One of Spokane's best-kept secrets is its location. Within a 30-minute to 2-hour drive, you can reach stunning lakes, mountain ski resorts, dramatic waterfalls, charming small towns, and one of the Northwest's best theme parks. Manito Bungalow makes the perfect base camp for exploring it all.
Coeur d'Alene, Idaho — 45 Minutes
The crown jewel of day trips from Spokane. Coeur d'Alene sits on one of the most beautiful lakes in America, and the charming downtown is packed with shops, restaurants, and waterfront activities. Walk the world's longest floating boardwalk, take a lake cruise, hike Tubbs Hill for panoramic views, or just grab lunch at one of the lakeside restaurants and watch the boats go by.
In summer, the lake is paradise for swimming, paddleboarding, and boating. In winter, the Coeur d'Alene Resort's holiday light show is legendary.
Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~33 miles (45 minutes) Highlights: Lake Coeur d'Alene, Tubbs Hill, downtown shops, lake cruises, McEuen Park Best for: A full day — morning hike, lunch downtown, afternoon on the water
Silverwood Theme Park — 55 Minutes
The largest theme park in the American Northwest, Silverwood packs 70+ rides and attractions across 220 acres — including Boulder Beach, a full water park. It's a fantastic family day trip, especially in summer when both parks are open.
Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~50 miles (55 minutes) Season: Daily in summer; weekends through October Features: 70+ rides, Boulder Beach water park, 220 acres Website: silverwoodthemepark.com
Green Bluff — 20 Minutes
A collection of family farms just north of Spokane, Green Bluff is a seasonal treasure. In fall, it transforms into a festival of apple picking, corn mazes, pumpkin patches, and cider tasting. In summer, pick your own berries. Year-round, you'll find wineries and Big Barn Brewing Company, a farm-to-bottle brewery growing its own hops and grains on site.
Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~16 miles (20 minutes) Best in: Fall (September–October) for festivals; summer for berry picking Features: U-pick farms, wineries, breweries, corn mazes, holiday Christmas tree cutting
Palouse Falls — 2 Hours
Washington's official state waterfall is worth the drive. Palouse Falls drops 200 feet into a dramatic basalt canyon, and the viewing area puts you right above the action. It's especially impressive in spring when snowmelt increases the flow. Pack a lunch and make a half-day of it.
Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~102 miles (2 hours) Best in: Spring (March–May) for peak water flow Features: 200-foot waterfall, hiking, photography, camping available
Schweitzer Mountain Resort — 1.5 Hours
For a bigger ski mountain experience than Mt. Spokane, Schweitzer Mountain near Sandpoint, Idaho offers stunning terrain with views of Lake Pend Oreille. The drive is scenic and straightforward — no mountain passes to cross from Spokane.
Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~83 miles (1.5 hours) Features: 2,900+ acres of skiable terrain, village lodging, lake views Website: schweitzer.com
Moscow & Pullman — 1 Hour 50 Minutes
Home to Washington State University (Pullman) and the University of Idaho (Moscow), these college towns offer a different vibe. Great for campus visits, the rolling Palouse hills are stunningly beautiful (especially at golden hour), and the small-town college atmosphere is charming.
Your Home Base
Every one of these day trips starts and ends at Manito Bungalow. Come back to a real home after a day of adventure — cook dinner in the full kitchen, throw your gear in the washer, and relax on the porch while planning tomorrow's trip.
Explore the Inland Northwest from the South Hill. Book Manito Bungalow. Prefer a platform? Find us on VRBO or Airbnb.