Best Things to Do in Coeur d’Alene: A Firsthand Guide to Idaho’s Lakefront Gem

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway, road-tripping through the Inland Northwest, or spending a summer vacation on the lake, Coeur d’Alene offers a little bit of everything—scenic hiking trails, waterfront dining, outdoor adventures, and small-town charm.

After spending time exploring the area, these are the attractions and experiences we recommend most.

We’ve spent the last three summers in Coeur d’Alene, and somewhere along the way, we fell in love with this corner of North Idaho. Having family in the area was what initially brought us here, but it didn’t take long for the natural beauty, friendly communities, and long summer days on the lake to keep us coming back.

Since that first visit, we’ve made a point of exploring beyond the typical tourist recommendations, looking for the places and experiences that make Coeur d’Alene special once you get beyond the brochures and standard “best of” lists. We’ve hiked the trails, spent time on the lake, wandered downtown, explored the surrounding area, and returned to our favorite places again and again.

We’ve grown so attached to North Idaho that Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding area are now on our shortlist of places to settle once our full-time RV travels eventually come to an end. Until then, we’re continuing to explore—and sharing the places we genuinely think are worth experiencing along the way.

Quick Guide to Coeur d’Alene

Best Time to Visit

June through September

Ideal Trip Length

2–4 days

Nearest Airport

Spokane International Airport (about 40 minutes away)

Family Friendly

Yes

Hike Tubbs Hill

If you only have time for one activity in Coeur d’Alene, make it Tubbs Hill.

Located right next to downtown, this 165-acre natural area offers several miles of trails with stunning views of Lake Coeur d’Alene. The terrain is relatively easy, making it accessible for most visitors.

What makes Tubbs Hill special is how quickly you can leave the busy downtown area and find yourself surrounded by pine trees, rocky shoreline, and quiet lake coves.

We’ve hiked Tubbs Hill from two different directions, and each offers a slightly different experience. Starting from the east side near Sanders Beach, the trail feels greener and more shaded, with lush vegetation and more opportunities to spot wildflowers along the way. Starting from the north at McEuen Park, the landscape is a little drier and more exposed, but we found that this route offers some of the best views across Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Both routes are relatively easy and approachable for beginner hikers and families with children, while still giving you a completely different perspective of the lake and surrounding area. If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, several paths on the west side lead down toward the water, where you’ll find rocky spots that are great for sunbathing and swimming on a warm summer day. The shoreline can be quite rocky, though, so sturdy shoes—and water shoes if you plan to swim—are a good idea.

Why We Love It:

Free to visit

Incredible lake views

Great sunrise and sunset photography

Time Needed: 1–2 hours

Family friendly

Walk the World’s Longest Floating Boardwalk

The Coeur d’Alene Resort is home to one of the city’s most famous attractions—the floating boardwalk.

Stretching along the shoreline, the boardwalk offers panoramic lake views and serves as a great place for an evening stroll.

On calm summer mornings, the reflections on the lake make for some fantastic photographs.

We enjoy walking the floating boardwalk whenever we’re in the area. It’s an easy way to get a few extra steps in while taking in the activity on Lake Coeur d’Alene, from boats coming and going to kayaks and jet skis out on the water. It’s also a good opportunity to scope out the marina if you’re thinking about renting a boat, kayak, or jet ski during your visit. About halfway around the boardwalk, you can stop, sit down, and grab a bite to eat while enjoying the view of the lake.

Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning before crowds arrive.

Pro Tip: Visit early in the morning before crowds arrive

Explore Downtown Coeur d’Alene

The Coeur d’Alene Resort is home to one of the city’s most famous attractions—the floating boardwalk.

Stretching along the shoreline, the boardwalk offers panoramic lake views and serves as a great place for an evening stroll.

On calm summer mornings, the reflections on the lake make for some fantastic photographs.

