I was in Spokane as part of a business conference and probably would have never chosen a trip there on my own.  Not that I had anything against it, I just didn’t know anything about it.  I can tell you though that after spending a few days there, I would definitely return.  The city itself is very clean and walkable and has the most amazing riverfront park. Originally built for Worlds Fair Expo ’74, the park has a 145 foot tall pavillion frame, as well as an indoor carousel, IMAX theatre, clocktower, a gondola skyride over Spokane falls, a small amusement park for kids  and my favorite part a garbage eating goat (pure genious-his mouth sucks the garbage into an underground compactor).  Every park in every city should have a few of these.  There are also a series of trails for hiking, biking, etc. and plenty of places to sit and feed the birds or picnic.  It has a real hometown feel – not to big – and everyone was very friendly.