Northern Idaho, ID

Travel Guide

Northern Idaho
Northern Idaho featuring a lake or waterhole and a sunset
Harrison showing tranquil scenes and a lake or waterhole
Harrison featuring a lake or waterhole
Sandpoint featuring a lake or waterhole and a sunset

Idaho’s Panhandle region is a wonderland of thrilling family attractions and adventurous activities within a swath of green, mountainous countryside.

Head into the mountains of Northern Idaho, a seldom-explored corner of the U.S. that offers a vacation packed with entertainment and excitement. The Panhandle region stretches up the Canadian border and reaches into the Coeur d’Alene and Bitterroot ranges of the Rocky Mountains.

The Coeur D’Alene region’s history lies in the landscape of the Pacific Northwest. Visit the Museum of North Idaho to learn about the roles that logging and agriculture played in the industry of the state. Explore the Bonner County Historical Museum or the Old Mission in the town of Coeur d’Alene for insight into the region’s indigenous communities.

Northern Idaho is a place where you can embrace the outdoors. Lace up your hiking boots and hit the walking trails around the lakes and rivers of the region. Trek through Kootenai Wildlife Refuge and look for bison, elk and other wild animals. Q’emiln Trail encompasses 14 different routes and winds through the Spokane River gorge.

Bring your family to Northern Idaho for fun at any time of year. In winter, Farragut State Park offers enjoyable skiing slopes for all abilities, while many of the towns offer sports such as snowmobiling and ice skating. In summer, plummet down the steep drops of the roller coasters in Silverwood Theme Park or ride mountain bike trails through untouched scenery.

Golfers flock to Northern Idaho to play 18 holes with the Rocky Mountains as a dramatic backdrop to their game. Ponderosa, Avondale and Priest Lake are just a few of the popular courses in the region.

Fly into Coeur d’Alene Airport to land in the middle of Northern Idaho. Alternatively, choose one of the regular flights to Spokane International Airport in neighboring Washington.

Northern Idaho is colder than the southern half of the state. Come in winter for heavy snowfalls and exhilarating winter sports. Peak season in Northern Idaho is in summer, when the sun shines brightly and the mountains break out into the colors of seasonal flowers.

Where to stay in Northern Idaho

Panoramic view from the beach shoreline of Lake Coeur d'Alene with the downtown resort area in view in the mountain town of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho USA.

Downtown

While Downtown might not have many sights to explore, venturing just a little farther will lead you to top things to see and do like Independence Point and Tubbs Hill Park.

Downtown
A waterfront cafe restaurant along the small lake with water feature at the Riverstone development district in the downtown Coeur d'Alene area.

Garden District

4.5/5(25 area reviews)

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in Garden District and surrounding area, you can visit Independence Point and Tubbs Hill Park.

Garden District
View from the rocky coastline of Tubbs Hill park along the lake in the downtown district of Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, USA.

Sanders Beach

While visiting Sanders Beach, you might make a stop by sights like Tubbs Hill Park and Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Sanders Beach
Panorama Cityscape View of Coeur d'Alene, ID and Lake Coeur d'Alene During Winter

East Mullen

While there might not be top attractions in East Mullen, you can explore the larger area and discover places like Sanders Beach and Tubbs Hill Park.

East Mullen
The Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes as it runs past a small sandy beach at the small lakeside town of Harrison, Idaho, USA, in the general Coeur d'Alene area of North Idaho.

North of Harrison

Though North of Harrison might not have many top sights, you can venture to the surrounding area to see attractions like Independence Point and North Idaho Beach.

North of Harrison
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East Midtown

If you're looking for some top things to see and do in East Midtown and surrounding area, you can visit Coeur d'Alene Resort Golf Course and Sanders Beach.

East Midtown
La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d`Alene

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d`Alene

3 out of 5
333 Ironwood Ave Coeur d'Alene ID
$87 nightly
The price is $94 total per night from Mar 22 to Mar 23
$94 total
Mar 22 - Mar 23
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Coeur d'Alene. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,389 reviews)
Room was clean quite and comfortable. Breakfast was good and coffee was really good.

Reviewed on Mar 18, 2026

La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d`Alene
Triple Play Resort Hotel & Suites

Triple Play Resort Hotel & Suites

2.5 out of 5
151 West Orchard Avenue Hayden ID
$129 nightly
The price is $139 total per night from Apr 12 to Apr 13
$139 total
Apr 12 - Apr 13
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Hayden. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Staff was friendly. Shopping nearby for forgotten items.

Reviewed on Mar 16, 2026

Triple Play Resort Hotel & Suites
Hotel Ruby Ponderay/Sandpoint

Hotel Ruby Ponderay/Sandpoint

2.5 out of 5
477255 Highway 95 N Ponderay ID
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
$83 nightly
The price is $98 total per night from Apr 7 to Apr 8
$98 total
Apr 7 - Apr 8
Total with taxes and fees
Book a stay at this business-friendly hotel in Ponderay. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
Very pleased

Reviewed on Mar 15, 2026

Hotel Ruby Ponderay/Sandpoint
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Stoneridge Resort

Stoneridge Resort

3 out of 5
150 Holiday Loop Blanchard ID
Book a stay at this golf aparthotel in Blanchard. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a fitness center. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (428 reviews)
Beautiful, clean and roomy room. Always love our stay at Stoneridge resort!

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2026

Stoneridge Resort
Private lakeside A-frame cabin w/ hot tub, beach, docks, games... 4 season fun!

Private lakeside A-frame cabin w/ hot tub, beach, docks, games... 4 season fun!

Coeur d'Alene ID
Book a stay at this beach cabin in Coeur d'Alene. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a beach locale. Popular attractions Lake Coeur d'Alene and Coeur d'Alene ...
10/10 Exceptional! (91 reviews)
Our stay was absolutely lovely. The cabin was clean and quaint and homey. It has a rustic feel, which I love. There were comfy couches with throw pillows and blankets to curl up on. The bed was comfortable and I loved the sheets!!! Given it was February when we stayed, we did walk across the road ...

Reviewed on Mar 11, 2026

Private lakeside A-frame cabin w/ hot tub, beach, docks, games... 4 season fun!
Dog-friendly mountain castle with a washer/dryer, private hot tub, & fireplace

Dog-friendly mountain castle with a washer/dryer, private hot tub, & fireplace

Sandpoint ID
Book a stay at this ski vacation home in Sandpoint. Enjoy private hot tubs, a water park, and laundry facilities. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our ...
10/10 Exceptional! (69 reviews)
This was such a magical place to stay on our Christmas vacation!! It surpassed ALL expectations! I have yet to experience such uniqueness as well as exceptional quality… We came with our college age sons and they were blown away! The second night we had 6 inches of fresh snow…Chateau ...

Reviewed on Dec 26, 2025

Dog-friendly mountain castle with a washer/dryer, private hot tub, & fireplace
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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