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Spokane Visitor Information Center

Let us help you plan your trip and find all the best things to do in Spokane! The Spokane Visitor Center is located in Riverfront Park next to the Rotary Fountain and the Carousel. The Spokane region is full of wonderful places and spectacular scenery. In fact, there is so much to see and do that it can be a challenge to access all the information you need. That’s why Visit Spokane operates a visitor information center stocked full of free brochures, maps, and historical and tour information.

Location & Hours

Riverfront Park next to the Rotary Fountain and the Looff Carrousel 620 W Spokane Falls Blvd Spokane, WA

Sun – Thurs: 10 AM - 5 PM

Fri - Sat: 10 AM - 6 PM

509-747-3230

If you are directed to voicemail, please leave a message, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

Riverfront Park Map

Points of interest.

Let us help you plan your trip and find all the best things to do in Spokane! The Spokane Visitor Center is located in Riverfront Park next to the Rotary Fountain and the Carousel…

Bloomsday Sculptures

The Joy of Running Together is a series of steel sculptures on the outskirts of Riverfront Park that represent the annual Bloomsday Run.

Riverfront Park's ice ribbon consists of a 16' wide and 650' long pathway with a 3,500 square foot attached pond.

Numerica Skyride at Riverfront Park

The Numerica Skyride offers the best, upfront views of the Spokane Falls that run through downtown Spokane. You will travel past art deco City Hall, then gradually drop down 200 feet over the Huntington…

Riverfront Rotary Fountain

This fountain is open during the summer months and makes the ideal splash pad for families with young children. The fountain was completed in 2004 and underwent a one million dollar facelift in 2016.

Riverfront Park's 1909 Looff Carrousel is on the National Register of Historic Places and is one of America's most beautiful and well preserved hand-carved wooden carrousels.

Garbage Goat

Designed for the 1974 World’s Fair Expo as an environmental statement, this goat will eat small pieces of garbage with the aid of its vacuum digestive system. Press the button on the right, hold…

The Childhood Express

A 12-foot-high, 12-foot-wide, and 27-foot-long Radio Flyer is waiting for you and the family. Parents can take a seat and watch the children slide down the wagon handle or even take a slide down…

The Great Northern Clocktower

The iconic Riverfront Park clock tower started its life as the centerpiece of the Great Northern Railroad depot, finished in 1902. For decades it cast its shadow over Spokanites rushing to board trains and…

This open-air Amphitheatre hosts a variety of events throughout the year that are worth the trip to Riverfront Park alone.

The Pavilion

The Pavilion The Pavilion adorns the center of Havermale Island and, since its inception in 1974, has served a variety of functions. Originally covered in a large white canvas, the newly renovated Pavilion reopened…

Snxw Mene Island

Heading west from the Pavilion, you will come to a footbridge that will take you over the Upper Falls to the island known as Snxw Mene (sin-HOO-men-huh). Over the years, the island has gone…

Ice Age Floods Playground

Enjoy a 3-story Columbian slide tower, Glacial Dam splash pad, a log jam climber, an alluvial deposit fossil dig, and more. The playground covers 40,000 square feet. Visitors will learn about the events that…

Basketball Court

Looking to catch a quick pick-up game in the Spokane area? Then the beautiful Riverfront Park basketball court has you covered! The court was designed by Spokane Arts and Hooptown USA and features a…

Providence Playscape

The Providence Playscape is the city's first all0inclusive playground as it is designed to be physically and socially inclusive. The playground helps meet child development milestones, and provides activities that support physical, cognitive, social…

Washington Street Parking Lot

Lower Falls & Huntington Park

Without any cost to you, a visitor can head west towards the historic Monroe Street Bridge and down to Huntington Park. Here you can see the lower falls in all its glory and even…

Learn More About Spokane

Things To Do in Spokane, WA

Spokane is a beautiful four-season destination where there's always something to do whether you hope to stay in or adventure outdoors. If you're traveling with family, we've got you covered with fun things to…

We send out a variety of newsletters about Spokane informing you of all the happenings going on in our destination.

