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Trails in Spokane, WA

Monday, May 3rd, 2010

Spokane’s motto is “Near nature. Near perfect,” and it is a fitting description. With seventy-five parks in the city limits and seventy-six lakes in a 50-mile radius, the Spokane area offers abundant outdoor recreation opportunities. The sunny, warm spring and summer months invite hikers, campers, fishers, boaters, kayakers, canoeists, cyclists, and bird-watchers out to play. There are trails for walkers, hikers, and bicyclists of all abilities. Whether you are just visiting for business and want to take an evening stroll through a beautiful rose garden or have time for a challenging day hike adventure, you will discover many options. Below are a just a few excellent, scenic trails.

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.

Posted in Recreation, Spokane, Sports, Travel | 4 Responses »

Don’t Miss the Spokane Winery Association’s Spring Barrel Tasting May 7-9!

Monday, April 19th, 2010

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.

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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.

Posted in Dining, Events, Spokane | 8 Responses »

Northern Quest Resort and Casino Offers Fun of Many Varieties!

Monday, April 5th, 2010

Since it’s inception as a modest gaming hall nine years ago, the Northern Quest Casino and Resort has undergone a complete transformation into a major regional destination. People from all over the Inland Northwest gather here for great concerts (Kenny G. and Miranda Lambert recently performed for the resort’s grand opening of its new hotel), comedy, theatre performances, boxing/fighting matches, special events, dining, and a variety of fun games in the casino. Recent performers at the Pend Oreille Pavilion, the resort’s major performance venue, include Tim Conway, the Commodores, and Art Garfunkel. Northern Quest, owned by the Kalispel Tribe of Indians, is also a popular choice for business conferences and events large and small because it offers flexible meeting spaces with excellent service and high technology amenities.

If you happen to be staying at Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel, Northern Quest Casino and Resort, located in Airway Heights near the Spokane Airport, is just down the road and is sure to have something to entertain you during your visit to Spokane, WA. Whether you want to listen to live music, play some poker, sip on fine wine, satisfy your craving for a great steak, smoke a cigar, dance, or shop, this is your destination!

For starters, there are six restaurants ranging from fine dining to Asian style noodles to tasty pub fare. For nightlife every night of the week, you can check out Impulse, which offers comedy, live jazz, dance lessons, and more.

The resort also features a cigar lounge, sports bar, social lounge, and a relaxing lobby fireside bar. The 46,000 square-foot casino offers over 2,000 slots and progressives, 37 table games, live poker, keno, and OTB.

If you really need to relax, indulge in a Pend Oreille River Stone Massage at the new Current Salon and Spa, a beautiful, full-service spa and salon with treatments inspired by traditional Kalispel Indian healing. You can even do some shopping at the gift store and the Logo Shop clothing store.

Coming up April 6–10, Northern Quest Resort and Casino will present Cabaret, the Broadway musical that swept the 1967 Tony Awards and has since undergone several revivals and revisions, in the Pend Oreille Pavilion. You can purchase tickets by calling the resort at (509) 481-6700 or through Ticketswest.

If you travel to Northern Quest Resort and Casino for any event, consider staying at the nearby Stratford Suites Hotel, the best lodging value in the Spokane area, with full kitchens, 50” hi-def. televisions, pillow-top mattresses, and all-leather furniture in every room. Northern Quest provides free shuttle to and from Stratford Suites.

Posted in Dining, Events, Shows, Spokane | No Responses »

Spokane Shock Football Opening Night April 2

Friday, April 2nd, 2010

Spokane Shock 2009 ArenaCup Champions. Copyright Spokane Shock.

Spring is here, and it’s time for the 2010 arena football season. The Spokane Shock, Spokane’s award-winning arena football team, will open the season on April 2nd as new members of the newly resurrected Arena Football League (AFL), which is back after a one-year hiatus and reorganization of its business plan. The 15-team league will play a 16-game schedule leading into the playoffs and the Arena Bowl the third weekend in August. Membership in the AFL will make this the most exhilarating season yet because it gives the Shock the opportunity to play against teams in bigger cities and a chance to test itself against AFL teams who have won championships at the highest level of indoor football. The Spokane Shock will　play at HOME against big cities like Chicago, Phoenix, Cleveland, Salt Lake City, and Jacksonville.　These games will definitely be worth travelling for.

