Riverfront Park Spokane Guide: Must-See City Landmark with Falls and Carousel

Riverfront Park is Spokane’s 100-acre downtown landmark featuring the nation’s largest urban waterfall, the historic 1909 Looff Carrousel, and the Numerica SkyRide gondola. The park occupies Havermale Island and surrounding riverbanks along the Spokane River, offering year-round attractions including the Ice Age Floods Playground, Garbage Goat sculpture, and Gesa Credit Union Pavilion with light shows.

What is Riverfront Park and why is it Spokane’s main landmark?

Riverfront Park is a 100-acre urban park in downtown Spokane, Washington, recognized as the city’s primary landmark due to its Spokane Falls waterfalls, historic Expo ’74 structures, and National Register attractions. The park spans both sides of the Spokane River on Havermale Island and adjacent land, providing green space, recreational trails, and family attractions within walking distance of downtown restaurants and shopping.

Riverfront Park serves as Spokane’s central gathering place and recreational hub. The park encompasses approximately 100 acres (40.5 hectares) along the Spokane River. Its downtown location at 507 N. Howard Street makes it easily accessible by car, public transportation, or foot.

The park’s significance stems from its combination of natural wonders and historic landmarks. Spokane Falls, divided into 60-foot-tall Upper Falls and Lower Falls with a total drop of around 100 feet, creates the country’s largest urban waterfall. The Looff Carrousel, built in 1909 by master carver Charles I.D. Looff, was added to the National Register of Historic Places on September 19, 1977.

Riverfront Park functions as Spokane’s hub for community events and festivals. The park hosts summer concerts, outdoor movie nights, holiday celebrations, and cultural festivals including the annual Pig Out in the Park food and music festival attracting thousands each Labor Day weekend.

How did Expo ’74 transform Riverfront Park’s history?

Expo ’74 was the first environmentally themed World’s Fair held May-November 1974 in Riverfront Park, attracting 5.6 million visitors from ten countries and transforming Spokane’s old railyard into a public park. The International Exposition on the Environment officially themed “Celebrating Tomorrow’s Fresh, New Environment” pioneered sustainability focus over technology themes and radically reshaped Spokane’s natural and built environment.

Before Expo ’74, the area served industrial purposes with mills, factories, and railroad operations lining the riverbanks. The site was once fishing grounds for the Spokane Tribe and subsequently used by the railroad industry. The Great Northern Railroad Depot, finished in 1902, occupied Havermale Island before the 1974 Expo.

Expo ’74 represented a historic milestone as the smallest city ever to host a World’s Fair. During its six-month run, the fair presented exhibits from ten countries, featured a star-studded event calendar, and sponsored three environmental symposiums.

The event became a turning point for Spokane, leading to significant redevelopment and creation of many park features. After Expo ’74 closed, the fairgrounds became the 100-acre Riverfront Park. President Jimmy Carter dedicated the finished area as Riverfront Park in 1978, four years after the fair closed.

Expo ’74 remains one of the single most transformative events in Spokane’s history. The 50th anniversary in 2024 revisited the environmental theme’s historical roots and the community spirit it kindled.

What are the must-see attractions in Riverfront Park?

The top must-see attractions include Spokane Falls (nation’s largest urban waterfall), the 1909 Looff Carrousel (National Register historic carousel), Numerica SkyRide (200-foot drop gondola), Gesa Credit Union Pavilion (light shows), Garbage Goat sculpture, and Red Flyer Wagon playground. These attractions span Havermale Island and surrounding areas, offering experiences for all ages.

Spokane Falls

Spokane Falls divides into Upper Falls and Lower Falls, creating the United States’ largest urban waterfall. The Upper Falls measures around 60 feet tall and spans over 500 feet wide, with the total drop reaching around 100 feet. The falls cascade over basalt rock and two dams, with the Spokane River winding through downtown.

Spring provides the best viewing when winter snows feed the river at its fullest power. Several viewing platforms throughout the park offer great vantage points for experiencing the falls’ low rumble building to deafening crescendo.

Looff Carrousel

The Looff Carrousel features 54 horses, 1 giraffe, 1 tiger, and 2 Chinese dragon chairs, making it one of America’s most beautiful hand-carved wooden carrousels. Built in 1909 by master craftsman Charles Looff as a wedding gift for his daughter Emma, the carousel has operated for over 100 years.

The carousel was relocated to Riverfront Park in 1975 from Natatorium Park, where it remained until 1968 when that park closed. It remains wheelchair accessible and includes a ring dispenser allowing riders to grab rings and toss them at a clown target.

Numerica SkyRide

The Numerica SkyRide provides the best views of Spokane Falls as an enclosed gondola ride descending 200 feet over Huntington Park Natural Area. Named “One of the Top 12 Scenic Cable Rides in the World” in 2013 by Conde Nast Traveler, Daily Traveller, and MSN, the 15-minute round-trip passes art deco City Hall and under the historic Monroe Street Bridge.

