Art Chowder November | December 2016, Issue 6 | Page 59

7. FREE Davenport Hotel Displays
Christmas tree Display & Gingerbread House Display
at the Grand Hotel. The tree lighting at the Historic
Davenport Hotel usually takes place on December 1st
and the lights will be on display from Dec 1-12. Following this, the Gingerbread Houses are on display
at the Davenport Grand Hotel from Dec 13-25. Both
displays are free to the public and give you a great
excuse to look around these beautiful hotel lobbies.

8. FREE Riverside State Park Winter
Wonderland
Enter the Bowl and Pitcher area of Riverside State
Park for this family-friendly event complete with a
visit from Santa Claus, hay rides, and an illuminated
swinging bridge. They have lights all over the campgrounds as well as campfires with hot chocolate and
cookies for sale. This event occurs over one weekend
so check their website for 2016 dates. This event
only costs $5 per person and children under 3 are
free. They do not require you to have a discover pass
to attend.
Riverside State Park – Spokane
Bowl and Pitcher area
4427 North Aubrey L. White Parkway

Honorable mention:
Coeur d’Alene Christmas
Light (Santa) Cruise
This is my favorite Holiday Tradition, but I didn’t
feel it was fair to include in the above list as you
do have to pay around $10-$20 per ticket. Let me
just say, it is totally worth it. Climb aboard one of
the Coeur d’Alene boats and cruise around the
lake to see the largest on-the-water Christmas display in America. The cruises run from Thanksgiving through New Year’s. Visit Santa’s workshop and
see the light in your child’s eyes when Santa knows
their name. With over 1.5 million lights and a fireworks show as the finale, your kids are sure to be
amazed. Tickets are around $20/adult and $10/
kid, depending on your boat selection. The boats
have indoor seating so you can stay warm, as well
as a bar with hot chocolate, drinks, and snacks.
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