On the drive north from Spokane, Highway 395 thins out, the landscape opens into something quieter, greener and more deliberate. “You take Division, it turns into 395,” says Allen Stone, laughing. “You’ll end up in Chewelah. Blink, and you’ll miss it.” That small logging town with a population just over 2,000 is where the soul singer was born and raised, howling gospel hymns in a local church where family members served as ministers.

Today, Allen Stone plays sold‑out shows around the world, collaborates with legends, and tours relentlessly, but always returns to his Inland Northwest roots. In 2017, after years in Seattle and countless miles on the road, Stone settled in Spokane, bought a house, started a family, and rediscovered something that keeps pulling artists, entrepreneurs, and travelers alike back to this corner of Washington state.

“I’ve always felt with Spokane that there is what I like to call an on‑ramp,” Stone says. “You can come here, and you can dream. It’s affordable. The community is ripe. But it’s not impossible to break in.”

Stone has traveled around the globe, but Spokane still surprises him. “As I travel all over the world, I get to go to many wonderful places,” he says. “Spokane has that special, hands‑in‑the‑soil type folk.”

That sense of accessibility spills into everyday life, especially for visitors looking to experience Spokane like a local. Ask Stone where to eat in Spokane and the answers come quickly, enthusiastically, and without pretense.

“I’m a big Churchill’s fan,” he says. “I like a steakhouse, and I go to steakhouses all over the country, and Churchill’s holds up.”

For something moodier and more modern, there’s Hogwash Whiskey Den, a downtown favorite for craft cocktails and elevated comfort food. Nearby, Durkin’s Liquor Bar offers Irish‑inspired fare and an extensive whiskey list.

Stone lights up talking about ramen at Nekojita, a Japanese street-food experience splintered off in the space that had been Inland Pacific Kitchen. “Unbelievable ramen,” he says, admitting he still trips over the new name, but never the flavor.

Then there’s the spot he calls Spokane’s best secret: Sushi.com. “The diamond in the rough, yo,” Stone says. “Sushi.com hits. The name is hilarious. It’s the hidden treasure of Spokane.”

For tacos, he sends visitors north. “There’s a spot up near the Garland District… killer tacos, vibey space, Uno Mas” he says, with a laugh. “Uno Más. Yeah, dude, I’ll take Uno Más after this.”

For travelers watching their budget—or coming in for festivals and tournaments—he points to places like the Ruby River Hotel and The Centennial, both close to the river and downtown action.

Spokane’s massive sports calendar, from Bloomsday and Hoopfest to Gonzaga basketball, means the city is built to host. “We’ve got plenty of beds in Spokane,” Stone says. “Plenty good spots to stay.”

For Stone, the draw is about impact as much as it is amenities or attractions. “You can feel your impact here,” he says. “You can start art here, you can go somewhere else, but there’s something that pulls you back.

That pull is what visitors often feel, too: a city that’s easy to navigate, rich in character, and grounded without being sleepy. Spokane rewards curiosity, whether that means chasing ramen, discovering a basement bar, or lingering over coffee on the South Hill.

As Stone puts it, Spokane is a place where dreams don’t feel distant. They feel possible. And once you’ve found that on‑ramp, it’s hard not to want to stay awhile.

Stone is an ambassador for this summer’s inaugural Blessing In Disguise music festival, an event created to bring Spokane a full-scale music experience inspired by music festivals of the early 2000’s, with a lineup that leans into the future of rock, pop, and genre-bending sounds- spotlighting breakthrough talent like Stephen Day and Frances Browne alongside major headliners like Macklemore and AJR.

“I’ve got my own stage! There’s nothing better than that. The Rock N Roll Hall of Fame can call, and I can say “I don’t need it, I’ve got my own stage at Blessing in Disguise” he says with a laugh.

The Allen Stone Stage is just one of four stages that will fill the summer skies with sound on July 11th. Stone encourages visitors to book their trip to explore the festival and take advantage of the proximity to Riverfront Park and downtown to make the most of their festival-day experience. “Walk to and fro. Get downtown, come back here, catch your band, go catch some food”

“But mostly, don’t leave my stage” Stone adds with a grin.

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