The Campbell House mansion was built for a silver baron and his family in 1898. You probably can’t afford to have five live-in servants and deck out your tea room in silk and velvet (I know I definitely can’t!), but you can see how the Campbells did just that in this National Historic home.

Luckily for us non-millionaires, the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) preserved the Campbell House in Spokane and opened it up for tours.

So if you’re looking for off the beaten path things to do in Spokane, WA, visit the Campbell House. (Just brush up on your silver baron poses and finishing school manners first!)

Quick history of the Campbell House

The Campbell House in Spokane was built in 1898 for Ohio-born Amasa Campbell, a high school dropout who made his fortune in mining. He hired the architect Kirtland Cutter to build the 13,000-square-foot home for just $30,000, where he lived with his wife, Grace, and daughter, Helen.

The house reflects the traditions of the time’s high social class. One of the mansion’s most stunning spots, the gold-and-pink reception room, was built entirely for Mrs. Campbell to receive visitors in 15-minute time slots. And the game room downstairs—like a 20th century millionaire’s man cave—was the only spot where Mr. Campbell was allowed to gamble and drink, given that his wife was involved in the Temperance movement.

Helen donated the family home to a local historical society in 1924 when she moved to the other side of the Spokane River, where it had become more fashionable to live. The MAC refurbished the home in the 1980s and 1990s, using historic photos and other records to recreate or buy similar furniture, fixtures and even wallpaper.

Tour the Campbell House in Spokane

The Campbell House is next door to the MAC and entry is included when you pay to enter the main museum. That said, you need to take a tour to visit the mansion, and tours are offered on the hour in the afternoons Tuesday through Friday and Sunday. (See full details below.)

My sister and I visited the MAC one recent afternoon not even intending to go into the Campbell House. The folks at the front desk mentioned the tour to us, though, and I’m so glad we took them up on it!

The Campbell House tour begins in the Campbell Carriage House, which formerly held the family’s carriage and, later, an electric automobile. (!!) Our tour guide was incredibly knowledgeable, answered our many questions and made me laugh throughout the 45-minute tour.

One of the more fascinating parts of the Campbell House tour: the contrast between the family side and the servant side of the house.

Anyone who has watched Downton Abbey understands the concept of the upstairs/downstairs divide. It’s another thing to see that difference firsthand.

The family’s quarters were opulent, breathtaking. Rooms were full of souvenirs from their travels in Europe, expensive furnishings and enough cut crystal to make the whole house sparkle. (Also, is anyone else as obsessed with wallpaper as I am? I felt like such a weirdo oohing and ahhing over the wallpaper in every room!)

In contrast, the servant side of Campbell House was more practical and obviously designed to prioritize the family’s comfort. For example, the very layout of the house enabled servants to clean and take care of the guest bathroom—without using the main hallway or even being seen.

That said, the Campbells seemed fairly kind to the servants. They installed a modern bathroom in the basement so servants wouldn’t have to walk up three flights of stairs to use the facilities, and Mrs. Campbell sometimes acted as chaperone when one of the younger servants had a date!

March of modern times in 1920s Spokane

I didn’t know a lot about Spokane history. But as always, I find I absorb so much more when history is linked to personal stories (like those of the people who lived in the Tenement Museum in New York). Thanks to the Campbell House tour, I learned a ton about Spokane in the early 20th century.

The Campbells built and outfitted their home at a dynamic point in U.S. history. Workers were striking, demanding better pay and conditions. Women agitated for the right to vote. Prohibition outlawed alcohol.

On the Campbell House tour, we witnessed how these cultural changes played out in upper class families. For example, in the Campbells’ daughter’s room, a golf trophy was displayed. Competitive and athletic, young Helen was no prim and proper wallflower!

The Campbell House was also outfitted for modern technologies like electricity and the telephone. Mr. Campbell had private phone lines installed so he could call his business partner and lawyer in the houses next door so he could talk without the risk of a nosy operator listening in!)

Campbell House in Spokane: Details to visit

Campbell House address: 2316 W. 1st Ave. in Spokane, within the Browne’s Addition neighborhood

Admission: Admission for the Campbell House is included with MAC entry: $10 for adults, $5 for children, and children 5 and under are free. AAA members and active military members get $1 off admission. Entry may be more expensive during special exhibitions.

Hours: Open Tuesday through Sunday. The MAC museum is closed Mondays, with the exception of some holidays. See the MAC hours page for more details.

Tours: 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm Tuesday – Friday and Sunday. Open house 12-4pm Saturdays.

Expect the tour to take about 45 minutes.

Accessibility: The Campbell House tour is not wheelchair- or stroller-friendly. We walked up three flights of stairs, and there is no elevator.

