So…I’m stuck on a job out in the middle of nowhere, about 40 miles south of the Canadian border in NE Washington, we just found out we have the whole weekend off. Both “Woo Hoo” and “oh bummer” :D, I hate losing the OT, but it doesn’t break my heart to have some extra rest time either, especially since accommodations are on the client.
Anyway, I’m not from around here, I’m still pretty new to the state, having moved to the Seattle area 2 years ago, and I have no idea what’s here to do, or see.
I work out in the woods, literally, with all the hiking, climbing, rolling in mud (some of it contaminated), that entails. So I’m not interested in any sort of wilderness stuff, (national part, etc…I’m already working in one :)). I’m hoping for something city-girlish.
I don’t know what’s over the border (Stevens county, north of Colville), either, so any Canadians who have cool stuff over there, that might be neat.
Well, obviously Spokane is the only thing that passes for a real city in that part of the world. I’ve had train layovers there a few times and while the downtown area is pretty and the riverside park is cool, the nightlife seemed pretty dead. The actual downtown area seems either mall-y or abandoned, so it could be there’s another part of town where all the cool kids congregate.
Sandpoint is sort of a half working-class half ski resort town that has a small but fun downtown area (and a good microbrewery). It’s probably pretty quiet this time of year, though. If you headed north of the border, there’s Creston, which has the Kokanee Brewery. I’ve never actually been, but I hear the tour is surprisingly interesting and that Creston itself is also a fun little town.
Thanks for the suggestions, Creston sounds familiar and may be close by. Does anyone know anything about Coeur d’Alene? It seems to have some cool stuff on the website.
Downtown Spokane is great now. The Davenport Hotel (if you’re downtown check it out)and the downtown mall really revitalized the area. There are a lot of little cool bars and restaurants.
I love Sandpoint, it has a real small town feel, but with money; enough money for good restaurants that have actual chefs, wine tasting, art studios ect…
Coeur d’Alene is a normal city for the most part except for down around the beach.
Unfortunately you are at the worst time to be in NE Washington. Two months ago it would have been 90 degrees and you could have hit the beach. Two months from now it will be beautiful fluffy snow, perfect for skiing, sledding, or curled up in a cabin in front of a fire.
I’ve never been at this time of year. But you’re about 3 hours out from Okanagan Wine Country. If you don’t mind driving, it can be a lovely drive (again, at other times of year - I’ve never been there in November) and wineries, with all the assorted things that being in a wine region entails.
From that point of view, you’d be about 4 hours from Walla Walla, where there are more than 140 wineries, and a lot of stupendously good wine. South side of the state, to be sure, but within an easy day’s drive. Walla Walla’s a really nice little town, too.
In addition to the Davenport Hotel; The Spokane Symphony is located in the FOX Theatre, which is a beautiful art deco theatre that was recently renovated. If the weather is decent, go stand on the walking bridge above the falls at night when they light up the whitewater in Riverfront Park.
I haven’t been there, but I hear Nelson, B.C. is a good town. If you want nightlife, downtown Spokane would probably be best. If you want shopping, the same.
See if you can visit Filaree Farm, which is a wonderful garlic source. They have dozens and dozens of different sorts. The range of taste in garlic cultivars is enormous…especially for those of us who have only had the normal one or two cultivars found in grocery stores.
It was nice being someplace dry for a little while. It reminded us a little of where we came from. There were recreational activities we didn’t take advantage of. We just walked around, drove around, and went to the museum. The SO liked exploring the shops (one of them itself, a mini-museum). Basically, you can ‘do the town’ in a day if you’re not kayaking or fishing or hiking or doing other things.
OMG that is amazing! If we’re still here next weekend, I’m doing that one!
I have this thing, a security clearance chip inserted special card (it has a name and is similar to the enhanced driver’s license, but I just can’t think of it right this moment and I left the darn thing at the jobsite, not in the hotel) that gets me over the border, so I may try Nelson as well. It’s only 2 hours and is just north of our actual site. The town we’re all staying in is about 40 miles south of the border.
I really appreciate all of the suggestions. I ended up going to Coeur d’Alene, which I enjoyed. I was in time to take the last tour boat of the season (for days if I remember what the guide said, I think they still have the 6 hour ones going) and it was really neat. My mom grew up there, so I got tons of video and pics of Tubbs Hill (she spent a lot of time there hiking and playing as a kid), and the gorgeous mansions along the shore.
And yeah, it was a bit cold, but the fall leaves were still beautiful and it was nice (non-rainy) enough to take some walks too.
Palouse Falls is gorgeous and if you’re also willing to think about outdoorsy stuff, the Dry Falls (near Grand Coulee) are beautiful.
Also, along the same lines as Winthrop & Leavenworth, Republic is the former gold rush town about an hour west of Colville. It’s small, but it does have a theme. And you can dig for fossils.
Aw shucks, too late. But if you do happen to get more time off, I too would suggest either Sandpoint or Nelson, B.C. I really enjoy Canada, especially Nelson because it’s so multi-cultural, something you are probably used to in Seattle, but as I’m sure you’ve noticed, a little more sparse in these parts.
You just missed the Apple Festival in Greenbluff, near Spokane. That can get pretty wild if you like crowds and good produce.
Other than that, you’re in the woods lass. Those of us that live here revel in all the natural wonder that surrounds us. I get it though, when you are in the woods all week long, it is nice to get away for a taste of something new.
Another fine trip into Canada would be to take the Selkirk Loop, over the free ferry and visit Ainsworth hot springs, or one of the many other fine hot springs in the area.
