Coeur d’Alene, Idaho- How do you pronounce the name? ha! Just pretend you’re a local and call it “CDA.” Coeur d’Alene is a hidden little gem in northwest Idaho, just a short drive (30 miles) west of Spokane, Washington. Locally, Coeur d’Alene is known as the “Lake City” or simply called by its initials as “CDA.” The city is named after the people of CDA, a federally recognized tribe of Native Americans living along the rivers and lakes of a massive 4,000,000 acres from eastern Washington to Montana. The name “Coeur d’Alene” comes from the early French day traders who tried to bribe the local natives with trinkets in exchange for valuable furs. The natives were not fooled by this and refused to trade with the French, therefore giving the name in French “sharp as an awl.” Translated, Coeur d’Alene means “Heart of the Awl.”
The main attraction is the beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene with its massive body of water that covers 50 square miles. A must-do is to get out on the lake in some capacity. Depending on what time of year you visit, enjoy a scenic day on the lake either by renting a boat, kayak, paddleboard, or a fishing excursion. As we visited in the Fall, it was a bit cool for water sports, so we opted for the lake cruise. I loved the informative narration, scenic views, and BONUS, there’s a bar onboard.
Right in the heart of downtown, McEuen Park is the city’s largest playground with a 4-acre grassy area, a splash pad, tennis/pickle ball/basketball court, off-leash dog park, and the Rotary Harbor House, & a sea wall overlook. Adjacent to the park is Tubbs Hill, which consists of over 120 acres that borders Lake Coeur d’Alene on the west, south, and east sides. If you are a nature lover, definitely explore the publicly owned Tubbs Hill peninsula with an easy trek on the Tubbs Hill Nature Trail. The two-mile trail loop along Lake Coeur d’Alene has historical points along the way, plus there are amazing photo opportunities. It’s a MUST Do in my opinion!
Have a little fun and find the MOOSE! Mudgy and Millie are adorable photo stops too! I found them all and had a little mishap while attempting a handstand next to the moose. Epic FAIL!
The North Idaho Centennial Trail is 23 miles long, extending from the Idaho/Washington state line to Higgins Point. You can walk, jog, or bicycle on a Class I & II paved trail.
With a backdrop like Coeur d’ Alene, there are plenty of outdoor adventures to experience! My favorite outdoor activity was ziplining with Zip Timberline. Yes, I was a nervous wreck, but once you get geared up it’s a blast! We booked the Treehouse Smores adventure & it was so much fun! Highly recommended. Best sunset as I flew down the mountain! Bonus was we met some new friends, and all sang in the ride back to the shop and then grabbed drinks with a few of our new friends.
Accommodations-
The Epic Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort is home to the world’s only floating island green with stunning lake views from nearly every hole. Views from the property are amazing!
Short Term Rental- We stayed in a beautiful home 7 miles from town in the country side. Vanessa, our gracious host welcomed us into her guest home that has views for miles. The patio is so peaceful for your morning coffee or tea. As I drove away to catch my flight to Spokane, I was greeted by a family of turkeys bidding farewell.
Another option that looks amazing located on Sherman Avenue is The Blackwell Boutique Hotel
Shopping-
Downtown CDA has great shopping with 100 shops and restaurants to explore. A few of my favorites CDA Garment District, Mix it up Home , Cisco’s, & Into the Woods are worth a visit. Check out the full list to explore the downtown area shopping.
Places to Eat, Drink & Be Merry-
Grab a coffee and a yummy cookie Bear Paw Cookies right in the heart of CDA. Be sure to give the life-size teddy bear a squeeze!
Fun atmosphere and tons of crafted beers to taste at Crafted Tap House.
Be prepared to wait in line for the best hamburgers in town! We grabbed lunch early before our ziplining excursion and sat on the park bench to scarf down our Hudson’s burgers. Oh, and a word of caution, it’s illegal to walk down the street eating a burger. No kidding! I didn’t get arrested, thank goodness.
Located in the Coeur d’Alene Resort, there is a fun casual restaurant called Dockside Café. A word of wisdom, save room for dessert. The world-famous “Gooeys” is a never seen dessert! Seriously if you can finish one alone, please send me a picture.
From skiing in the winter to kayaking on the lake in the summertime, Coeur d’Alene has all four seasons. We visited in the Fall with a small group of 4 to celebrate a birthday. We loved the weather & the adventures in the Fall too!
Here are a few extra resources to review if Coeur d’Alene is in your vacation plans.
Well said. It was adventurous and a perfect time of year to go. A place you could never get bored. The zipline was the highlight for me. Truly a super fun trip I will always remember.
Me too Kathy! Loved it all, thanks for organizing the Zipline!