SkyRide costs $8.95-$12.95 and operates year-round, offering breathtaking views whether viewing roaring spring runoff or serene winter landscape. Early late spring provides the best riding time when the river is raging.

Gesa Credit Union Pavilion

The Gesa Credit Union Pavilion adorns the center of Havermale Island and served various functions since its 1974 inception. Originally covered in large white canvas, the renovated Pavilion reopened in 2019 equipped with state-of-the-art lighting creating mesmerizing evening light shows.

The Pavilion hosts numerous concerts, performances, and live music events each year. An elevated platform provides breathtaking river views.

Garbage Goat

The Garbage Goat is a steel goat sculpture designed for Expo ’74 as an environmental statement. The goat eats small pieces of garbage using a vacuum digestive system; press the button on the right, hold up paper, and the vacuum gobbles it up.

This icon has guarded the park since Expo ’74, providing a fun and unique way to end picnics.

Red Flyer Wagon

The giant Red Flyer Wagon has been a park staple since 1989. It holds up to 300 people, making it viable for the largest family photos. Dedicated to Spokane’s children “as a reflection of the past, created in the present, to last into the future,” parents can watch children slide down the wagon handle.

What activities can visitors do in Riverfront Park?

Visitors can walk or bike the Centennial Trail along the Spokane River, picnic on lawns and shaded areas, play at Ice Age Floods Playground (40,000 square feet) and Providence Playscape (inclusive), skate the Numerica Skate Ribbon (650-foot ice ribbon winter/roller path summer), and rent pedal karts. The park offers year-round recreational opportunities including pick-up basketball games and family-oriented events.

The Centennial Trail runs through the park offering scenic routes along the Spokane River for walking, jogging, and biking. The park is crisscrossed with numerous trails perfect for leisurely strolls or long bike rides.

Ice Age Floods Playground covers 40,000 square feet featuring a 3-story Columbian slide tower, Glacial Dam splash pad, log jam climber, and alluvial deposit fossil dig. Visitors learn about Ice Age Flood events that shaped the region.

Providence Playscape is Spokane’s first all-inclusive playground designed to be physically and socially inclusive. It helps meet child development milestones providing activities supporting physical, cognitive, and social development.

The Numerica Skate Ribbon is 16-foot-wide and 650-foot-long, open November through February for ice skating with skate rentals available. During summer months, visitors skateboard, scooter, or rollerblade around the ribbon, making it year-round.

Pedal karts are available to rent for family fun. The park also hosts various family-oriented events ensuring always something fun for kids.

Riverfront Park’s basketball court was designed by Spokane Arts and Hooptown USA for quick pick-up games.

When is the best time to visit Riverfront Park by season?

Spring and summer (May-September) offer the best visiting conditions with blooming flowers, greenery, temperatures reaching 90-100°F, Rotary Fountain open for cooling off, and summer concerts/festivals. Fall provides pleasant cooler temperatures for walking/biking with picturesque leaf color changes. Winter transforms the park into snowy wonderland with Numerica Skate Ribbon open for ice skating and holiday lights creating magical atmosphere. Each season provides distinct attractions and events.

Spring brings the river at its fullestpower when winter snows feed Spokane Falls. The SkyRide provides best viewing during early late spring when the river is raging.

Summer features blooming flowers, greenery, and numerous outdoor events including picnics by the river, garden walks, and Rotary Fountain cooling. Summer concerts and festivals add lively atmosphere.

Fall brings burst of color as leaves change with cooler temperatures pleasant for walking and biking. Fall festivals include Spokane River Run and Oktoberfest.

Winter transforms the park into snowy wonderland with Numerica Skate Ribbon opening for ice skating providing unique festive experience. Park holiday lights and decorations create magical atmosphere.

How do I get to Riverfront Park and what are the hours?

Riverfront Park is open daily 6 AM to dusk with free admission; main entrance at 507 N. Howard Street in downtown Spokane. Parking available at nearby lots/garages with metered street parking. Attractions have individual hours generally 10 AM-9 PM for SkyRide and Carousel. The park is centrally located accessible by car, public transportation, or foot with public restrooms, picnic tables, and wheelchair-accessible paved paths throughout.

The Spokane Visitor Center is located next to Rotary Fountain and Carousel providing local maps, visitor guides, brochures, and professional travel counselor help.

Eastern Washington has dry climate despite green appearance; bring water bottles especially for walking/biking. Water fountains available but own supply recommended.

Wear comfortable shoes and dress appropriately with layers for varying climate. Check event calendar before visiting to see special events/festivals and avoid potential crowds.

River Park Square shopping and entertainment destination sits adjacent to Riverfront Park featuring retail stores, movie theater, and dining options.

Downtown Spokane offers excellent restaurants within walking distance including Clinkerdagger in historic Flour Mill with river views, Wild Sage Bistro farm-to-table, Saranac Public House local ingredients, Atticus Coffee & Gifts charming cafe, and Wonder Building repurposed industrial plant with food counters and game area.