Things to Do in North Idaho - It's a Vibrant Lakeside Playground!

I have recently had several people outside of our area ask me to describe what there is do do here in Coeur d'Alene and North Idaho.  So here it is, Things to Do in Coeur d'Alene.  Where do I start?

In Kootenai County alone there are 87 parks and campgrounds, biking and hiking trails, swimming, fishing, golfing, hunting, tennis, horseback riding, softball, ski resorts, amusement parks and, always, magnificent scenery everywhere you turn.

Dining & Shopping

There is lots of great shopping variety in Coeur d'Alene.  The Silver Lake Mall, four large antique malls, the Coeur d'Alene Resort Plaza Shops, a vibrant downtown shopping area, the new Riverstone District and numerous national retailers provide shoppers with anything they could be looking for. 

Area menus boasts everything from award winning chefs to sidewalk hot dog vendors.  Regional fare might include huckleberry pancakes, Idaho potato pizza, Idaho trout or Priest river buffalo steak.  Cap your day with a Northwest microbrew, a selection from a world renowned wine cellar or a visit to one of our many charming coffee shops.

Arts & Culture

Performing and visual arts add to the texture of our community tapestry.  Coeur d'Alene is home to three theaters that provide community productions and professional troupe performances.  Thousands of visitors turn out for annual events such as Art Walk, Art from the Heart, mARTi Gras, Julyamsh Pow Wow, concerts in City Park and Riverstone.  Artists and galleries present the finest in sculpture, blown glass, painting, jewelry and hand-crafted furniture. 

The Coeur d'Alene Arts and Culture Alliance works with non-profit, volunteers,and professional arts organizations to create an artistic lifestyle in North Idaho.

Snowboarding & Skiing

There are three ski resorts in the area.  You can head north to Schweitzer Mountain resort.  Stella is the name of Schweitzer's 6-passenger high-speed chair lift that will transport you across 2,500 acres and 58 runs.  Also an easy drive is Silver Mountain in Kellogg, to the East.  It has two peaks, 50 runs and 2,200 feet of vertical fun. It also features the world's longest, single staged gondola.  Lookout Pass Ski Area area in Mullan  is nearby with 23 named runs on 540 skiable acres and a vertical drop of 1,150 feet.  It also contains two glade areas and acres of tree skiing.

The Lake

Lake Coeur d'Alene has earned the reputation as one of the world's most beautiful lakes.  Enjoy the friendly atmosphere of City Beach, Sanders Beach or along the river at the dike road behind North Idaho College.  Plunge into water activities like waterskiing, fishing, jet skiing, kayaking, boat cruises, river floating, parasailing, boat cruises and seaplane rides!

Golf

The spectacular scenery  of North Idaho golf courses rivals that found anywhere in the world.  There are 18 regional courses in gorgeous settings that accommodate any skill level.  Coeur d'Alene lake features the world's only floating green.  In a recent Golf Digest, three North Idaho golf courses were named to the list of top courses in the state. 

Amusement Parks

Silverwood, the Northwest's largest theme park, lies just 15 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene.  It contains over 60 rides and attractions, three roller coasters, boulder Beach waterpark, river raft ride, and a steam locomotive.  There are activities for kids of all ages.  There are also several family fun centers around the area for adventure, including Wild Waters, North Idaho's premiere water slide theme park, and Triple Play & Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park, the northwest's newest and largest family fun center. 

Outdoor Activities

North Idaho's plentiful waterways offer great canoeing, kayaking, rafting, and power boating opportunities.  With over 50 boater access sites there are lots of places to get on the water.  Bicyclists of all skills and abilities will find trails to ride.  The maintained and scenic Centennial Trail will take you all the way from the Washington border to the east end of Lake Coeur d'alene.  Other maintained trails are the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, and the Route of Hiawatha.  Area ski resorts have incorporated rugged mountain biking trails. 

The outdoor adventure has access to world-class fishing and hunting.  the St. Joe and Coeur d'Alene Rivers provide outstanding fishing opportunities for native cutthroat trout, and the lakes yeild everything from pan fish to tryphy bass, trout and salmon.  Trophy elk, deer and other big game abound in North Idaho.  Outfitters are available to take you hunting or fishing, or explore thousands of acres of lakes, streams and National Forests on your own. Avid wildlife watchers can see the scores of migrating bald eagles that flock to Lake Coeur d'Alene to feed on Kokanee salmon each spring.

Janna Rankin Scharf, GRI, CSP, CLHMS
Associate Broker
Coldwell Banker Schneidmiller Realty
(208)651-9700

NorthIdahoJanna@gmail.com
www.JannaScharf.com