Spokane history at the Campbell House

I’m thrilled my sister and I toured the Campbell House in Spokane. I don’t know much about architecture and am not a history buff, but I still absolutely enjoyed this unique thing to do in Spokane.

My sister has lived in Spokane for almost 10 years altogether and had never visited the Campbell House. (See, it’s a hidden gem even for Spokane residents!) I’m so glad we finally explored this gorgeous historic home in Spokane.

Question: How do you find hidden gems when you travel?

The post Campbell House in Spokane, WA: Historic mansion & museum tour appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

Riverfront Park in Spokane is a hundred-acre park downtown. My girls loved every minute exploring the expansive park, in part because it has so much to offer families. So when you visit Riverfront Park in Spokane with kids, hit up all these kid-friendly activities!

Below, find details about parking and logistics of Riverfront Park and what to do in Spokane with kids. In fact, I detail everything in a half-day itinerary so you’ll hit all the highlights.

Bang for your buck: Riverfront Park in Spokane with kids

Here’s everything you need to know about Riverfront Park, plus a half-day itinerary of what to do with kids in Spokane.

Park safely and caffeinate

Downtown Spokane is fairly safe, but $8 for attended all-day parking is worth the peace of mind for me. That’s why we parked in the lot behind Atticus Coffee & Gifts in downtown Spokane. And since we were there, we of course had to fuel up: The girls each got a hot cocoa and split a delicious orange-chocolate scone. I got a chai latte and bought the most decadent candles that smell just like Christmas.

Now that you’re toasty and caffeinated, walk across the street toward the river for your first stop in the Riverfront Park in Spokane!

The biggest red wagon in the world

When you’re in Spokane with kids, you simply have to visit one of the most recognizable landmarks of Riverfront Park in Spokane: the enormous Radio Flyer wagon and slide! This 12-foot-high interactive sculpture has stairs kids can climb, then they can slide down the handle. My kids couldn’t get enough of this, in spite of the ice on the slide!

The Radio Flyer in Spokane was built in 1990 by sculptor Ken Spiering, and it’s attracted families in Spokane ever since.

While you’re at the Radio Flyer in Spokane, you’ll see another interactive sculpture that honors childhood: alphabet blocks that spell out “City” and “Spokane.”

Walk to the waterfall

Next, walk past the Looff Carousel and continue on the park trail, toward the river. You’ll take a right when the train dead-ends, then take a left onto the bridge. You’ll walk over the Spokane River and the Upper Falls.

It’s a gorgeous view from up here!

Stop for a snack

When you cross the bridge, take a left and walk to My Fresh Basket, about 10 minutes away. This Whole Foods-like grocery store has tons of ready-to-eat options, a salad bar, custom sandwiches and more. The food was almost all good, but skip the sub-par miso soup. (Meh.)

Level 10 travel tip: Eat upstairs or—better yet—on the spacious outdoor patio, if weather allows. There are also clean restrooms upstairs!

(If you need more ideas on how to turn a grocery store into the most kid-friendly restaurant ever, click over to my post!)

If you’re not hungry yet, grab some food to go. Riverfront Park in Spokane is also a great spot for picnics!

Spot the Lower Falls

Next, walk down to the north side of Spokane River to see the Lower Falls. You’ll find the best viewing spot directly under the bridge at Monroe Street.

You’ll probably get sprayed just a teeny bit, but that gives you a taste of the falls’ power!

Level 10 travel tip: Take a close look at the whirlpool created by the waterfall on the north bank of the river. Can your kids spot anything inside it? Over the weekend we visited Spokane with kids, we saw the same basketball swirling around for several days!

Get a bird’s eye view

When you’re ready, walk back across the river over Post Street. At the entrance of Riverfront Park, you’ll see the Spokane SkyRide, a gondola that takes you high above the park.

Buy your tickets inside then come back out to wait in line. On a sunny Sunday afternoon, the girls and I had to wait about 2 minutes—it was super-easy! Kids under 2 are free; kids 2-12 are $5.75, and adults are $7.75.

Level 10 travel tip: Buy your tickets to the carousel at the same time as the SkyRide tickets. You’ll save time since you won’t have to wait in line again.

The SkyRide takes about 15-20 minutes to circle you up over Riverfront Park and then over the Lower Falls. Know that you’ll pause along the way, giving you time to take a good look. I am afraid of heights but actually felt really secure. The gondolas don’t swing back and forth like a ferris wheel compartment, and everything is enclosed in glass so I had to fear of kids falling out. I totally recommend this one-of-a-kind family-friendly activity in Spokane.

Ride the carousel

If your kids are like mine, they’ll want to ride the carousel in Spokane as their first activity, but it doesn’t open until 10 or 11 (depending on the season—check the Looff Carousel website for hours). So now that you’ve explored the rest of Riverfront Park with kids, it’s time to reward the littles’ patience!