We love walking through downtown Coeur d’Alene, especially when we’re hungry. In the morning, we might stop at Lantern Donuts for coffee and a donut or head to Coeur d’Alene Coffee Company before exploring the shops along Sherman Avenue. Later in the day, Crafted Taphouse + Kitchen is one of our favorite places to stop for dinner and a drink. No matter how many times we walk down Sherman, we always seem to discover a new shop, restaurant, or interesting corner of downtown that we hadn’t noticed before

Some of our favorite stops include:

Take a Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruise

One of the best ways to appreciate the size and beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene is from the water.

Several cruise options are available throughout the year, including scenic lake cruises, sunset cruises, holiday cruises, and dinner cruises.

You’ll learn about the area’s history while enjoying some of the best views in North Idaho.

Whenever someone visits Coeur d’Alene for the first time, one of our first recommendations is to take a lake cruise. There’s something incredibly relaxing about sitting on the upper deck, taking in the scenery, and listening to stories about the area’s history, notable landmarks, and even a few local celebrity homes along the way. We also picked up ideas for places we wanted to explore later in our trip. More than just a sightseeing cruise, we found it to be a great way to get our bearings and better understand the area before venturing beyond downtown and exploring more of Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding region.

Relax at City Park

Located directly on the lake, City Park is one of the most popular gathering places in town.

Features include a sandy swimming beach, picnic areas, playground, walking paths, and volleyball courts.

This is an excellent spot for families or anyone wanting a relaxing afternoon by the water.

We enjoy walking through City Park, especially when we’re already spending time downtown. The beach is incredibly convenient if you want to cool off or spend a little time by the water without leaving the downtown area, while the large grassy spaces and mature shade trees give the park a surprisingly peaceful feel, even when it’s busy. We don’t spend as much time here as we do at some of Coeur d’Alene’s other parks because we typically have our dog, Callie, with us, and dogs aren’t permitted in the park. For visitors without a four-legged travel companion, though, it’s an easy and relaxing addition to a day exploring downtown.

Visit McEuen Park

Adjacent to downtown, McEuen Park has become one of Coeur d’Alene’s premier public spaces.

The park includes a large playground, dog park, open green space, lake views, and public art.

It’s a perfect place to unwind after exploring downtown.

McEuen Park has become one of our favorite places to gather for local events. Whether we’re attending a brewfest or finding a spot to watch the Fourth of July fireworks, the park’s large open spaces make it an ideal gathering place right along the waterfront. It’s also a great spot to bring a picnic and spend a relaxing afternoon with views of the lake. We often think of McEuen as a jumping-off point for exploring more of the area, especially since you can head directly from the park onto the trails of Tubbs Hill.

Explore Downtown Coeur d’Alene

The Coeur d’Alene Resort is home to one of the city’s most famous attractions—the floating boardwalk.

Stretching along the shoreline, the boardwalk offers panoramic lake views and serves as a great place for an evening stroll.

On calm summer mornings, the reflections on the lake make for some fantastic photographs.

Some of our favorite stops include:

Take a Lake Coeur d'Alene Cruise

One of the best ways to appreciate the size and beauty of Lake Coeur d’Alene is from the water.

Several cruise options are available throughout the year, including scenic lake cruises, sunset cruises, holiday cruises, and dinner cruises.

You’ll learn about the area’s history while enjoying some of the best views in North Idaho.

Relax at City Park

Located directly on the lake, City Park is one of the most popular gathering places in town.

Features include a sandy swimming beach, picnic areas, playground, walking paths, and volleyball courts.

This is an excellent spot for families or anyone wanting a relaxing afternoon by the water.

Drive the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway

One of the most underrated experiences in the area is simply getting in the car and exploring.

The scenic drive around portions of Lake Coeur d’Alene offers lake overlooks, small communities, photography opportunities, and access to hiking trails.

Allow at least half a day if you plan to stop frequently.

We enjoy driving the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway because it has a completely different feel from downtown and other parts of Coeur d’Alene. Not long after leaving I-90, the scenery begins to change, with beautiful meadows and creeks on one side and glimpses of the lake on the other. As you continue along the route, the landscape shifts again and again—from forested stretches and open farmland to secluded waterfront communities and upscale resorts. The relative remoteness is part of the charm and makes the drive feel like an escape from the busier areas around town. We especially enjoy combining the drive with a hike at Mineral Ridge, making it an easy way to experience two very different sides of the Lake Coeur d’Alene area in one outing.

