Numerica SkyRide at Riverfront Spokane

Numerica SkyRide at Riverfront Spokane is an aerial gondola attraction located at 720 W Spokane Falls Blvd in the downtown riverfront district of Spokane, Washington. Originating from the historic transformation of the urban core for the Expo ’74 World’s Fair, the cableway carries passengers inside enclosed six-person cabins on a 15-minute round-trip journey directly over the roaring Lower Spokane Falls. Positioned on the southwestern edge of the 100-acre Riverfront Park adjacent to the Numerica Skate Ribbon, the ride gives visitors a frontline aerial vantage point of the second-largest urban waterfall in the United States, historic hydroelectric dams, and the basalt river gorge.

What to Expect at Numerica SkyRide at Riverfront Spokane

Boarding takes place at the main terminal building shared with the Numerica Skate Ribbon on West Spokane Falls Boulevard. After stepping into one of the brightly painted, all-weather enclosed cabins, riders glide westward past the Art Deco facade of Spokane City Hall, which originally opened in 1929 as a Montgomery Ward department store. From the bluff, the cableway makes a gradual 200-foot vertical descent over the terraced trails and native pines of the Huntington Park Natural Area and Avista Utilities’ historic Washington Water Power Monroe Street hydroelectric generating station, the oldest operational power plant in Washington State.

At the base of the gorge, the cabins suspend passengers directly across the churning whitewater of the Spokane River in front of the lower falls, where mist rises off the volcanic basalt rock formations and frequent rainbows form on sunny afternoons. The gondola travels right beneath the towering concrete arches of the 1911 Monroe Street Bridge—famous for the sculpted bison skulls casting reliefs on its pavilion piers—before turning at the western terminal tower and ascending back toward Riverfront Park. Each cabin is equipped with sliding ventilation windows that open wide for glare-free photography, and visitors can access an optional audio narration outlining the Indigenous Spokane Tribe fishing grounds, industrial timber and rail heritage, and the ecological restoration of the river for the 1974 World’s Fair.

• 200-Foot Gorge Descent: Glide down a steep 200-foot drop from the downtown bluff over Huntington Park directly toward the river surface at the base of the Lower Spokane Falls.
• Underneath Monroe Street Bridge: Pass directly beneath the dramatic concrete deck and arches of the 1911 Monroe Street Bridge at the turnaround point of the route.
• Peak Spring Runoff Views: Visit between March and June when snowmelt from the Coeur d’Alene Mountains swells the Spokane River into a thunderous wall of water and mist.
• Open-Window Photography: All-weather enclosed cabins feature sliding side windows so photographers can capture unobstructed shots of the falls, rainbow spray, and Art Deco City Hall without glass reflection.
• Shared Terminal with Numerica Skate Ribbon: The ticket counter, waiting lobby, and SkyRibbon Cafe sit inside a modern multi-season plaza that operates as an ice skating ribbon in winter and a scooter and roller-skating loop in warmer months.

Numerica SkyRide at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

To avoid afternoon queues and experience cooler cabin temperatures during July and August, plan to board shortly after the 11:00 AM opening. Because the cabins are not air-conditioned, the City of Spokane automatically suspends SkyRide operations whenever ambient outdoor temperatures reach or exceed 90°F (32°C) or during periods of high canyon winds. Children aged 15 and under must ride with an adult. Reaching the terminal is straightforward via the Spokane Transit Authority (STA) electric City Line bus, which stops along Spokane Falls Boulevard, or by walking three blocks north from the central STA Plaza on Wall Street. Drivers can park one block south at the River Park Square garage on West Main Avenue or use paid street meters on Post Street and Spokane Falls Boulevard. Within Riverfront Park, the electric Park Connect Shuttle loops past major attractions every 20 minutes.

The terminal plaza and loading platform offer step-free access from West Spokane Falls Boulevard, and operators can slow or briefly pause the cabin line to assist travelers with limited mobility or folded strollers and wheelchairs that fit through the cabin doors. After stepping off the gondola, walk five minutes east through Riverfront Park to ride the hand-carved 1909 Looff Carrousel, climb inside the giant stainless-steel Red Wagon sculpture, or view the historic 1902 Great Northern Railway Clocktower. You can also take the paved descending footpath through Huntington Park right next to the terminal to stand beside the turbulent lower falls at river level, or cross Post Street into downtown for coffee, bookstores, and Pacific Northwest dining along Main Avenue.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time of year to ride the Numerica SkyRide?

March through June is the most dramatic season to ride because spring snowmelt from the surrounding Rocky Mountain foothills sends maximum water volume thundering over the Lower Spokane Falls. Summer and early autumn offer clear skies and golden canyon light, though visitors in July and August should arrive at 11:00 AM before afternoon temperatures approach the 90°F heat shutoff threshold.

How much do Numerica SkyRide tickets cost and are reservations required?

Tickets are moderately priced (around $12.95 for adults and $9.95 for children ages 3–12, with toddlers 2 and under admitted free) and can be purchased directly at the Numerica Skate Ribbon and SkyRide lobby counter or bundled in a Riverfront Park Value Pass. Advance reservations are not required for standard individual riders, as cabins depart continuously throughout operating hours.

How long does the Numerica SkyRide take?

The aerial gondola journey itself takes 15 minutes round-trip from the boarding station, down across the base of the falls to the Monroe Street Bridge, and back up to the bluff. Factoring in ticket purchase and loading, most travelers spend 30 to 45 minutes total at the terminal.

Is the Numerica SkyRide wheelchair accessible and suitable for families?

Yes, the terminal building has step-free ramp entrances, accessible restrooms, and attendants who slow or stop the cabins to assist passengers with mobility devices or compact strollers. It is highly popular with families, though children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult inside the cabin.

When planning your Spokane travel guide or browsing verified attractions in Spokane, pair this stop with standout local spots including Hotel Indigo Spokane Downtown, The Great Northern Clocktower, Northern Quest Resort & Casino, and Rotary Fountain (nearby).