Spokane is a city that rewards curiosity. From a turn-of-the-century mansion restored down to its Tiffany glass to a hands-on science and play space buzzing with field trips, Spokane’s museums lean local, lively, and very accessible. Whether you’re planning a weekend around galleries and history or sliding in an hour between coffee and Riverfront Park, these four spots offer a clear path to a culture-rich day.
Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture (MAC) + Campbell House
Why go: The MAC is Spokane’s flagship museum for art, regional history, and culture—and the gateway to the meticulously restored Campbell House, a 1908 mansion that drops you into Spokane’s boom years. A typical visit pairs current exhibitions inside the main building with a self-guided Campbell House tour just steps away.
What you’ll see: Rotating art and history shows spotlight Inland Northwest stories alongside wider cultural touchpoints. Over at Campbell House, interpretive rooms and period furnishings set the scene for early-1900s Spokane; tours run in the afternoon and are included with admission (museum details here). The MAC notes it’s the largest cultural organization in the Inland Northwest, welcoming over 100,000 visitors annually (about page).
What people say: One visitor called the museum “very well done,” praising both the featured exhibit and smaller ones on topics like Native canoes (Tripadvisor). A Yelp user highlighted the calm galleries as “quiet and lit in a migraine-friendly way” (Yelp). Wanderlog reviewers often point to approachable staff and exhibits, with one calling the Campbell House “set up beautifully” (Wanderlog).
Good to know: The MAC lists current hours as Tuesday–Sunday, 10 am–5 pm, with extended hours the last Wednesday of each month; confirm before you go (MAC Visit page).
Pair it with: A stroll through Browne’s Addition’s leafy streets or a coffee stop nearby before your Campbell House window (self-guided afternoons).
Address: 2316 W First Ave, Spokane, WA 99201 (contact & hours)
Mobius Discovery Center
Why go: This downtown favorite blends a children’s museum with a science center—so families, school groups, and the science-curious all find something to tinker with. It’s across from Riverfront Park, which makes planning the rest of the day easy (Mobius site).
What you’ll see: Hands-on exhibits, STEAM play zones, and interactive stations designed to “spark curiosity and ignite imagination”—that’s how Mobius describes its mission (about). The Exhibits page previews popular stations and short videos created with CityCable5 and KSPS PBS.
What people say: On Tripadvisor, guests highlight “all hands-on experiences” and “AMAZING” staff who circulate to help (Tripadvisor). Yelp reviewers often note that while adults finish quickly, “the kids loved it”—a good signal to plan museum time around young explorers’ energy (Yelp). Wanderlog aggregates strong ratings across platforms as well (Wanderlog).
Good to know: Location is 331 N Post St, right by City Hall and Riverfront Park; check the Visit page for hours and event calendars. They also run field trips, classes, and occasional after-hours events (Mobius).
Pair it with: A Riverfront Park lap, the Numerica SkyRide, or lunch along the Spokane River—everything’s walkable from here.
Address: 331 N Post St, Spokane, WA 99201 (contact)
Jundt Art Museum (Gonzaga University)
Why go: Free admission, a focused footprint, and exhibitions that mix university holdings with regional and national artists. If you’re museum-hopping north of downtown or visiting campus, Jundt is an easy, worthwhile stop (official site).
What you’ll see: Collection shows (nearly 5,000 objects are noted by local tourism resources) and rotating exhibits; the museum publishes hours and closure dates on its site (hours & location; Visit Spokane).
What people say: “Admission is free… a great stop if you find yourself with a half hour,” writes one recent reviewer (Tripadvisor). Yelp lists standard hours and practical notes (parking, access) if you’re planning a quick campus visit (Yelp). Wanderlog shows strong aggregated ratings from Google and Tripadvisor (Wanderlog).
Good to know: As of the latest update, hours are Monday–Saturday 10 am–4 pm, closed Sundays and university holidays—always verify before you go (hours).
Pair it with: A coffee near campus, or a stroll to the nearby Centennial Trail.
Address: 200 E Desmet Ave, Spokane, WA 99258 (directions & parking)
Bing Crosby House Museum
Why go: A small, personal museum inside Bing Crosby’s boyhood home on Gonzaga’s campus. If you love music history—or classic Spokane lore—this one is a quick, memorable stop (official page).
What you’ll see: Over 200 artifacts from Gonzaga’s Crosby collection—photos, recordings, memorabilia—plus context about Crosby’s Spokane roots (Crosby Museum). For more background on the collection, Gonzaga’s research guide outlines highlights and scope (Crosby Collection).
What people say: Tripadvisor reviewers call it a “little nugget” with stories spanning his childhood to Hollywood, perfect for a short visit (Tripadvisor). Yelp lists the address and contact if you’re coordinating with other campus stops (Yelp).
Good to know: The house sits a few blocks from the Jundt. Visit Spokane posts current public-hours notes and a campus map link (Visit Spokane).
Pair it with: A Jundt-Crosby double feature, then lunch downtown or a walk on the river.
Address: 508 E Sharp Ave (near 502 E Boone/Desmet), Spokane, WA 99258 (details)
How to string them together (sample day)
Morning: Start at the MAC when doors open; give yourself 60–90 minutes for the main galleries and another 30–45 minutes for Campbell House. Grab coffee in Browne’s Addition.
Midday: Head downtown for Mobius if you’ve got kids—or skip ahead to Gonzaga’s campus for Jundt if you’re on an adults-only itinerary.
Afternoon: Jundt Art Museum (free, compact). Walk or drive a few blocks to Crosby House for a quick capstone.
Dinner: Back downtown along the river for a patio meal, or detour to Kendall Yards for views.
Practical details
- MAC (with Campbell House): 2316 W First Ave; see current hours and last-Wednesday late night on the Visit page. Campbell House self-guided tours are included with admission in the afternoon (Campbell House).
- Mobius Discovery Center: 331 N Post St; check Visit for hours, events, and group info.
- Jundt Art Museum: 200 E Desmet Ave; hours typically Mon–Sat 10 am–4 pm, but verify holiday closures (hours).
- Bing Crosby House Museum: 508 E Sharp Ave; check Gonzaga and Visit Spokane for current open times (Crosby page, Visit Spokane).