Sunshine is easy to enjoy, but finding reasons to get outside can sometimes be anything but. It’s a hike just to get to the best hiking spots, and walking around the block is boring. I prefer to get outside while staying within a small radius of my air-conditioned home. These four outdoor activities offer all the zen, exercise, views and fresh air that can be expected from the middle of the woods, all while staying within five miles from downtown.
Yoga on the Bridge
Saturday mornings are for detoxing and recharging. Both can be accomplished this summer with outdoor yoga. Organized by the city, local yoga studios have come together to offer outdoor yoga classes on select Saturday mornings. Taking place on the orange bridge by the Looff Carousel, participants can detox after a long week or prepare for the weekend while overlooking the flowing river. Yoga enthusiasts of all experience levels are welcome, and the classes are free, though participants are expected to bring their own mats. July 13, 20 and 27 classes will be led by Yoga Shala, and Aug. 3, 10, 17 and 24 will be hosted by Athleta. All classes are from 9-10 am.
Disc Golf at High Bridge Park
Eighteen holes, a mini workout, a walk through the woods and a guaranteed good time: These are all found just three miles southwest from downtown at High Bridge Park. While experienced disc golfers generally play with multiple discs of varying sizes and weights, all that is really needed is any type of Frisbee. Like regular golf, disc golf is scored in the amount of strokes it takes a player to sink their disc in the chain baskets from the designated starting pads. Lowest score wins. The course has the same hours as the park, 5 am-11 pm every day.
Skate Ribbon
If you already miss ice skating, you're not completely out of luck. Trade those skates in for wheels and head back to the skate ribbon in Riverfront Park to ride in the sunshine. Open 11 am-7 pm Monday through Thursday, and 10 am-8 pm Friday-Sunday, the ribbon is open to all wheeled nonmotorized devices. Bikes, scooters, roller blades and skateboards are all welcome. Admission is free, and so are helmets that you can check out. Roller skates can be rented for $5.95 an hour, and scooters for $7.95 an hour.
Float and Wildlife Happy Hour
Join the crew of ROW Adventures for a peaceful, four-hour raft float down a 5-mile stretch of the Spokane River as you search for wildlife along the river bank. The Float and Wildlife Happy Hour trip pauses halfway along a beach for complimentary beverages, including beer, wine, soda and snacks. Bring the family, because kids as young as 5 years old can join in on this trip. Be sure to bring: sunscreen, sunglasses, a swim suit, towel, water bottle and sandals (leave the flip-flops at home!). This trip is available July 6-Sept. 1 at $89 per adult and $79 for youths. Meet at ROW Adventures, located 209 S. Washington, before traveling to the river.
The print version of this article inaccurately included a section on ROW's Paddle-n-Brew trip. That trip is no longer offered.