Rob Keefe, former player and Shock’s all-time leading tackler (career), is the new head coach, replacing Adam Shackleford. Keefe is entering the season with high spirits and recently told the Spokesman Review “In six, seven months we truly put together an AFL team; a top tier team is what we believe we are.” (link)

ArenaCup 2009 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas

In addition to winning their second ArenaCup Championship since 2006, last year the Inland Northwest Sports Writers and Broadcasters named Spokane Shock the Team of the Year. This is the second time the team has won the award in its five-year existence.

The Shock will open the season on Friday, April 2nd, 8 p.m. against the Milwaukee Iron on Spokane Tribe Field at the Spokane Arena. Single game tickets can be purchased through TicketsWest. Season tickets can be purchased by calling 509-242-7462. Travelling to Spokane for a game or two? Book your hotel room now at Stratford Suites, featuring luxury one and two-bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens and 50″ HDTVs.

Posted in Spokane, Sports | 9 Responses »

A Weekend for Women Coming Soon!
Spokane Women’s Show and Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure

Tuesday, March 23rd, 2010

The 2010 Spokane Women’s Show, featuring live music, speakers, cooking demonstrations, and a variety of booths aimed towards women’s interests, will be held April 16–18 at the Spokane Convention Center. The weekend will conclude with a fundraising walk/run to benefit the search for a cure for breast cancer. Admission to the show is $7 for the entire weekend, with a $2 discount for Race for the Cure participants. Registration for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure, which consists of either a 5k run/walk or a 1 mile walk, is open; click here to register online.

Featured speaker, comedian Diana Jordan

If you need a reservation for a Spokane, WA hotel for the weekend, allow us to recommend this site’s sponsor, Stratford Suites, which is the best lodging value in the Spokane area, featuring luxury, fully furnished suites at a reasonable price.

Friday night, the show begins with Spokane singer/songwriter Brett Hite at 5:30 p.m. followed by featured speaker Diana Jordan, whom Oprah Winfrey referred to as “one of the funniest people on the planet” when she appeared on Oprah. Saturday’s notable performances include the Goodwill Fashion Show, the Spokane Dance Company, weight loss speaker Ryan Hite, and the wonderful Spokane jazz/swing band Hot Club of Spokane. Check the show’s website for a complete schedule.

2009 Goodwill Fashion Show

Spokane Women’s Show hours are Friday 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday 7:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Race for the Cure begins Sunday, April 18 at 9 a.m. in front of the FedEx/Kinkos on West Spokane Falls Boulevard.

If you book at Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel for the event, be sure to ask about the convenient town car shuttle service and Shop & Stay packages, which include a gift certificate to River Park Square in downtown Spokane. Call 888-705-8877 for more information.

Posted in Events, Shows, Spokane | 2 Responses »

50th Anniversary Bighorn Outdoor Adventure Show March 18–21

Monday, March 15th, 2010

If you love the outdoors, head to the Spokane Fair and Expo Center on March 18–21 for the annual Bighorn Outdoor Adventure Show to capture the great OUTDOORS, INDOORS. Hosted by the Inland Northwest Wildlife Council, the Big Horn Show is one of the oldest and longest continually operated sports and recreation shows in the United States. This huge outdoor sporting event in Spokane, WA attracts 32,000 hunters, anglers, fishers, archers, wildlife watchers, and other outdoor enthusiasts every year.

The show features over 300 exhibitors and plenty for the whole family to do, including many fun activities for kids like fishing for real trout and laser shot shooting simulators. Vendors, guides, and non-profit organization come from all over the United States and Canada, Mexico, South America, and Africa. Highlights include the DockDogs Northwest Cup where you can watch dogs compete for the longest jump (see the video here), the Great Cats World Park Show with exotic cats from small to big, Fishing World with 5,000 live trout in indoor lakes, a rifle range, an antler trophy competition, and shooting and fishing simulators.

If you are an exhibitor or visitor to the show and need a Spokane area hotel, Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel.

