North Idaho Attractions

See the Sights: Tours, Scenery, Etc.

Get Above it All

Get a bird's-eye view of North Idaho on a high-flying tour. Brooks Seaplane Service on Lake Coeur d'Alene has scenic flights over North Idaho waterways. Helicopter excursions and private charters are also available. For the more adventuresome, Coeur d'Alene Parasail (765-5367, Independence Point on Lake Coeur d'Alene) and Wind Walker Parasails (263-2136, Sandpoint Marina on Lake Pend Oreille) offer a unique view.

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Walk the Boardwalk

The Boardwalk at The Coeur d'Alene Resort rims the hotel's 372-slip marina and at 12 feet wide and 3,300 feet long, it is recognized as the world's longest floating boardwalk. It was constructed in 1986 using 1,600 float logs (each 32 feet long), 28,000 pounds of spikes, 16,000 lag screws and 8,000 pounds of bolts to complete. The boardwalk and marina are anchored by 150 tons of concrete and a series of strategically placed pilings. The boardwalk is the ideal place to view the 4th of July fireworks or the Fantasy in Lights Thanksgiving weekend kickoff to the holiday season. Rest your feet on a boardwalk bench or view watercraft of all sizes which are moored at the marina. Open daily to the public.

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Cruise or Live Aboard

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International Selkirk Loop

Named the "West's Best New Scenic Drive" by Sunset Magazine, the International Selkirk Loop is a 280-mile scenic drive traversing through Northern Idaho, Eastern Washington and Southern British Columbia.

Starting in Sandpoint, Idaho the route goes through dozens of charming rural towns. Experience small town friendliness, attractions at a relaxed pace with no crowds.

You'll travel through classic glacial valleys, along 100-mile long lakes surrounded by 7,000 foot peaks. The region is home for endangered species such as the woodland caribou and grizzly bear as well as the white sturgeon in the Kootenai River. Deer, elk and moose are prevalent.

Activities along the route include 17 top notch golf courses, 4 ski resorts, world-class fishing, 2 National Wildlife Refuges and one Canadian wildlife management area. There are hiking trails throughout the surrounding Panhandle National Forest and Colville National Forest as well as hundreds of miles of groomed snowmobile trails. In BC, the route goes by 5 Provincial Parks. There is plenty of RV and tent camping.

Other attractions along this route are the worlds longest free ferry ride (45 min), a brewery tour, a gold mine tour, hot springs, a mining ghost town, a historical Russian village tour, award winning museums, a house made of glass embalming bottles tour, nationally recognized small arts communities with world class shopping and rails to trail cycling paths.

For longer stays there are 5 Super Side Trip Loops that depart from the main route returning back to the main section, varying in length from 50 miles to 110 miles. All roadways are two-lane paved with pull-outs and periodic passing lanes.  For more info 1(888)823-2626.

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Take a Dam Tour

Built on the Spokane River in 1906 by The Washington Water Power Company (now Avista Utilities) the Post Falls Dam initially supplied power to six mining companies in Wallace via a 100-mile, 60,000 volt transmission line. The dam also controls the water flow of Lake Coeur d'Alene and can raise or lower the lake level by 12 feet. The dam is accessible from Exit 5 or 6 off Interstate 90, then south on Spokane Street.

Albeni Falls (all-ban-e) located near Priest River, produces 200 kilowatt hours of energy annually. Construction on it began in 1951 and completed in 1955. A short hike on a paved trail and a vista on Hwy 2 allow for viewing. For information on a powerhouse tour and visitor center hours of operation call 437-3133.

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Ride the Gondola

Take your vacation (or visitors) to new heights aboard the Silver Mountain Gondola. Stretching 3.1 miles and rising 3,400 vertical feet, the gondola transports passengers in 16 minutes from the base village in Kellogg to the Mountain Haus. During the summer, riders can enjoy mountaintop dining, hiking, mountain bike riding and outdoor concerts. Skiing, snowboarding, tubing and fun weekly events highlight the winter months. 1-800-204-6428 or silvermt.com

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Go Underground

Sierra Silver Mine Tours, located in Historic Wallace takes you on a 1,000 foot guided walking tour through an actual depleted silver mine. Led by an experienced miner, you will learn the historical and modern-day techniques used to mine. In a little over an hour, you can experience this unique and safe, one-of-a-kind adventure. Mine temperature stays at 48° so bring a light jacket. A guided trolley tour of Historic Wallace is included. 752-5151.

