Explore our Region

Location, Location, Location.

Our area combines small-town charm and big-city life, floatable rivers and award-winning urban parks, Instagrammable nature spots and downtown markets.

Welcome to Cheney

Cheney is the type of town where children bike to school, where people say "hi" when they meet you on the street.

With a population of 10,790, Cheney is smaller than the Eastern student body. Campus is the heart of town.

Part suburb, part true college town, Cheney is home to Cheney Rodeo Days (which is amazing, by the way) and one of the state’s smartest and most talented school districts.

It’s also a town that understands the nocturnal habits of college students. You’re going to enjoy all the late-night pizza, burgers and tacos you need to fuel your study sessions.

  • The town is named after Benjamin P. Cheney, the same business leader who founded Eastern Washington University in 1882.
  • More than 40 percent of residents over age 25 have a bachelor’s degree, making Cheney one of the most educated towns in the state.
  • Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge is just six miles away. Eastern is the only school in the country with a research facility in a national wildlife refuge.
  • The Fish Lake Trail is just minutes from campus. When the weather is warm students often bike to Fish Lake for a quick dip in the lake.
  • Fish Lake Trail also connects to the Centennial Trail, which connects to even more paved cycling trails throughout Washington and Idaho.
  • Cheney is highly walkable, but if you’re not up for the walk, you can always take the bus for free.
Aerial shot of Cheney
Image: Benjamin P. Cheney
Photo: Cheney city entry sign
City of Cheney
City of Spokane
Visit Spokane

Fall in Love with Spokane

A 20-minute drive from EWU, Spokane is the second largest city in Washington.

The metro area is home to more than 600,00 people and a vibrant nightlife. We host the biggest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament on the planet and an amazing garbage-eating goat.

Spokane has everything students love: nightlife, malls, an Apple store, an international airport, movie theaters, and museums. We also have cafes, restaurants, parks, art galleries, sports teams, concerts and enough coffee for even the fiercest java hounds.

Spokane is also home to global companies, valuable internships and all the professional networks you need in order to prepare for life after graduation.

  • Spokane is the largest city between Minneapolis and Seattle.
  • Spokane has 260 days of sunshine each year. (Bring sunscreen!)
  • The city’s official nickname is The Lilac City. Civilians and military at the Air Force Base sometimes call it Spok-a-loo. Spokandy Land is our favorite nickname.
  • The region is home to 76 lakes, 33 golf courses, five major national parks, the spectacular Columbia River Gorge and Grand Coulee Dam.
  • The first Father’s Day celebration took place in Spokane.
  • The Spokane Falls, in the center of the city, is the second largest urban waterfall in the United States.
  • Every June, more than 250,000 people pack downtown for Hoopfest, the world’s largest 3-on-3 street basketball tournament. It’s a pretty big deal.
  • Every May, more than 50,000 people compete in Bloomsday, a 12K race that includes the infamous “Doomsday” hill. It’s a pretty big deal, too, and Eastern has won the team challenge every year for the last 21 years.
Photo: View of downtown Spokane from the river
Bloomsday Finishers
Photo: Spokane Japanese Garden
Photo: students on a kayak trip with EPIC Adventures

Wild Washington

Whether you’re in Cheney or Spokane, you’re just minutes from outdoor adventure.

Mountains, lakes, rivers, forests, prairies, bike trails, wildlife, waterfalls: the region is gorgeous, pristine and ready-made for your next trek.

There’s a reason Eastern’s EPIC Adventures program is one of the most popular and well-run outdoor adventure programs in the country. After all, we’re right in the middle of the country’s best adventure.

Every weekend students rock climb, ice climb, canoe, kayak, raft, cycle, mountain bike, hike, backpack, camp, swim, ski, mountaineer and more. If it’s an adventure, if it’s outdoors, you can do it near EWU.

Parks & Refuges

 Ski Areas

Landscaped Adventure

Photo: Students at Riverside State Park

Local Hotels

We can’t make hotel recommendations, but the ones listed below offer a special EWU rate if asked. For more options, head to the Visit Spokane website. Remember, ask about the EWU hotel rate!

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites (Cheney)
509.235.1100 / 800.315.2621
5 minutes from campus

Holiday Inn Express on the Rock (Spokane)
509.328.8505
30 minutes from campus

Northern Quest Resort & Casino
877.871.6772
25 minutes from campus; located in Airway Heights

Oxford Suites Downtown (Spokane)
509.353.9000 / 800.774.1877
25 minutes from campus