Spokane has no time to envy nearby Seattle’s meteoric rise—it’s far too busy with its own accelerating restaurant scene (#73), growing population and potential Tech Hub designation. Yes, Lilac City is blooming, reaping the rewards of the work-from-home movement that opened this Washington jewel to a world of new talent, immediately enchanted by a city where opportunity and the 36th-best healthcare arrives alongside a dazzling walkable riverfront (the city is #45 for Walkability) and a wealth of craft breweries. Visitors like that equation, too. Spokane’s tourism numbers continue to ascend, and the city will continue to welcome new hotel after new hotel—most recently new Cambria and SpringHill offerings around its #80-ranked airport. A diverse range of industries thrive here, from manufacturing and aerospace to energy and forestry, and Washington State University’s Business Incubator stokes a start-up culture that spans biotech to AI. Spokane’s grid is bisected—and enriched—by its namesake river, weaving the wilderness into each and every day. Its long-time motto, “Near Nature, Near Perfect” plays out on every commute, bike ride (the city ranks #40 for Biking) and restaurant crawl. There are many new ones to crawl, by the way.