MOUNT SPOKANE – Only 15 miles from A Sanctuary is Mount Spokane State Park. It is a 13,919-acre camping park in the Selkirk Mountains. The view at the top of the 5,883-foot elevation includes surrounding states and Canada. The forested park features stands of old-growth timber and granite rock outcroppings. The park features 25 kilometers of beautifully groomed Nordic ski trails that are multi-use in the spring, summer and fall and for cross-country skiing when there is snow. The park has extensive ski areas and groomed trails for snowmobiling. Alpine night-skiing is permissible on all trails, though the Nordic trails are unlit. There are five chair lifts and a 2,000-foot skiing hill. Groomed snowmobile trails are open until 10 p.m. Since our place is so close, this is a great winter destination to make your base camp. The mountain run begins at 5880 feet with a skiable vertical rise of 2000 feet featuring night skiing, 4 double chairs, 1 beginner lift, 30 trails, a restaurant, daycare, as well as extensive ski programs.
Let us know in advance and we can arrange a ski package
After breakfast, you'll have plenty of prospects for exploring and shopping from which to select only minutes away. We are located at the gateway to Green Bluff Orchards and Mount Spokane State Park. Mountain sports include seasonal activities such as: hiking, biking, hunting, horseback riding, backpacking, sledding, cross-country and downhill skiing, and snowboarding.
In only 15 minutes you can be in downtown Spokane. There you can enjoy adventures such as the Hoop Fest, the Bloomsday Race, Riverfront Park activities, and countless other leisure interests. There are amazing enticements to visit this part of the northwest…spring blossoms, summer sun, autumn colors, and winter snow – because it is a distinct four-season destination.
After a busy day of activities come back to A Sanctuary in the afternoon to relax and perhaps enjoy a piano concert presented by your hostess who just happens to be a professional musician. You can choose to continue your outside entertainment (weather permitting) by playing horseshoes, croquette, Bocce ball, or shoot some hoops on our basketball court. If it isn't too cold you can end the day with a bonfire. There is always the choice of taking a respite on the deck while breathing in the beauty of the hushed, spectacular tranquil views. There are a plethora of wild birds such as hawks, eagles, and finches during different seasons. On clear nights you can see a star studded night sky that is unhampered by city lights and many who stay here find star gazing a favorite delight.
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FEATURED UPCOMING ACTIVITES
December - April – Ski slopes at Mt. Spokane and 49 degrees open.
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UNIVERSITY VISITATIONS: Each year parents and their prospective students visit college campus settings in order to select just the right placement for them. Two of the prestigious colleges close to our establishment are Gonzaga University and Whitworth University. Within 40 minutes is Eastern Washington University in Cheney. A Sanctuary is close to all the campuses and specials will be run during these events.
THE CITY OF SPOKANE – The proximity of 15 minutes to Spokane gives wonderful opportunities for myriad entertainment venues. If you desire we can arrange for tickets to any of these offerings if notified in advance of your stay. PROFESSIONAL ATHLETIC TEAMS: Arena Football – The Shock; Hockey- the Chiefs; Baseball- The Spokane Indians and the Spokane River Hawks.
LIVE THEATRE: The Knitting Factory Concert House (NW’s premier concert house and night club featuring top national performers) ‘blue Door Theatre (Improve comedy) Interplayers (Dynamic and innovative pro Theater showcasing regional talent), Spokane Opera House (2,700 seat venue for music, drama and entertainment productions – touring Broadway Productions), Bing Crosby Theatre (elegantly restored Neo-Classical theater featuring concerts, music and more), Spokane Civic Theatre (National award-winning local performance theatre featuring 3 separate stages) The Fox (variety).
LOCAL DINING: CI Shenanigans(On Riverwalk, premier steaks, seafood & chops since 1980) Clinkerdaggers (a landmark restaurant right on the banks of the Spokane River) Anthony’s Homeport (Fresh Northwest seafood, spectacular views of Spokane River falls) Aqua Asian Bistro (cool blue interior serving up seafood, steaks & sushi, Hawaiian style, Martini lounge, sushi bar) Frank’s Diner (Restored 1906 Presidential railroad cars famous for a delicious breakfast at two locations – (one downtown, and one at North Point which is only 10 minutes from our B&B) Spencer’s (Succulent steaks, delicious chops, mouth watering desserts located in the Doubletree Hotel) The Brews Brothers (cozy little coffee shop) The Service Station (a hip coffee house with live music and light fare).
