How to Spend a Fall Weekend in Spokane
Spokane in the fall is a colorful place to explore. Enjoy fall festivals boasting bright orange pumpkins and treats, revel in the spotted golden yellow larch trees on a hike, or cheer on your team at a football game played on a fiery red field. Need some wonderful ideas to sprinkle some color into your fall adventures in Spokane? I got you!
![John A. Finch Arboretum in fall](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/INL_Fall_FinchArboretum-4_102613-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=44b523b7dc7d93790ffd5ba64eade4c6 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/INL_Fall_FinchArboretum-4_102613-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=899660da4ee210f7527d88b3869b3756 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/INL_Fall_FinchArboretum-4_102613-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=225d62cc14fefd4e468e61419cf20712 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/INL_Fall_FinchArboretum-4_102613-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=2067ee335b3c0919723c7132399f2acf 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/INL_Fall_FinchArboretum-4_102613-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=7643fbbff30b103169973730bfa44d4b 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/INL_Fall_FinchArboretum-4_102613-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=48b9e3663c8ba49fa0bbfde019d79d74 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/INL_Fall_FinchArboretum-4_102613-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=8331a6c0779782b1cd3bea999f0ccab8 1920w)
Morning Stroll in Finch Arboretum
Grab a coffee drink to sip on while strolling through the John A. Finch Arboretum. Want something a little different than pumpkin spice? Stop by one of the Indaba Coffee locations for a delicious beet or turmeric latte.
The Finch Arboretum is a free park offering 65 acres of tree-covered landscape alongside Garden Springs Creek. In the autumn the Azaleas, Crab Apples, Mountain Ash, Maple, and Oak trees truly create an incredible backdrop for beautiful pictures.
Walking guide
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/manito-park/japanese-garden-autumn-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=5d27ccd3dce170c70491b2c59ed43ba0 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/manito-park/japanese-garden-autumn-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=4990e301933c2918baaf0b595839616c 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/manito-park/japanese-garden-autumn-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=09de6bdd3bbe1b86ca9614972718c02c 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/manito-park/japanese-garden-autumn-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=76559efae154ca0728858ac18745c352 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/manito-park/japanese-garden-autumn-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=96b5d9cb615efb8e16773e1ba10aa536 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/manito-park/japanese-garden-autumn-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=3aa161a32f63e786cc352db0481e67a6 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/manito-park/japanese-garden-autumn-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=30fd8e4b10ad152c1a514535e2f84431 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/manito-park/japanese-garden-autumn-1-1.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=11072738c110f9b0477e0f3433a3ebcd 2400w)
Picnic Lunch in Manito Park
Bring an oversized blanket to Manito Park for a picnic among the flowers. Start at Park Bench Cafe, located inside Manito Park, to order a yummy sandwich or salad. Then take your time meandering your way through Manito Park’s 78 acres of native and cultivated landscape + 20 acres of gorgeous botanical gardens. Find a beautiful spot to spread out your blanket, eat your meal, and relax surrounded by the lovely scenery. My absolute favorite place in Manito Park in the fall is the Japanese Gardens.
![Riverfront Park Pavilion](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=1ee23a456fcf085771501514e20404fd 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=20fd04b0e7c89fb9ac0cff700c4b4482 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=b70d50cd8fb613d11b7e8ac5dbaf0c61 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=75eeead74bdacbb13e6c98f3f810548b 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=9fd106adc9f9aa066ea9a809ba87a812 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=1a8076f2bc537f9f2b40154440d41a4b 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=6d2fd404f5d68c7b9e0266ff9eeb0492 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=532915f0d9e1f440448851387d8adb8b 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/Riverfront_2_1__f88cbfc6-a6fa-422f-a843-d3f37e2fa484.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=f0e9f9187b7a05fa66e740ef3a4fa70c 3840w)
Shakespeare and Concerts in Riverfront Park
Load up your lawn chair and head over to the Pavilion in Riverfront Park. Enjoy a night of professional theatre under the stars with Shakespeare in the Park through September 25th. These plays are family-friendly, free performances. Shakespeare in the Park play schedule.
If theatre isn't your thing, consider checking out the Pavilion concert schedule and get tickets for big names like Machine Gun Kelly, Jimmy Eat World, and My Morning Jacket.