Events in Spokane

If you are looking for things to do near Spokane, the Visit Spokane events calendar has you covered. Sports fans, art lovers, foodies, wine enthusiasts, hikers, and more flock to the Spokane region for…

Request Visitor or Relocation Packet

Spokane is a beautiful destination with so much to see and do! Fill out the form below to receive either a visitor or relocation packet that will include an Official Visitor Guide and other…

Relocation Guide

Spokane has everything you hope a destination in the Northwest would have. Breathtaking nature, great restaurants and venues, and diverse nightlife; all packed into a mid-sized city. Across the Spokane region, in every city…

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Visit Spokane Names Maureen Dodroe Interim President & CEO

Dodroe grew up in Spokane and has been the Director of Finance with Visit Spokane since August 2012.

“Maureen is an excellent choice to put at the helm of Visit Spokane while the search for a replacement for Meg Winchester takes place,” said Visit Spokane Board Chair Meg Barbieri. “Maureen is well versed in the inner workings of the destination marketing organization and will seamlessly lead the staff through this transition.”

A national search is underway for a new Visit Spokane President and CEO.

For more information on Visit Spokane, visit  www.visitspokane.com .

Visit Spokane's Winchester to retire

Tourism industry vet to depart at first of year.

Meg Winchester is retiring from her position as president and CEO of Visit Spokane, the regional destination marketing organization announced this morning. 

Winchester’s last day with Visit Spokane is scheduled to be Jan. 1, 2023 , almost exactly four years a fter she came to Spokane to replace Cheryl Kilday as the leader of the visitors and convention bureau. Her retirement will culminate a 30-year career in the tourism industry that started with the San Diego Convention Center and involved a time as director of the Galveston Island Visitor & Convention Bureau, in Texas , prior to her arrival in Spokane .

A search already is underway for her replacement, according to the organization. 

Meg Miller, board chair for Visit Spokane, says Winchester led through “the hardest days in our industry’s history” and characterized her leaving as a loss to the organization. 

Winchester, 62, d escrib es leading Visit Spokane through the pandemic as “difficult yet inspiring ” and expressed pride for her team. 

“It’s been a wild ride, and one I’m thankful to have been on,” she says in a prepared statement. 

Year-over-year employment ticks upward in Spokane MSA

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Visit Spokane President & CEO announces retirement

Friday, August 12, 2022

Contact: Kate Hudson Public Relations Manager 509.742.9377

[SPOKANE, Wash.] Visit Spokane, the region’s destination marketing organization, announced today that President and CEO Meg Winchester has submitted her retirement. Taking the helm in 2019, Winchester led the organization through some of the most challenging times in tourism and hospitality history.

“I didn’t make this decision lightly. Working with the Visit Spokane team through a pandemic was difficult yet inspiring. I’m proud of the entire team,” Winchester said. “It’s been a wild ride and one I’m thankful to have been on.”

Winchester closes out a 30-year, distinguished career in the tourism industry. Getting her start at the San Diego Convention Center, she worked her way up to Director of the Galveston Island Visitors & Convention Bureau in Texas before taking her current position at Visit Spokane.

“I came to Spokane not knowing what to expect. Imagine my delight when I realized what a welcoming place this is,” Winchester said. “I’ll forever love this beautiful city and am so sorry to say goodbye, but it’s time to move on and enjoy my retirement.”

A search is underway for a new Visit Spokane President and CEO. 

"While I am happy Meg will be able to travel and enjoy more time with her family and friends after a long and very successful career, her leaving Visit Spokane is a loss," said Visit Spokane Board Chair Meg Miller. "Please join me in thanking Meg for leading us through the hardest days in our industry’s history while building relationships in our community that positively impacted the business environment." 

Winchester’s last day with Visit Spokane will be January 1, 2023.

