Things to Do in Hayden

Flow Adventures’ intrepid explorers introduce adventurers of all ages and skill levels to the thrill of navigating Washington's backcountry. Tours take place on the Spokane River, with idle inner tubing on the TJ Meenach stretch and whitewater rafting on the lower Riverside State Park section. Before groups set out, staff conducts briefings to ensure safe expeditions. Though they stress safety, they still take a lighthearted approach to trips.

Mobius Kids Children's Museum encourages youngsters eight-years-old and younger to broaden their knowledge of the world around them in fun, hands-on educational exhibits. Hands-on is often a child's favorite way to learn about something, so the museum provides tykes with plenty of opportunity to dig into the workings of the world around them first hand. They experience erosion and water currents in scientific exhibits such as Geotopia, while the Out of Hand Art Studio and Globe Theater explore the visual and performing arts. Inside the Wattson's World exhibit, children learn about energy safety and conservation while playing inside a people-sized doghouse. Every exhibit invite parents to play along with their kids for a fun-filled family bonding experience.

The staff at Sew E-Z Too helps its students wield sewing needles, knitting needles, and crochet hooks to create cloth jewelry, bags, and other decorative pieces. Classes meet inside Sew E-Z Too, a cloth and fabric emporium that holds enough material to supply larger projects, such as a warm knit shawl or a quilted cozy for the family car. The store stocks dozens of brands from Mike Canetty Textiles to Cranston Village, and the pro knitters and stitchers in the shop are on hand to offer advice and tips.

As an Outward Bound instructor, Will Parks has taught mountaineering and rock climbing to tough, brawny sorts. But he’s found that it’s not physical agility, but mindset, that empowers people to triumph over difficult situations. Will Parks strives to impart that lesson via Adventure Dynamics’s courses. Though it’s exhilarating to race down the 400-foot zipline overlooking the Spokane River and skitter across a five-story balance beam, the challenges are all, ultimately, a means to an end.

Will Parks has welcomed a variety of groups and has watched as people learn to communicate in high-stress situations, be it while in the middle of the ropes course or while grappling with the reality of Morgan Freeman’s mortality. “One day of work here is equal to one month in the office,” says Will Parks, pointing to the intensity of interactions that take place and the bonds that form thereafter. “People don’t remember what they learn by lecture or presentation. They remember what they do.

A member of the United States Archery Association, Spokane Valley Archery grants bowmen plenty of room⎯10 acres’ worth⎯to safely sling their arrows at a host of targets. Visitors can knock their arrows and take aim on a 100-yard practice range with targets placed every 5 yards, a broad-head range, or an 18-target, 3-D range that mimics shooting at live game or vogueing woodland creatures. Beginners can learn the sport through the Introduction to Archery class led by Level II USAA–certified coaches, who demonstrate safe use of equipment, proper technique, and standard range setup.

The Lincoln Center is a 29,000-square-foot art-deco facility housing ballrooms and meeting halls ideal for weddings, galas, awards ceremonies, and other events. The center has six varying and multifunctional rooms, ranging from 200-person ballrooms to libraries and art galleries.

For weddings, the staff can take care of floral arrangements and catering, while corporate event planners use stage lighting, audio-visual services, and Ozzy Osbourne to make quarterly profit reports more exciting. The stylish ballrooms are put to good use with events such as the Bling! in the New Year party and a beer showcase sponsored by New Belgium Brewery.