More »

Copyright 2010 Spokane Regional Convention and Visitors Bureau

June 20, 2010, marks the 100th Father’s Day, a holiday that began right here in Spokane, WA. Local resident Sonora Smart Dodd, who is often referred to as the “Mother of Father’s Day, was inspired to propose a day to celebrate fathers after hearing a sermon on Mother’s Day in 1909. Dodd’s mother had died in 1898, so her father raised her and her five younger brothers alone on a remote farm in Eastern Washington. With help from her pastor at Old Centenary Presbyterian Church (now Knox Presbyterian Church), Reverend Dr. Conrad Bluhm, Dodd made a proposal for Father’s Day to the Spokane YMCA. That organization, along with the Ministerial Alliance, endorsed the idea and celebrated the first Father’s Day on June 19, 1910, with sermons honoring fathers presented throughout Spokane.

The rest of the nation eventually caught on: in 1924, President Calvin Coolidge recognized Father’s Day and urged the states to do likewise; in 1966, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed a proclamation calling for the third Sunday in June to be recognized as Father’s Day; and in 1972, President Richard M. Nixon signed a proclamation permanently observing Father’s Day on the third Sunday in June. Today Father’s Day is celebrated from Antigua to Zimbabwe in over fifty countries around the world.

Traveling to Spokane for Father’s Day? You can book your luxurious, affordable suite at Stratford Suites today and enjoy a 50 inch hi-def. television and pillow-top mattresses in every room.

Here are just a few Father’s Day event highlights in Spokane, WA:

Father’s Day 100th Anniversary Tour by Group Coordinators

Numerous options are available for a fun-filled tour that Dad will love. On Friday, June 18 and Saturday, June 19, group tours will be given for wine tasting, beer tasting, Spokane Symphony at the Fox performances, Spokane nightlife, golfing, and more. Check out the options at groupcoordinators.com/sonora-dodd.php. Reservations can be made by calling 509-455-4354 or emailing julie@groupcoordinators.com.

Dad/Daughter Style Class

Saturday, June 19, 11 a.m.
Workshop for dads to learn more about styling their daughter’s hair for picture day and special events, because mom isn’t always available.

Haute Headz
1505 N. Ash
Spokane, WA 99205

Reservations: 509.838.2280; $30 for one daughter; $5 for additional

Garage Mahal Tour

Saturday, June 19, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Take Dad on a one-of-a-kind tour that ends with a feast from Longhorn Barbeque. Sights include the oldest flying Boeing at Felts Field, the new Pullman train car museum at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center, a behind-the-scenes tour of McKay Manufacturing, and Gary Hite’s custom motorcycle shop and museum with motorcycles by Harley Davidson, Merkel, and others spanning more than 100 years of technology.

Get your tickets at the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture or Longhorn Barbeque. For more information, go to the museum’s website.

Spokane Indians Baseball

June 20, 3:30 p.m.
The Spokane Indians will salute fathers while playing against the Tri-City Dust Devils by wearing light blue jerseys, running light blue bases, and holding a silent auction benefitting Bat for the Cure.

More »

copyright 2010 Riverfront Park

Catch Some Great Live Music Under the Stars

Spokane, WA typically has warm to hot summer nights that are perfect for outdoor concerts. If you are visiting the area for business or vacation, be sure to check out some quality live music in Spokane’s two best-known parks: Manito Park and Riverfront Park. Great music is worth travelling for, and if you are coming to Spokane for a summer show, you can make a fantastic trip by staying at Stratford Suites affordable luxury hotel. Every room has pillow-top mattresses, a full kitchen, leather furniture, and a 50” hi-def. television. Ask about our shop and stay packages, which include a gift certificate to River Park Square mall.

