JCLC 2026
Field Trips
Don't miss your chance to explore everything Spokane has to offer—spots are limited, so reserve your place today!
Explore Spokane
Step away from the podium and into the heart of the Inland Northwest wiht one of our field trips!Whether you’re a history buff, a nature lover, or a fan of local lore, we have a field trip designed just for you.
Add the excursion of your choice before checking out at registration.
Northwest Museum Tour
October 7, 2026 | 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost: $30
Limited to 32 attendees
Join us for a special guided tour of the Northwest Museum of Arts and Culture (MAC), the Inland Northwest’s largest cultural organization that holds the world’s largest collection of Plateau Indian art and artifacts, and maintains more than one million objects—including fine art, material culture, documents, and photographs from the Americas, Europe, and Asia. The tour highlights the MAC’s interpretive strategies, community partnerships, and approaches to presenting regional history, Plateau Tribal cultures, and contemporary art. A museum educator will lead attendees through rotating exhibitions and permanent installations such as the Inland Northwest History Gallery, the American Indian Gallery featuring Plateau cultural materials, and selections from the Campbell House collections that illuminate early Spokane life.
Please plan on arriving at the museum no later than 11:45am. The number 1 bus takes about 15 minutes and costs $2. For those of you that enjoy walking, it’s about a mile and half from the Davenport Grand Hotel.
The Cold Millions: A Literary/Historical Tour of Spokane
October 7, 2026 | 3:00pm to 4:00pm
Cost: $25
Limited to 32 attendees
Join us on a walking tour like no other! Jess Walter’s historical novel The Cold Millions, set in the tumult of Spokane’s 1909 Free Speech Fight, will serve as our inspiration as we walk in the footsteps of union organizers, strike breakers and vaudeville performers while exploring downtown landmarks. Learn about the rough frontier town of saloons and brothels, capitalists and private detectives through the lens of this 2021 Washington State Book Award winner. The tour will conclude at the Spokane SkyRide which is included in the purchase of this tour. We will meet in The Davenport Grand Lobby for this approximately 1-hour tour.
Educational Downtown Tour Ending at Skewers Restaurant
Cost: $75
Limited to 20 attendees
This guided walking tour begins at the North Entrance of Riverfront Park and explores downtown Spokane through its layered past. With a thoughtful emphasis on Indigenous history, guests will learn about the Spokane Tribe, their deep connection to the river and falls, and how that legacy continues today.
The tour also covers early pioneer Spokane and the city’s transformation during the 1974 World’s Fair, with stops at several iconic and historic landmarks, including views of the Spokane Falls.
The guided walking portion of the experience is approximately 90 minutes, concluding at Skewers, a new Armenian restaurant owned by Mirak Kazanjian. Participants will have the opportunity to enjoy lunch at this highly rated spot which is included in the ticket price.
Manito Park Educational Walking Tour
Cost: $30
Limited to 15 attendees
This estimated 90-minute guided walking tour of Manito Park covers just under two miles at a relaxed pace and explores the history and design of one of Spokane’s most beloved green spaces. With an educational focus, guests will learn how early city planners used parks and streetcars to shape Spokane’s neighborhoods, hear the rise-and-fall story of Manito’s former zoo, and uncover the origins of Spokane’s nickname, “The Lilac City.”
The tour includes visits to several of Manito Park’s most notable features, including the Nishinomiya Tsutakawa Japanese Garden, the award-winning Rose Garden, the historic Gaiser Conservatory, and the formal Duncan Garden. Access to gated gardens and the conservatory is subject to their hours of operation.
Please plan on arriving at the park 10 minutes prior to the start time. The number 4 bus takes about 15 minutes and costs $2.
Spokane After Dark: History & Mystery
Cost: $50
Limited to 20 attendees
This estimated 90-minute guided walking tour begins at the Historic Davenport Hotel and explores Spokane’s darker and lesser-known history.
The tour shares stories of tragic events, unsolved mysteries, rumored hauntings, and local lore — some dating back more than a century and others from more recent decades. Each stop is grounded in the history of the people, places, and events that shaped downtown Spokane.
We will meet in The Davenport Grand Lobby 15 minutes before the tour start time.
Disclaimer and Release of Liability for Guided Tour Participation
The Joint Council of Librarians of Color (JCLC) acts only as the organizing entity for this guided tour and does not assume responsibility for the content, commentary, or actions of the independent tour guide or any third-party presenters involved in the tour. The views and information presented during the tour are solely those of the guide and do not necessarily reflect the official position or endorsement of JCLC.
Your participation in this guided tour is entirely voluntary. By choosing to participate, you acknowledge and agree that you do so at your own discretion and risk. JCLC, its staff, board members, and affiliates are not liable for any injury, loss, damage, or inconvenience sustained by any participant as a result of, or in connection with, participation in the tour, including but not limited to, actions taken or information presented by the tour guide.
Participants are expected to exercise their own judgment regarding the suitability of the tour content and the physical demands of the tour route. If at any point you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you are free to withdraw from the tour immediately.