Springtime in Spokane

Students sit in hammocks hung between trees on campus on a beautiful sunny day.
April 08, 2020
Madeline Hueske

After a winter that can feel like it lasts forever, spring is a beautiful breath of fresh air. It’s light later in the day, the flowering trees on campus begin to bloom, and everyone seems to want to get outside. Here are some of the best ways to celebrate the changing of the seasons in Spokane.

Bloomsday

Perhaps the most quintessential Spokane event, Bloomsday is a must-do in the springtime. It’s a 12-kilometer road race (the largest in the world!) that takes place annually the first Sunday of May. The course winds through downtown Spokane, up the infamous Doomsday Hill, and ends at the Monroe Street Bridge, where you can pick up your t-shirt and grab some food cart snacks to celebrate.

A group of runners take off from the starting line at Bloomsday.

Lilac Garden at Manito Park

They don’t call it the Lilac City for nothing! Manito Park has a beautiful lilac garden that is in bloom typically from mid-May to early June. Take advantage of the short window and bring a picnic up, or just stroll through and smell the flowers. Bonus: usually by the time the lilacs are done blooming, the roses begin, so you can continue to enjoy flowers throughout the summer.

Pink lilacs bloom at Manito Park in the spring.

Spring hiking and biking

The re-opening of trails is always something to celebrate. The trails around Riverside State Park are drying up, higher elevations are losing their snow, and students can get out and explore. A personal favorite are the mountain biking trails around Camp Sekani and Beacon Hill, just a 10-minute drive from campus. If you’re not into biking, a quick but sweaty hike to the summit provides a great view of the city at sunset.

A mountain biker crosses a rocky section of trail.

Zag baseball games

If you’re sad basketball season is over, there are more Zag sports to enjoy! The baseball games are a great way to support student athletes and enjoy the spring weather. Some of the games have special deals for $1 hot dogs or pizza, so you can snack while you watch. Just like with all athletic events, your student ID will get you in for free.

A Gonzaga baseball player goes to bat at a home game.

Farmers Markets

Around mid-May, the area’s farmers markets start up again for the warmer months. The Perry Street Thursday Market has a great selection of local produce and some ready-to-eat items, like a gooey slice of pizza from the portable Veraci pizza oven. The Kendall Yards Night Market is a great way to enjoy a pleasant evening. Shoppers can browse seasonal fruits and veggies, along with honey, pastries, and food carts. The live music is always a plus, too!

Produce on display at a farmers market, including plums, peaches, and corn.

Hammocking and playing on campus

You don’t even have to leave campus to enjoy the warming weather. Many students enjoy frisbee, Spikeball, and hammocking when the weather is nice. The trees between DeSmet and Welch, as well as the ones by Lake Arthur, provide a great place to hang a hammock, and Foley Lawn and Herak Quad both have plenty of space for all the lawn games you’d want to play. Many students enjoy getting their dinner to-go from 1887 and having an evening picnic in the grass.

A group of students plays pickup volleyball on the quad on campus on a spring afternoon.