Free Live Music Friday Nights at Manito Park All Summer Long

Starting Friday, June 4, you can relax in the beautiful ambiance of Spokane’s South Hill botanical wonder, Manito Park, and enjoy free live music. The concerts are held at the Manito Park Bench Café (between Mirror Pond and Duncan Gardens) every Friday at 6:00 p.m. Delicious food is available as well as many refreshing summer beverages, including beer and wine. This summer’s lineup includes a diversity of music, including classical guitar and pop/rock, with performances by Paul Grove, Sidhe, Trailer Park Girls, Just Plain Darin, and Matt Russell. For the full schedule, view the poster here.

Mozart in Manito July 13th and 14th

It is hard to imagine a more idyllic setting for listening to a great performance of Mozart than Spokane’s Manito Park on a summer evening. Connoisseur Concerts will present the 20th annual Mozart On A Summer’s Eve, on Tuesday, July 13 at 7:00 p.m. with a repeat performance on Wednesday, July 14 at 7:00 p.m. on the lawn east of Duncan Gardens in Manito Park. Connoisseur Concerts’ Wind Ensemble, directed by Verne Windham, Music Director of Mozart On A Summer’s Eve, will perform, with special guest artists to be announced.

Tickets are $25 for table seating, which includes a gourmet dessert and coffee provided by Luna Restaurant. Tables for eight can be reserved for $200. Tables will be set up at 5:30 p.m. for ticket holders who wish to have a potluck or picnic before the show. Tickets for lawn seating for those who bring their own blankets or chairs are $10 per person and are for the concert only with no food or beverage service. Tickets are available at TicketsWest outlets, by phone at 325-SEAT (1-800-325-SEAT outside Spokane), or online at www.ticketswest.com

Live Music at Riverfront Park This Summer

Riverfront Park, Spokane’s sprawling, magnificent park located downtown on the Spokane River Falls, hosts a wide array of musical acts throughout the summer in their spacious grass meadows. While you are there, be sure to allow some extra time to stroll around the park and explore its numerous attractions, including the historic Loof Carousel, Spokane Falls Gondola Skyride, IMAX Theater, and amusement rides. Below is a listing of some musical highlights in the next couple of months:

Friday, June 18, noon: KPBX Kids Concert with the Spokane British Brass Ensemble, free.

Sunday, June 20, 6:00 p.m.: Slightly Stoopid Concert, $20.00–$35.00.

Saturday, July 3 and Sunday, July 4: live music all day, check http://spokaneriverfrontpark.com/ for schedules.

Sunday, July 25, 9:00 p.m.: Allegro’s Royal Fireworks Concert, on the floating stage, fireworks to George Frederick Handel’s Musick for the Royal Fireworks, 1749, free.

Wednesday, August 18, 7:00 p.m.: The Doobie Brothers, classic rock, $39.50–$49.50.

More »

copyright Northwest Museum of Art and Culture

June 4–6, Browne’s Addition, Spokane, WA

Don’t miss the 25th annual Northwest Museum of Art & Culture ArtFest on June 4–6 in beautiful Coeur d’ Alene Park (located just west of downtown Spokane on 2nd Ave.).

Much more than your usual arts and crafts fair, this event draws 30,000 people to enjoy quality artistic works in several mediums, artisan food (plus a beer and wine garden), music, and many activities. In addition to seeing and purchasing some fine art from talented regional artists, you can see how the art is made through live artist demonstrations of soldering stained glass, pottery wheel throwing, yarn spinning, making art with recyclable materials, watercolor, and mixed media techniques. Who knows, it might inspire you to take up a new hobby! Fourteen great music acts will keep ArtFest hopping, with styles ranging from Celtic to blues to Latin.

ArtFest 2010 is a family friendly event, with marvels including magicians, stilt walkers, and “bubbillusionists” as well as the ever-popular Make It Art area (geared for ages 3+), where kids and kids-at-heart can have their faces painted and create and take home crafts such as fish windsocks, flower leis, jewelry, and fish prints. If you will be travelling to this event from out of town with children, remember that Stratford Suites Spokane Area Hotel will make your family comfortable and happy with private bedrooms, full kitchens, and 50-inch high-def. televisions with cable and DVD players.

copyright Northwest Museum of Art and Culture

ArtFest 2010, one of the Northwest’s most respected and dynamic art fairs, runs on Friday from noon to 8:00 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but on Friday and Saturday nights, the music will keep playing and the beer and wine garden will keep serving until 10 p.m.

