With most travel agents advising clients to plan for post-summer travel for good reason, staycations are more popular than ever. Fortunately, Spokane is a great place to hang out during the summer, according to WalletHub.

The Lilac City ranks a respectable 91st, according to the personal finance website. More than 180 cities are part of a list based on a number of indicators of a fun-filled yet wallet-friendly staycation.

Spokane is ranked ahead of Honolulu (113), New York (98) and San Francisco (135) since the cost of living in each of those cities is stratospheric.

Here are reasons why Spokane is in the top half of the list. Spokane ranks 33rd in running trails and hiking trails. Spokane is 60th in bike rental facilities per capita.

Business has been incredibly robust for bike shops who sell and rent. “We’re up 40 to 50% more than we were last year,” he Bike Hub’s Tom Yates said. “It’s been a record-setting year for every bike place in town. It’s exactly the opposite of what I thought would happen when the lockdown started.

“We thought we were going to be closed for a while, but we were deemed essential. The only downside is that we’ve been a bit limited with inventory because of the lack of production in Asia. But it’s been good overall, and I can’t blame people for wanting to hit the trails since there are so many in Spokane.”

A cycling enthusiast could spend the entire summer blazing new trails in a city that’s 19th in the country in the bike path category. There’s a trail for everyone.

It’s difficult to know where to begin with all of the bike trail options. Centennial Trail is a scenic, nearly 40-mile paved recreational trail free of motorized vehicles. The trail stretches from Sontag Park in Nine Mile Falls to the Washington/Idaho state line. It continues another 24 miles beyond through Post Falls and Coeur d’Alene.

Beacon Hill offers perhaps the most variety. There’s terrain for mountain bikes, cross-country paths and an area for jumps, drops and berms. Paths on Riverside State Park offer nice views and is ideal for the cyclist looking for a ride that’s not too strenuous.

The ability to hike in Spokane, which is 33rd in running trails and hiking trails and 42nd in walking trails, is the reason Out There Outdoors editor Derrick Knowles never left his native city.

“I love to hike here since there are so many options,” Knowles said.

The married father of a 5-year-old boy suggests Riverside State Park for those with young children. “There are multiple trailheads and plenty of flat trails for children,” Knowles said. “Many of the trails at Riverside State Park are accessible for any fitness level.”

Knowles gives the thumbs up to the Knothead Loop in the Little Spokane River natural area.

“There are some good elevations there,” Knowles said. “There are good climbs, and it’s a beautiful loop. You see a lot of wildlife there by the river. You can see some cool birds, some waterfowl, deer and occasionally moose.”

Knowles often frequents Liberty Lake.

“I like doing the full loop there,” Knowles said. “It’s about 7 miles. It takes you up to the waterfall, and it’s so pretty. This city has so much to offer for anyone who loves the outdoors and hiking.”

After a good workout, why not treat yourself to some high-calorie comfort food and a cold one?

According to WalletHub, the average price of a burger and pizza is 78th, and beer and wine cost is good for 62nd.

There are a number of can’t-miss burgers in town. The Ale-Oha burger ($13) at Post Street Ale House is delicious. The mix of Swiss cheese, ham, pineapple and teriyaki sauce on top of an Angus beef patty is a winner.

The massive Brunchburger ($10) at Incrediburger provides enough sustenance that you might miss lunch. Ground Angus beef, a fried egg, caramelized onions, maple syrup, applewood bacon, American cheese and French toast mayo make for a unique burger experience.

On the lighter side of the Brunchburger is the fare served at Dick’s Hamburgers. The tasty but petite burgers ($2.62) – order more than one – are the closest you’ll come to the mighty In-N-Out burger.

As far as pizza goes, it’s difficult to beat Veraci’s thin style (the large three-cheese pie is $19), which emerges from a wood-fired oven. For those enamored of artisan pizza, check out the Flying Goat. The South Hill ($16.50), with red sauce, fresh mozzarella, prosciutto, shaved pecorino and truffle oil-tossed arugula, tastes like southern Italy.

There are a number of fine breweries in town. A great place to start is Whistle Punk Brewery. Try the popular Expresso Stout ($6), milk stout aged on anvil coffee, bourbon oak staves and vanilla beans, which smells just like coffee. The Stone Sour ($6.50), a wheat beer fermented on mangoes and apricots, also is well worth the visit.

Also, check out Mountain Lakes Brewing Co. and ask for the Father MacKenzie ($7). The potent Scottish ale, which is a tip of the cap to the Beatles’ classic “Eleanor Rigby,” is refreshing.

It all ties into last, but certainly not least, the idealness of summer weather cities, which finds Spokane in 45th place.

So there you have it. You might not be able to visit Berlin, Auckland or Hong Kong, but who cares? Spokane is the place to be during the summer, especially during a pandemic.

Oh, one more thing. Spokane ranks 77th for shelter in place order. Ah, paradise!