Summer in Spokane, WA does not have to cost anything to be memorable. Between free parks, free fitness classes, free markets, and free community events, families across Spokane have an entire season of fun activities lined up without spending a dime. Here is the complete guide to the best free things to do in Spokane this summer.
🌊 Riverfront Park: Spokane's Free Summer Headquarters
- 🎠 Storytime at the Carrousel — Free stories, songs, and preschool activities on select dates throughout summer. Carrousel rides just $1 for attendees. Recommended for ages 2 to 5, but fun for everyone.
- 🧘 Riverfront Moves — Free outdoor fitness classes including yoga, barre, and Pilates running mid-June through Labor Day on most Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Some evenings feature DJ-led sessions.
- 🚶 Free Historic Walking Tours — Join local historian Chet Caskey for a free walking tour of Riverfront Park where the city's past and present merge in unique ways.
- 🍔 Riverfront Eats Food Truck Series — A rotating lineup of local food trucks every Tuesday from 11 AM to 2 PM, June through August. Free to attend, though bring cash or a card for the food.
- 🌊 Spokane Falls, SkyRide views, and the Pavilion lawn — Free to walk, explore, and enjoy any day of the summer.
🏊 Free and Affordable Pools Across Spokane Valley
- 💧 Free Swim Fridays — Spokane Valley offers free swim days throughout the summer at city pools
- 💧 Park Road Pool and Slide, Valley Mission Pool, and Terrace View Pool — Just $1 per person, with children 5 and under free with a paying adult
- 🌊 Boulder Beach Park, Islands Trailhead, and Mirabeau Point Park — Free natural swimming spots along the Spokane River for families who want a more laid-back water day
🥦 Free Farmers Markets Almost Every Day of the Week
Spokane summers mean a different farmers market practically every day. Most are free to browse, with only the goods themselves costing money.
- 🛍️ Spokane Farmers Market — Main Saturday market at Coeur d'Alene Park in Browne's Addition
- 🛍️ Kendall Yards Night Market — Wednesdays from 5 PM to 8:30 PM, mid-May through mid-September. Local produce, artisan goods, food trucks, and live music.
- 🛍️ Scale House Market — Open Wednesday through Sunday in Spokane Valley
🌳 Free Outdoor Recreation and Trails
- 🚴 Centennial Trail — 37 miles of paved trail along the Spokane River, completely free for walking, running, and biking
- 🚴 Appleway Trail — A 5.8-mile path through the heart of Spokane Valley along an old railroad right-of-way, with dedicated parking and restrooms
- ⛰️ Riverside State Park — Miles of free hiking, biking, and even horseback riding trails along the Spokane River, including the scenic Bowl and Pitcher basalt rock formations
- 🌿 Manito Park and Finch Arboretum — Free rose gardens, summer blooms, and shaded walking paths on South Hill
- 🎣 Free Fishing Days — Washington state offers designated free fishing days each year, no license required
🎈 Free Community Events This Summer
- 🌍 FIFA World Cup Fan Zone Watch Parties — Gesa Pavilion at Riverfront Park, June 19 and July 19. Tickets just $5, with food trucks, beer garden, DJ, and family activities included.
- 🎪 Riverfront Summer Carnival — Five days of free-to-attend Independence Day festivities starting July 1, presented by ICCU
- 🎬 Movies at the Pavilion — Free outdoor movie nights under the stars at Gesa Pavilion throughout July
- 🧘 Spokane YogaFest — Free community yoga event July 11 at Riverfront Park's Clock Tower Meadow
- 🌍 Indigenous Peoples' Day Celebrations — Free events celebrating the indigenous languages of the Spokane region
🍓 Free or Low-Cost Day Trips Near Spokane
- 🍒 Green Bluff — A farming community just outside Spokane with free entry to pick your own berries, sample homemade pies, and visit local farm stands all summer long
- 🏛️ Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC) — While general admission has a cost, kids 5 and under are always free, and summer brings special camps, story sessions, and craft events
📋 Free Spokane Parks and Recreation Programs
- 🎨 Free Summer Park Program — Spokane Valley offers free drop-in activities across three parks Monday through Thursday, including art projects, science experiments, and daily games for all kids 18 and under. No registration required.
- 📚 Free Summer Reading Programs — Spokane libraries offer free reading programs for kids with books, prizes, and incentives all summer long
A Free and Unforgettable Spokane Summer
Spokane proves that a great summer does not require a big budget. Between Riverfront Park, free swim days, farmers markets, hiking trails, and community events happening practically every week, there is no shortage of ways to make memories with your family this season.
Share this guide with another Spokane family planning their summer and check back for more local guides all season long.