Be Amused!

Silverwood Theme Park is a town unto itself with over 65 rides and attractions including theater shows, live entertainment, a country carnival, midway arcade, thrill-seeking amusement rides and a spectacular water park. Be sure to ride the narrow gauge steam train and two of the largest wooden roller coasters in the west. Tempt fate on the hair raising, 55 mph TimberTerror. Then, if you dare, climb aboard Tremors. Plummet 103 feet into the first of four underground tunnels, then burst through the floor and roof of the gift shop. Don't miss Panic Plunge... an adrenaline rush is guaranteed as you speed towards the ground at 47 mph. The newest, tallest and fastest roller coaster, Aftershock, will open in July 2008. Located 15 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene on US Highway 95. 683-3400 or silverwoodthemepark.com.

Triple Play Family Fun Park is open for year ‘round adventure. Featuring bowling, miniature golf, go-carts, bumper boats, laser tag, a climbing wall, arcade, indoor water park and more, you're sure to find something that everyone in the family will enjoy. Just a few minutes north of Coeur d'Alene on US Highway 95 at Orchard in Hayden. 762-7529, 3play.com

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Fairly Good Fun

The Kootenai County Fairgrounds (corner of Government & Kathleen in Coeur d'Alene) plays host to many events all year including the North Idaho Fair & Rodeo held the last week of August. Complete with an Open Horse Show, animal and home arts exhibits, entertainment, demolition derby, PRCA Rodeo and a carnival, the fair is fun for the entire family. Not to be missed are North Idaho Fair favorites - Idaho Beer Balls!

Also held mid to late August are the Bonner County Fair (located off Hwy 95 north of Sandpoint) co.bonner.id.us/fairgrounds, Benewah County Fair in St. Maries benewahcountyfair.com and the Boundary County Fair in Bonners Ferry (located south of the Kootenai River off Hwy 95) boundarycountyid.org/fair

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Get WET

Head for Wild Waters man-made mountain of fun, offering a variety of refreshing activities including water slides, heated pools, a game arcade and picnic area, with brand new Sunnyside Lazy River, the largest and longest anywhere, even featuring a float up bar. Wild Waters has special events, concerts and promotions all summer long! A great place for kids of all ages. Located at 2119 N. Government Way in Coeur d'Alene near 1-90 and US 95. 667-6491.

Cool off at Silverwood's Boulder Beach Water Park. Float the 1,000 ft. long Elkhorn Creek. Enjoy Avalanche Mountain Family Raft Ride, Boulder Beach Bay (two wave pools) or Rumble Falls with 4 exciting slides. Not for the faint of heart is Velocity Peak, a high-speed 62 ft., pitch dark, vertical drop water slide! For little ones, there's Polliwog Park and Toddler Springs Kid's area. Cabana Island is the perfect headquarters for a day of fun in the sun. 683-3400.

Silver Mountain Resort in Kellogg opened the Silver Rapids Indoor Water Park just in time for summer. The park includes Gold Rush and Prospector Plunge tube slides, North Fork lazy river and Moose Sluice family raft slide. For the younger set, Cub Cove and Pollywog Pond are just right. Don't miss the ultimate in aquatic attractions - a FlowRider Surf Wave! www.silvermt.com.

