Travel to coeur d' alene Idaho?

[North East Goon]

Anyone ever spent a relaxing week long trip dow to these parts? Is there enough to do there to satisfy a 3 yr. old terror with endless amounts of energy? Places to say,see,eat? Looking to go in May.

[Jimmy Stang]

I feel like one day I should do a tour of Coeur d'Alene and Spokane after growing up with their TV stations here in Calgary. Maybe say hi to Randy Shaw.

[Jayems]

I always see commercials for the coeur d' alene casino! Probably not a good environment for a three year old... I've only ever been through there on the way to the Gorge.
Looks like there's a music festival in the end of may there too. Again, not sure if that's kid friendly or not... That's all I can suggest, unfortunately, and none of it is really relaxing.

[Ducay]

Been through the area a few times and have camped near Sandpoint as well.

Pretty similar to interior BC. Coeur D'alene is alright, nothing crazy special though

[Kybosh]

I'm not sure about with a 3 year old but there is a lot of golf in them there places.

[FFR]

We used to spend some time every summer in the area (closer to Sandpoint) at our cabin. We kept pretty busy but it depends if you're willing to drive. There are tons of lakes to swim in and a bit of historical stuff in Sandpoint. As others have mentioned - lots of golf courses. And most are pretty reasonably priced.

There is a theme park - Silverwood that is close by as well. It has a huge water park now in the back which is included with admission to the theme park as well.

There is a great minigolf/bumperboats/arcade fun place that we used to go to right off the highway coming into Coeur d'Alene from Sandpoint.

There are also a number of old mines around the area though they requrie some driving to get to. Most of them have tours to take you inside them - one still has tons of gold left in it.

If you go to Sandpoint make sure you eat at Panhandler's Pies and 2nd Avenue Pizza. Both HIGHLY recommended.

I'll try and think of some more things that we did to keep busy...

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

I would have to stop at Parker Toyota.

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by Sidney Crosby's Hat

I would have to stop at Parker Toyota.

I wonder if Yota is still around.

[troutman]

Deep lake at Sandpoint (Pend Orielle?). The Navy has subs in there.

[Cactus Jack]

It's ok but in my opinion the Okanagan is closer and just as good if not better.

[Sidney Crosby's Hat]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

I wonder if Yota is still around.

According to the website, it's "Lucky" now.

http://www.parkertoyota.com/about-us/

[ken0042]

I would spend the extra 45 minutes and go to Spokane. As for shopping I found it much easier to find what you wanted; better variety was the big thing I found.

[MoneyGuy]

It looks like several of us have camped at Round Lake (south of Sandpoint). This is a nice area. My wife almost burned the whole forest down on one fateful camping trip many years ago. I won't go into details unless requested to do so.

[604flames]

I don't know what your timeline is but the ballpark in Spokane is gorgeous.

Coeur d'Alene is nice, but a bit quiet for kids, you're more likely to find many more kid-friendly options in the Spoke.

[Hack&Lube]

Originally Posted by troutman

Deep lake at Sandpoint (Pend Orielle?). The Navy has subs in there.

I know the lake is deep but how do they get the subs in and out? It's landlocked!

[Hack&Lube]

I used to go to the Sandpoint/Coeur d'Alene/Spokane trip as a kid, mostly because my parents wanted to go buy stuff in the US when the exchange rate was good at the end of the 80s.

All I have are memories of visiting Target and being wowed and buying Cookie Crisp and stuff. I also remember visiting that bridge in Sandpoint and eating Pea Soup there.

[The Goon]

Coeur D'Alene's pretty in the summertime. I like the quaintness of the town and the lake is outstanding. Definitely head over to Spokane for the shopping (no state sales tax for AB residents).

[troutman]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

I know the lake is deep but how do they get the subs in and out? It's landlocked!

very large truck

http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08357.htm

LSV (Large Scale Vehicle): Ordered 12 Feb 1999, designed and built by an industry team from Newport News Shipbuilding and General Dynamics/Electric Boat Company under contract from Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). Christened as Cutthroat (LSV 2), on November 15, 2000 and commisioned on Feb 2001. The Cutthroat is operated by the Acoustic Research Detachment (ARD) for the Naval Sea Systems Command (SEA 92R). Cutthroat is a 0.294-scale model of the Virginia (SSN-774) that will operate as an unmanned, autonomous submarine test vehicle for evaluating new technologies.Cutthroat will operate on Lake Pend Oreille at the Acoustic Research Detachment in Bayview, Idaho, the Navy's laboratory for demonstrating submarine stealth technology. The facility is operated by the Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock Division.

http://www.dt.navy.mil/about_us/divi...etachment.html

Lake Pend Oreille provides a deep (1150 ft), quiet body of water where a free-field ocean-like environment is available without the attendant problems and costs of open ocean operations.

13th deepest lake in the world:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/crla/brochures/deeplakes.htm

I think there is a nuclear silo(s) near Sandpoint too. The signs say they will shoot to kill if you try to climb the fences.

[3 Justin 3]

You have to go to the Coeur d'Alene Casino.

[Ice_Weasel]

I was in Coeur d'Alene the last two summers with young kids (1.5 y/o). There is an outstanding park just off the public beach that has to have the largest fort style playgorund i have ever seen. My daughter would play in it for hours...so if your kid likes parks/playgrounds that is a good bet.

If you go to spokane, there is a kids 'museum' at the base of the large mall downtown which is not a bad place to entertain the kid for a while.

If you are looking for a road trip, there is a cool indoor waterpark at Silver Mountain ski hill which is about a 1/2 hr drive. Has great stuff for kids and some adult friendly things too (like a surf simulator).

And of course the lake is great, not sure if the temp will be swim friendly in May though.