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• City of Spokane
• spokane city
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Office of the Mayor

City Hall, Seventh Floor • 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 99201

Mayor Phone: 509.625.6250 Email: [email protected]

• City Council

Betsy Wilkerson

City Council President Phone: 509.625.6258 Email: [email protected]

Michael Cathcart

City Council, District 1 Phone: 509.625.6257 Email: [email protected]

Jonathan Bingle

City Council, District 1 Phone: 509.625.6275 Email: [email protected]

Paul Dillon

City Council, District 2 Phone: 509.625.6254 Email: [email protected]

Lili Navarrete

City Council, District 2 Phone: 509.768.6738 Email: [email protected]

Kitty Klitzke

City Council, District 3 Phone: 509.625.6291 Email: [email protected]

Zack Zappone

City Council, District 3 Phone: 509.625.6256 Email: [email protected]

Administration

City Hall, Fifth Floor • 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 99201

Garrett Jones

Interim City Administrator Phone: 509.625.6200 Email: [email protected]

Maggie Yates

Deputy City Administrator Phone: 509.625.6753 Email: [email protected]

Terri Pfister

City Clerk Phone: 509.625.6354 Email: [email protected]

Communications & Marketing

Director Phone: 509.625.6740 Email: [email protected]

Community and Economic Development

City Hall, Third and Sixth Floors • 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 99201

Steven MacDonald

Director Phone: 509.625.6835 Email: [email protected]

City Hall, Fourth Floor • 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 99201

Matthew Boston

Chief Financial Officer Phone: 509.625.6820 Email: [email protected]

Fire Department

Fire Station 1 • 44 W. Riverside Ave., Spokane, WA 99201

Julie O'Berg

Fire Chief Phone: 509.625.7003 Email: [email protected]

Human Resources

Mike ormsby.

Senior Advisor Phone: 509.625.6363 Email: [email protected]

Innovation Technology Services

Michael sloon.

Interim Chief Innovation and Technology Officer Phone: 509.625.6468 Email: [email protected]

Mike Piccolo

City Attorney Phone: 509.625.6237 Email: [email protected]

Neighborhoods, Housing, and Human Services

City Hall, Sixth Floor • 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 99201

Dawn Kinder

Director Phone: 509-625-6443 Email: [email protected]

Parks & Recreation

Jason conley.

Interim Director Phone: 509.625.6200 Email: [email protected]

Police Department

Police Headquarters • 1100 W. Mallon Ave., Spokane, WA 99260

Justin Lundgren

Interim Police Chief Phone: 509.625.4115 Email: [email protected]

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Central Library • 906 W. Main Ave., Spokane, WA 99201

Andrew Chanse

Executive Director Phone: 509.444.5305 Email: [email protected]

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City Hall, Second Floor • 808 W. Spokane Falls Blvd., Spokane, WA 99201

Marlene Feist

Director Phone: 509.625.6505 Email: [email protected]

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CORONAVIRUS

Visit spokane lays off 70% of its employees; other agencies implement hiring freeze.

As hundreds of visitors cancel their trips to Spokane, local agencies and governments have had to cut back or freeze hiring to make it through the economic downturn caused by the coronavirus.

Visit Spokane, which is partially funded through hotel taxes and works to bring events and tourism into the community, laid off 20 of its 28 employees Monday.

Kate Hudson, public relations manager for the organization, said the past two weeks have been devastating for Visit Spokane and all organizations and businesses that depend on tourism.

“Our head of finance has gone over our budget, 50 different ways, 50 different times,” Hudson said. “This is definitely the worst moment in Visit Spokane’s history.”

She said the organization hopes to rehire the staff it laid off once the tourism economy is able to restart.

“I know we’ll get through this. We’ll rebuild,” she said. “It’s just really hard to see through the weeds, but we’ll come out on the other side.”

The Public Facilities District, which owns the First Interstate Center for the Arts and the Spokane Veterans Memorial Arena, has lost millions in revenue from canceled events at those facilities but has not had to layoff any employees.

Stephanie Curran, chief executive of the district, said the organization has implemented a hiring freeze and has not planned for layoffs, but might need to reduce staff depending on how long community events are postponed.

“The longer this goes on, the more precarious this will get for us,” she said.

She said staff has been able to make progress rebooking many events, but many workers will be on paid sick leave starting Wednesday to comply with the governor’s stay-in-place order.

