We Heart Spokane
As Zags, we consider ourselves lucky that Father Joseph Cataldo decided to establish a school here in 1887. The people, the activities and events, the landscape—we love it all.
Spokane (pronounced "Spoh-CAN") sits on the east side of Washington state, along the beautiful Spokane River. The river runs along Gonzaga's campus and through the city, where Spokane Falls crests in the heart of downtown. The falls are a must-see, especially in the spring when runoff from the nearby mountains swells the river and puts the beauty and power of the falls on full display.
Big City Benefits, Small City Friendliness
As the largest metropolitan area between Seattle and Minneapolis (208,000 residents in the city and 688,000 people in the metropolitan area), Spokane is the financial, cultural and retail center of the Inland Northwest. Anchored by a revitalized and vibrant urban downtown core, Spokane provides excellent internships and work opportunities for our students. The city is home to premier dining and shopping, arts and entertainment, popular regional events, sports teams, historical landmarks and so much more. And it's all just a short walk from Gonzaga's campus.
On the Doorstep of the Great Outdoors
Our bustling city is surrounded by natural beauty: parks, pine tree forests, mountains, lakes and rivers. The region's scenic setting offers unlimited opportunities for enjoying the Northwest’s great outdoors. And because we're east of the Cascade Mountains, the weather in Spokane is much drier and sunnier than that of our soggy neighbors to the west (we're looking at you, Seattle).
Spokane's climate consists of four distinct seasons:
- A colorful, crisp fall, perfect for a visit to Green Bluff to pick pumpkins (don't forget a pumpkin spice latte for the trip)
- Cold, snowy winter, where skiing, snowboarding or snowshoeing at the nearby mountains are favorite weekend activities (or, if you prefer, a hot chocolate in front of the fire at the lodge)
- A springtime full of cherry blossoms, lilac blooms, and more that paint the city in a palette of bright colors
- Warm, dry summers where splashing in the regions countless lakes or the city's many (free) pools is the order of many a day.
No matter when you're here, you'll find a good reason to get outside.
What Others Are Saying
We're not the only ones who think this city is pretty great: Spokane was recently named a "City on the Rise" by National Geographic Traveler Magazine, for its "unconventional metrics that we think produce happiness: green spaces, coffee shops, breweries, music venues, Instagrammable moments and puppies." (Who doesn't love puppies?).
Or, as Spokesman Review editor Rob Curley is fond of saying, "Nothing makes sense here. But I love it!"
