Spokane is home to some of the Pacific Northwest's finest universities, and every year thousands of families visit to tour campuses and help their kids make one of life's biggest decisions. If you're planning a college visit trip, Manito Bungalow makes the perfect home base — centrally located, room for the whole family, and close to every campus in the area.
Gonzaga University
Gonzaga is Spokane's most nationally recognized university, famous for its basketball program but equally impressive for its academics. The beautiful campus sits along the Spokane River just north of downtown, with a mix of historic and modern buildings that create one of the most picturesque college campuses in the West.
What to See
Don't miss the Jundt Art Museum, St. Aloysius Church, the Crosby Student Center, and — of course — McCarthey Athletic Center ("The Kennel"), home of Gonzaga basketball. Walk the river trail that runs along campus for a sense of the setting.
Location: 502 E Boone Ave, Spokane, WA 99258 Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~4 miles (12 minutes) Campus Tours: gonzaga.edu/visit Enrollment: ~7,500 students Known for: Business, engineering, nursing, law, and of course — basketball
Whitworth University
Set on a stunning pine-studded campus in north Spokane, Whitworth is a private Christian university known for its strong liberal arts program and close-knit community. The campus feels like a retreat — it's peaceful, beautifully maintained, and the kind of place where you can imagine a student genuinely thriving.
Location: 300 W Hawthorne Rd, Spokane, WA 99251 Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~8 miles (18 minutes) Campus Tours: whitworth.edu/visit Enrollment: ~3,000 students Known for: Liberal arts, education, business, nursing
Eastern Washington University
Located in nearby Cheney (about 25 minutes from Spokane), EWU is a public university with a strong reputation in health sciences, education, and the arts. The campus has been expanding and modernizing, and the price point makes it an attractive option for Washington residents.
Location: 526 5th St, Cheney, WA 99004 Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~18 miles (25 minutes) Campus Tours: ewu.edu/visit Enrollment: ~12,000 students Known for: Health sciences, education, creative writing
Washington State University — Spokane Campus
WSU's Spokane campus focuses on health sciences and is located in the University District downtown. It's a growing campus with modern facilities and strong programs in nursing, pharmacy, and medicine. The main WSU campus in Pullman is about a 1.5-hour drive south if you want to see the full Cougar experience.
Location: 412 E Spokane Falls Blvd, Spokane, WA 99202 Distance from Manito Bungalow: ~3.5 miles (10 minutes) WSU Pullman (main campus): ~82 miles (1 hour 50 minutes)
Tips for Your Visit
- Schedule ahead: Most universities require advance booking for guided tours. Check websites 2–4 weeks before your trip.
- Visit multiple campuses: Spokane's compact geography makes it easy to tour 2–3 campuses in a single trip.
- Eat like a local: Take your student to Wooden City or Rüt to show them the dining scene they'd get to enjoy.
- Explore the city: Walk through Manito Park, visit downtown, catch a Zags game if the timing works. Let your student fall in love with Spokane, not just a campus.
Bring the whole family for campus visits. Book Manito Bungalow Prefer a platform? Find us on VRBO or Airbnb. — 3 bedrooms, sleeps 10, and perfectly located for touring every university in the area.