Spokane Convention Center – Things To Do With Your Team

Nestled in the heart of beautiful downtown Spokane, Washington, the Spokane Convention Center is the city’s primary convention center and one of the foremost convention centers in the northwestern United States. It originally opened in 1974 and served as the Washington State Pavilion for Expo ’74, the first environmentally-themed world’s fair. Since then, the Spokane Convention Center has undergone extensive renovation and expansion efforts, the most recent of which was completed in 2015.

The Spokane Convention Center currently boasts 120,000 square feet of exhibit space, three ballroom facilities totaling 50,700 square feet, and the flexibility to host 40 breakout spaces. Although it is located in a predominately urban area of Spokane, the convention center also features a significant amount of outdoor space at 27,600 square feet amongst its spectacular Roof Deck, new Riverside Terrace, Event Lawn, outside patios, and Breezeway between the facility and the adjacent INB Performing Arts Center.

The interior of the Spokane Convention Center highlights the natural beauty of the region as well. A north-facing window in the convention center’s newest addition lets an abundance of natural light into the space as well as provides amazing views of the Spokane River and Riverfront Park. After catching a glimpse of some of Spokane’s most beautiful natural features, it will certainly be difficult to resist the urge to venture out and explore it for yourselves. When you do, be sure to make an effort to visit some of Spokane’s many unique attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more.

 

Things to Do

Riverfront Park

Located just over a five-minute walk from the Spokane Convention Center is Riverfront Park, one of the city’s most popular outdoor spaces. This sprawling public park spans 100 acres adjacent to the Spokane River. Like the Spokane Convention Center, Riverfront Park was created for Expo ’74. Some of the park’s features even harken back to Expo ’74, such as the Pavilion. The Pavilion is a towering, 145-foot-tall metal frame and wire shell that once formed the United States Pavilion during Expo ’74.

Other popular features of Riverfront Park include a clock tower that was once part of a Great Northern Railway depot; the Riverfront Rotary Interactive Fountain; a giant Radio Flyer wagon with a handle that doubles as a slide; and a carousel built in 1909 by Charles I. D. Looff, a master carver and amusement park pioneer. 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201

 

Spokane Falls

The Spokane Falls are often touted to be the city’s finest natural attraction, which is quite high praise considering the area’s abundance of natural beauty. The falls are nestled in the heart of Riverfront Park and are part of the Spokane River. The river flows from Lake Coeur d’Alene in northern Idaho to Washington’s Lake Roosevelt and the Spokane Falls are perhaps the most beautiful sight to see along its entire 111-mile run.

Although the Spokane Falls are stunning no matter what time of year it is, they are especially impressive in the early spring when the winter run-off rages as it cascades down the face of the falls. For the best view of Spokane Falls, hop on the SkyRide. Open year-round, this unique attraction takes riders on a 15-minute long journey over the river and past the falls in an enclosed gondola car. Make sure to pack your camera! 507 N Howard St, Spokane, WA 99201

 

River Park Square

When most people think of Washington State, one of the first things to come to mind is overcast and rainy weather. Because of Spokane’s location between the Cascades Range to the west and the Rocky Mountains to the east and north, it does not experience the same dreary weather patterns as the rest of the state. If it does happen to rain during your stay in Spokane however there are still plenty of indoor attractions for you and your team to enjoy within walking distance of the Spokane Convention Center.

One such attraction is River Park Square, a shopping center that’s Spokane’s premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment. In addition to a wide variety of specialty retailers and eateries, River Park Square also features AMC River Park Square 20, a state-of-the-art movie theater complete with IMAX-equipped auditoriums. Whether you and your team are interested in catching the latest blockbuster on the big screen, grabbing a bite to eat, or just getting your shop on, River Park Square is the place to go. 808 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

 

Mobius Science Center

If you’ve got a team with a fondness for scientific fun, a visit to the Mobius Science Center during your stay in Spokane is a total no-brainer. This thought-provoking science center features over 60 hands-on, interactive exhibits throughout its 26,000-square-foot facility. Topics covered by these exhibits range from aerodynamics, engineering, and robotics to energy, medicine, and the natural environment. 331 N Post St, Spokane, Washington 99201

 