Are you looking for a great hotel in Spokane? Whether you are travelling to ArtFest to display and sell your art or to experience it as a visitor, Stratford Suites offers you the best lodging value in the Spokane area and is just ten minutes from Coeur d’Alene Park. Call 509-321-1600 or 888-705-8877 for reservations.

More »

Northwest Museum of Art and Culture

Northwest Museum of Art and Culture and the Campbell House

Known as the “MAC,” the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture houses an impressive array of historical and modern art exhibits. Summer 2010 exhibits include Ruben Trejo: Beyond Boundaries, Aztlán y más allá (Trejo, who recently passed away, was one of the region’s most important and respected artists); Living Legacy: The American Indian Collection; Harold Balazs (one of the region’s best-known artists); and Mestizo: Collections and Cultural Fusions.

Campbell House. Copyright Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture

Right next door to the MAC, the historic turn-of-the-20th-century Campbell House is an English Tudor Revival beauty, with fully restored luxurious rooms that give you an insight into the life of the wealthy who made their fortunes in the region’s lucrative mining industry. Forty-five minute guided tours inform visitors of the life and times of the house’s original inhabitants.

Mobius Kids

copyright Mobius Kids

Got kids? Take them to Mobius Kids Museum and let their imaginations run wild as they engage in exciting activities with high educational value. Kids can learn about far-away cultures by bargaining at a Filipino rural town store, take control of city traffic signals to learn about traffic and bicycle safety, listen to guest storytellers in the Globe Theatre, create original art, and more! The museum averages over 65,000 visitors annually and is a top-tier children’s museum in Eastern Washington.

Spokane Valley Heritage Museum

Visit this cultural museum to get a feel for what it was like to live in a growing Western town over 100 years ago. The Spokane Valley Heritage Museum chronicles 150 years of the city of Spokane Valley, WA, from its first settler in 1849 through today.

Irrigation Brings Life to the Valley Exhibit

Located in the last remaining township hall in the state of Washington, this museum features historic photos, inspiring exhibits, and fascinating artifacts.

More »

copyright Brett Sports and Entertainment

Thirty-eight home games with fun for the whole family!

As summer approaches, Spokane baseball fans are getting excited for a fantastic season of cheering for the home team. The season opens on June 18 with a home game against the Tri-City Dust Devils, which will be followed by a fireworks show. The Spokane Indians, the Short-Season Class “A” affiliate of the Texas Rangers, thrill audiences every year with their combination of baseball and showmanship. Home games are played at Avista Stadium, which is considered the best stadium in the Northwest. As always, there will be audience participation games, contests, giveaways, $1 family feast nights, and, my favorite, fireworks nights throughout the season. As co-owner Bobby Brett said, “On a fireworks night, we will have 4,000 baseball fans and 3,000 fireworks fans.”

copyright Brett Sports and Entertainment

Whether you are in Spokane on business or pleasure don’t miss the opportunity to catch a talented, award-winning team that still maintains the fun atmosphere of small-town baseball that began with the first professional baseball game played in Spokane on May 3, 1890. Originally named only by the city, the team became the Spokane Indians in 1903 and has been entertaining baseball fans ever since, save for a few periods when the team was shut down due to national events. Indians stars from the past include Hall of Famers Stan Coveleski, George Kelly, Duke Snyder, Hoyt Wilhelm, Don Sutton, and manager Tommy Lasorda.

One of the best features of Spokane Indians baseball is affordability. Individual tickets are only $5–$10, or even less if you purchase a seven- to twenty-one-game package. To purchase ticket packages, go to the Spokane Indians website. To purchase single game tickets, go to TicketsWest.