Posted in Events, Recreation, Spokane | 1 Response »

Hoopfest Registration Opens March 12

Friday, March 5th, 2010

Hoopfest Spokane

The city of Spokane, WA is preparing for one of its biggest events of the year. Teams can soon register for Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament, which will be held on June 26th and 27th, 2010, in downtown Spokane. This wildly popular annual summer sports event welcomes players of all abilities and almost all ages (players must be in at least third grade) to compete for awards in each bracket.

The Spokane Hoopfest Association’s mission is simple: To create the best basketball weekend on Earth. The incredible success of Hoopfest indicates that the mission has been accomplished! Since the Association gathered the support needed to convince the city of Spokane to shut down streets in the heart of downtown for two days of basketball in 1990, Hoopfest has grown into a huge, national sports event that draws 6,700 teams, 3,000 volunteers, 200,000 players and fans, and 428 courts spanning forty downtown city blocks. It has become an outdoor festival with concerts, food, and interactive entertainment for the entire community.

With people coming from forty-two states to participate, Spokane area hotels fill up fast! To avoid a last-minute hassle, book your comfortable, spacious room at Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel now. Our one and two bedroom suites with fully equipped kitchens are ideal for families travelling with children, offering privacy and the option of eating in.

Hoopfest players

According to a 2006 survey, Hoopfest brought 30 million dollars to the Spokane economy. The largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament in the world also provides other benefits to the community: Since 1990, Spokane Hoopfest Association has donated over $1,200,000 to organizations such as Special Olympics, YMCA, YWCA, and other youth sports programs, as well as its court construction program. Hoopfest has built or renovated over twenty outdoor basketball courts in area neighborhoods so local residents have an opportunity to play year-round. If your business or organization would like to help, consider sponsoring. Few sponsorship opportunities in Spokane offer such high visibility for your business name.

When Hoopfest won the 2003 Agora Award for Business Excellence, the judges said, “No other single event (here) brings together people of such diverse cultures, economic conditions, and ages for a common purpose. And this common purpose is not just basketball. It is cheering for one another, working together, competing fairly, and celebrating Spokane.”

Remember; book your rooms soon for best prices and availability!

Posted in Events, Recreation, Spokane, Sports | No Responses »

Spokane Lilac Festival 2010 Celebrates Freedom, the Lilac City, and Royalty

Wednesday, March 3rd, 2010

The Spokane Lilac Festival (May 10–16) is an annual spring tradition in Spokane, WA dating back to 1938. It has grown from a one-day flower show to a week-long festival of family friendly events that bring visitors from all over the Inland Northwest.

The big finale event is the largest armed forces torchlight parade in the nation, the 72nd Spokane Lilac Festival Armed Forces Torchlight Parade, which begins at 7:45 p.m. on May 15, 2010 with a canon blast and a flyover by a military airplane. This year’s parade will feature approximately 200 units, including military units, marching bands, floats, dignitaries, equestrian groups, the Lilac Festival Queen and Princesses, and much more.

The 2010 theme, selected by the Spokane Lilac Festival Association President, Arne Weinman, is “Freedom is Not Free.” “As a twenty-nine-year Veteran of the Air Force, it’s clear to me that the freedom we have in America isn’t free,” Weinman said. “And I’m proud to carry on the Spokane Lilac Festival tradition of honoring our military personnel.”

One week before the Torchlight Parade, Spokane will celebrate children with the Junior Lilac Parade on Saturday, May 8, 10 a.m. The theme is Lights, Camera, Action! The Jr. Lilac Parade is a treasured, long-standing family tradition in Spokane, WA. Performers include elementary and middle school bands and drill teams, youth organizations such as Scouts, dance groups, local mascot celebrities, and various youth clubs. If you need a place to stay for the parade, you can book your luxurious one- or two-bedroom suite now at Stratford Suites, which is conveniently located near the freeway just a few minutes from downtown Spokane. Adults and kids alike love our pillow-top mattresses, 50” hi-def. televisions, fully equipped kitchens and free washer/dryer.

Photo by Green Gables Photography and Design, the official Lilac Festival Photographer

Other fun events include a Royal Tea Party for little girls at the Davenport Hotel, Royalty Luncheon with a style show by Finders Keepers designer dress boutique, Heaven’s Cruisers Car Show, and Farewell Breakfast.

Posted in Events, News, Spokane | No Responses »

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