Discover Mineral Ridge National Recreation Trail

For hikers looking for something beyond Tubbs Hill, Mineral Ridge offers one of the best viewpoints in North Idaho.

The trail climbs above Beauty Bay and rewards hikers with panoramic views of the lake and surrounding mountains.

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: Approximately 3 miles roundtrip

Mineral Ridge is one of my favorite hikes around Coeur d’Alene—and, fittingly enough for Backpacks & Flip Flops, I once hiked the entire trail in flip-flops after leaving that morning without my hiking shoes. I made it, but I’d still recommend wearing proper hiking shoes, especially on the steeper sections of the trail.

The views along the hike are some of the best we’ve found around Lake Coeur d’Alene, and the short side trail to the old prospecting cave is an easy and worthwhile detour. At the top, the area around Caribou Cabin is a great place to sit down, catch your breath, drink some water, and take in the beautiful views.

Because Mineral Ridge is a loop, the experience changes depending on which direction you hike. We found the eastern side to be more gradual and shaded, while the western side is steeper and more exposed. If you prefer to tackle the steeper section going uphill and finish with an easier descent through the shade, plan your direction accordingly.

Spend a Day on the Water

Summer in Coeur d’Alene revolves around the lake.

Popular activities include kayaking, paddleboarding, boat rentals, jet skiing, and fishing.

Even a few hours on the water can become the highlight of your trip.

We look forward to the day when we have our own boat in Coeur d’Alene. Until then, renting one is a pretty close second. One of our favorite ways to spend a summer day is cruising up the Spokane River, admiring the beautiful waterfront homes and watching everyone else enjoying life on the water, before turning around and heading out onto Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Once we’re out on the lake, there’s nothing better than finding a good spot to slow down, soak up some sun, and jump into the open water for a swim. Being on a boat gives you an entirely different perspective of Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding landscape—and, for us, it’s one of the best ways to appreciate just how beautiful this part of the country really is.

Watch Sunset from Independence Point

Few locations offer a better sunset experience than Independence Point.

Located between City Park and the Coeur d’Alene Resort, this small peninsula provides unobstructed lake views and often becomes a gathering place for photographers and visitors as the sun sets.

Bring your camera—you’ll likely leave with some of your favorite photos from the trip.

Our very first day in Coeur d’Alene happened to be the Fourth of July, so our introduction to the city was already a memorable one. But one of the moments that stayed with us most was watching the sunset from Independence Point. There are few things more beautiful than seeing the colors of a summer sunset reflected across the calm waters of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

Fortunately, spectacular sunsets aren’t unusual here during the summer, so you’ll likely have more than one opportunity during your visit. We recommend arriving a little early, finding a comfortable spot near the water, and simply taking it all in. For us, that first sunset was the perfect introduction to Coeur d’Alene—and one of the many reasons we’ve continued coming back.

Where to Stay in Coeur d'Alene

Visitors have plenty of lodging options ranging from luxury resorts to budget-friendly hotels.

Popular choices include the Coeur d’Alene Resort, One Lakeside, The Roosevelt Inn, Hampton Inn & Suites, and Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn.

For RV travelers, several excellent campgrounds and RV parks are located within a short drive of downtown.

Final Thoughts

Coeur d’Alene manages to combine outdoor adventure, waterfront beauty, and small-town charm in a way few destinations can.

Whether you’re hiking Tubbs Hill, exploring downtown, cruising the lake, or simply relaxing on the beach, it’s easy to see why so many visitors fall in love with this corner of North Idaho.

If you’re planning your first visit, start with the attractions above—you’ll experience the very best that Coeur d’Alene has to offer.

Plan your Coeur d’Alene trip

Continue planning with our Coeur d’Alene budget guide, dog-friendly Coeur d’Alene guide, and RV travel hub. Compare our firsthand reviews of Tamarack RV Park, Ravenwood RV Resort, River Walk RV Park, and Canyon Pines RV Resort, then see our DOMA Coffee Atlas Waterfront review.