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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 »

Park and Fly in Spokane at Stratford Suites

Thursday, December 17th, 2009

Guests park free while on an extended vacation. Package includes shuttle service to and from the Spokane Airport. Packages start at $139 for one night and $210 for two nights.

Reserve by calling (888) 705-8877 or (509) 321-1600 or email frontdesk@stratfordsuites.com

Posted in Deals, Spokane, Travel | No Responses »

Spokane Holiday Traditions

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2009

Things to Do: Fun Holiday Traditions in Spokane
Sparkling holiday lights, joyful singing carolers, ice skating in the park, and opulent Christmas trees are just a few of the sights to be seen in the heart of Spokane this season. The city offers an abundance of holiday traditions for you to experience, from celebrations of history to celebrations of modern culture. Below are just a few annual Spokane events to enjoy. All are family friendly.

The Nutcracker: A Magical Delight of Dance and Music
Let yourself be transported to a fantasy land of colorful characters, dancing sweets and snowflakes, and toy soldiers through the beauty of dance and music. The Spokane Symphony presents Peter Tchaikovsky’s enchanting Nutcracker Ballet with nationally acclaimed Ballet Memphis and seventy local dancers for just four performances from December 18 to December 20 at the INB Performing Arts Center, so get your tickets soon! This year’s show includes new surprises added to this classic, timeless story. Tickets are available through TicketsWest (1-800-325-SEAT). If you are travelling to Spokane for the show, why drive home? Stratford Suites, the finest extended stay lodging in the Spokane area, offers beautiful, furnished apartment style rooms for you and your family, with the privacy of a second bedroom in every room.

Did you know? The first performance of The Nutcracker, in St. Petersburg, Russia, December 17, 1892, was disliked by critics and the audience. Subsequent productions went over a little better, but it wasn’t until George Balanchine, a master choreographer, created a new version in 1954 for the New York City Ballet that The Nutcracker really started capturing the hearts of audiences and became a holiday tradition.

Horse and Carriage Rides: Slow Trot Back in Time
Climb aboard an old-fashioned carriage drawn by handsome horses for a ride through downtown Spokane. Sponsored by the Downtown Spokane Business Improvement District and Spokane Teachers Credit Union, you can catch this free nostalgic ride at Main and Wall from November 27 through Christmas Eve, and the driver will even throw in free candy canes and coupons for local coffee shops. The carriage runs Fridays 3–8 pm, weekends 12–5 pm, and Christmas Eve noon–3 pm. Just show up; no reservations required! Go to the Downtown Spokane website for more information about this popular Spokane attraction.

Patsy Clark Mansion

Holiday Heritage Home Tour
Can’t get enough of Spokane’s rich architectural legacy? Then don’t miss the Spokane Preservation Advocates’ tour of three historic Browne’s Addition homes: the Patsy Clark Mansion, the Phelps House, and the Fotheringham House, on Sunday, December 6, 12–4 pm. Tickets are $15.00, and you don’t need to buy them in advance; just purchase during the tour at 2118 or 2208 W. 2nd Ave. Meet at noon in Coeur d’ Alene Park (on 2nd Avenue in Browne’s Addition). For more information, go to www.spokanepreservation.org or call 509-456-3828.

Historic Campbell House Holiday Tour
From November 27 through January 2, one of Spokane’s most famous mansions, The Campbell House, is decorated in authentic turn-of-the-twentieth-century Victorian Christmas style. The English Tudor Revival home is one of many gorgeous houses in Spokane designed by renowned Spokane architect Kirkland Cutter. The owner, Amasa Campbell, made his fortune in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District. He and his wife, Grace, settled in the wild west mining town of Wallace, Idaho, but moved with their young daughter, Helen, to the more secure Spokane after labor disputes twice caused the Coeur d’Alene Mining District to be placed under martial law. The guided, informative tour showcases the beautiful, ornate home, the typical life of a wealthy Spokane family over one hundred years ago, and the typical life of the servants of such a family. During the holiday season, you will also learn about holiday traditions of the time.

Helen Campbell donated the house to the Eastern Washington State Historical Society after her mother’s death in 1924, ensuring its preservation. It is located next to the MAC museum (tour tickets are available at the MAC registration desk) in the historic Browne’s Addition neighborhood; while you are there, take a little stroll of the surrounding blocks, which hold several other well preserved historic homes. Visit the MAC website for viewing hours, or call 509-456-3931.

