Restaurants

For espresso and muffins downtown, I always stop in at Rocket Bakery, 1325 W. First Ave. (tel. 509/747-1834; www.rocketspokane.com). Over by the Northwest Museum of Arts & Culture, the place for espresso is Cabin Coffee, 141 S. Cannon St. (tel. 509/747-3088), just a few blocks from the museum. Mary Lou's Milk Bottle, 802 W. Garland Ave. (tel. 509/325-1772), a few miles north of downtown, is a unique Spokane landmark. It's an old-time ice-cream parlor fronted by a three-story cement milk bottle. For the best breakfast in town, catch the train at Frank's Diner, 1516 W. Second Ave. (tel. 509/747-8798; www.franksdiners.com). Actually, your gorgeously appointed 1906 railway car won't be leaving the station, but you can pretend.

And now for something completely different: At the E.J. Roberts' Mansion, 1923 W. First Ave. (tel. 866/456-8839 or 509/456-8839; www.ejrobertsmansion.com), a beautifully restored mansion in the Browne's Addition neighborhood, you can indulge in high tea ($25). In keeping with the home's historic character, servers even dress in 19th-century attire.