Hey, it's Sarah! People always ask me what there is to do in Coeur d'Alene, and I get it. It's the lake town a lot of people picture when they think of North Idaho, about 40 minutes west of Kellogg, and there's more here than you'll fit in a weekend. Here's my running list of favorite spots, plus a few well-known local places to eat and get coffee. It's not every place in Coeur d'Alene, just a solid start.
Lake Coeur d'Alene
The lake is the whole point, honestly. Lake Coeur d'Alene is over 26 miles long, with some 135 miles of shoreline tucked into the mountains. In town you can swim, launch a boat, or just sit on the sand and watch the water. If you want to get out on the lake without your own boat, Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruises runs scenic trips from Independence Point (and from the Boardwalk Marina in the colder months). Book through their site, and check which dock your cruise leaves from, because it changes with the season.
If you'd rather be the one driving, boat and water-sport rentals are easy to find along the waterfront, including through The Coeur d'Alene Resort. And if you're here in winter, take a drive out to Wolf Lodge Bay or on to Higgins Point. A migrating population of bald eagles shows up from November through February to feed, and it's one of my favorite quiet-season sights around the lake.
McEuen Park
McEuen Park is right downtown on the lakefront, and it's usually my first stop when I have a few hours in Coeur d'Alene. The park is about 22.5 acres, with the city's largest playground, a seasonal splash pad, tennis and pickleball, basketball, an off-leash dog park, a boat launch and mooring, and a big grassy lawn that hosts events through the year. There's a sea wall overlook, a Veterans Memorial, and the west trailhead for Tubbs Hill tucked into the southwest corner.
The North Idaho Centennial Trail runs right through the middle of the park, so you can hop on a bike or just walk the waterfront from here.
The Coeur d'Alene Resort
You don't have to book a room to enjoy The Coeur d'Alene Resort. It sits on the lake at the edge of downtown, and the floating boardwalk is one of my favorite easy walks in town. The resort bills it as the world's longest floating boardwalk, at three-quarters of a mile, and it wraps around the marina with those classic lake-and-mountain views.
The resort is also home to the famous floating green on the 14th hole of its golf course: a movable island green out on the water. You don't have to be a hotel guest to book a tee time, or to book the spa.
Tubbs Hill
Tubbs Hill is 165 acres of natural park on a forested peninsula, with Lake Coeur d'Alene wrapping around three sides. A 2.2-mile interpretive trail follows the perimeter, and there are more trails up and over the hill if you want a longer walk. The views of the lake, the resort, and downtown are worth every step.
The west trailhead is in the southwest corner of McEuen Park, and the east trailhead is at the south end of 10th Street. I like starting at McEuen so I can grab a walk on the hill and still be downtown for lunch.
City Park, City Beach, and Independence Point
Just west of the resort, Coeur d'Alene City Park and Independence Point make up the other half of the downtown waterfront. City Park has a swim beach, picnic shelters, sand volleyball, the Fort Sherman Playground, and a summer concert series. Independence Point connects right to the park and has its own beach and swim area. This is also where the tour boats, seaplanes, and other lake activities set up in season.
Where to Eat and Get Coffee in Coeur d'Alene
Sherman Avenue and the streets around it are packed with restaurants, coffee shops, and local stores, all an easy walk from McEuen Park, the resort, and the beach. I won't pretend this is every good place in town, but here are some well-known local spots to start with. Hours change, so check each website before you go.
For coffee:
- Evans Brothers Coffee runs the Coeur d'Alene Café on Sherman Avenue, with a full espresso bar and Bean & Pie Bakery baking in the same space.
- Fine Brewed Cafe is another well-known stop on Sherman Avenue, a downtown cafe for coffee and a sit-down bite.
- Coeur d'Alene Coffee Co. is on Lakeside Avenue, a local roaster just off the waterfront.
- Terre Coffee Roasters has two Coeur d'Alene shops, on Northwest Boulevard and Government Way, both with sit-down space and a drive-thru.
For a meal:
- Seasons of Coeur d'Alene on Lakeside Avenue is a locally owned grill and bar that's been a popular downtown gathering place since 2011.
- Crafted Tap House is right on Sherman Avenue, with a scratch-made gastropub menu and a long list of taps.
- Beverly's sits on the seventh floor of the Lake Tower at The Coeur d'Alene Resort, with panoramic views of the lake.
- The Cedars Floating Restaurant has been on the water since 1965, at the start of the Spokane River, and you can arrive by car or by boat.
- izzy's Comfort Kitchen is a locally owned comfort-food spot on 4th Street, known for dishes like fried chicken, burgers, and brunch.
For current events, shops, and what's going on downtown, Visit Coeur d'Alene keeps a solid local calendar. If you want a dose of history while you're in town, the Museum of North Idaho is an easy stop, with exhibits on the people, industries, and events that shaped this part of the state.
The North Idaho Centennial Trail and Higgins Point
The North Idaho Centennial Trail is a 23-mile paved trail from the Idaho–Washington state line to Higgins Point, about six miles east of downtown at the end of Coeur d'Alene Lake Drive. You can walk, jog, or bike it, and a lot of the route has water views. I love hopping on downtown, especially through McEuen Park, for an easy ride along the lake.
Higgins Point is the eastern end of the trail and part of the Coeur d'Alene Parkway. There's a boat launch, picnic areas, and shoreline access, and it's a pretty place to turn around or just sit and look at the lake. In winter, bald eagles are a common sight along this stretch during their migration.
At the state line, the trail connects to the Spokane River Centennial Trail, so you can keep going west if you want more miles. Stay to the right, give pedestrians the right of way, and keep pets on a leash.
Nearby Trails: Mineral Ridge and Canfield Mountain
If you want a hike with a big lake view and a little more of a climb, head east to Mineral Ridge. It's a 3.3-mile National Recreation Trail on BLM land, just south of I-90 at Wolf Lodge Bay. An interpretive trail marks plants and forest life along the way, and the overlooks of Lake Coeur d'Alene are excellent. This is also close to the winter eagle-watching around Wolf Lodge Bay.
Closer to town, the Canfield Mountain Single Track Trail System sits in the hills just above Coeur d'Alene. It's a popular network for mountain biking and hiking (with some motorized trails too). Trail conditions change with the season, so check with the Idaho Panhandle National Forests before you go.
Just Up the Road: Silverwood Theme Park
If you've got a full day and want a classic North Idaho outing, Silverwood Theme Park is just north of Coeur d'Alene in Athol. It's a seasonal theme park (with a water park in the warmer months), and it's one of the bigger day trips people make from town. Check their site for the current season before you drive up.
Thinking About Moving to Coeur d'Alene?
If this list has you daydreaming about a Saturday on the lake and a Sunday morning on Tubbs Hill, I get it. That's a big part of why I love this corner of North Idaho! Whether you're eyeing a place near the water, something walkable to downtown and McEuen Park, or a little more room out toward the east side, I'd love to help.
Request a free home value, or call or text me at 208-784-7099, or email sarah@northidahobound.com. Even if you're six months out, now's a great time to chat.
Business details, seasons, and hours change, so check each website before you go. I'm not paid to mention anyone in this post.