Enjoy it while visiting Spokane in Washington
Riverfront Park stands as the crown jewel of Spokane’s urban landscape, a beautifully maintained 100-acre park that anchors the downtown core along the Spokane River. The park is most famous for its dramatic Spokane Falls, a pair of powerful waterfalls that drop approximately 100 feet through the heart of the city, making this the largest urban waterfall in the United States. Originally the site of a deteriorating industrial district, the park was transformed for Expo ‘74, the environmentally themed world’s fair that drew millions of visitors and permanently reshaped Spokane’s relationship with its river. Today, the park offers winding walking paths, interactive fountains, historic structures, and unparalleled views of the cascading falls, making it the city’s must-visit destination for visitors of all ages.
The history of Riverfront Park reflects Spokane’s broader transformation from a frontier railroad town to a modern urban center. Before the park’s creation, the site along the Spokane River was occupied by a Great Northern Railway yard and processing facilities, including a mill that turned logs into railroad ties. The industrial use of the waterfront cut the city off from its most dramatic natural asset for decades. Following the completion of hydroelectric dams upstream in the early 20th century, the falls’ flow became regulated, though they retained their dramatic character. The shift toward creating a public park began in the 1960s as civic leaders sought to reimagine the industrial riverfront.
Expo ‘74 changed everything. Held in 1974, this was the first environmentally themed world’s fair in U.S. history, and it centered on the transformation of the industrial waterfront into a public gathering space. The event drew two million visitors to Spokane and established the park grounds that define the city today. The fair’s legacy includes the Expo ‘74 Pavilion, which still hosts events and performances, as well as the carefully designed riverfront landscape that replaced rail yards with meadows, gardens, and public spaces. The park was officially named Riverfront Park following the fair and has been continuously maintained and improved since that time.
The park’s most iconic feature is the Spokane Falls themselves, a pair of cascades that rank among the most powerful urban waterfalls in North America. The falls are divided into two distinct sections, each created by a different dam and each with its own character. The Upper Falls is powered by a dam built in 1920 and creates a wide, thundering cascade that crashes into a rocky gorge below. The Lower Falls, located downstream near the Monroe Street Bridge, is generated by a dam built in 1890, which historically powered generators supplying electricity to the city. The sight and sound of millions of gallons of water cascading through the urban core remains a powerful experience that connects visitors to the natural forces that shaped this region.
Getting close to the falls is part of the park’s appeal. The Spokane Falls Skyride offers a gondola ride that carries visitors across the river gorge, providing sweeping aerial views of both sets of falls and the surrounding downtown skyline. The seven-minute ride ascends to a platform that delivers a perspective rarely seen, with the full scope of the falls laid out below. For those who prefer to stay at ground level, the Riverfront Park Loop Trail provides access to multiple viewing platforms positioned along the water’s edge, allowing visitors to feel the mist on their faces as the water thunders past.
The park contains several historic structures that speak to Spokane’s past. The Looff Carousel, a carefully restored 1909 carousel, sits in a pavilion near the south entrance and continues to delight children and adults with its hand-carved wooden horses and ornate frame. The 1902 Clock Tower, once part of the Great Northern Railway depot, serves as a visible landmark and reminder of the site’s industrial history. The Rotary Fountain, a massive interactive water feature near the carousel, provides a refreshing play area on warm days, with jets shooting water skyward and cascading down tiered stone basins. Kids splash and run through the fountain’s spray, making it a gathering point for families throughout the summer season.
The landscape design of Riverfront Park balances natural areas with formal civic spaces. Winding paved paths carry visitors through wildlife conservation zones where native plants stabilize the riverbank and provide habitat for urban wildlife. Geese, ducks, and occasionally ospreys can be spotted along the water’s edge, while beavers maintain lodges in quieter backwaters upstream. The meadows areas are popular for picnicking and sunbathing, with expansive lawns stretching between the river and the downtown buildings. Mature trees including cottonwoods and willows provide shade along the waterfront, their roots anchored in the rich soil of the river floodplain.
Manito Park, often compared to a smaller version of New York’s Central Park, is another of Spokane’s signature green spaces and sits on the South Hill neighborhood approximately two miles from Riverfront Park. While not adjacent to the riverfront, Manito Park offers 90 acres of botanical gardens, duck ponds, and walking paths that complement the urban Riverfront experience. The two parks are connected by the Centennial Trail, a 37-mile paved pathway that follows the Spokane River northward toward Lake Coeur d’Alene in Idaho. Cyclists and joggers use the trail year-round, enjoying views of the river and access to multiple parks and neighborhoods along its route.
The park comes alive with activity throughout the year, with each season bringing a different character. Summer draws the largest crowds, with families filling the lawns, children playing in the Rotary Fountain, and visitors taking Skyride gondolas over the falls. The Spokane Street Food Festival and other food events frequently use the Expo Pavilion, filling the park with the aromas of local cuisine and craft beverages. Live music performances on summer evenings feature the Spokane Symphony performing free concerts at nearby Comstock Park, while local bands and theater groups take advantage of the outdoor spaces for performances.
Winter transforms Riverfront Park into a quiet wonderland. The falls continue to flow regardless of temperature, though ice builds along the riverbanks and trees stand bare against the gray winter sky. The Spokane Falls never freeze completely, maintaining their powerful flow even as temperatures drop below freezing. Walking through the park on a quiet winter morning, with mist rising from the cascading water and the city softened by fresh snow, offers a starkly beautiful experience quite different from the vibrant summer scene. The Looff Carousel operates on weekends during the holiday season, adding a festive touch to December visits.
The best times to experience Riverfront Park depend on what you want from the visit. Late spring (May through June) offers peak water flow as snowmelt from the surrounding mountains feeds the Spokane River system at maximum capacity. The falls are at their most powerful and dramatic during these months, with the roar of crashing water audible from multiple points throughout the downtown area. Summer brings longer days perfect for evening walks along the river, and the warm weather makes the Rotary Fountain and other water features irresistible for children. Early autumn (September) combines comfortable temperatures with reduced crowds, making it ideal for those who prefer a more contemplative experience. The surrounding trees turn golden, creating striking contrasts against the white water of the falls.
Visiting Riverfront Park is straightforward, with multiple entry points and easy access from downtown Spokane. The main entrance at 507 North Howard Street provides direct access to the heart of the park, the Looff Carousel, and the Rotary Fountain. Parking is available in nearby city lots and structures, though the park is easily walkable from downtown hotels and attractions. The Spokane Falls Skyride operates daily from spring through autumn, with extended hours during the summer season. Visitor information, including current event schedules and Skyride operating hours, is available at the park’s welcome center near the Howard Street entrance.