The original Davenport Hotel, just across the street, was named "Most Excellent Hotel" finalist by Condé Nast. We visited its magnificent foyer, complete with huge fireplace, for morning coffee and contemplated its gilt, elegant murals and balconies. Amid the wall decorations an artist left a secret message for his lover. We found it with help from Tom McArthur, the hotel’s communications director, who didn’t think any of the many questions I asked were too silly.
  Where do famous people stay? He showed us the suite that Cher had bedded down in. Very posh indeed…I think it had larger square footage than most houses.
  Are there any ghosts? That’s my next favourite question and yes there are, but they are friendly…and a little sad … but friendly.  
  Within a few blocks of the Davenport are five theatres. The Fox, built in 1931, has recently been completely restored to its former glory while being thoroughly modernized.  There is a long list of stars that have performed here. In 1935 an unknown Frank Sinatra performed in the group The Hoboken Four and got arrested following an altercation with the stage manager. In 1937 Bing Crosby, a Spokane native, tried out in a talent show and in 1938 contralto Marian Anderson, the first African-American Metropolitan opera star sang. The success of the restoration – all blues and greens and ocean motifs -- won the Outstanding Achievement in Historic Preservation Award – even the loos are lovely.
  There is also the Big Easy, Spokane’s premier venue for touring rock groups. The Bing Crosby Theatre has permanent displays of photos, movie posters and other memorabilia connected with Crosby’s career. Center Stage is a dinner theatre on the second floor of the restored Oddfellows Hall. We totally enjoyed a matinee of Talking With, in which four actors and a cat took the roles of nine women speaking about their lives as rodeo riders, baton twirlers and housewives. Hubby Jim had his misgivings, but he found it was very much better than it sounds. His favourite was the method-acting cat -- a real scene stealer.
      When it comes to eating, we think we found the best place to go -- the Steam Plant. The setting is the former steam generating factory that once provided heat for the entire downtown. Before dining you can look up into one of the two chimneys that swirl to the heavens above. You can have lunch inside a huge boiler or eat among an artistic tangle of pipes and gauges. The menu is diverse and meals are priced between $10 and $20. Clinkerdagger, set inside an historic flour mill, provides an excellent eating alternative.

Lian Couper