Fall events and activities in Spokane, Inland Northwest
The COVID-19 pandemic hasn’t stopped your outdoor fun. Here are some fun outdoor activities that you can still enjoy this fall.
SPOKANE, Washington – September 22nd is the first official day of fall, and in Washington, it means yellow and orange landscapes and perfect weather for outdoor hiking and biking adventures.
The COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t have to stop all of your outdoor fun. Here are some fun outdoor activities that you can still enjoy this fall.
Pick the perfect pumpkins or try homemade cakes at Green Bluff
Green Bluff is also open this fall for a variety of activities that will keep all ages entertaining. People can pick pumpkins and explore the iconic corn maze.
Green Bluff also still hosts its Fall Harvest Festival, which begins September 25th and lasts through October 31st.
For apple lovers, the festival has freshly picked apples for sale, homemade cakes and handmade cider from Green Bluff.
Visit the Green Bluff website for more information.
High Country Orchard Farmers Market and Crafts Fair
High Country Orchard, Gift Shop, and Restaurant are open April 1st through December 23rd. The handicraft market takes place every weekend in September and October from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Stop by to enjoy the famous pumpkin donuts and buy local handicrafts, cotton candy, homemade cookies or fresh produce from the farm.
Looking for fun kid-friendly activities? You can take a cow train ride through the orchard and then go to Story’s Barnyard to feed the animals.
They also have lots of games like giant jenga and a 9-hole mini golf course. If you’re ready to take on the challenge, sign up for the fall scavenger hunt via the orchard.
Families can also enjoy a rotating line of food trucks stationed outside the country store during Thanksgiving.
For more information and fun activities, visit the High Country Orchard website.
Carver Farms Harvest Festival
Carver Farms also hosts a Thanksgiving Festival from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekend. Guests can enjoy U-Pick Pumpkins, Pumpkins, Winter Squash, Pumpkin Donuts, Cider in the Cup, a Corn Maze, and Kettle Corn.
Unit 55 Horror Games is back at Unit 55 with the third installment of Psycho Circus, Buttons’ Backyard Bigtop. Since the circus closed years ago, Buttons has been sitting in his tent, waiting for the day customers return, and when if they do, he swore they would never go again! In this horror escape experience, players have 60 minutes to complete challenges, solve tasks, play games, and solve puzzles while being chased by the circus residents.
You can visit the Greenwood Cemetery. It’s been 100 years since its inception, but its stairs still attract a crowd, and according to an urban legend, even a few ghosts. If you’re looking for some of the most haunted spots in Spokane, the “1000 Steps” at Greenwood Cemetery, Spokan’s oldest public burial ground, is a great place to start.
Spokane has more creepy places to haunt. Check them out here if you dare!
Tasting room in the Arbor Crest
Tasting room in the Arbor Crest The Cliff House State wine cellars has breathtaking views of the Spokane River and a view of the greenery outdoors. It is open daily from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. and offers indoor and outdoor seating based on the first-come-first-serve principle. This historic landmark is a hidden treasure that visitors leave with unique experiences not available anywhere else in the north-west of the country.
You can also book a guided tour on the Tour and Tasting Experiences page.
Tasting room in Green Bluff
Townshend Cellar in Green Bluff is open on its terrace for tastings and live music from August through September 25. All seating and service is first come, first served. Pack your own deck chair or picnic blanket as a backup!
All age groups are welcome, and dogs are only allowed in the patio area, but must always be well trained and kept on a leash.
Enjoy the beautiful autumn leaves
Fall arrives on September 22nd and with it the fall colors appear around Evergreen State. Spokane has several lovely spots to watch the color of the leaves that are well worth a visit.
The John A. Finch Arboretum has more than 2,000 labeled ornamental trees that are perfect for an autumn stroll. The arboretum is located in southwest Spokane on 65 acres of wooded hills. Follow this self-guided walking tour for the full experience.
