SPOKANE, Wash. — Memorial Day is a time where people often enjoy time outdoors, or gather with friends and family.
But the long weekend could look a bit different this year amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Spokane County moved into Phase 2 of reopening on Friday, which means some restaurants have reopened with reduced capacity
Here's what you can do in the Spokane area over Memorial Day weekend — whether Phase 2 is in place or not.
Hiking at Washington state parks
State parks have reopened in Washington state.
The following is a list of state parks in eastern Washington. For a full list of state parks reopening in Washington, click here.
- Alta Lake State Park
- Centennial Trail State Park
- Columbia Plateau Trail
- Conconully State Park
- Curlew Lake State Park
- Fields Spring State Park
- Lake Chelan State Park
- Lake Wenatchee State Park
- Lewis and Clark Trail
- Lincoln Rock State Park
- Lyons Ferry State Park
- Mount Spokane State Park
- Palouse Falls State Park
- Pearrygin Lake State Park
- Riverside State Park
- Rockport State Park
- Squilchuck State Park
- Steamboat Rock State Park
- Steptoe Battlefield State Park
- Steptoe Butte State Park
- Sun Lakes-Dry Falls State Park
- Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park
- Wenatchee Confluence State Park
State lands are also open for fishing and hunting.
Parks run by Spokane County and the City of Spokane have also remained open during the stay-home order.
Take a scenic drive
If you aren't up for a hike, hop in the car instead!
Visit Spokane compiled a list of five scenic drives that you can take in the county, including Palouse to Oakesdale and Spokane Valley to Green Bluff.
Golfing
Want to play golf over the holiday weekend? You can now do so with four people under new guidelines from Governor Jay Inslee.
The single rider cart rule is still in place, but you may now share a cart with a member of your household.
The City of Spokane offers four golf courses, while the county offers another three.
A map of courses is available on the Visit Spokane website.
Mica Moon in Liberty Lake
Mica Moon Zip Tours and Aerial Park in Liberty Lake opened on Friday.
Tours range from $49 to $139. Book in advance on the Mica Moon website to make sure you get a spot.
Raft the Spokane River
Wiley E. Waters is offering rafting trips on the Spokane River beginning Friday.
The trip starts minutes from downtown Spokane and lasts about two hours.
Your guide will navigate you through two Class III rapids “Bowl while rafting through Riverside State Park. There are swimming opportunities and wildlife along the way.
Drinks and equipment are included.
Dining out and visiting shops safely
Since Spokane County's Phase 2 reopening application is approved ahead of Memorial Day weekend, some restaurants have reopened at 50% capacity.
Shops in River Park Square are also welcoming back customers.
Camping and small gatherings of five people or less are also allowed under Phase 2.
Washington State Military Cemetery
The state Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake is unable to hold traditional Memorial Day observances this year, but it will still display wreaths donated by community groups.
Stationary flags will also be flown at half-staff until noon as customary before being raised to full-staff at high noon.
Other public events, including placement of flags at grave sites by volunteers, will not take place this year to comply with physical distancing restrictions.
The cemetery will be open Memorial Day weekend from 8 a.m. to sunset for public visitation. Cemetery visitors are asked to adhere to CDC guidelines and maintain physical distancing while visiting.
Visitors are also urged to consider visiting Saturday or Sunday to avoid possible crowds on Memorial Day. Families may continue the tradition of placing flowers and small American flags at their loved one’s grave site.