Raptor Reef indoor water park is part of the Triple Play and Holiday Inn complex on US Hwy 95 in Hayden with year ‘round family water fun. Featuring three water slides, a wave pool, children's lagoon and hot tubs, the youngest and oldest members of the family will find just what they're looking for when they want to get wet. 762-7529, www.3play.com

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Arts & Culture

Plan to Pow Wow

Every July, the Coeur d'Alene Tribe hosts the largest outdoor Pow Wow in the Northwest. Complete with Indian Horse Parade, art auction and all of the pageantry of Native American Dance. Call (800) 523-2464.  www.cdacasino.com

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Art Fairs

If you are here in August, don't miss Coeur d'Alene's Art on the Green, a three-day celebration of the arts on the North Idaho College campus, complete with hundreds of booths, children's hands-on art projects, famous ears of corn and clothes line art collections by local artists. At the same time, Taste of Coeur d'Alenes in the city park has food vendors and crafts people, and includes a downtown street fair in Coeur d'Alene which all make for a full, exciting weekend. Also in August is the annual POAC Arts & Crafts Fair in Sandpoint City Park. A weekend of art, music and dance. For more information, call (208) 263-6139. The 3rd weekend in July is the St. Maries smART Festival and St. Joe Valley Car Club Show and Shine Car Show at Cherry Bend Boaters Park and the St. Maries City Park. A wonderful weekend of arts, crafts, food, music and fun.

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Visit a Gallery

North Idaho is a haven for the arts. With over 40 art dealers, galleries and consultants to choose from, you're sure to find a piece of art that suits your style. At the Plaza Shoppes in downtown Coeur d'Alene, visit the Thomas Kincade Gallery and across the street, on the corner of Third and Sherman, is The Painters Chair Gallery, a showcase of the finest art in the Northwest as well as that of gallery owner Stephen Shortridge. For paintings from local artists, The Frame of Mind (at 2nd and Lakeside, Cd'A) features one of the largest selections in the area. The Lyman Gallery (First Avenue in Sandpoint) will not disappoint with it's selection of Bev Doolittle, the late Stephen Lyman and more. Artists shows at The Art Spirit, Gallery of Fine Art on Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene. The receptions are open to the public. Call 765-6006.

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Unique North Idaho

Dig it! Garnets or Fossils

Idaho and India are the only two places on earth where star garnets - the Idaho state gem - are found. In Idaho, the garnet digging area is located on Emerald Creek, south of St. Maries on State Highway 3 to Road 447. Digging requires a permit, available at the digging site. Permits are $10 for adults and $5 for ages 6-12 and may be purchased from Memorial Day through Labor Day. While most gems are small crystals, garnets weighing seven ounces and more have been found in the Emerald Creek area. 245-2531.

Find fossils at Clarkia Miocene Lake at the Fossil Bowl dig site. Clarkia has some of the best preserved and oldest leaf, insect and fish fossils. Over 125 specimens can be found including Bald cypress, Chinese Pine, fir, and Dawn redwood among many others types of leaves. The Fossil Bowl is open to the public for digging from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily in summer months. Fee is $8 per person, under 5 is free. Bring butter knives and pulaski to dig with and newspaper to preserve your fossil. Tools on loan at site for no charge. 245-3608

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Kick Up Your Heels

For the young and hip, and the not-so-young-but-still-hip looking to break loose on the dance floor, North Idaho has a place for everyone.

The perennially popular Iron Horse, between 4th and 5th on Sherman Avenue in downtown Coeur d'Alene, has the dual draw of live music or a DJ with sidewalk tables for socializing and people watching in the summer... or just for cooling off after time on the dance floor. 667-7314. For the just-legal drinking age crowd, Mik-n-Mac's on 4th delivers a cut loose atmosphere and high-energy social scene.

The Coeur d'Alene Resort's upscale Shore Lounge rivals the Iron Horse as a landmark for locals, with all ages enjoying the always current live band or DJ. Sunday karaoke night is entertaining for spectators and participants. The cachet of mingling with guests of the Resort adds to the experience. 765-4000

The country crowd flocks to Big Al's, formerly Kelly's Grand Ol' Opry, in Stateline. One of the few places where dancing on the tables is not only allowed but encouraged, it's a great place for groups of revelers to two-step and chicken dance. 777-8312. The historic Slab Inn in Post Falls also caters to the country music fan, with live music every weekend and free dance lessons before bands take the stage. 773-5440. With the largest beer garden in the Inland Northwest, Curley's on Highway 53 at Hauser Lake, cranks up live classic rock bands on Fridays and Saturdays. 773-5816

If you prefer a smoke and alcohol free environment, you can find public dancing locations and lessons in Sandpoint. www.aboutdancesandpoint.org. The Crossroads is a country western dance club in Post Falls located on Hwy 41. It is also smoke and alcohol free. Open dancing Friday nights 9 to midnight.

