Cheap Accommodation In Spokane, United States
Spokane doesn’t get the attention that Seattle or Portland pull in, and that’s exactly why it’s worth a look if you’re trying to stretch a travel budget. This is a city built around a genuinely impressive waterfall in the middle of downtown, a huge free park that used to host a World’s Fair, and a food and brewery scene that punches well above what you’d expect for a city this size. Prices here, whether for a meal, a beer, or a bed for the night, are noticeably lower than in the bigger coastal cities of the Pacific Northwest, and the surrounding pine forests, lakes, and rolling wheat country give you a lot of outdoor value for very little outlay. Use the search box above to compare accommodation options in Spokane and find the best deal for your dates.
Getting to Spokane on a Budget
Spokane International Airport handles a reasonable amount of domestic traffic, and because it’s a smaller airport than the major hubs, fares can occasionally undercut flying into Seattle if you shop around and book early. For travelers already on the West Coast, Amtrak’s Empire Builder line runs through Spokane on its route between Seattle/Portland and Chicago, and a train ticket booked in advance is often cheaper than a last-minute flight, with the added bonus of decent scenery through the Cascades. Greyhound and other long-distance bus services also stop in Spokane and tend to be the cheapest option if you’re not in a hurry. If you’re driving, Spokane sits right on Interstate 90, making it an easy and logical stopover for anyone road-tripping between Seattle and destinations further east like Montana or Idaho.
Best Time to Visit Spokane
Late spring and early autumn are the sweet spot for both weather and price in Spokane. Summers are warm, dry, and pleasant, but that’s also when Hoopfest (the world’s largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament) and the Bloomsday running race bring big crowds downtown, pushing accommodation rates up and availability down for those specific weekends. Book well ahead if your visit lines up with either event, or simply plan around them if you’re chasing the cheapest rates. Winters are cold with genuine snow, which keeps casual tourist numbers low and prices soft, and it’s also when nearby mountains like Mt. Spokane come alive for skiing and snowshoeing. If you don’t mind rugging up, a winter visit to Spokane can be one of the better value times to go.
Top Attractions in Spokane
Riverfront Park is the heart of the city and costs nothing to wander through. It was built on the site of the 1974 World’s Fair, and you can still see remnants of that era mixed in with newer additions. The main draw is Spokane Falls itself, a genuinely powerful set of cascades running right through downtown, best viewed from the pedestrian bridges or the park’s lookout points. The park is also home to the restored 1909 Looff Carrousel and the quirky, much-loved Garbage Goat sculpture, both cheap or free depending on whether you ride. Downtown itself is worth a slow walk, with handsome early-20th-century architecture including the historic Davenport Hotel, whose grand lobby is free to step into even if you’re not staying there. History buffs will also appreciate that Spokane was home to Bing Crosby during his university years at Gonzaga, and the campus area still nods to that connection.
For Families and Kids in Spokane
Riverfront Park does a lot of the heavy lifting for families visiting Spokane. Kids can burn energy at the playground, cool off at the seasonal splash pad, and in winter the Numerica Skate Ribbon offers ice skating in a scenic outdoor loop for a modest entry fee. Mobius Science Center nearby has hands-on exhibits that keep younger children engaged for an hour or two without costing much. Manito Park, a bit further south, is free to enter and includes several distinct garden areas, duck ponds, and open lawns that are ideal for a picnic and a run-around without spending anything at all.
Outdoors and Nature Around Spokane
The Centennial Trail runs for roughly 37 miles along the Spokane River, and you can walk or cycle as much or as little of it as you like at no cost. Riverside State Park, just outside downtown, has forested trails and the striking basalt rock formation known as the Bowl and Pitcher, a favourite for hikers and photographers alike. For a bigger day out, Mt. Spokane State Park offers hiking in summer and skiing or snowshoeing in winter, all within an easy drive of the city. Those with a bit more time can head east into Idaho to Lake Coeur d’Alene, about half an hour away, for lake views and swimming that feel a world apart from the city.