Hotelier Walt Worthy closed all but one of his hotels last week, leaving more than 1,000 in the local hotel industry out of work.

Local governments have abstained from the extensive layoffs reported in the private sector amid the COVID-19 pandemic, but some already have limited hiring and tightened spending.

Spokane County, Spokane Valley and the city of Spokane have thousands of employees and have yet to report a reduction in staffing or any plans to carry one out.

Still, local leaders are only in the early stages of assessing the economic impact of COVID-19 on their budgets, which they warn could be severe.

Spokane County has implemented a hiring freeze, except for two executive positions. The county was looking for a new human resources director as well, but current resource director Tim Hansen, who was planning to retire, recently rescinded his resignation to continue assisting the county.

County spokesman Jared Webley said county leaders have been focused on getting through the current crisis and had not discussed layoffs.

County Commissioner Al French, who is in self-quarantine after recent travel, said governments need to start taking precautions now to avoid large future cuts and layoffs.

“It becomes a matter to what services are critical and how you meet that need,” French said. “You need to start (planning) now. If you wait until the end of the year, it’s too late.”

French said local governments might have to choose between dipping into emergency reserves and layoffs.

The city of Spokane has not laid off any employees, but has made drastic shifts in its workforce to encourage employees to work from home and altered schedules to accommodate child care needs.

“There have been adjustments all over the city,” said Brian Coddington, a city spokesman.

When it closed the My Spokane 311 service desk last week, for example, the city moved the entire operation from City Hall into the homes of its employees, who still are taking calls and answering requests. More than 200 employees are connected to the city’s network remotely, which is the majority of City Hall staff.

As it focuses its efforts on the COVID-19 response, Mayor Nadine Woodward’s administration has instituted a hiring freeze on a case-by-case basis. The ongoing search for a director of Neighborhood and Business Services has been placed on hold, but given the current public health emergency, officials are moving quickly to hire a new director of emergency management.

“That’s an essential service that needs to be filled, but in other cases like neighborhood services, that’s going to be something that has to wait,” Coddington said.

The city of Spokane Valley, which has fewer than 100 budgeted positions, was one of the few local governments that did not lay off employees during the 2008 recession. City spokesman Jeff Kleingartner said the city currently is not considering a hiring freeze or layoffs.

Other government agencies, such as the Spokane County Library District, have not planned layoffs either. County Library District spokeswoman Jane Baker said library staff still have plenty of work to do while closed to the public, including ordering more books in anticipation of re-opening, cleaning and working to increase their online offerings.

“There are a lot of behind-the-scene things that happen in the library that still happen even if we’re not open to the public,” Baker said. “We’re also increasing our online offerings and doing what we can for people at home using the library virtually.”

While many city services are essential and continue uninterrupted – such as solid waste collection and public safety – the Spokane Public Library has been forced to close the doors of every branch.

Still, the library has not made layoffs. Staff members have been focusing on digital offerings, like the spring reading challenge announced last week. Prior to Gov. Jay Inslee’s stay-home order on Monday, the library also had explored how it could safely provide physical materials to the public through such means as curbside pickup.

“Our landscape and environment seems to be changing daily, as far as what would be appropriate or safe service,” said Andrew Chanse, director of the Spokane Public Library.

COVID-19 Updates

Four years on, covid has reshaped life for many americans, cdc officially drops five-day covid isolation guidelines …, covid variant jn.1 now accounts for nearly half of u.s. cases …, a new coronavirus variant may be behind california's covid rise …, 'not a matter of if but of when': area hospitals may bring back mask mandate amid surge of rsv patients …, with the cold weather comes illness season. here's what you need to know about four of them expected in spokane …, scientists behind pfizer and moderna mrna vaccines win nobel …, family promise of spokane focuses on innovative solutions to help homeless.

A little known organization called Family Promise of Spokane (FPS) is making a huge impact on homelessness for families with children.

Plan Your Visit

Hours & admissions, northwest museum of arts & culture.