If country western or rock isn't your style, DanceTales on Sherman Ave. in Coeur d'Alene offers private and group lessons in everything from Ballroom to Salsa and Jazz.

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Pick Huckleberries

The mountains of the Coeur d'Alenes are known for their abundance of huckleberries, a round, purple berry native to North Idaho. Sunlight enhances production, so the best berry picking is usually found along abandoned logging roads, in areas where timber has been harvested or where forest fires have occurred. When venturing into the forest, remember bears like berries, too. High in carbohydrates, they are one of the primary food sources for grizzly and black bear. If you encounter or see a bear, it is best to retreat and not to infringe on the bear's berry territory. The huckleberry is an erect shrub ranging from one to five feet tall. By mid-June, berries on south facing lower slopes are ripe. Good picking is as late as October on north slopes. Abundant huckleberry picking spots are available throughout North Idaho. Best picking is between late July and early August. Visit www.idahoparks.org or contact Priest Lake Ranger District, 443-2512 www.fs.fed.us/ipnf/priestlake. 

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Dive the Steamboats

Join local divers in exploring the wreckage of the early-day steamers that rest beneath the waters of Lake Coeur d'Alene. Guided tours can take you to the site of the Georgie Oaks, a sternwheeler with a 100-ton capacity that carried passengers and freight on the lake until 1917, or the Idaho, one of the largest steamers on the lake with twin side wheels and a capacity of 1,000 passengers. Adventurous divers may use a number of clear, high mountain lakes. For more information, lessons or equipment call Tom's Diving 664-0852.

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Taste the Local Brew

Relax in one of North Idaho's award winning pubs and watch brewing history in the making. Coeur d'Alene Brewing Company at 2nd & Lakeside Ave. in downtown Coeur d'Alene offers beer brewed on site and facility tours. If time is short, visit Capone's (located on 4th in midtown Coeur d'Alene and on Ross Point Road in Post Falls) for the largest selection of area micro-brews on tap. Laughing Dog Brewery in Sandpoint features a tap room, daily tours and a gift shop (laughingdogbrewing.com.) For the barley-hop connoisseur don't miss the annual BrewsFest at Silver Mountain in Kellogg (silvermt.com), the micro-brew tasting event at Festival at Sandpoint (festivalatsandpoint.com) or Wine, Stein and Dine at the Greyhound Park and Event Center in Post Falls.

There are many popular North Idaho wine tasting events but if you aren't here to catch one, Pend d'Oreille Winery (265-8545) in Sandpoint offers daily tastings of their award winning wines, live music Fridays and Saturdays, and a gift shop (powine.com.) The Wine Cellar and Barrell Room #6 (downtown Coeur d'Alene) and Daanen's Deli (corner of Prairie and Government in Hayden, 772-7371) offer a variety of tastings year round.

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Holidays In North Idaho

Beginning on Thanksgiving weekend, the Coeur d'Alene Resort lights up the lake with over a million sparkling lights. Throughout the holiday season you can experience America's largest floating holiday light show on the boardwalk at the resort. Cruise boats take you on Lake Coeur d'Alene to view animated light displays and holiday scenes along the Coeur d'Alene Resort shoreline including a journey to the North Pole to visit Santa himself. Other events include breakfast with Santa, Sunday brunches with Dickens Carolers and Mrs. Claus, Santa Cruises for the young and old, a downtown Christmas lighting ceremony, fireworks shows and lighted parade. The Resort Plaza Shops host a unique display of hundreds of homemade gingerbread houses on Gingerbread Mountain. www.cdadowntown.com.