Local Culture and Heritage in Spokane
Spokane’s name comes from the Spokane Tribe, whose presence in this region long predates the railroad and mining era that shaped the modern city. That railroad and timber history is still visible in the ironwork bridges and warehouse-style buildings downtown, many of which have been repurposed into breweries, galleries, and shops. The 1974 World’s Fair, held on an environmental theme, left a lasting mark on the city in the form of Riverfront Park and a civic pride in the river itself that you’ll notice in how central it remains to daily life here.
Eating Well in Spokane Without Overspending
Spokane’s food scene leans heavily on casual, unpretentious spots rather than fine dining, which works in the budget traveler’s favour. Frank’s Diner, set in a converted railway car, is a local institution for hearty breakfasts at fair prices. The Kendall Yards neighbourhood, just across the river from downtown, has a cluster of cafes and a popular seasonal night market with food trucks offering cheap, varied options. Craft breweries are everywhere in Spokane, and most serve solid pub-style food alongside their beers, often with happy hour specials that make an early dinner noticeably cheaper. For self-catering travelers, the Spokane Public Market and various Saturday farmers markets are good spots to pick up fresh, affordable produce.
Accommodation Options in Spokane
Spokane has a wide enough spread of accommodation that budget travelers aren’t stuck choosing between one overpriced downtown hotel and nothing else. Whatever your priorities, whether that’s staying near the river, near the interstate, or near the airport, there’s a workable option.
Budget and Cheapest Accommodation
The stretch of motels along the I-90 corridor and near Division Street tends to offer the lowest nightly rates in Spokane, particularly outside of the Hoopfest and Bloomsday weekends. These are straightforward, no-frills rooms, but they’re clean, convenient for drivers, and often significantly cheaper than anything closer to downtown.
Family Accommodation
Properties within walking distance or a short drive of Riverfront Park suit families well, since it cuts down on transport costs and puts the main kid-friendly attractions right on your doorstep. Look for places with basic kitchenettes if you’re travelling with young children, as it makes self-catering breakfasts or snacks much easier.
Airport Accommodation
For early flights or late arrivals, there are a handful of hotels clustered near Spokane International Airport that offer straightforward rooms at reasonable rates, often with shuttle service, making them a practical choice if you’re just passing through.
Casino Accommodation
Northern Quest Resort & Casino, located a short drive from downtown in Airway Heights, combines gaming with a full-service resort setup, and its room rates can be surprisingly competitive, especially midweek.
Long-Stay Accommodation
If you’re in Spokane for study, work, or an extended visit near Gonzaga University, extended-stay style accommodation with laundry and kitchen facilities can work out considerably cheaper per night than a standard hotel booking.
Luxury and Boutique Accommodation
For a splurge night, the historic Davenport Hotel downtown remains the city’s best-known option, with its restored early-20th-century grandeur, though there are smaller boutique properties scattered through downtown for those wanting character without the full luxury price tag.
Shopping in Spokane
River Park Square, right next to Riverfront Park, is the main downtown shopping centre and useful if you need essentials or a bit of retail browsing. More interesting for a slower wander is the Kendall Yards precinct, with its small boutiques and regular market days, or the Garland District, known for its independent shops and vintage stores. Farmers markets on weekends are a good, cheap source of local produce, crafts, and baked goods if you want a souvenir that isn’t mass-produced.
Nightlife and Free Fun in Spokane
Spokane’s craft brewery scene is the backbone of its evening entertainment, and simply doing a self-guided crawl between two or three downtown breweries is a cheap, sociable way to spend a night. First Friday art walks bring free gallery openings and street life to the downtown core once a month. The Bing Crosby Theater hosts affordable live music and comedy shows worth checking for during your visit. And in the evenings, Riverfront Park itself is pleasant and well-lit for a free stroll along the falls, especially in the warmer months when the water flow is at its most dramatic.
Suggested Budget Day in Spokane
Start the morning with a walk through Riverfront Park to see Spokane Falls before the day gets busy, then grab a coffee and breakfast at a casual downtown cafe. Spend the late morning walking or cycling a stretch of the Centennial Trail along the river. Head to a food truck or cheap diner for lunch, then spend the afternoon at Manito Park for its free gardens and quiet lawns. Wrap up the day with an early happy hour at one of the downtown breweries before catching a First Friday art walk or simply enjoying a free evening stroll back through Riverfront Park as the falls light up. It’s a full day in Spokane that costs very little beyond a couple of meals and a beer.