Located off Riverside Drive in downtown Spokane's historic Browne's Addition

2316 West 1st Avenue Spokane, Washington 99201 (509) 456-3931 Directions

Museum Exhibits and Museum Store Hours

Tuesday-Sunday, 10 am-5 pm  Third Thursday, 10 am-8 pm (9 pm in summer)

Visit our virtual museum for online exhibitions and programs.

MAC Café Hours

The Café is temporarily closed while we complete remodeling.

Ticket Prices as of February 3, 2024

Buy tickets online in advance or at the door.

Adults (18+): $12

Seniors (65+): $10

College Students w/Valid ID: $10

Children/Students (6-17): $8

Children 5 and under are FREE!

Museum members receive free admission!

Visits to all exhibits and historic Campbell House are included in the price of admission.

Buy Tickets Now

Need help with website registration?

Read our guide

Special Discounts

• Groups of ten adults or more receive a discount when reserving a visit in advance through our Group Visit Program.  
• Admission is half-price starting at 5 pm on the last Wednesday of the month for MAC After Hours, beginning in June, with additional activities like gallery talks, workshops and live music. 
• AAA Members receive $1 off regular admissions with the 'Show Us Your Card and Save Program' with walk-in tickets. Not valid with any other offer.
• Active duty military and family members each receive $1 off their tickets with military ID.
• We are a Blue Star Museum that recognizes all active duty military and their families with free admission from Armed Forces Day through Labor Day. Learn more.
• Bank of America, Merrill or Bank of America Private Bank (US Trust) credit or debit card cardholders receive free admission the first full weekend of each month through Museums on Us .
• North American Reciprocal Museum (NARM) program members receive FREE admission, plus a 10% Store Discount. NARM members must show gold “NARM” sticker on a valid membership card.
• Please note we are not currently participating in First Fridays.

Library Passes

The MAC works with a number of area libraries to offer passes that can be checked-out for free museum admission. You must live within the service area of one of these libraries to participate. Learn about the details and register at your library's website:

Spokane County Library District

Spokane Public Library

Liberty Lake Municipal Library

Pend Oreille County Library District

Richland Public Library

Campbell House

Campbell House is included with regular Museum admission and is available for self-guided tours Tuesday through Sunday from 12-4 pm. Please confirm your Campbell House visit with the Visitor Services staff upon check-in. Guided tours on special topics are available on third Thursday evenings and on select Saturdays. Visit our program calendar for more information.

New Year’s Day, Jan 1, 2024 –  Closed

Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan 15, 2024 – Closed

Presidents Day, Feb 19, 2024 – Closed

Memorial Day, May 27, 2024 – Closed

Juneteenth, June 19, 2024 – Closed

Independence Day, July 4, 2024 – Closed

Labor Day, Sept 2, 2024 – Closed

Veterans Day, Nov 11, 2024 – Closed

Thanksgiving Day, Nov 28, 2024 – Closed 

Native American Heritage Day, Nov 29, 2024 – Open

Christmas Eve, Dec 24, 2024 – Open 10 am-3 pm

Christmas Day, Dec 25, 2024 – Closed

New Year’s Eve, Dec 31, 2024 – Open 10 am-3 pm

New Year’s Day, Jan 1, 2025 –  Closed

Accessibility

For the color blind.

The MAC has partnered with EnChroma, manufacturer of glasses for people with red-green color blindness that allows them to see an expanded range of colors more vibrantly, clearly, and distinctly. We have several pairs of glasses available for loan to visitors while they’re in the museum so they can more fully experience colors in our exhibitions. Just ask for a loaner from the Visitor Services staff where you buy your tickets or check-in.

For People with Physical Disabilities

The exhibition galleries, archives, museum store, auditorium, and administrative offices are all wheelchair accessible. Historic Campbell House is not ADA accessible, however, the Carriage House Activity Center is accessible for all visitors.

Wheelchairs

We have four non-motorized wheelchairs available for guests. Please inquire with a staff member at Visitor Services for assistance.

There are elevators in all multi-level buildings and the parking garage, excluding the Campbell House. 

Movement between buildings

The buildings are not interconnected. In order to move between buildings, you must use the exterior concrete flagstone walkway connecting the buildings and the parking garage.

All restrooms are wheelchair accessible.