Miles & Memories: Your Summer Road Trip Through Spokane Valley

Skip the “Are we there yet?” soundtrack and enjoy a smarter summer escape built for both backseat and parental peace. With Spokane Valley as your central stop between Seattle and Glacier National Park, this seven-day loop trims the travel time and ups the adventure. From rollercoaster rides to timbered trails, mountainberry milkshakes to bison burgers, every mile marks a memory—without exhausting your crew or your credit card. 

ITINERARY

Seattle → North Cascades National Park → Spokane Valley → Glacier National Park → Leavenworth

DAY 1: SEATTLE TO NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK

4.5 hours | 240 miles

Hit Highway 20 for a scenic stretch toward North Cascades National Park, where your miles bring more awe than asphalt. Take a break from your stagnant seats on the Blue Lake Trail, a refreshing 4.4-mile reset surrounded by peaks and pines before continuing your cruise toward Diablo Lake Overlook’s breathtaking basin. End the evening in Winthrop, where saloon-style storefronts and riverside restaurants offer a taste of Western tradition. 

DAY 2: NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK TO SPOKANE VALLEY

4 hours | 180 miles

Eastbound, the elevation eases from rugged ridges to rolling ranchland, ultimately unveiling Spokane Valley, where family-friendly amenities await. Rent bikes to breeze along the Centennial Trail, where riverside rest stops invite impromptu picnics. At Discovery Playground, kids can climb and cool off, while parents gather under the greenery. As the sun sets, enjoy acoustic ensembles and artisanal entrées at the Spokane Valley Farmers Market or the Scale House Market.

DAY 3: SPOKANE VALLEY

15 minutes| 10 miles

Stick around Spokane Valley for a no-drive day rich in recreation. Soak up the sun with a hike at Dishman Hills or a float on the Spokane River. Venture into the Valley’s neighboring city of Spokane and roam Riverfront Park, where the classic Great Northern Clocktower and Pavilion’s peak define downtown’s skyline. Over at the Mobius Discovery Center, kids and curious adults explore science in action, featuring an earthquake simulator and other STEM activities. As the day winds down, Mirabeau Meadows Park welcomes families to a free outdoor movie for an evening of quiet connection under starry skies.

DAY 4: SILVERWOOD THEME PARK

45 minutes| 30 miles

An hour east, Silverwood Theme Park combines rollercoaster rides with water slides. Conquer coasters like Aftershock, featuring a daunting 155-foot drop, or relax along Boulder Beach’s lazy river. The Child Swap system lets parents easily rotate rides, swapping seats to skip second lines. Refuel with classic carnival fare like BBQ brisket and elephant ears before watching the sun sink westward on your scenic drive back to the Valley.

DAY 5: SPOKANE VALLEY TO GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

4.5 hours | 230 miles

Depart at dawn and carve out time in the quaint town of Coeur d’Alene—Northern Idaho’s lakeside locale. Trade the highway for Tubb’s Hill, a family-favorite 2.2-mile loop along shimmering shorelines before browsing the boutiques dotting the downtown district. Arriving in Glacier as your day turns to dusk, settle into St. Mary Village, where the park’s Junior Ranger orientation preps explorers for tomorrow’s treks. Before bedding down, explore the edges of Rising Sun Campground, where wandering wildlife and sun-striped summits preview the park’s timeless terrain. 

DAY 6: GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

Unpack and Explore!

Start strong with a hike into the heart of Glacier’s grandeur at Avalanche Lake, where still waters mirror soaring mountains. Picnic beneath the pines before coasting through the curves of Going-to-the-Sun Road. Stretch your legs at Logan Pass, scanning for goats on granite ledges and blossoms in bloom. As the sun sets, evening light lingers on Lake McDonald, delivering the day’s final frame.

DAYS 7 & 8: GLACIER TO SEATTLE VIA LEAVENWORTH

Option 1: One-Day — 10 hours | 590 miles

Option 2: Two Day — 8 hours | 460 miles + 2 hours | 130 miles

As Montana’s mountains recede in the rearview, the road ahead rolls past pastures and plains. Take a break in the lively town of Leavenworth, a Bavarian-style village boasting pretzels, parks and riverside reprieve. Named the No. 1 U.S. city to catch quality sleep, it’s an ideal option for families if the last leg feels too long. Otherwise, continue cruising for two more hours on the highway home.  

RESERVE YOUR ROOMS TODAY

This isn’t a road trip that tests your patience—it’s one that rewards your pace. A strategic stay in Spokane Valley keeps kids rested and routes realistic, maximizing memories and minimizing mayhem. The loop’s laid out—live it.