Laser Quest

For an afternoon of thrilling fun, take your team to Laser Quest. Laser Quest is one of Spokane’s most popular indoor attractions, combining the classic childhood games of hide-and-seek and tag with an exciting, high-tech twist. Your team has never played a game of laser tag quite like this! After a quick briefing, you team will grab their gear and head out into the arena. Laser Quest’s state-of-the-art, multi-level arena features immersive lighting, billowing fog, and energetic music that’s guaranteed to put your team in the zone. Each game takes approximately 30 minutes from start to finish, making a visit to Laser Quest easy to fit into the busiest of schedules. 202 W 2nd Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

 

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Places to Eat

O’Doherty’s Irish Grille

Just one block from the Spokane Convention Center is O’Doherty’s Irish Grille, a restaurant that serves up their delicious take on Irish pub classics, along with plenty of stateside specialties. On the menu at O’Doherty’s you’ll find everything from fish and chips featuring Alaskan Pollock fillets that have been Guinness beer batter-dipped and deep-fried until perfectly golden brown to a sandwich called the Maui Wowwie, piled high with sliced ham, smoky bacon, pineapple, and cheddar.

Other popular Irish offerings at O’Doherty’s include shepherd’s pie, corned beef and cabbage, and a dish called a butte pastie, made with a combination of beef, potatoes, onions, and carrots baked into a flaky pie crust and smothered in a hearty gravy. No matter what you order at O’Doherty’s one thing is certain: you won’t be leaving hungry! 525 W Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99201

 

Satellite Diner & Lounge

When it comes to comfort food, no other kind of restaurant comes close to the good, old-fashioned diner. Luckily for you and your team, one of Spokane’s most beloved diners is only a 10-minute walk from the convention center. The Satellite Diner & Lounge landed in downtown Spokane over 20 years ago and since then has become an exceedingly popular spot among locals and visitors alike.

Like any diner worth their salt, the Satellite Diner & Lounge has a huge menu with a meal to suit anyone’s tastes. So whether you’re in the mood for a hearty, stick to your ribs meal like a made from scratch biscuit doused in warm sausage gravy or something on the lighter side like an omelet, salads, or wrap, the Satellite Diner & Lounge has got your fix. 425 W Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

 

Tortilla Union Southwest Grill

If you and your team happen to get a hankering for crave-worthy favorites like tacos, quesadillas, and enchiladas while in Spokane, simply head to the River Park Square shopping center. There you’ll find Tortilla Union Southwest Grill, a restaurant that celebrates the flavors of the Southwest through their creative, eclectic menu.

You and your team can start off your meal right by ordering one or a few of their mouthwatering appetizers. Appetizer offerings at Tortilla Union include Texas-style Campfire Cornbread; guacamole; salsa; pulled pork quesadillas; Southwestern Nachos; and on Tuesdays only, street tacos filled with your choice of barbacoa, carne asada, verde chicken, fried shrimp, Baja fish, or fried avocado. For your entrée, dine on delicious dishes like barbacoa enchiladas, Southwestern Mac and Cheese, steak and sweet potato hash, and cilantro chicken enchiladas, as you enjoy Tortilla Union’s casual, yet upscale atmosphere. 808 W Main Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

 

Fire Artisan Pizza

Although it’s located just over a half-mile from the Spokane Convention Center, Fire Artisan Pizza is a restaurant that’s certainly worth the walk. Fire Artisan Pizza offers handcrafted pizzas made using only the highest quality ingredients that are cooked to crisp perfection in a 900-degree, wood-fired pizza oven.

In addition to classic pies like margherita and pepperoni, the menu at Fire Artisan Pizza also features some more original offerings such as the Thai, which is a pizza topped with sweet chili sauce, a mozzarella and provolone mix, house-made chicken, serrano chilies, green onions, and cashew satay, then finished with cilantro, cashews, and sririacha. If you’re not in the mood for pizza, Fire Artisan Pizza also has a selection of gourmet salads. 816 W Sprague Ave, Spokane, WA 99201

 

Spokane is a city that’s certainly far from average. That’s why your team’s visit to the Spokane Convention Center will be anything but average also. During your stay in Spokane you’ll be just minutes from many of this charming Northwestern city’s most popular attractions, eateries, and other fun things to do.