Reasons Why You Need to Visit Beautiful Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
Are you looking for a destination to get away that offers outdoor adventure, but also a small city atmosphere? Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is a great destination to add to your travel bucket list!
You’ll find boating, hiking, restaurants, quaint cafes and shops, along with gorgeous scenery. Picture lakes surrounded by rolling hills, and lots of pine trees. Read more below for some of my top reasons to visit Coeud d’Alene.
How to get to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
Now to the first question everyone has – how do you get to Coeur d’Alene? The shortest answer is driving. This means whether you arrive by plane or not, you’ll need a car.
The closest international airport is in Spokane, Washington which is about a 1 hour drive away. We found the drive very easy and straight forward. We rented a car right at Spokane Airport from Avis, but there are multiple rental company options. Click here to search for car rentals. (I like to use Booking.com because I can earn cash back from Rakuten!)
Hiking in Coeur d'Alene
Coeur d’Alene offers so much natural beauty, it’s hard to not want to wander through it! Trails vary in difficulty, and you can find them near public areas or even within neighborhoods. Below are a few recommended options:
Tubbs Hill is a must-hike in the area. Located just South of Sherman Avenue on a hill/ridge along Lake Coeur d’Alene, this 2 milk hike offers a lot of scenery. City views, forest views, and water views are all included. The trail was easy to traverse, even our 5 year old made it most of the way through on his own.
Canfield Mountain Natural Trail is a moderate hike, basically up the side of a hill. Hikers say that the top offers amazing views of the surrounding area.
Fernan Lake Natural Area offers trails along Fernan Lake, most are easy. Hikers mentioned that some of the trails are not marked, so do pay attention to where you are going. There are also spots to hike to the lake’s edge.
Coeur d'Alene's small town feel
With a population of around 57,000 people, many would consider Coeur d’Alene a small town. There has been recent growth to the area with people relocating to the state, but none the less it maintains it’s charm.
Most notable in the charm category is downtown’s Spencer Avenue. Along this walkable road you will find small shops, restaurants, coffee shops, a toy store, and more. From here you can walk to the main dock on Lake Coeur d’Alene. You’ll find rentals like kayaks, can take a lake boat tour, or even fly in a pontoon boat.
Outside of this area, there are many cute coffee stands where you can walk up or drive through for your morning coffee and a snack. We really liked Anchored Coffee Company on Dalton for a bagel sandwich and latte.
Lakes around Coeur d'Alene
Lakes are one of the highlights in the Coeur d’Alene area. Right in town you’ll find Lake Coeur d’Alene, with plenty of things to do. Take a tour boat, fly on a pontoon plane, rent kayaks or boats, swim, and more.
Close by in a more residential area is Hayden Lake. You’ll often spot it if you are high up in a neighborhood. or on a hiking trail.
There are also smaller lakes dotted around the area such as Twin Lakes, Spirit Lake, Fernan Lake, Newman Lake and Hauser Lake. No shortage of choices around Coeur d’Alene.
Coeur d'Alene food and drinks
The variety and options for food and drink in the area is surprising. We loved the the walkability of downtown’s Sherman Avenue, lined with shops and restaurants, ending at the boardwalk along the lake. Below you’ll find some great recommendations for where to eat in Coeur d’Alene; not only a long Sherman Ave but in other parts of town as well.
Food
Fire Pizza (Temporarily Closed at the time of writing): the wood fired pizza here was delicious with an option of gluten free.
Crafted Tap House + Kitchen: Yummy variety of food and more beer options than you can handle.
Anchored Coffee Company: The most delicious bagel breakfast sandwich, and great coffee too. This is a drive thru or walk up type coffee stand/house. No indoor seating.
Drinks (and food)
Jeremiah Johnson Brewing: Delicious craft beers in a laid-back atmosphere with food available.
Bier House: German beer with a patio for people watching out front, as well as a full menu.
Proximity to other destinations
Coeur d’Alene Idaho is not only in the middle of beautiful areas, but it’s also within close proximity to Spokane, Washington and Post Falls, Idaho. Just a 45 min drive north is a ski resort called Schweitzer with a resort, skiing, snowbaording, and tubing. In the summer the views from the top are spectacular. You’ll find Idaho’s deepest lake, Pend Orielle close by as well.
A few hours away you can cross the border into Canada, or into Montana, with Glacier National Park as a highlight. You could also drive a few hours to Leavenworth, Washington; a quaint town that looks like you stepped into a Bavarian village.
Where to stay in Coeur d'Alene
There are a number of great accommodations in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho. We stayed with family, but saw some great options that we would love to try out!
One Lakeside – A newer hotel with a great central location. Each room is a suite featuring a kitchen, which gives you the option to make a few meals and save money. There is a hot tub on site, an outdoor terrace, and it’s walking distance to restaurants and shops. Click to book this hotel.
WorldMark Arrow Point – If you like to be a little more remote, this hotel is a great choice. I like staying at World Mark properties because the rooms are like true condos. Amenities include a lakeside restaurant (open in summer), an indoor pool for use in all seasons, and a fitness center. Guests love the views! Click to check out the pictures and book.
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