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/food-drink/brickwest.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=6743af0d59eda75b8571a46db8998a1f 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/food-drink/brickwest.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=c137b658227d52f8c8b982995d169ef7 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/food-drink/brickwest.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=1e230bea26392416856d6ad9e8a0e2d9 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/food-drink/brickwest.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=b518c7e783ab8cb61655838f3433fad7 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/food-drink/brickwest.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=ae3d53a0ed9b209852bba3a406a0eb42 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/food-drink/brickwest.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=9a7ddd6515c8fb53c396881dff4e09b9 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/food-drink/brickwest.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=2be97be68c676185bb54bee8b813abe4 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/food-drink/brickwest.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=32ea9b93a66e802664c0349d2a90d384 2400w)
Enjoy a Specialty Beer from a Spokane Brewery at Oktoberfest
West End Oktoberfest is a celebration of beer happening in the heart of Spokane’s West End District beginning at 1 pm on Saturday, September 18th. Five breweries (Iron Goat, The Golden Handle Project, Whistle Punk, River City, and Brick West) are creating specialty beers and bringing in live entertainment: Grab your ticket for this beer fest and receive an Oktoberfest 2021 mug + any Oktoberfest beer at every location for only $3 during Oktoberfest.
Cheer on a Local College Football Team
The brisk fall weather is a reminder that it is truly football season. Take a little drive to Cheney to cheer on the Eastern Washington Eagles football team on their iconic red AstroTurf. Or, head to North Spokane to root for the Whitworth Pirates. Games begin in September and run through November.
![Riverside State Park Suspension Bridge](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8a732acb2c7551e79b27f4033019c0bc 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=1282cd0e6484d15bfc737e3ff4f80540 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=cb1269f9dd91dc2967c64675ad142441 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=10c4eb73ea4a8e943eef6ffa7cccdb77 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=16c20e215cc0026303e69057e5e90529 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=d027991bc16dcc5714f59b75413c33e2 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=dcd3a9b3ffdd672c7e1c93b447d101cd 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=a2e8794720464ea93953b4225f44a24a 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/outdoors/BenMatthews-1010057.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=73acef44137e220235280ce1e130a283 3600w)
Go For a Hike Over The Suspension Bridge in Riverside State Park
Spend a few hours or a few days at Riverside State Park, depending on your activity of choice. Riverside State Park offers mountain biking, cycling, hiking, and off-road vehicle area, equestrian trails, and more! One of the most picturesque hikes in Riverside State Park is the Bowl and Pitcher Loop Trail. The Spokane River tumbles over and past huge basalt formations in a turquoise froth, and a suspension bridge makes for fun crossings and river views. There are picnic shelters and tables along the hiking trail or have lunch on the banks of the river. Not wanting to hike? There are mixed-use amazing viewpoints with several dramatic vistas onto Bowl and Pitcher and the greater Spokane River within a few minutes of this hub.
Experience Panoramic Views at Mt Spokane State Park
Mount Spokane is one of Washington’s largest state parks with over 100 miles of forested trails. Larch trees turn gold in September and October dotting the forest and making for gorgeous fall views. Drive up to the Vista House for a panoramic vantage point. From the main parking lot, hike a little over 2 miles to the Quartz Mountain fire lookout for more amazing views. Take in spectacular views of the Spokane Valley, Idaho, and several lakes.
![](https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=8f9458c629f3000590022dbfefc9372b 320w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=da5b1f5fbef54e42e35edf10a9ffb31c 540w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=d4d1d435bb69af193cc3c7b12f6f8398 768w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=218cb1da3541869f7002c57f4c92bc39 1024w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=4065e030acf8caa2dd03c6a85389e3ce 1200w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=b1d68b95aaea852a5224a26ba6ca8def 1440w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=5f4c66752c9b0332b4773952d6dba4c3 1920w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=ee35bf64e4b7413fd2ebcf2ffbe8f6e4 2560w, https://visitspokane.imgix.net/images/stock-photos/AdobeStock_367153083.jpeg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=5ec24e1c4b5bf4b71789ed2068b669f1 3840w)
Walk the Spokane River Centennial Trail
The Spokane River Centennial Trail is a paved, mixed-use trail that takes off from the Nine Mile Recreation Area in Riverside State Park. The 40-mile trail runs through Riverside State Park, east through Spokane Valley, and ends at the Idaho border. This map shows the trailheads available for cyclists, skateboarders, speed walkers, or anyone out for a leisurely walk. Want to explore downtown Spokane and Riverfront Park? Start your walk in Kendall Yards and head east through Riverfront Park. A lesser-traveled portion of the trail with some fall foliage is the span between Boulder Beach and the Idaho border.