Overview

Sitting on the northern banks of the 25-mile long Lake Coeur d'Alene, this city of 35,000 people boasts plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation in both the summer and winter. Fish on the lake, enjoy one of the many festivals or ski at one of the three nearby resorts.

Location

A scenic two hour drive west on I-90 from Missoula will take you to Coeur d'Alene, which is nestled in the Idaho panhandle. This easy drive makes Coeur d'Alene a great spot for a weekend getaway.

Services/Amenities

For lodging, Coeur d'Alene offers accommodations to suite every traveler, including many quaint bed & breakfasts, rustic cabins, lake view lodgings, chain hotels, or weekly rentals. If you are touring the wild west via RV, there are also many parks where you can park for the night or the week.

This small town is a culinary hotbed. Wake up in the morning and enjoy a cup of local joe, grab a box lunch from one of the local delis before spending the day on the lake or enjoy an evening of fine dining at one of the many high end restaurants. Looking to catch a game and drink a beer, no problem, Coeur d'Alene offers many bars and pubs for you to choose from.

Activities

Located on the northern banks of Lake Coeur d'Alene, you can imagine what the main summer time recreation involves, anything lake oriented. Fish for some Chinook Salmon or Northern Pike. Hit the lake and enjoy some boating or paddling. Take a sunset cruise and enjoy the tranquility of the lake at dusk.

In addition to boating, the area is surrounded by three national forests which offer plenty of land for hiking and biking. Test your biking skills on the Beauty Creek- Caribou Ridge trail, a 13 mile loop that offers some of the best single track in the region or try the Northern Idaho Centennial Trail.

The region also offers some 18 golf courses to choose from. The scenic surroundings offer you breathtaking vistas. Three of Idaho's top golf courses are located in Northern Idaho. Don't miss a chance to hit the floating green.

Coeur d'Alene isn't only about summer recreation. With three ski resorts located just a short drive from the city you can experience over 131 runs and over 2,000 ft verticals.

Attractions

• Coeur d'Alene Summer Theater
  Since 1967, the CST has been providing locals with full-scale Broadway musicals and performances complete with a live orchestra. Catch one of the 36 performances during the summer months of June, July and August.
• Lake City Playhouse
  Offering eight main shows a year, the Playhouse strives to bring quality theater to the area.
• Opera Coeur d'Alene
  This organization strives to bring the best in opera, along with opera related education to the city.
• Wild Waters Water Park
  Float the river, zoom down the slides or enjoy Willy's Playhouse. Parents can relax at the poolside bar and watch the kids enjoy their kids swing like Tarzan.
• Silverwood Theme Park
  Just 15 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene is where you will find the largest theme park in the northwest. Enjoy over 65 rides and attractions.
• Triple Play/ Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park
  Catch a wave in the wave park, bump around in the bumper boats or enjoy one of the many slides.
  When you begin to feel like a prune, step out of the water park for some laser tag, bowling, or miniature golf.
• Museum of Northern Idaho
  The museum takes a step back in time, helping visitors enjoy and appreciate the history and heritage of the Coeur d'Alene region through interpretive displays and preserved artifacts.

Events/Festivals

• Car d'Alene
  Held every June for the last 20 years, this event features hundreds of pre-1972 classics.
• Street Fair and Taste of Coeur d'Alene
  This street fair attracts upward of 40,000 people each year. Enjoy the food, crafts, and fine arts of the region.
• Ford Ironman
  This feat of human strength occurs each year with over 2,000 participants.
• Coeur d'Alene Holiday Light Show
  Held every December, this holiday light show is one of the biggest in the nation with over 260 displays.

Getting Here

Getting to Coeur d'Alene from Missoula is very easy. The straight shot west on I-90 takes you along the Clark Fork River before reaching the border of Montana and Idaho, where you are surrounded by national forests. Two hours will fly by as you take in the beautiful scenery.

From Missoula, take I-90 west. Take exit 15 (Sherman Ave) toward the city center and turn left on E Sherman Ave, and take a right on N 4th St. Now at the city center, you can relax and enjoy a refreshing beverage.