Tickets to the carousel are $2, or you can get a day pass for $5. Kids under 2 are free.

The historic carousel used to be outside, but the city refurbished it and moved it into a beautiful building of all windows. Your kids can choose one of 54 bejeweled horses (or one of the other animals, like a tiger or dragon).

Once the carousel in Spokane begins, those of you on the outside edge (and those of you with long enough arms) can reach up and grab little rings from a contraption outside the carousel. Then as you circle around, toss the rings into a picture of a goat. If you get the ring in, you win a free ride on the carousel!

Level 10 travel tip: If your kids are young, they won’t be able to reach the rings as they ride around. But the carousel employees are quite friendly, and if you ask, they’ll give your child a ring after the ride is finished.

Skate your heart out

When we visited Spokane with kids, the city’s skate park was closed. But when you’re looking for what to do in Spokane with kids most of the rest of the year, definitely check to see if it’s open—it looked so fun! The Ribbon is aptly named: Instead of a skate rink like the ones I grew up with, The Ribbon is a winding path, kind of like a lazy river.

During the summer, it’s open for roller skates, scooters and rollerblades, and in the winter it’s open for ice skates. We just happened to arrive when they were busy converting it from concrete to ice.

You can rent skates here, and safety equipment is free. It looked like a total blast—we’ll definitely try this out the next time we visit in Spokane with kids.

Level 10 travel tip: Bring cash. In the plaza outside the carousel, you’ll find street performers and people making animal balloons. The girls loved their balloon puppies!

That’s it—you’ve just explored the best of Riverfront Park with kids!

More family-friendly activities in Riverfront Park, Spokane

Spokane is serious about attracting families. That’s why it makes so much sense to visit Riverfront Park in Spokane with kids, especially when you factor in the free family-friendly activities.

Depending on when you visit Spokane, look for these weekly activities at Riverfront Park:

Food trucks & music

On Tuesday afternoons from 11-2, food trucks sell street food while musicians play. Head to the Orange Bridge to find them, but really you can’t miss ’em!

Trivia & food trucks

Ok, so beer and wine tastings are more an attraction for grown-ups, but kids love the scene at these Friday night gatherings, too. Bring the whole family down for food truck fare—hey, you won’t have to cook! Fridays from 5-8.

Free scooter and skate rentals

On Sundays from 1-3, kids can rent scooters and skates for free. The area around the Looff Carousel is well paved and has only a gentle rise, so it’s a safe place for even beginners. Rather have fun without wheels? Other kid-friendly activities, like chalk and giant bubbles, often make an appearance during this time.

Summer splash pad

During Spokane’s hot summer months, the plaza between the Looff Carousel and the SkyRide becomes a splash pad. It’s the perfect way for families to cool off in Spokane’s hot weather!

Even more family-friendly activities in Spokane

Check out Riverfront Park’s events list for other family-friendly ideas of what to do in Spokane with kids. Recent days included a parkour clinic, a chalk art competition and a fall-themed portrait spot set up in front of Spokane’s clock tower.

If you’re driving to Spokane, make sure to read my post about what to do, eat and see between Spokane and Portland. It’s the must-see guide for family road trips between Spokane and Portland!

How about you—have you ever been to Spokane? Do you have any recommendations on what to do in Spokane with kids?

The post What to do in Spokane with kids: Half-day itinerary in Riverfront Park appeared first on To & Fro Fam.

We don’t make the road trip to Spokane all that often, and every time we go my niece is enormous! I know babies grow (duh), but holy smokes even a little distance makes time fast forward like crazy.

We’ll be driving to Spokane again this spring, so for our road trip to Washington, I’m prepping by investigating what to do between Portland and Spokane with kids. Because when you’re in the car for 6 hours with two very active children, you need to plan your road trip itinerary as if your life depends on it. (Sometimes it does—or at least it feels like it does—like when you want to jump into traffic after your 4-year-old asks “Are we there yet?” three minutes after getting into the car.)

*meditative breathing*

So if you happen to tackle an Oregon-Washington road trip, here’s what to do between Portland and Spokane, especially if you have kids.

Where to eat between Portland and Spokane

You’ve packed a bucketload of snacks because you’re an uber prepared mom, but there comes a point when all the squeezies and fun-sized packages of fish crackers won’t satisfy your kid’s appetite. And let’s be honest: Sometimes your family needs a break from the car even more than they need food.

When looking for where to eat between Portland and Spokane, look for a casual, quick, family-friendly restaurant. Bonus points if it has a play area or a park nearby!

Between Portland and Spokane, eat at:

pFriem Family Brewery in Hood River, OR

pFriem Family Brewery and restaurant is just minutes off I-84. Its kids menu is standard but good quality; parents will appreciate the delicious sandwiches and salads. Check out the brewery store next to the restaurant, where you can buy bottles—or even a pFriem growler, which they’ll fill from a tap—of their varied beers. Just make sure to pack those beers in the cooler; if they get warm, they’ll get skunky. No thanks!