If you can’t be there in person, the next best thing is to listen live online or on the radio at 1510 KGA Sports Radio or www.spokaneindiansbaseball.com.

If you are staying in the Spokane area for business, or traveling through do take in an Indians baseball game and check out Stratford Suites Hotel. It is clearly the best lodging value in Spokane! All rooms feature full kitchens, 50” hi-def. televisions, high speed wireless internet, and pillow-top mattresses and room to spare.

More »

Spokane River Centennial Trail, mile 29

Spokane River Centennial Trail: This completely paved trail, which is part of the 37-mile Centennial Trail that extends into North Idaho, generally follows the contours of the Spokane River, beginning at the Idaho state line and ending at Nine Mile Falls, WA. There are numerous parking areas along the trail, and it is ADA accessible and open to walkers, joggers, skaters, and bicyclists. Among its many highlights, the trail winds through 100-acre Riverfront Park in downtown Spokane and through Riverside State Park (see description below).

Riverside State Park: This 7,655-acre natural area offers visitors an in-the-woods experience without driving to a national forest. It is a wildlife watchers haven, with a diverse population of birds as well as moose, deer, bobcats, and cougars. In addition to the Centennial Trail, there are dozens of hiking, bicycling, equestrian, and off-road vehicle trails to explore, from easy to strenuous. Be sure to check out ancient Indian rock pictographs in the Little Spokane Natural Area, which is located about 6 miles northwest of downtown Spokane at the head of a pretty, easy trail along the lazy, meandering Little Spokane River. A moderate difficulty hike can be accessed across the road from the Indian Painted Rocks parking area. Another popular attraction is the Bowl and Pitcher, which features a 1930s-era swinging suspension footbridge over the Spokane River and spectacular views of the surrounding geologic wonders, located about 5 miles northeast of downtown Spokane. There is an easy seven-mile hike from here.

View from Mt .Spokane State Park

Mt. Spokane State Park (13,919 acres) is a favorite amongst local hikers, mountain bikers, and huckleberry pickers. The view from the top of the 5,883-foot elevation includes surrounding states and Canada. The forested park features stands of old-growth timber and granite rock outcroppings. Twenty-five miles northeast of Spokane, the park is beautiful and primitive and boasts 100 miles of hiking trails, 90 miles of bike trails, and 100 miles of horse trails. Trails tend to be challenging, with big pay-offs in gorgeous views of the surrounding areas.

Duncan Gardens at Manito Park

Manito Park is a 90-acre botanical paradise located in Spokane’s South Hill neighborhood. Here you can enjoy five 1800s style gardens, a greenhouse conservatory, and a large duck pond. Arguably Spokane’s most beautiful manicured park, Manito Park offers walkers, joggers, and bicyclists fragrant roses and lilacs, topiary shrubs, a picturesque stone bridge, lush lawns, and the peaceful Japanese Garden.

The Spokane, WA area offers a wide variety of urban, forested, and rural trails. For more information, go to these websites:

Inland Northwest Trails Coalition

2009 Spokane Regional Bicycle Map

Experience Spokane

Washington State Parks

When you are travelling to Spokane for business or pleasure, consider the affordable, luxury at Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel, guaranteed the best lodging value in Spokane. This Spokane hotel is located just minutes from downtown Spokane and the Spokane airport. All one or two bedrooms suites have full kitchens, pillow-top mattresses, high-speed wireless Internet, granite-top appointments, and all-leather furniture.

More »

Townshend Cellars

Whether you are a seasoned wine connoisseur or just enjoy an occasional glass of wine, the annual Spring Barrel Tasting in Spokane, WA is a fun way to check out the wonderful varieties of wine produced in the area. This friendly annual celebration marks the end of the winemaking season and the beginning of a new wine year. Wineries are proud and excited to share their latest creations, and people travel from near and far to try them and enjoy visiting with winemakers and fellow wine lovers. Wine tasting events will be held at each participating winery from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of Mother’s Day weekend (May 7–9).