The Friday following Thanksgiving Day begins Kootenai Medical Center's fabulous Festival of Trees with four days of events for all ages. The Senior Social, Kids Day, Festival Fashion Show and the sell-out Festival of Trees Gala all revolve around dozens of spectacularly decorated Christmas trees. Held at the Coeur d'Alene Resort, the Festival of Trees is a fundraiser for the KMC Foundation...and the spirit of Christmas is evident throughout the event. 666-TREE
Many businesses throughout the area offer special promotions during the season, making North Idaho a truly memorable family holiday experience.

The quaint downtown of Sandpoint is a winter wonderland. Horse-drawn carriages full of holiday shoppers create a Currier and Ives painting come to life. Enjoy a holiday production at the Panida Theater, dine in a cozy restaurant or stroll hand-in-hand down the city sidewalks while snowflakes dance on your nose and eyelashes. Bundle up and enjoy Christmas as it was in yesteryear.

The first Saturday in December visitors to St. Maries can enjoy games for children, pictures with Santa, hay rides and a lighted Christmas Parade on Main Street. 245-3563.

Priest River youngsters enjoy the annual Children's Christmas Party on Main Street. Complete with entertainment, carolers and a visit from Santa, this chamber of commerce sponsored event is guaranteed fun for all! 448-2721.

What Winterfest would be complete without Santa in the Park and a Christmas Tree Lighting. Harrison City Park is filled with holiday spirit as revelers celebrate the season. 689-3669.

The crowning of Little Miss and Master Snowflake highlights the Wallace Yuletide Celebration held the first Saturday of December. A Christmas Cookie bake-off, carolers, photos with Santa and the Winter Walk through brightly lit neighborhoods rounds out this festive day. 753-7151.

Silver Mountain is the best place to celebrate a new year with their spectacular New Years Eve and Torchlight Parade. Ring in 2008 from the top of the mountain and enjoy the fireworks and fun.

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Cars, Cars, Cars...

In July, join about 25,000 of your friends and neighbors at Hot Rod Cafe in Post Falls for the annual River City Rod Run. There are over 16 classes, from antique to muscle car and custom to pick-ups, in which to enter the shiny pride of your garage. Trophies and prizes along with other special awards for Ladies choice, Hard Luck, and Longest Road Trip. Three days of fun including the Miss Hot Rod Contest, Burn-out Contest, Tricycle Races, Sock Hop Parking Lot Dance and Fireworks show. There is something for everyone with pancake feeds, balloon tosses and hula hoop contest, so bring the whole family. Big name artist concerts are the grand finale at Greyhound Park just minutes from downtown Post Falls. Contact Hot Rod Cafe at (208) 777-1712 or www.hotrodcafe.com for information and entry forms. Stateline Speedway has stock and open class racing seasonally on paved track. Special events, demolition derby and more are available. Call (208) 773-5019. An addition to the Annual Wooden Boat Show Festival are the Woody Cars. Over 50 classics line the streets of downtown Coeur d'Alene in August for the three day event. Don't miss the annual Car'd Lane Auto Show in Downtown Coeur d'Alene in June of each year. Over 300 autos line Sherman Ave. (Coeur d'Alene) for a two day event. Food prizes and street dance mean fun for the whole family. (208) 667-4040. The Rally In The Valley held each July, brings dozens of cars to Kellogg for food, prizes, music and more.

Priest River's Hot Neon Nights car show and cruise is held the last weekend in July. The St. Joe Valley Car club show and shine is held the third weekend in July. Each May Lost in the 50's Sandpoint and Depot Days in Wallace have dozens of classic cars adding to this "spring fling" weekend of fun.

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Our Animal Friends

Draft Horse Show

For a unique North Idaho spectator event, attend the 29th Annual Idaho State Draft Horse International. Young and old enjoy the beauty, strength and talent of these fine animals. Add special events, food and fun to the visit and even non-horse lovers are in for a great time. During this event also enjoy the Cowboy Cartoonists International Rendezvous. Call (208) 265-0181 or (208) 263-7797.

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