Things You Should Know About Spokane

Things You Should Know About Spokane

Spokane is global. Spokane sister cities include Nishinomiya , Japan ; Limerick , Ireland ; Jecheon , South Korea ; and Jilin , China . We are about equal distance between New York City and Honolulu . Nearly 30 different languages are spoken here.

Spokane is educated. Spokane is home to Eastern Washington University, Gonzaga University, Whitworth College, and campuses of Washington State University and Webster University. We also have three community colleges and a U.S. branch campus of the Mukogowa Institute from Japan . Our percentage of adults with post-secondary degrees is similar to other college towns like Madison , Wisconsin .

Spokane is growing. We ranked 108 in the Census Bureau’s 2005 list of Metropolitan Statistical Areas. By the 2010 census, with the addition of neighboring Coeur d’Alene , Idaho into the metropolitan area, we’ll move to approximately 85th.

Spokane is historic. This is true in many ways, but one of the best measures is our historic districts and buildings. Spokane contains 18 national historic districts and approximately 120 buildings on the state and national historic registers.

Spokane is wealthy. We’re not all Rockefellers, but our total personal income in Spokane County totals more that $12 billion annually.

Spokane is connected. The Spokane Hot Zone provides free Wi-Fi Internet access throughout downtown Spokane . Five Internet backbones pass through Spokane , with the opportunity to serve nearly any computing need.

Spokane is musical. Spokane hosts several large music venues including The Big Easy, The Metropolitan Performing Arts Center, The Fox Theatre, The INB Performing Arts Center, The Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, plus numerous smaller clubs and coffee houses. You can take in the Spokane Symphony, Spokane Jazz Orchestra plus lots of other local and touring musical acts.

Spokane is outdoorsy. Spokane is filled with more than 100 city, county, and state parks and conservation areas. Dozens of lakes and rivers lie within a couple hours’ drive.

Spokane is cultured. The Spokane arts scene is packed with cinemas, theatres, museums, galleries, and festivals.

Spokane is photogenic. Spokane has featured prominent in movies such as Vision Quest (1985), Benny and Joon (1993), The Basket (1999), Mozart and the Whale (2005), and Home of the Brave (2006).

Spokane is famous. Many famous people have called, and continue to call, Spokane their home or birthplace. Among the notables are Speaker of the House Tom Foley, entertainer Bing Crosby, Nobel Prize winner Walter Brattain, Ambassador to Afghanistan and Iraq Ryan Crocker, National Book Award winner Sherman Alexie, National Book Award nominee Jess Walters, Oprah Book Club author Ursula Hegi, humorist Patrick McManus, Indianapolis 500 winner Tom Sneva, Baseball Hall of Fame inductee Ryan Sandburg, basketball great John Stockton, Oscar winner Patty Duke Austin, Pulitzer Prize winner Carolyn Kizer, Space Shuttle astronaut Michael Anderson, movie director David Lynch, Nobel Prize winner Irwin Rose, painter Kenneth Callahan, animator Chuck Jones, and NFL MVP Mark Rypien.

Spokane is innovative. Notable ideas come out of Spokane , such as automated utility meter reading, time & temperature signs like you see on banks, the computer game Myst, and the holiday Father’s Day.

Spokane is athletic. People in Spokane like to get out and do. Our major participatory events include the Bloomsday road race, Hoopfest 3-on-3 basketball tournament, and the Spike & Dike volleyball tournament. Nearby events in Idaho include the Ford Ironman Coeur d’Alene Triathlon and the Long Bridge Swim in Sandpoint. We also have 33 golf courses and five major ski resorts.

Spokane loves sports. Spokane was ranked in the Top 100 Sports Cities by Sports News in 2006. We’re home to the Spokane Chiefs hockey team, the Spokane Indians and Spokane Riverhawks baseball teams, and the Spokane Shock arena football team, all of whom have been recent championship contenders and winners. We also turn out in droves for college, high school, and age group sports.

Spokane is changing. From 19th century mining town to 21st century mid-size magnet, Spokane is changing. Development projects such as Kendall Yards, the North-South Freeway, and the Riverpoint Campus are shaping the future of Spokane .

Spokane is four seasons. Summers in Spokane have been ranked among the best in America , but the other seasons are distinct and enjoyable, too. Winter brings snowmen, sliding and skiing. In Spring, the lilacs that give the city its nickname bloom. As kids head back to school in the fall, the oak and elm trees that line our streets turn orange and red and blanket the streets with color.

Spokane is not what you might expect. As we say around here, Spokane is Near Nature, Near Perfect.