Are you planning your next road trip along the West Coast? Because of its proximity to unrivaled natural beauty, the Pacific Northwest should be on the top of your list. Moreover, believe it or not, Idaho is a state in the Pacific Northwest. To be precise, it takes only 4-5 hours to go from Seattle to the Washington-Idaho state line. Coeur d’Alene is one of the first cities you’ll come across when traveling through Northern Idaho. This essay will provide you with an overview of this outdoorsy resort town as well as suggestions for day trips and multi-day road trips.
We took a day excursion to Coeur d’Alene from Spokane, Washington, as part of a three-day Memorial Day weekend getaway.
COEUR D’ALENE TRAVEL DIRECTIONS
If you want to make the most of the natural beauty that surrounds Coeur d’Alene, you will almost certainly need a car. Consider driving to Coeur d’Alene to ensure that you will have access to a vehicle when you need it. The travel on I-90E from Seattle takes around 5 hours. If you prefer to fly, there are two airports to choose from: the Coeur d’Alene International Airport and the Spokane International Airport. Both airports have daily flights from Seattle (it’s a 1-hour journey), and both have international flights. Take into consideration the necessity of renting a car when you arrive.
COEUR D’ALENE: 3 FUN FACTS TO KNOW
It’s pronounced “kor-de-layn,” but you may also call it “CDA” if you want to be formal.
A 20-mile drive north will take you to Silverwood Theme Park, the largest theme park and water park in the Pacific Northwest.
In the surrounding area, there are three ski resorts: Silver Mountain Resort, Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, and Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort (all of which are within driving distance).
THINGS TO DO IN COEUR D’ALENE’S DOWNTOWN CENTER
Consume and ingest
The city of Coeur d’Alene was established in 1888. There are more than 125 retail stores, restaurants, and companies in the neighborhood. We stopped for wonderful lattes at Vault Coffee, a locally owned cafe that serves coffee that is roasted in the same location as the cafe. We were tempted by their avocado toast, but we decided to have breakfast at Rustic, which was close by. The Breakfast Panini, which was on their breakfast menu, seemed very good. However, we each chose one of their New York-inspired bagels, which were made fresh in-house. Martin opted for the smoked salmon, while I opted for the avocado and cucumber salad. We both chose a tomato bagel, which was both delicious and aesthetically pleasing to photograph.
It is possible to find a variety of restaurants in Coeur d’Alene. Pizza, a grill, American gastropubs, farm-to-table restaurants, and even Japanese sushi can be found in this neighborhood. We had a traditional German meal at Bier Haus, where we drank lagers on tap while eating jagerschnitzel and Bavarian wursts or sausages.
Come to the Coeur d’Alene Resort and Spa.
The Coeur d’Alene Resort, which rises to a height of 17 stories, is the jewel in the crown of downtown CDA. It is one of the many advantages of staying at this 4.5-star upscale resort that it is located right on the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene, among other things. As an added bonus, it has access to a private golf course that includes a floating green.
Even if you are not a guest at the resort, you are welcome to stop by Beverly’s on the 7th floor for happy hour. In addition to serving lunch and dinner, it is also a higher-end restaurant specializing in Pacific Northwest fare. The Alaskan halibut, for example, can be found here, as can other regional specialties. Although it can be a bit pricy, happy hour offers substantial discounts. The best part is that you get to enjoy panoramic views of Lake Coeur d’Alene.
P.S. One of our travel secrets for capturing gorgeous vistas is to seek out rooftop bars or restaurants within hotels, which we call “hotel rooftops.”
View the image in its entirety.
Boardwalk in Coeur d’Alene.jpg
Float down the world’s longest floating boardwalk for a relaxing stroll.
That’s right, there’s a boardwalk in Idaho that’s breaking all kinds of records. It’s 3,000 feet in length and provides breathtaking views of the lake from every direction. There’s also a picnic area with picnic tables where you can relax and take in the scenery.
Hike the perimeter of Tubbs Hill.
You’ll find Tubbs Hill in the heart of downtown, just a few minutes away from Lake Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding area. It is 120 acres in size and includes numerous kilometres of hiking trails on its grounds. The two-mile loop is straightforward, and there are numerous photo opportunities.
Take a boat ride on Lake Coeur d’Alene and enjoy the scenery.
There’s a large marina full of boats right in front of the resort, which is convenient. If you don’t have the financial resources to charter a private boat, you can still enjoy the water by renting a boat, kayaking, or taking a lake tour instead. Many 90-minute cruises take you to some of the most gorgeous areas on the lake. Click here for more information. There are cruises that run all day and part of the day that take you all around the lake. You could even take a lovely seaplane excursion to see the sights.
DSCF8773.jpg
COEUR D’ALENE DAY TRIP AND DRIVE OPPORTUNITIES
Farragut State Park is located on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille.
The Pend Oreille Scenic Byway, state highway 200, leads north to a lake that is even larger than Lake Coeur d’Alene, which is a short distance away. The lake itself, Lake Pend Oreille, is the largest body of water in the entire state of Idaho. It is possible to approach this lake from a variety of locations. Our favorite route is via Farragut Park, where you can make a short pit stop at Bayview. The Lake House Bar & Grill, a one-of-a-kind floating restaurant with spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains, can be found here.
Sandpoint
Drive further north to the most northern point of Lake Pend Oreille, when you will arrive in Sandpoint, Idaho. Cabinet Mountain and the Selkirk Mountain ranges are sandwiched between this picturesque tiny town. Additionally, City Beach is a lake beach with six acres of yellow sand, green meadows, and snow-capped mountains in the distance that is accessible by car.
View the image in its entirety.