Downtown Spokane zipline could debut this summer after years of planning

SPOKANE, Wash. — Downtown Spokane will soon offer visitors and residents a new way to experience the city from above with the completion of the “Spokane Skylines” zipline, which could open as early as mid-July.

The city announced the timeline for the attraction that has been in development for years. After a lengthy permitting process, the city partnered with zipline company Mica Moon to bring the project to fruition at Riverfront Park.

The 1,400-foot zipline will start at Place of Truths Plaza behind City Hall, take riders underneath the Monroe Street Bridge and end at Redband Park. According to Drew Stewart, CEO of Mica Moon, the attraction will hold two significant distinctions.

“The exciting thing about the zipline is the zipline will be one of the largest urban zip lines in the country, and the only zipline in the world to go through an arch of a bridge,” Stewart said.

The zipline project has generated enthusiasm among Spokane residents who have waited years for its completion.

“I am very excited about a zipline on the river. I’ve been looking forward to it for years now,” said Trevor Bradley, a Spokane resident. “I think it would be a little more fast paced. And just like nothing in between you and the waterfall in the air. And it would be beautiful.”

The zipline experience extends beyond the ride itself. Once riders reach the bottom, a shuttle service will transport them back to the starting point while offering educational opportunities about the area.

“They can do a historic park tour where we can take people up through Riverfront Park in the surrounding areas and talk about the interesting historical facts and cultural facts that kind of make Spokane such a unique and cool place,” Stewart explained.

The historic tours will highlight Spokane’s connection to the 1974 World’s Fair. Additionally, the shuttle service offers a hop-on, hop-off tour with seven stops throughout the park, both rides launched Friday.

Stewart said the zipline has been discussed within the city since 2014, making its near completion a significant milestone for the community. The attraction aims to provide visitors with multiple perspectives of Spokane’s downtown area and natural features.

Bradley believes the zipline will enhance Riverfront Park’s existing offerings while providing a more adventurous option for visitors.

“I think the park is like a wonderful place. A lot of things to do already, but like, a zipline is a little bit, like, more extreme. And, it’s just another fun thing to do. To enjoy, like the river gorge that we have cutting through our downtown,” Bradley said.