Fun Things To Do In Coeur d'Alene This Winter
FUN THINGS TO DO IN CDA THIS WINTER
If you’ve ever heard about Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, you’ve probably heard of its crown jewel - the beautiful Coeur d’Alene Lake. Surrounded by gorgeous natural hiking trails, golf courses, resorts, spas, and a sweet little lake town - Coeur d’Alene promises endless fun in the summertime. But more and more, people are starting to catch on to Coeur d’Alene’s winter wonderland! Easy to get to (and hard to leave!), Coeur d’Alene has a lot to offer both wintertime wanderers and lighthearted locals.
Family-Friendly Attractions
The newest family-friendly attraction to come to Coeur d’Alene is Coeur d’Alene On Ice, a pop-up seasonal ice rink in the heart of downtown. Located in McEuen Park, the full size rink has views of the beautiful Lake Coeur d’Alene and the surrounding scenery. Nestled against the beautiful tree-covered Tubbs Hill, McEuen Park is home to fun recreational play equipment and plenty of benches on which to relax and take in the beauty.
Next to the rink is a large pavilion housing the skate rental, snack shack, and party space for hosting your birthday party or private group on the rink. Families can enjoy loaded hot cocoa and other treats & make memories by the fire pit or in one of the charming outdoor igloos. It’s a great family outing or date night activity!
The magic of CDA On Ice is well complemented by Sherman Avenue’s lit-up streets and holiday traditions that bring the community together during this season. The Coeur d’Alene resort hosts two fireworks shows in the wintertime - Thanksgiving Night and New Year’s Eve. And the tree lighting ceremony is an annual tradition that takes place on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Each of these events promise to provide wonderful memories of your visit to Coeur d’Alene in the winter.
Nightlife
The town of Coeur d’Alene has a quaint but bustling restaurant scene. The charming, walkable Sherman Avenue is home to several bars and restaurants - some of which have made their way onto the Food Network!
Even off the beaten path, there are several high end and casual dining restaurants unique to Coeur d’Alene. Try the infamous Tony’s On The Lake for a traditional Italian meal with a lake view. Are you a sushi fan? Kaiju and Shiki are great options right in the heart of downtown. Or you can take a few minute drive from the rink to Cranberry Road Winery for a wine tasting experience that can’t be beat! They also have a full menu for lunch and dinner. Put it this way - you won’t leave Coeur d’Alene hungry!
Outdoor Fun
Downhill skiing is a great winter pastime when visiting north Idaho. Silver Mountain in the nearby town of Kellogg is home to North America’s longest gondola!
Other downhill skiing options near Coeur d’Alene include Schweitzer Mountain near Pend Oreille, ID, and Lookout Pass on the Montana/Idaho border. If you head west into Washington, you can even visit Mount Spokane for more Pacific Northwest skiing!
Looking for something a little more low key? The Coeur d’Alene Resort turns their infinity pool into a hot tub for the winter season. You can relax while taking in the incredible views of the snow capped mountains and trees surrounding the lake!
The resort also offers lake cruises from the day after Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day to view the resort’s spectacular holiday lights display. Other winter cruises include eagle watching adventure lake tours in which you’ll catch captivating views of the North American Bald Eagle. Private charter cruises are also available year-round.
After all of these attractions, you may be thinking that Coeur d’Alene seems like it’s straight out of a Hallmark movie. Well, you’d be right! It truly is full of magical activities and attractions worth visiting any time of year. If you make it up this way during the winter, stop by the rink and say hello! We love showing off our hometown!