Plan your summer holiday to coincide with Waterpower XVI

"Near Nature. Near Perfect."

The slogan of Spokane, Washington state's second largest city, speaks directly to the outdoor amenities for which the area is so well known. Mountains...trails...lakes...and one of the largest urban waterfalls in the country provide an idyllic setting for historic architecture, fascinating museums, excellent dining, and cosmopolitan nightlife.

Waterpower XVI will be held in the Spokane Convention Center in the city's downtown area, on the banks of the Spokane River and adjacent to the 100-acre Riverfront Park. A wide range of dining, shopping, and entertainment options are within easy walking distance.
www.spokanecity.org
www.visitspokane.com

In addition, a number of other attractions are located nearby. Here are just a few suggestions for making the most of your trip to Spokane.

Washington Wine Country

The lands of eastern Washington are prime for growing grapes and the region's wine industry is growing rapidly, both in numbers and recognition.

YakimaWine Country, about one hour from Spokane, features more than 70 wineries and a range of dining and lodging options. Walla Walla Wine Country, about two hours away, offers more than 90 wineries across some 1,600 acres of vineyards, and also a number of dining and lodging facilities.
www.wallawallawinecountry.net
www.wineyakimavalley.org

National Parks

Four of America's most spectacular national parks are within a day's drive of Spokane. To the west, Mount Rainier National Park and Olympic National Park commemorate the grandeur of the volcanic Northwest. To the east, Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park are considered among America's most diverse and scenic natural destinations.
www.mount.rainier.national-park.com
www.nps.gov/olym
www.nps.gov/glac
www.nps.gov/yell

Seattle, Washington

Visit the world-famous Space Needle, built for the 1962 World's Fair...experience Pike Place Market and the Seattle Waterfront...take a ferry to one of the nearby islands...or simply indulge yourself in the cultural diversity of the largest city in the Northwest United States.
www.visitseattle.org

Vancouver, British Columbia

Already recognized as one of the world's most spectacular cities, Vancouver is now polishing itself even further in preparation for the 2010Winter Olympics. Surrounded on three sides by water and nestled in the foothills of the Coast Mountain Range, this sea-level city features a temperate climate that encourages exploration of its many cultural, historical, and natural attractions.
http://vancouver.ca