Washington is one of the prettiest states I’ve been to, so I’m really excited to share about Spokane in the eastern part of the state. I’ve not been specifically to this area, but that’s where Laurel from Darn Good Veggies comes in. Laurel is one of my favorite food bloggers. In fact, I just made her Italian Balsamic Vegetable Soup over the weekend, and it was amazing! I asked Laurel all about Spokane, the area where she’s from, and she had so many great things to share!
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Laurel Perry and I am a Washington native! I own several businesses. I have an online food blog, a line of lemonades, and a creative agency where I create video and photo for fellow bloggers and companies. I’m married, and my husband and I have a sweet 9 month old baby boy and an Australian Shepherd.
How long have you lived in Washington?
My whole life! Minus the two years I lived in San Diego.
What do you like best about living there?
I love that I am close to family and that there are four seasons. Washington is also so incredibly beautiful, and a lot of areas are still uncrowded.
What area would you recommend people stay in? Any certain hotels?
The Davenport is my go-to. It is an old hotel in the heart of downtown Spokane. It was about to be torn down when an area investor purchased it and restored it to its former glory.
What are your favorite restaurants in the area?
Where do I start?!?! I have so many favorites:
- Zona Blanca – a fast-casual, counter-service Mexican ceviche bar
- Wild Sage – locally sourced, award-winning cuisine
- Mizuna – seasonal, locally sourced Northwest cuisine
- Luna – locally sourced, farm-to-table cuisine
- Veracci Pizza – gourmet, wood-fired pizza
- Queen of Sheeba – Ethiopian cuisine
- Indaba – coffee
Where are your favorite outdoor spots?
I love Riverside State Park (pictured below) for great hiking with beautiful river views; Manito Park for a nice stroll and beautiful gardens; and the Centennial Trail at Kendall Yards for city views.
How about if the weather is bad – what indoor places do you enjoy?
It depends on what you consider “bad.” We get a lot of snow in eastern Washington, but we tend to embrace it and go outside anyway! If you do want to stay cozy indoors, we love going to coffee shops. There are some amazing spots in the area that roast their own beans. Indaba, Vessel, and Thomas Hammer are our go-tos.
If you had visitors coming to town, what’s the first place you would take them?
Out to eat!
Let’s say you want to get out of town for the day. Where would you go for a short drive’s day trip?
There are so many amazing lakes within a short distance just over the state line in Idaho! Coeur d’Alene Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, and Priest Lake are my favorites. Palouse Falls (in Washington) is also a short drive and is a nearly 200-foot waterfall.
Thanks so much to Laurel for sharing all the best things in Spokane! It truly looks like a winter wonderland, and the food scene sounds incredible! I basically want to try every restaurant on the list, go hiking at Riverside State Park, and visit all the lakes in nearby Idado!
