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Riverfront Park
Rating Details »
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
22 reviews for Riverfront Park
Time to defend what I consider to be the BEST downtown park of any city that I have been to in the US.
First of all the last two reviews were looking for things to do! Ala a amusement park, but that is not what a park is. Riverfront is set on a idyllic location on the Spokane River, nestled in between the falls it provides some of the best scenery of any downtown area, especially when the river is flowing strong in spring.
You have a 100 year old working carousal, suction goat, world's largest radio flyer wagon, awesome views, the power of the river, beautiful landscaping, peaceful scenery, great bridges to walk-over and view the river, Imax, the opera house, convention center, free concerts, free 4th of July fireworks and a ice skating rink in the winter.
I've lives in NY, FL, CA, TN and a scant 6 months in HI, traveled pretty extensively and can't think of a nicer downtown city park then Spokane's. We live up North but continually are drawn to this park for picnics, and the whole atmosphere. Visitors are continually impressed that this is THE downtown park.
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When I first saw the list at the park, I thought one of the rules was that "Audio devices making noise are banned" which amused me for at least 30 seconds before I realized it was "extreme noise".
Riverfront Park is an area in Spokane developed for the 1974 Expo. It's always great when you see different places use part of these events to transform a part of their city; previously, this was part of a railyard and now it's a fairly pretty downtown park.
I came through the park on several runs and it was a bit smaller than I expected and forced me to loop a little bit. But that's okay, it let me see things several times. There are some parts of the park that look abandoned: there's part of an old amphitheater that looks like a Greek ruin as well as an amusement park that was closed while I was there. Oh well, no Tilt-A-Whirl for me.
However, they do have some landmarks throughout the park that are open. First there's a clocktower left from the original railyard and an IMAX theater: overall a good thing, even if that forces you to watch Night At The Museum occasionally. From the bridges, you do have a pretty good look at the Falls and I was surprised at how many people there were taking pictures of this even in the wee hours of the morning.
I was also excited to see that they have a carousel here: it's something I hadn't thought about since Logan's Run.
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Spokane is so dope to have such an awesome park like this right downtown. I mean you have everything. There are tons of places to walk, nice areas of grass to take naps on on sunny days, there's a "sky tram", IMAX theater, skating rink, the big wagon slide thingamabob, the goat vacuum trash can, and tons of other cool things at this park. And its alright right there--downtown.
And of course the center of it all is the Spokane river and the HUGE falls. This river can rage, and is amazing seeing the power of the Spokane river at this park.
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I didn't appreciate this park until I left Spokane. For some reason the fact that it hosted the 74' Worlds Fair didn't do much for me. I also think it had to do with childhood experiences involving bums creeping me out and my Dad losing me there. I digress...this park has a goat that eats trash, a carousel, and tons of sea gulls. What more can a girl ask for?
The carousel and red wagon are great for kids, and I never get tired of taking walks in the park, especially when its dark. Not to mention it runs right through downtown, which is very hard to find. Enjoy!
I have to agree with SK on this. This park is nice but it's nothing of excellence that deems 5-stars. I've been to parks in New York, Boston, San Diego and those really deserves 4-5 Stars. Riverfront Park is pretty small, but they do have an IMAX theater. We watched Transformers II and it was spectacular. However, I wish IMAX would make the seats a bit further back so I can view the whole screen. Most of the time I could only focus on a some of the screen and it got a little dizzily when the action was fast.
A river runs through it. Riverfront Park is truly the heart and soul of Spokane. This is where Spokanites gather for great city events such as Bloomsday, Hoopfest, Pig out in the Park and to watch fireworks on the 4th of July.
At this wide open city park you can a whirl on historic carousel, run through the fountain, take in an IMAX movie or simply gaze from the footbridge at the spectacular Falls.
In the summer there's carnival rides which includes a fantastic a gondola ride over the falls and in the winter there's an outdoor ice skating arena complete with hot coco.
The city was built on the Falls and kudos for the city planning committee of old for this beau-T-ful park for residents and visitors to enjoy.
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Wednesday morning, I strolled around the park. Great fall colors, beautiful shining river, and cute somewhat funny animals like squirrels, ducks, and geese. The sculptures, clocktower, and the giant red barrel just add to the impressiveness of the park. Along the stroll, I also saw YMCA and iMax theatre. Although the gondola and the carrousel were down for the season there were many more features you can enjoy in the crisp fall air.
The only reason I took away a star is because I saw some sketchy people strolling around and around the park. You know, the really skinny ones that look like they didn't sleep through the night and fume cigarette smokes out of their noses. I felt afraid just a little bit with my 5 month old son in the stroller.
I really loved this place. It was an oasis within the confines of Spocompton. There were so many good things to speak of, like when you're walking on the centennial trail and you suddenly get attacked by a gang of rowdy geese, or jumping the fence to whatever the hell that hotel's name was so you could swim in their pool. I loved how the city really utilized the park with Pig out in the Park, Hoops Fest, concerts, and all that other type of stuff. If only every city had a place like this to go to. Oh and that god awful radio flyer wagon, how totally random was that?
