Things to Do in Spokane

Wonderland Family Fun Center is a great place for the entire family to spend a day creating memories that will last a lifetime. Open all year round with free admission, the center contains both indoor and outdoor attractions such as batting cages, two story adventure-land playhouse, an arcade with more than 80 video and ticket redemption games, a wonderland prize center and a 2,200-square-foot laser-tag arena. Once game matches are over, players can switch over to the equally fluorescent black-light 18-hole mini golf course or venture outdoors to sit behind the wheel of a bumper boat at the other end of the facility’s 5-acre expanse. Fun game play can build up appetites that can be satisfied from a selection of available food such as pizza, breadsticks, and soft drinks.

The Northwest Museum of Art & Culture preserves and illuminates an extensive collection of material about the Plateau Indian culture of the Pacific Northwest. Traditional textiles and carvings coexist with more than 10,000 photographs that document the indigenous culture. Historic regional paintings include works from Spokane's Works Progress Administration arts center, which created a vibrant space for artists in the depths of the Great Depression.

In addition to its staggering exhibits and regular collections, the museum immerses guests in turn-of-the-century culture with the Campbell House, which is nestled on the campus. Originally built by Idaho mine owner Amasa Campbell at the end of the 19th century, the neoclassical revival home designed by Kirtland K. Cutter provides a window into the life of a wealthy northwestern family at the turn of the century. A handsome Tudor façade welcomes visitors before they venture into the elegantly restored interior, which deftly mixes architectural styles with a French-style reception area, a Middle Eastern–style game room, and a library outfitted with an inglenook fireplace and an authentic steam-powered flat-screen TV.

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.

The black-belt instructors of Warhorse Martial Arts believe that developing character on the inside matters as much as learning to defend oneself on the outside. That’s why throughout their classes, they emphasize principles such as modesty, integrity, and perseverance to help pupils overcome the conflicts that can’t be resolved through traditional coup d’ètat. For the times when those skills are needed, they prepare students by training them in in a mix of styles such as kenpo karate and Brazilian jiu jitsu. Through progressive classes for kids as young as 6 through adults, instructors drill participants in both unarmed and armed self-defense. For those interested in developing defense skills for the ground, they teach Brazilian jujitsu. This focused approach, along with its sponsorship of charitable organizations such as the Junior Diabetes Research Foundation, has won the academy many accolades. Warhorse Karate has won Krem’s The Best of Spokane contest in 2010, 2011, and 2012 in addition to taking the top spot in the Inlander Best of the Inland NW awards.

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.