Riverfront Park Ice Palace

Ice Skating and More in Riverfront Park
If you thought the scenic 100-acre park on the Spokane River was just for summer, think again! Riverfront Park’s Ice Palace is one of the best outdoor skating rinks in the nation. You can make a day’s adventure out of your visit with a go-around on the hand-carved wooden critters of the beautifully restored hundred-year-old Loof Carrousel, a game of indoor mini-golf, and a holiday film on the giant screen at the IMAX Theatre. Discount package tickets are available: go to the ticket counter under the big Pavilion at the park, visit www.spokaneriverfrontpark.com, or call 1-800-336-PARK for details.

Christmas Tree Elegance
The completely restored historic Davenport Hotel (10 S. Post Street) provides a luxurious, lovely backdrop for Christmas Tree Elegance, a seasonal celebration presented by Washington Trust Bank and produced by the Spokane Symphony Associates. From December 1–12, you can view uniquely decorated trees donated by local businesses in the mezzanine of the dazzling Davenport. Events include a tree lighting ceremony, Spokane Symphony Soiree concerts, Gala Dinner Dance, and a raffle drawing to win a tree. Proceeds benefit the Spokane Symphony Orchestra. For more information, go to www.spokanesymphonyassoc.org or call 509-458-8733.

Your Holiday Traditions: Stratford Suites Extended Stay Hotel is the Perfect Solution
Do your holiday traditions include visitors from outside the Spokane area? The friendly staff of Stratford Suites, conveniently located just five minutes from the Spokane airport and ten minutes from downtown Spokane at 11808 W. Center Ln., Airway Heights, will take excellent care of them! Guests will enjoy luxurious, home-like accommodations with a full kitchen, a second bedroom that allows for ease and privacy when travelling with children, and a 50-inch HDTV in every room. We understand that details make the difference between an OK Spokane hotel stay and an outstanding one. Think pillow top mattresses, down pillows, all leather furniture, executive style shuttle service, and free high-speed wireless internet. Call 509-321-1600 or 888-705-8877 to reserve your room!

Posted in Events, Shows, Spokane, Travel | 2 Responses »

Shop and Stay in Spokane at Stratford Suites

Tuesday, December 1st, 2009

Experience Spokane’s finest extended stay hotel while enjoying a day of great shopping.
Package includes one night stay in a deluxe two bedroom suite with full kitchen,
50″ HDTV and a $50 River Park Square gift certificate. Packages start at $149

Reserve by calling (888) 705-8877 or (509) 321-1600 or
email frontdesk@stratfordsuites.com

Posted in Deals, Spokane, Travel | No Responses »

stratford suites

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009

strat

As we provide you with information regarding all things great in Spokane, we cannot do so without shining a light on our wonderful establishment that is sponsoring this very blog… Stratford Suites.

By listening and responding to their guests, two business partners, who have been working together for over 20 years, identified a unique need for fully serviced apartments. They are proud to own Stratford Suites, a boutique extended stay lodging campus with “over the top” amenities.

However, great amenities are not enough to warrant a guest’s loyalty and continued patronage. “Over the top service” is also needed. You will quickly recognize what that means at Stratford Suites and why we only hire nice people, top to bottom!

If you are looking for a place to stay, Stratford Suites is bound to be just what you are looking for. Work-friendly, family-friendly and even dog-friendly, Stratford Suites has thought of everything so you can come and enjoy a relaxing stay… whether you are here for business, pleasure or BOTH.

All suites have kitchens, two bedrooms and wireless high-speed internet. There are also computers and printers in the lobby. For those needing more efficient and continuous contact with home and office, our office suites offer a desk, computer, copier, printer and fax. In addition, we also have a very efficient board room stocked with a 50″ HD Plasma Monitor, computer, wireless high-speed connectivity and a Polycom phone system for crystal clear voice conferencing.

Click on the Facebook link on the sidebar to become a fan of Stratford Suites. That way, you will see regular updates on specials at Stratford, as well as relevant Spokane events!

Posted in Spokane, Travel | No Responses »

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