Spokane Falls View Points

by bl1899 on 06/28/08 at 6:14 am

Spokane Falls Riverfront Park Spokane Washington I have always admired the Spokane Falls from the street but as I was driving one day on Monroe Street I noticed a sign that said “Spokane Falls View Points”. I had some downtown shopping to do so I forwent their parking which is found near Bridge Street and used the parking garage at Riverpark Square.

I started my trek on Spokane Falls Blvd walking down to the Monroe Street Bridge. I walked across the bridge and stood at the center which gives an excellent view of the falls. I looked down below the bridge and noticed a path with some fenced in viewpoints. I continue in that direction, walking down to Bridge street and taking a right into what appeared to be a park like area. I took the path under the bridge down to a lower viewing point. I got spooked a little when I noticed a man who looked to be a policeman looking under the bridge from the viewpoint. I’m from a small town, was walking alone and I am a little neurotic at times, I can’t help myself. It seemed nothing was wrong so I took some photos and I walked back up to Bridge street thinking my viewing was over. Bridge Street intersects into Post Street which took me back along the west side of Riverfront Park. As I looked at the Spokane River I noticed a bridge that crossed the water by the YMCA, so I walked over to the path that lead to the bridge.

When I got to the bridge I read some information regarding the falls that are used by Washington Water Power to generate power (you can see their building standing next to the upper falls, right next to the bridge). As I stepped onto the bridge I was not really prepared for what happened as the surface began to move. I looked up and noticed it was a suspension bridge. I walked across the bridge snapping photos of the falls only to find that once the first bridge stops you take a quick walk on Canada Island and find another bridge that ends near Broadway Street. As I walked back across the bridge I stopped to take a full photo of the bridge and had a gentleman step into my line of site. He quickly apologize and allowed me to take the photo without him in it. Oddly enough he struck up conversation with me and I had a buddy to walk with back to the other side of the bridge.

suspension bridge

I enjoyed the viewpoints and the bridge very much. There are other bridges that cross over the Spokane River but I preferred this bridge as it had a little extra kick of fun with the suspension making you feel like you are floating on air. If you would like to visit the bridge it is located in the Riverfront Park near the YMCA on the west side. There is no charge to walk across the bridge however parking of course has it’s fee.