Big Jim’s Drive In in The Dalles, OR

Big Jim’s Drive In is a fast option offers kid-friendly fare like burgers and fries. It also has an outdoor patio so kids can move (instead of sitting!). Even better: You won’t feel as guilty when they drip melted ice cream from the restaurant’s handmade cones.

Farmer’s Markets

Depending on the day, you can stop at farmer’s markets—and eat really locally—in the Tri Cities, Hood River and The Dalles. Farmers markets often have food trucks or independent booths that sell prepared food.

What to do between Portland and Spokane

My two kids are, ah, spirited on the best of days. Sticking them in a car seat for hours is like shaking up a bottle of champagne: When you pop the cork—BOOM! FIZZZ!—they are ready to go.

So when it came to planning what to do between Portland and Spokane, I knew they’d need to get out of the car and have a chance to play. After all, I don’t want them using all their little kid energy kicking the back of my seat!

What’s more, Kiwi—who hasn’t napped consistently since before her second birthday—is much more likely to fall asleep in the car if she takes an outdoor break from the road trip.

Here are some great places for kids and families to get out and move in a Portland to Spokane road trip.

The Children’s Park in Hood River, Oregon

The Children’s Park is an outdoor wonderland offers chances for kids to climb, jump and play. The enormous wooden fort is sure to inspire imaginative play—just be prepared to talk in old-timey king and queen accents to get your prince and princesses back in the car.

Earl Snell Memorial Park in Arlington, Oregon

I hadn’t planned on stopping at Earl Snell Memorial Park, which is just off the I-84 exit, but we discovered it on an earlier road trip to Spokane when Kiwi was throwing a giant fit in the backseat. The park has a playground and a sandy beach with a super-calm spot of the Columbia River. If you’re traveling with your pup, note that the southern part of the park is off-limits to dogs (head to the northern side for pooch-friendly spots). You can also visit the caboose just outside the park, off the road, during summer hours. Choo-choo!

The Playground of Dreams in Richland, Washington

The Playground of Dreams had me at its name. As part of a long park that runs along the Columbia River, one section includes a giant turreted play structure that is a dead ringer for a medieval castle. (FYI, the structure makes it hard to keep track of itty bitty kids, so stick close!) If you make the road trip between Portland and Spokane with kids in the summer, The Playground of Dreams also has a splash pad—though it gets packed.

What to plan between Portland and Spokane

Before your kids get overly stir-crazy, tip them off on something super-fun you’ve planned. Looking forward to something will help them hold on for a few more minutes—or maybe even a half-hour. So if you already ate and you already played, mentioning another destination can keep kids occupied. Try these kid-friendly stops between Portland and Spokane.

Photo by Don Graham, creative commons

Bonneville Dam and Fish Hatchery in Oregon

Your kids might not understand hydroelectricity (heck, you might not either!), but you don’t have to be a PhD to marvel at the power of this giant hydropower dam on the Columbia River, where energy we use to power toasters and charge phones is actually produced. Kids will love Bonneville Dam‘s underwater windows to watch fish make their way up the fish ladders. (The best times to spot various fish are June, August and September.) Meanwhile, kids can see other fish and even feed trout at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery, and it has viewing spots to watch spawning salmon in October and November.

Country Mercantile in Pasco, Washington

This produce/knickknack/ohmygoshthechocolate stand just off Highway 395 is impossible to miss, thanks to its gigantic sign. But be warned: You’re not going to get out of the Country Mercantile without buying a lot of sugary goodies. To head off your kids’ begging for every.single.treat they see, give them each $1 that they can spend how they see fit—it’s a lesson in budgeting and it saves you from saying “no” ten thousand times. Don’t forget to buy a bunch of locally grown peaches (or whatever else is in season when you pass through). They’ll totally make up for all the fudge you eat.

Mike’s Ice Cream in Hood River, Oregon

This tiny shop is adored by locals and tourists alike. The line may look long, but the scoopers are efficient, and you and the kids will be eating your cones in the plentiful outdoor seating in no time. Mike’s Ice Cream is not open in the winter, and it only accepts cash. If you’re craving ice cream during other months, stop at Hood River’s Gorge Ice Cream—it has great vegan and gluten-free options, too.

Rocking a Portland to Spokane road trip

The drive between Portland and Spokane isn’t the most scenic or action-packed stretch of highway in the US. But with lunch stops, parks to play in, special destinations and of course a whole lot of car games, you can make this family road trip one to remember—for all the right reasons.

Do you have tips on what to do between Portland and Spokane? Or do you have a favorite road trip travel hack? Please share!

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