While Manito Park is known for its summer flowers, it could be argued that it is just as beautiful when the trees are decked out in fall colors. Take a trip to the tranquil Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Memorial Japanese Garden or take a stroll down Manito Boulevard.
The Iller Creek Trail is also a prime spot for fall views. From lookouts at the Rocks of Sharon, hikers can enjoy “panoramic views of Steptoe Butte, Mica Peak and the Palouse,” according to Visit Spokane’s website.
Visit Spokane also recommends the section of the Centennial Trail that runs from Gonzaga through Riverfront Park for a look at the route’s deciduous trees.
According to the US National Weather Service in Spokane, the fall equinox begins on Wednesday at 1:21 p.m. in east Washington and north Idaho. The days are getting shorter and the temperatures are starting.
12:21 PM PDT for people in east Washington and north Idaho. #IDWX #WAWX https://t.co/NZJIdpqEIe
– NWS Spokane (@NWSSpokane) September 22, 2021
Enjoy a hiking or biking adventure
Whether you are on a hiking or biking adventure, Spokane is the place to go to enjoy outdoor adventures
Rimrock Drive, Palisades Park, about 30 minutes from Spokane, is the ideal hike if you want a quick escape from the city. With several intersecting paths, this park offers breathtaking views of downtown Spokane, according to Visit Spokane’s website.
Liberty Lake Loop is the perfect place for nature lovers. From lakefronts to wetlands to backcountry trials, Liberty Lake Regional Park offers a variety of options for a variety of out and back hikes.
Indian Painted Rock and Knothead Valley Loop will never disappoint. Take a hike near the city and enjoy the sunset. The loops are 11.8 miles and 25 minutes’ drive from Spokane and can be visited year round.
Here is a list of more hiking and biking tours in Spokane.
Visit a Washington State Park
Washington State Parks offer several free days during the fall that do not require a Discover Pass to visit the parks. Days off this fall are September 25th for National Public Lands Day, November 11th for Veterans Day, and November 26th for Fall Day.
Wrap up the family and take them on a hike in your favorite park in Evergreen State. Visit the Washington State Parks website for more information and updates.
Grab a warm cup of coffee
Coffee warms the soul in the fall, and there are so many local shops in Spokane, from The Shop in the Perry District to Revel 77 on South Hill.
Here is a list of some of the best places.
And of course, if you’re a PSL fan, Starbucks has already started serving its famous Pumpkin Spice Latte.
Treat yourself to a dessert
If it’s true that consuming large amounts of sugar isn’t good for your health, indulging in every now and then won’t be the end of the world. No matter what the occasion or what time of year, desserts put you in a good mood, they make life more pleasant and you can always share them. Spokane has many bakeries and ice cream parlors that become
The Scoop at the South Hill of Spokane offers a variety of ice cream and gelato flavors that change frequently depending on the season.
If you’re looking for fresh baked goods, Mi Flavor Modern French Bakery won’t disappoint. It offers a classic selection of delicious French pastries, ice cream, and giant macaroon ice cream sandwiches.
Here is a list of some of the best dessert spots in Spokane.
Looking for more local markets? Here is the list of Spokane local markets open this fall:
All of these events run through October and end at different times throughout the month.
The Fairwood Farmers Market is held every Tuesday from 3pm to 7pm from May 18 to October 12
The Hillyard Farmers Market is from 3pm to 7pm. every Monday in 4001 N Cook St.
Millwood Farmers Market meets in the Water Tower on Wednesdays from 3pm to 7pm
The Spokane Farmers Market was founded in 1998 as an independent and self-managed farmers market in downtown Spokane. Visit his website for more information.
The South Perry District Thursday Market is held every Thursday from May 2nd to October 31st from 3pm to 7pm. at 924 S. Perry.
The Wonder Building Saturday Market is open from May 15th to October 30th from 9am to 1pm
She Se Puede Pop Up is a small women’s movement that promotes local women entrepreneurs. The pop-up will take place for two days in Spokane from October 23rd to 24th at 5108 N. Market St.