If your mom is a wine lover, a Spring Barrel Tasting tour would make a wonderful Mother’s Day present! Husbands—treat your wife to a fun, luxurious weekend of wine tasting and stay at the beautiful Stratford Suites Hotel, where you can both relax in one of our all-leather furniture rooms, with pillow-top mattresses, full kitchens, and a 50” hi-definition television.

This year, sixteen Spokane wineries will welcome visitors and guests for sampling new wines, sampling current vintages, sampling wines still in the winemaking process directly from barrels or tanks, and talking with knowledgeable and friendly wine lovers.

Liberty Lake Wine Cellar

Participating wineries:

Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, at the National Historic Landmark Cliff House overlooking Spokane, features a number of award winning wines that showcase the quality and essence of Columbia Valley grapes.

Barili Cellars takes inspiration from the Italians, who believe wine is meant to be shared with friends and family. It is Spokane’s newest boutique winery, so come discover their second year of great wines!

Barrister Winery showcases award winning Bordeaux varietals, produced in small quantities, and limited edition wines, available to Wine Club members, in a 100-year-old warehouse located in Spokane’s historic Davenport Arts District.

Caterina Winery has been producing hand-crafted wines since 1993 in the historic Broadview Dairy building.

Grande Ronde Cellars produces single vineyard and Bordeaux Blend red wines from Seven Hills and Pepper Bridge vineyards, Walla Walla Valley appellation. Five wines have received 90+ ratings in Wine Spectator.

Knipprath Cellars, begun as a small family-owned boutique winery, enjoys a growing enthusiasm for its wines in and out of the state, which include award-winning firsts for the Spokane area, such as Washington-State Pinot noir and the first locally produced Port.

Latah Creek Wine Cellar has a stylistic aim to create wines that taste like the grapes from which they came by using traditional winemaking principles and selecting exceptional fruit. Wine Spectator Magazine has called it one of the top producers of Merlot in the State of Washington.

Liberty Lake Wine Cellars produces small lots of hand crafted red wine for those who seek out and appreciate limited edition wines. They specialize in single vineyard wines.

Lone Canary Winery wines combine the wonderful expressiveness of Washington State grapes with the depth and elegance of wines made in an Old World style.

Mountain Dome Winery produces quality sparkling wine from grapes from a variety of sources in Washington’s Columbia Valley appellation. The winery works closely with the growers to insure the highest possible quality while keeping the harvest down to less than four tons per acre.

Nodland Cellars has chosen to make very small lots of wine and to use traditional methods like hand selection of clusters, open top fermenters, and natural yeast fermentation followed by a cultured yeast fermentation to create wines with rich and opulent textures.

Overbluff Canyons is devoted to crafting world class limited production wines from the best vineyards in Washington State. Its only mission is to exceed the expectations of the most discerning wine drinker.

Robert Karl Cellars is a boutique Spokane winery producing handcrafted, premium Cabernet Sauvignon, Claret, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah, and a dry Cabernet Franc Rosé.

Townshend Cellar is dedicated to producing small lots of quality wines, ports, dessert wines, and unique Huckleberry style wines. Its wines derive their distinctive flavors from extensive oak aging in small French and American oak barrels and the selection of grapes from some of the finest vineyards in the Columbia Valley.

Vintage Hill Cellars started from a passion for winemaking and sharing an experience with friends and family. It first opened its doors May 11, 2007.

Whitestone Winery has over a decade of experience growing wine grapes in the shadow of Whitestone Rock, on the shores of Lake Roosevelt. Using grapes only from their estate vineyard, Whitestone is able to handcraft bold red wines and resurrect a tradition of wine making in the region.

–

While you are here in the Spokane Area check out our blog calendar of events for other fun things to do or see. Don’t forget to book your room at Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel if you are traveling for the Spring Barrel Tasting! Conveniently located just minutes from downtown Spokane, our spacious suites with fully equipped kitchens are the best lodging value in the Inland Empire.

More »