Comments on: things to do between Spokane and Portland

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 04:51:50 +0000

I lived in the tri-cities (Kennewick, Richland and Pasco WA)several years ago, but I still crave the chicken cheesesteak sandwiches and Brucchis in Pasco. The best ever!!

By: pat

pat — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:03:28 +0000

Hello. There are so many things to see from Portland to Spokane. I'd come up the Washington side, after seeing Multnoma falls, take all of the blue highways and stop at them all. Stop by the Tri Cities, go to Walla Walla, stop at L'Ecole winery,buy some merlot, go to Dayton then North to Spokane and visit all of the art galleries. Don't forget Coeur de'Alene. You might come up though Goldendale and stop at the inviting wineries through the valley (that will take several days) and then continue on.

By: nazilam

nazilam — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 19:29:10 +0000

Our dog's breeder is in Goldendale and we have yet to do anything that interesting on our way there.

Great ice cream at Winegars in Ellensburg with great coffee from a roaster in Cle Elum.

I would visit Maryhill and enjoy fall in E.WA.

I'll be driving over on Saturday - going straight over to Goldendale via Winegars, the fruit stands by Toppenish and maybe Zillah.

On the way home, Chinook Pass to see a gorgeous view.

Have fun!

By: Lyndsay

Lyndsay — Tue, 25 Sep 2007 16:57:56 +0000

Hi, I also went to school in Walla Walla and there are so many things that I miss about it. I would highly recommend visiting Creektown Cafe for dinner. The menu changes often as the restaurant takes advantage of seasonal produce. They also have a wonderful selection of desserts (many pies) that are delicious. Creektown has a much more welcoming atmosphere than the other restaurants in town (whitehouse crawford, 26 brix). I second the recommendation of Grapefields for a lunch. Also, I must tell you about the wonder of Walla Walla taco trucks. This may not fit as well into a wine tour, but you should not miss them. You can only get Walla Walla tacos in Walla Walla, which consist of sweet onions, an avocado slice, melted cheese, and your choice of meat, if desired, all for $1. I also love the abanil tacos (very spicy), pambazo, and gorditas. If you are going through Pasco, there are many taco trucks there with even better meat than the Walla Walla ones and they are just off the freeway exit. The Pasco trucks also have items such as huaraches and mulitas. I would recommend La Monarcha in Walla Walla which is located off of west rose street. Also, make sure you stop at Reininger winery. I do not know that much about wine, but it is definitely my favorite place to visit and you will pass it if you drive to L'Ecole from Walla Walla. I agree with visiting Waitsberg. The brewery is wonderful. The people there are so friendly and it's about the only thing that stays open until 5 on a Sunday in the area. The Whoopemup Cafe is also great. Hope you enjoy your trip!

By: karla

karla — Mon, 24 Sep 2007 21:01:20 +0000

If you need snacks while in Spokane (road trip fortification), stop by Huckleberries up on Lincoln. And you must must go to Rocket Bakery. Go to the one downtown by the old library. Shoot, I've been away from Spokane long enough I can't remember the street name. (((from another Seattleite who grew up in Spokane)))

By: Gina

Gina — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:53:21 +0000

I'd also recommend McMenamins' Kennedy School, Yukis Sushi, Bernie's Southern Bistro and Widmer Brewery for the chicken schnitzel, just in case you don't make it over there. :)

By: Gina

Gina — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:46:06 +0000

Hi there, funny coincidence! I just got back from Portland. My last three posts are about some places I ate there, and there will be a couple more. Dunno if you'll have time to check them out, but I hope you have as much fun as I did! I'd recommend seeing Powell's City of Books downtown if you do any shopping, too.

By: Lisa

Lisa — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 20:13:46 +0000

I live in Seattle and we did a big loop from here through Yakima, tri cities, Walla Walla, Wallowa Lake, Pendleton, Hood River, Portland and home on I-5. Walla Walla is WONDERFUL. Wine: L'ecole 41, Waterbrook, Canoe Ridge. There is a great native cultural center outside Pendelton - check http://www.tamastslikt.org. Along the gorge, cross over to the WA side and stop in at Maryhill Winery - beautiful windy views & fab wines. In Hood River do breakfast at the Columbia Gorge Hotel. Between Hood River and Portland there are the waterfalls (Multnomah). I'd love to go stay at McMenamins Edgefield in Troutsdale (we couldn't stay there on our trip since we had our pooch with us) - a great old inn with lots of resturants, wine, etc.

By: Katie

Katie — Sun, 23 Sep 2007 05:13:25 +0000

I second the Maltby Cafe recommendation- the cinnamon rolls are to die for- and the size of a plate! Winery-wise, we went to Portteus several years ago- they had some pretty good reds at the time and the winemaker was great to chat with. Haven't

By: Cate

Cate — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 23:31:41 +0000

I go to school at Whitman in Walla Walla. Walla Walla is a great small town. The Ice-Berg drive-in is wonderful. Lots of milkshake options - I am a coffee-oreo fan myself. The brewery in Waitsberg is pretty nice, as is the Whoop-em-up Cafe - great Southern food. Walla Walla has some pretty tasty food options as well. Canoe Ridge has some pretty nice wine. L'Ecole 41 is great too...right on highway 12 at Lowden, about 7-10 miles west of Walla Walla.

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 15:51:28 +0000

I HIGHLY recommend the Maltby Cafe. Get the cinnamon rolls! Growing up, I knew the owner's daughter, and the owner is a great woman. She takes pride in every aspect of the cafe. Don't miss it!

By: wishcake

wishcake — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 14:31:45 +0000

Aw, Spokane. I get so unnecessarily excited whenever I see Spokane mentioned, because it's where I grew up. I'm a fan. As far as Spokane, I see someone already mentioned the Davenport Hotel, which is absolutely amazing. It's a historical hotel that was renovated within the last 10 years, and it's incredible. I love that you can to sit in the lobby and have coffee and just enjoy the ambiance. You can also walk through the rest of the hotel and peek into the ginormous ballrooms and even go on the roof (if they have it open). Also, you should check out Riverfront Park for the sights. (I see someone mentioned the Loof carousel.) You can take a gondola ride over the falls, which is incredible. And there are marmots everywhere, which always makes me laugh, because that's the only place I've ever seen a marmot. :) Enjoy your trip! I'm all antsy for a roadtrip myself...

By: zobars

zobars — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 21:52:18 +0000

I would extend an invitation to visit my house for a nice Indian meal if you like since I like your blog so much :)

By: Jenny

Jenny — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 05:12:06 +0000

Try Chicken-n-more in downtown Spokane. The fried chicken is great, but get the brisket sandwich. They make their own babecue sauce and it's amazing. I'd skip Dick's -- it's nothing special (but the fish and chips are homemade and tasty) If you need a burger, go to D.Lish's.

By: rubycakes

rubycakes — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 02:41:01 +0000

I 3rd (or is it 4th) Dayton. It's a charming little town. The Whitman Mission is also really interesting, as is seeing part of the Oregon Trail. Well, the Mission is interesting and a bit depressing, but visiting the site of a massacre is very powerful. First time my family visited, we had just finished reading Stout-Hearted Seven. One of the seven kids was adopted by the Whitmans, so my sister and I were completely enthralled.