I won't reiterate what everyone else has already said but this place was pretty cool, especially on a nice sunny afternoon. My only piece of advice is to either print out the online map or study it really well because I didn't see a map of the park anywhere while we were down there. When I got back to the hotel and looked at the map online I realized that I didn't go see the huge red wagon because I didn't know it was there!
Other than that, the parking at River Park Square across the street is $1 for every half an hour of parking, but it tops out at like $5 or 7, if you're parked there all day. Lots of restaurants and shopping all along the area and you'll get $1 knocked off your parking fee if you buy something.
5 starts mostly for the big waterfall, especially during the height of the spring melt when it's quite an impressive torrent, cascading over the rocks. There are great views off the various walking bridges, and the power of a river in full force pouring over ancient volcanic rock is an amazing mix of frightening and awe-inspiring.
The carousel is a fun, old attraction - it's huge, and runs pretty much all the time, and they've got the gold rings you can try & catch. It really harkens back to an older era.
The gondolas, in my opinion, are a bit goofy. They give you a good view of the falls, but they're sort of oddball and feel strangely out of place. I think I'd like the scene better without their presence in the way.
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There are so few cities that really get the concept of a riverfront park. Throw down some grass and plant some trees and there you have a good description of most riverfront "parks." Spokane did things right.
Riverfront Park is a focal point for the revitalized city. It's not just a one sided deal either, this park is on both sides of a river. Not a big deal? Tell that to Wichita, Kansas. This park is great for all kinds of outdoor activities (my favorite being people watching). The bridges over the falls brought back memories of my sister being too scared to cross over when she was little and we visited Spokane. I enjoyed strolling through the park to view all the sculptures and just enjoy the perfect Spokane August evenings.
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Riverfront Park. Spokane. Hmm. It's kind of like, if you grew up here, you may be fortunate to remember smooching in a Hallmark Card sort of way in RFP. Nice view of the Falls and 'Christmasy' lightening - year around - at night. Just avoid the mall across the street - totally ruins the lil' enchanted bosque en la cuidad feel.
Wow. So many memories for me here!
I guess I rode on this carousel before it was here and before it was restored so it totally holds a special place in my heart. Most definitely go for a ride on it!
And the gondolas are fun and exciting as well.
Great views of the river from the bridges!
Great bird feeding opportunities too!
Riverfront park is a great place for a relaxed family day outing. (Though you might want to pack your own lunch.)
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A great family place in Spokane. This park, not surprisingly, is along the Spokane River in downtown. It used to be an ugly railroad yard, but it was completely renovated for the 1974 Expo. All that remains of the railroad yard is the clock tower, Spokane's signature landmark.
The other main landmark is the pavilion. During the expo, this was the American exhibit hall, and now it is uncovered. In the summer, it has rides for kids, and in the winter: ice skating! This is the best place to go ice skating because it is outdoors and still as big as an indoor rink.
The park also has a beautiful old carousel, the best one i have ever seen. There are also new gondolas that take you over the falls of the Spokane River.
The Spokane Opera House and the convention center are also right next to the park and river, with steps that go right down to the water.
The park is home to many great events during the summer: Pig out in the Park, Fourth of July Fireworks, and lots of different outdoor concerts.
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Not sure what all the others that reviewed this Park are talking about. I've lived here 50 years and I don't have much good to say about it -- other than it looks nice when driving by. There's really nothing to do in the park -- except take a nap. It's very boring and, compared to other cities, such as St. Louis, it's a tiny park. The Tram over the falls isn't worth it, even if it was free, which it isn't. Other than the Imax Theater and/or ice skating, I don't see any good reason to go to this park. If you want to take a nap or have a picnic, go to Manito -- and it's prettier.
Good place to hang out near the downtown area. Carousel, rides, gondola, lots of grass, a bridge over rushing Spokane river, IMAX theatre, and close to the downtown shops.
Parking is not great, but can usually be found within a few blocks with either meters or in a lot.
Amazing.
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Pedestrian friendly, open green spaces, rushing water, free open-air concerts, city amenities right next by, what more could we want? Very nicely done Spokane!!!!!
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i enjoyed everything about riverfront park, except a goose trying to attack me.
yummy snow cones can be bought here.
cool gondola rides can be taken over spokane falls.
a nice little carnival-type settling/ice rink also near the imax theater.
i just loved everything about it.
i wish more bigger cities had such parks.
Absolutely gorgeous. Waterfalls are pretty:)
Old-time carousel, ducks in the pond, a pretty water fountain, an Imax theater, skating rink, jogging trail, the best Sno-Cone hut in the universe, what DOESN'T this park have? This is the heart of Spokane, where there's Pig in the Park, Bloomsday, local festivals, and it is sheer childhood nostalgia for me, having visited my great-grandmother here my entire life. I love walking across the bridge and staring at the rapids and falls below while munching on mango/peach/sunrise sno-cone.
So few cities actually have something as wonderful as RIverfront Park right in the center of the city. Great events all year long that are often free or cheap such as Pig out in the Park with 50++ different restaurants from all over the city setting up shop in the middle of the city so you can try many of them out all at once.. or Hoopfest, the largest 3 on 3 basketball tournament.. Free concerts. .. gondola ride over the Spokane Falls.. Imax theater... Its great.