GALLERIES: The Artist’s Tree (bohemian ambiance) Artisans’ Wares (Contemporary craft by national and regional artists), Pottery Place Plus (Cooperative of potters and craftspeople) Tinman Artworks (regional artists) Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture.
MUSEUMS: Northwest museum of Arts and Culture, Jundt Art Museum (traveling shows portrayed in three interior galleries and Gonzaga’s permanent collection), Mobius Kids (hands-on exhibit children’s museum)
MOVIE THEATERS: IMAX Theater, Garland Theatre, AMC 20 Movie Theaters, and the closest is the Village Center Cinema at Wandemere (only 10 minutes away)
ENTERTAINMENT FACILITES: Local Wineries, Fast-kart Indoor Speedway (1,000 feet of track, hairpin corners, 35MPH straight ways), Laser Quest(laser tag with a high tech twist), Wild Walls (Challenging indoor rock climbing gym); several local pools and water parks; and Wonderland (miniature golf, rides, games).
RIVERFRONT PARK This is the best loved park in the heart of downtown Spokane of 100 acres, where people of all ages take stroll, listen to concerts, enjoy picnics, gather for events and watch the city light up at dusk. It has spectacular views of river falls and rock channels; there is an IMAX Theater; Gondola rides over the falls; a National Historic Carousel built in 1909, and in the winter there is outdoor ice skating. The park is located one block from River Park Square Mall, and multiple small shops and restaurants.
GOLF: There are several high quality seasonal golf courses to enjoy in the area: Downriver, Esmeralda, Indian Canyon, MeadowWood, Trailhead, and public courses in Spokane.
The Spokane River Centennial Trail: This is one of Spokane’s best places to enjoy a respite too! People can enjoy a paved trail that stretches from the Idaho border 37 miles downstream to Nine Mile Falls. You can walk, run, bike, skate, take a ride horse back in designated areas, or simply sit and enjoy the natural beauty of the river. Launch a canoe or kayak a little whitewater. The Spokane River cascading through the heart of downtown Spokane is the city's most unique asset. Sitting on the deck at Anthony's Restaurant is our favorite spot in the summer while viewing the Spokane River as it rushes by.
MAJOR EVENTS IN THE AREA ACCORDING TO MONTHS......
May- Flower Festival - This is the spring start up of the activities at Green Bluff, and at Spokane. Appreciate the beautiful flowers and plants. The festival lasts over two weekends. The trees are blooming and it is an exciting occasion to come out to the country. In the city there is the famous Bloomsday Run and the Lilac Festival parade. June – Strawberry Festival - Enjoy the time to pick a bounty of delicious strawberries. There are two weekends where the strawberries are in their prime and there are accompanying celebrations. Participating in the Iron man race in Coeur d’ Lene is another activity to take in, and downtown Spokane is the Hoopfest. July – Cherry Festival - There are tons of ripe cherries available for u-pick or ready picked; music and craft shows; Cherry Trot at Green Bluff – The extravaganza for the Fourth of July at Riverfront Park is AMAZING! Craft Booths, Food Vendors, and live music! August – Peach Festival - Celebrate one of Green Bluff's great treasures - big, juicy, tree-ripened peaches! There is yummy peach ice-cream, cobbler, cakes, or pies. No matter how you slice them, these peaches are delectable. Add lots of other great food, live music, and family entertainment each weekend!. September – Apple Festival - This is held at the Bluff over four weekends. Enjoy a large variety of the best cooking apples, fresh pressed cider, and other marvelous local produce. There is live music, a great variety of places to eat, craft booths, and petting zoos for kids. October - Pumpkin Festival – this is celebrated at all the orchards through corn mazes, hayrides, dances and much more...PUMPKINS BEING SHOT FROM CANONS! The apple festival continues, but the bounty has changed to other varieties. This is also the beginning of hunting season, and winter sports start up as well. November – Fall activities and the Christmas Tree Farms open for business. You can partake in our own Thanksgiving dinner in a family setting, or attend the Green Bluff Community Thanksgiving Dinner. December – "First Night" Spokane's all city party on December 31. December - April – Ski slopes at Mt. Spokane and 49 degrees open.
From May through November Green Bluff provides myriad choices such as: shopping at any of thirty plus farms and stores that specialize in llamas, to licorice, to lavender. There are strawberry fields, apple and cherry orchards, and even pumpkins being shot out of canons during October Fest. All of this is situated within close proximity of our haven.