We were lucky enough to drive through the beautiful Coeur d’Alene area on our road trip and let me tell you Bob, it was gorgeous. Although I might not ever be able to spell it correctly {seriously, what on earth were the founders thinking? Were they just trying to be mean and stump everyone who ever tried to spell the name of their city? Think of the kindergartners, people. Poor things are wishing they were from an easy-to-spell town like Portland!}, I totally get why someone would love living there!
We didn’t have a chance to experience all Coeur d’Alene had to offer, but from what the townspeople said, there’s a bunch to do in that pretty city! Here are the top 6 things:
Go Golfing: Bring your clubs and hit the green. Coeur d’Alene is home to some amazing golf courses! Their famous floating golf green is a must see at the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course. That course, known as the ultimate golfing experience, was once described as America’s Most Beautiful Resort Golf Course by Golf Digest. You can also hit up the highly acclaimed Circling Raven Golf Course and Stoneridge Golf Course. They are a must try for anyone who loves the game, as it’s been said that the courses in Coeur d’Alene are golf at its finest!
Head to Silverwood Theme Park: Silverwood is the largest theme and water park in the American Northwest. It sits on 413-acres and boasts more than 70 rides, slides, shows and attractions. Over the years, Silverwood has grown in both size and popularity, transforming from a small local amusement park to a regional theme park destination. In 2003, an adjacent water park named Boulder Beach Water Park was opened. Entrance to Boulder Beach is included with admission to Silverwood Theme Park. In 2009, Silverwood began an annual Halloween event called Scarywood, held during the month of October.
Hit the Lake: Lake Coeur d’Alene is the highlight of the city, and for good reason. The view is gorgeous and the water is perfect. You can rent a SUP, go boating, fishing, water skiing, swimming or just lounge on one of their clean local beaches.
Take a Guided Lake Tour: Experience Lake Coeur d’Alene in style and comfort. Kick back and enjoy the scenery and let the captain take you around the lake. Experience the history and wildlife of North Idaho lakes. Enjoy spectacular views of bald eagles, osprey, mountain goats, deer, elk and moose. You can also add on a lake kayak lessons that will provide you with a local knowledge base of the area and equipment expertise.
Fight the Rapids: Idaho is home to the most river miles of any state in the lower 48! White water rafting is a great way to experience one of the true gems of the area. Don’t worry if you’ve never been. There are enough rivers to suit every experience level from novice to expert, and everyone in between. Guided tours run daily in season.
Go Horseback Riding: Moving away from the water, you can venture into the Idaho wilderness with gentle cowboy-trained quarter horses. Guided by a professional wrangler, you’ll explore trails surrounded by Ponderosa pines, and travel into Coeur d’Alene’s back yard. Saddle-up and take a trek into the Idaho wilderness!
Ever been to Coeur d’Alene? Have anything to add to the list? Are you able to spell it without looking it up {if so, you get a gold star!}?
~Mavis
Lucy says
Hi Mavis,
Coeur d’Alene means heart of Alene in French…. wonder if the town was founded by French settlers? Maybe from Quebec?
Margie says
Yes, it was; French fur trappers. This is mentioned several times in historical fiction of the time.
gina says
Yes, it’s pretty amazing that we Americans don’t realize that America was founded by Native Americans, Dutch, French, and Spanish settlers way way way before the English came. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, St. Louis, Missouri, Los Angeles, California… do my fellow Americans really think the English named these ?
America did not start with Plymouth Rock. But the marketing ploy sure seems to have stuck.
There is America and then there is the United States of America. America is more than twice as old as the United States of America.
Julie says
French Canadian fur traders in the late 18th or early 19th century gave them their non-native name. The name Cœur d’Alène means Heart of an Awl, referring to the perceived shrewdness of the trading skills exhibited by the tribe. The native language is Coeur d’Alene, an Interior Salishan language.
Cindy M. says
We live in Spokane and LOVE the whole Inland NW! We have rented SUP’s and taken our Spokane and Montana kids and families to Lake Coeur’ d Alene and had a blast! Here’s some additional trivia…did you know that as the lake heads south and east, that it is “divided” into two other lakes? Lake Chalcolet is at the south end and then as the body of water extends east, it turns in to Lake Benewah-it is a beautiful area to recreate-camping, hiking, kayaking and of course, the Trail of The Coeur’ d Alenes “rails to trails” route-a 72 mile paved trail from Plummer, ID to Mullen, ID-we have biked all but the last section of Osburn to Mullen-doing that this summer! It is so beautiful! There are so many awesome places to eat in CDA….nom…
jamie says
The name comes from the native American tribe that lives in the area. Same goes for Spokane and many other cities in the NW.
Amy says
I’ve never been, but every time I see that name I think of the book Walk Two Moons by Sharon Creech. It is written for kids (I always read it with my 5th and 6th grade classes), but it is one that adults can enjoy as well. It is a favorite of mine that I shared with my students for many years. If you want a quick read and a good cry, you should check it out.
Shelle says
We live about 90 minutes away and love heading to CDA (how locals abbreviate) for fun weekends! I’m sure we’ll hit up Silverwood this summer and DH and I had an awesome anniversary weekend at the luxurious resort a few years ago. I also highly recommend ‘Walk Two Moons.’ So, so good!
Sarah says
I was one of those poor kindergarteners in Coeur d’Alene! I was taught “Oscar Eats Ugly Rats” as the way to remember the letter order of the “Coeur” part… and I sill say it in my head to this day as a 32 year old mom! Coeur d’Alene is also home to many great hiking trails, varying in difficulty from family friendly to challenging. There’s also great huckleberry picking, fun and free community events, especially in the summer, and some great dining downtown. There’s several great parks as well. Also, if you are into dirt-biking and 4 wheeling, there’s lots of space to do that. The winter is great for those who love skiing or snowboarding as there are 3 ski resorts nearby.