Things to do in Northern Idaho
Looking for the best things to do in North Idaho? This guide highlights the top attractions across Coeur d’Alene, Sandpoint, Hayden, and the surrounding areas—from ski resorts and lakes to breweries, golf courses, and family-friendly activities.
Top Things to Do in North Idaho
Skip to: Amusement Parks | Breweries | Golf | Lakes | Ski/Snowboard
Things to do in North Idaho
Ski/Snowboard
One of the top things to do in North Idaho is explore its amazing ski resorts like Schweitzer, Silver Mountain, and Lookout Pass.
Black Tie Ski Rentals provides premium ski and snowboard rentals delivered directly to your vacation home, offering the easiest and most convenient rental experience in Sandpoint and at Schweitzer Mountain Resort. Enjoy brand-new gear from top brands, personalized in-home fittings, and expert recommendations tailored to your ability and current snow conditions. Skip the rental shop lines and experience the top-rated ski rental delivery service in North Idaho.
Schweitzer Mountain has a summit elevation of 6,400 feet (1,951 m) above sea level with a vertical drop of 2,440 feet (744 m). There are 92 named runs and open bowls on Schweitzer’s skiable area of 2,900 acres (11.7 km2), served by 10 lifts. The average annual snowfall is over 300 inches.
Our best accommodations to explore Schweitzer
Sitting on the Idaho–Montana border, Lookout Pass is known for reliable snowfall, easy access, and a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere. The mountain offers groomers, glades, and great beginner terrain, plus quick lift lines and affordable tickets—making it a favorite for skiers and riders looking for a no-crowds experience near North Idaho. In summer, Lookout becomes the gateway to the scenic Route of the Hiawatha bike trail, offering year-round adventure just a short drive from Coeur d’Alene and Sandpoint.
Silver Mountain is a year-round resort conveniently located in Kellogg, Idaho just off I-90 – an hour east of Spokane and 30 minutes east of Coeur d’Alene. Silver Mountain Resort offers skiing, snowboarding, lift served snow tubing and snowshoeing during the winter months.
Mt. Spokane Ski & Snowboard Park is located at the top of the iconic Mt. Spokane, which provides epic skiing and snowboarding for all ages and abilities. With 52 runs, seven lifts, an epic terrain park, a comprehensive ski school, and a friendly community, this unique place offers something for everyone.
Amusement Parks
Visiting Silverwood Theme Park is another popular thing to do in North Idaho, offering rides, slides, and family fun.
Silverwood is the largest theme and water park in the American Northwest on 413-acres and boasting more than 70 rides, slides, shows. and attractions. It is also the northernmost theme park in the United States.
Play and Stay here:
Cool off with a visit to the Boulder Beach Water Park, located inside Silverwood Theme Park. Featuring family-fun raft rides, waterslides, wave pools, toddler sprinklers, and more – everyone in the family will find their favorite water adventure.
Play and Stay here:
This indoor waterpark is located at the Silver Mountain Ski Resort. Attractions found at Silver Rapids include a flow rider continuous wave surfing machine, lazy river, family raft ride, two enclosed tube slides, activity pool, interactive water play structure and kiddie pool.
Breweries
North Idaho has a growing craft beer scene with relaxed taprooms, small-batch brewers, and family-friendly spots. Here are a few great places to grab a drink during your stay.
Jeremiah Johnson Brewing Company’s mission is to make great local beer, with great local products. This company is based in Great Falls, Montana but you can enjoy their excellent beer at their CDA Pub.
Post-Falls based microbrewery with a view and a penchant for the hoppy, malty, and delicious.
Lone Mountain Farms a small diverse farm growing fields of vegetables, berries, hops, rare grains and brewing a farm-craft beer like no other.
Trails End Brewery is about love for the outdoors, maps, craft beer, brick oven pizza, and is a place to share it with families, friends and new friends!
Mick Duff’s specializes in hand crafted ales, quality food and a great family atmosphere. Family owned, Family focused.
“Following our passion of creating unforgettable craft beer, craft food in a beautiful setting in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho.”
Golf
North Idaho is home to scenic, well-kept courses perfect for all skill levels. From CDA to Sandpoint, here are some favorite places to tee off.
The Idaho Club is home to Idaho’s only Jack Nicklaus Signature Golf Course, featuring an 18-hole championship layout that caters to golfers of all skill levels. Set against the stunning backdrop of Moose Mountain and the Lower Pack River, the course is framed by fir trees and vibrant native shrubs.
Our best accommodations to explore The Idaho Club:
- Elk Haven (Located at the Idaho Club)
The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort has spared nothing to deliver the ultimate golf experience, once described as “America’s Most Beautiful Resort Golf Course” by Golf Digest.
The Coeur d’Alene Public Golf Club was the first public golf course in Kootenai County, and was incorporated in June, 1953.
Nestled among native North Idaho pines in Hayden Idaho, Avondale is one of Coeur d’Alene’s most beautiful and well-conditioned golf clubs. Avondale Golf Course is privately owned but open to the public and provides a beautiful golfing experience to the North Idaho community and visitors.
Built in 1990 and well maintained, The Highlands Golf Course was designed by Jim Krause. The course features 6455 yards from the furthest tees, with well placed water features to increase the challenge of this beautiful course. From the first hole to the last, The Highlands Golf Course provides an unparalleled day of golf.
Whether you’re looking to break the course record, or just out to enjoy 18 holes of links style golf and a few beverages, or even a beginner golfer looking to learn about the game, you are welcome to enjoy the facilities at Prairie Falls.
Lakes
Exploring local lakes is one of the most iconic things to do in North Idaho, with Coeur d’Alene, Pend Oreille, Hayden, and Priest Lake each offering something unique.
Lake Coeur d’Alene, officially Coeur d’Alene Lake, is a natural dam-controlled lake. At its northern end is the city of Coeur d’Alene. It spans 25 miles (40 km) in length and ranges from 1 to 3 miles (5 km) wide with over 109 miles (175 km) of shoreline.
Our best accommodations to explore Lake Coeur d’Alene:
Lake Pend Oreille is the largest lake in the state of Idaho and the 38th-largest lake by area in the United States, with a surface area of 148 square miles . It is 43 miles (69 km) long, and 1,150 feet (350 m) deep in some regions, making it the fifth-deepest in the nation.
Our best accommodations to explore Lake Pend Oreille:
Hayden Lake, with its crystal clear waters, sandy beaches and picturesque timber shores, is one of the most beautiful and popular lakes of North Idaho. Its irregular shape gives it about 40 miles of shoreline, with the main portion of the lake being seven miles long and one to two miles in width.
Our best accommodations to explore Hayden Lake
Priest Lake is in the northernmost portion of the Idaho Panhandle, 80 miles northeast of Spokane. The northern end of the lake extends to within 15 miles (24 km) of the Canada–US border. The primary lake, lower Priest, is 19 miles long and over 300 feet deep. Upper Priest is connected by a 2.5 mile thoroughfare to lower Priest.
