8 Things to See in Northwest Washington

Check out these interesting attractions in Spokane, Kettle Falls, Chewelah and other northeast Washington cities.
  1. NEIGHBORLY RELATIONS
    Land in Washington—or is it Canada?—at Avey Field in Laurier. This unique airport features a gravel runway that spans the United States and Canada border with customs offices for both nations located in the airport.
  2. CIDER COUNTRY
    In fall, the town of Marcus hosts CiderFest, a community event featuring a pancake feed, food and craft vendors and a massive portable press that turns apples into fresh cider by the bucketful.
  3. CONCRETE PLAYGROUND
    Kettle Falls’ pro-caliber skate park boasts two full-size half pipes, a 10-foot-deep bowl and a half sphere for pulling complete verticals. The official town population is 1,599, plus one acknowledged grouch—the honor is bestowed upon the winner of an annual fundraising competition.
  4. GEOLOGY ROCKS
    At the Stonerose Interpretive Center in Republic, along SR 20, ancient plants, insects and fish have been immortalized as fossils. Visitors can rent chisels and hammers on-site to dig for their own timeless treasures.
  5. TOM TURKEY
    Back on US 395, wild turkeys gobble it up in Colville starting in spring. The region has more wild turkeys than the rest of the state combined, and hunting season lasts from April 15 to May 31, with another season during the first week of October.
  6. DAM DEVELOPMENT
    Stop on the Charles Road Bridge to see spring runoff cascading through the spillway at Nine Mile Dam, just north of Spokane. The dam was completed in 1908 during the streetcar era and is now on the National Register of Historic Places.
  7. JUST BALLER
    Spokane hosts Hoopfest, the biggest three-on-three street basketball tournament in the world, the last weekend of June. More than 27,000 players dribble, drive and dunk it out on the courts, which occupy more than 40 city blocks.
  8. ALPINE ADVENTURE
    Chewelah’s 49°North Mountain Resort is known for its legendary tree skiing, with 170 acres that have been selectively thinned for glade runs. Those who prefer less harrowing terrain can appreciate the desert-dried snow and groomed, wide-open trails instead.

Learn more about northeast Washington.

—Angela Cabotaje