Staycation Ideas in Coeur d’Alene and the Surrounding Areas

You know the phrase, “I need a vacation from my vacation?” Well, depending on the kind of vacation you choose, that is entirely possible. As much as we want our vacation to be relaxing and refreshing, all too often it’s jam-packed with a variety of time-consuming preparations, multiple modes of transportation, as well as navigating through crowds, and unpredictable schedules to ensure we make the most of our time away from home. At best, we might enjoy a couple of carefree days on vacation, but the majority of our vacation days leave us completely wiped out!

Stepping away from the “daily grind” is a good thing, and vacations are wonderful opportunities for creating lifelong memories, but the truth is, these experiences are not always rejuvenating. So, what’s an alternative to a traditional vacation you ask? The answer is “staycation.” Staycations are similar to a normal vacation since you still experience new places, new foods, as well as refreshments and relaxation, but a major difference is that there are minimal travel expenses due to staying local so the cost is substantially less.

Living in the “resort town” of Coeur d’Alene is a treat because this place is already a slice of paradise! Whether you’ve lived here your entire life or you are new to the area, it is not too difficult to find a new adventure. Here are some ideas you may want to consider for a future staycation:

The Scenic Outdoors

Expansive lakes, rushing rivers, and forested mountains provide ample opportunities to enjoy the beauty of the outdoors. To explore the scenery, you can take a casual drive down a new road, or perhaps take a relaxing stroll on the boardwalk.

If you prefer to be in the heart of nature, there are miles of recreation trails all over North Idaho. The North Idaho Centennial Trail offers 23 miles of paved walkway that is perfect for walking, running, or biking along the Spokane River. Tubbs Hill Nature Trail is a fantastic way to take a leisurely 2.2-mile hike with an incredible view of Lake Coeur d’Alene.

If you want to enjoy the water, but don’t own a boat, there are boat rental companies so that you can make memories while tubing or skiing around the 30-mile lake. For a more relaxing boat ride on Lake Coeur d’Alene, you can take a scenic cruise from the Coeur d’Alene Resort Boardwalk Marina.

Cultural Experiences Downtown

If art and culture pique your interest, you may want to wander through the charming downtown scene on Sherman Avenue where you can probably find a new business or a remodeled shop to explore. What about taking an art class at Emerge Art Studio? Or, have you stepped into Vault Coffee yet? Check it out and energize yourself with a caffeinated drink while browsing their goods. Whether you have children or not, Figpickles Toy Emporium is always a good idea. Oh, and who doesn’t love Dockside or Beverley’s restaurant at the resort? Those dining experiences are always a treat because the food is seasonal and the views are epic!

Adventure-Seekers

If you want to do something that is bucket-list worthy, you may want to spend the day with Timberline Adventures for some world-class zip lines. Soaring through the air on a zip line while enjoying some breathtaking sky bridges will no doubt create delightful, long-lasting memories. After a day of ziplining, you could wrap it up with a trip to the new treehouse, which is suspended 30 feet in the air. Talk about exhilarating!

Another worthwhile, outdoor adventure is up in Athol where you can experience a whole new treetop outing at Tree to Tree Adventure Park. Here you will have the opportunity to try different adventure courses that progress in difficulty as you journey through the trees. Each course has a series of unique obstacle elements that include ladders, tight ropes, balance beams, and more. It’s a chance to bring out your inner Tarzan and conquer the obstacles that come your way.

 

Fun-Filled Attractions

If you would like to have a jam-packed day full of indoor and outdoor activities then Triple Play Family Fun Park is where to go! Swimming, mini-golf, laser tag, bumper cars, an expansive ropes course, bowling, and more can be found at this facility in Hayden. Of course, the deluxe version of fun can only be found at Silverwood Theme Park. There are 70 rides, shows, and attractions as well as an expansive water park that is full of water slides, a relaxing “Lazy River” and a couple of wave pools. You can’t go wrong at either of these fun parks!

Who needs a vacation when you live in Coeur d’Alene?!