River Park Square

The unofficial hub of Spokane's downtown, River Park Square is your best bet in the area for trendy retailers, good food, and dependable department stores. RPS is also home to AMC River Park Square 20, one of the most well-appointed theaters in town.

Must see/do at River Park Square
If you don't mind heights, take the floating escalators to the third floor (elevators are available, if you prefer) and enjoy the view of the mall and of downtown on your way up. And, while it's going to be tempting to spend all your time in some of the glossy chain stores, don't forget to make time for the family-owned Bloem.Flowers.Chocolates.Paperie and locally-owned Whiz Kids.

Types of Stores at River Park Square
The mall boasts the most up-to-date collection of national retailers in the region, including Nordstrom and Macy's (which can be entered from outside, or by taking a sky bridge). The Apple Store keeps Spokane's tech-savvy happy, while clothing boutiques like Banana Republic, White House Black Market, Anderson & Emami, and Gap cater to those who like to keep their wardrobes fresh. Williams-Sonoma and the Pottery Barn, along with a number of specialty shops, round out their directory and provide plenty of options for gifts, too.

Food at River Park Square
RPS has a blend of sit-down restaurants as well as a stocked food court stashed in the corner of the third floor, next to the entrance to the AMC. Twigs Bistro & Martini Bar and Rock City Grill are local favorites, while Sushi Maru offers the experience of their sushi conveyor belt.

Parking and Public Transportation at River Park Square
One of the most reliable garages in the city is River Park Square Parking, with entrances on both the north and west sides of the mall. Be sure to bring your parking ticket inside, many stores and restaurants validate, or at the very least you can pay for parking inside and expedite your departure. The mall is also walking distance from most downtown hotels, as well as the Spokane Transit Authority Plaza, which operates over twenty bus routes.

Other places to visit near River Park Square
Directly across the street to the north is Riverfront Park, a must-see for any visitor with an inclination towards grass, sunshine (250 days of the year) and close-up river views. If you're still after more shopping once you've completed your visit to RPS, try Boo Radley's (two blocks to the east), Spokane's eclectic crown jewel of gifts, trinkets, and curiosities, and Auntie's Bookstore (three blocks to the east), an independent bookstore with something for everyone (including lovers of local literature).

Insider Tip
If you'd like peace and quiet to spread out your shopping bags and take inventory of your haul, or to enjoy a snack from the food court, try the Kress Gallery on the third floor. As long as it's not reserved for an event, you can enjoy a collection of local student art on the walls, and some decent views of downtown.

Author's bio: Dena Ogden is a freelance writer who can be found online at denaogden.com and @DenaOgden.