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Attractions
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COLDWATER CREEK
One of the top retailers of upscale women's apparel, the mail-order giant Coldwater Creek is headquartered in Sandpoint with its flagship retail store located in the heart of downtown. Now located in the recently remodeled, historic W.A. Bernd Building at 311 N. First Avenue, Coldwater Creek offers world-class shopping in style, with an espresso shop and wine bar on premises and frequent entertainment.
Open Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Phone 208-263-2265.
Visit their website.
SCHWEITZER
An undiscovered place to rediscover your family and friends. Schweitzer Mountain Resort is a top winter destination with the finest skiing and snowboarding -- and the best panoramic views -- in the Inland Northwest. With 2,900 acres, 2,400 feet of vertical, 67 named runs and seven chairlifts, Schweitzer is a dream for downhill enthusiasts. There's also 32k of cross country trails, beautiful snowshoe trails, a brand-new tubing center and plenty of shopping. The Chimney Rock Grill serves delectable Northwest cuisine compliments of Executive Chef Michael Williams and features an award-winning wine list. In the summer, there is a plethora of mountain activities, with chairlift rides, hiking and mountain biking and horseback rides, picnicking and huckleberry picking, plus frequent music events and festivals. On-mountain, visitors stay at the luxurious Selkirk Lodge or White Pine Lodge, slopeside with access to an outdoor pool and spas. Winter or summer, experience the beauty of North Idaho's premier alpine resort! Call 208-263-9555 or 800-831-8810. See their website.
SILVERWOOD THEME PARK
It’s the Northwest’s largest theme park with three outrageous roller coasters, more than 60 other rides and amusements, a vintage narrow-track railroad, turn-of-the-century village -- and the new Boulder Beach Water Park with multiple slides, wave pool and more. A single admission gets you into all parks and includes shows and entertainment. Located 30 minutes south of Sandpoint on Highway 95 at Athol. Phone 208-683-3400 or click to www.silverwoodthemepark.com
RAILROADING
Sandpoint is one of the West's greatest railroading towns, where the Burlington Northern, Montana Rail Link and Spokane International rail systems all converge to create "The Funnel," an amazingly active rail crossroads with more than 40 trains a day traveling through. Rail buffs come from around the world to see the many trains traveling through. You can sample Sandpoint's rich railroading heritage can be sampled at the Bonner County Historical Museum at 609 S. Ella, phone 208-263-2344. For the brochure, "A Railfan's Guide to Sandpoint Idaho," contact the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce.
GOLF
Sandpoint offers golfing right at the edge of town at the Elks Golf Club, a well-maintained 9-hole course perfect for the beginner or intermediate golfer. On Highway 200 East, phone 208-263-4321. For twice as many holes and a lot more challenge, StoneRidge Golf and Recreational Community is 50 minutes southwest of Sandpoint in the beautiful Blanchard Valley. The 18-hole championship-level golf course was completely renovated in 2001 and offers enough challenge for any level of golfer. Phone 208-437-4653, or go to stoneridgeidaho.com. Coming in 2007 one of the region's most anticipated golf resort renovations will be completed when the former Hidden Lakes Golf Resort just 12 miles east of Sandpoint re-emerges at The Idaho Club with a new Jack Nicklaus Signature golf course and premium amenities including a huge log clubhouse, full-service spa, pool, tennis and sport courts and more. Go to www.theidahoclub.com. On Highway 200 East, phone 208-263-4321.
WINERY TOUR
Sandpoint is home to the Pend d’Oreille Winery, vinting award-winning wines using grapes from the finest vineyards of the Northwest. The tasting room and lifestyle gift shop are not to be missed when visiting Sandpoint. Browse the shop for gifts for home, garden and life. Start your evening off at the wine bar with Happy Hour every day from 4 pm and live local music on Fridays and Saturdays. Open daily for complimentary tasting and tours. Phone 208.265.8545 or check www.powine.com.
ANTIQUES
Foster's Crossing at Fifth between Cedar and Oak streets is a mini mall with antiques, books, jewelry and more. There's also a fine, small restaurant. Phone 208-263-5911. Cocolalla Corner Antiques has a fine collection as well. Located in Cocollala 12 miles south of Sandpoint. (Closed January and February.) Phone 208-263-9033.
WILDLIFE REFUGE
With more than 2,000 acres, the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, 30 miles north of Sandpoint near Bonners Ferry, has plenty of habitat for an abundance of wildlife. The refuge has developed hiking and cross-country ski trails and blinds where waterfowl can be viewed. In autumn, the refuge plays host to literally tens of thousands of ducks, geese and swans migrating down the Pacific Flyway. Some hearty waterfowl winter over. Summer residents include bald eagles, rough-legged hawks, herons, geese and ducks. With luck, you may spot elk, deer, moose or bear. Auto tour routes are open daily except for the hunting season in October-November. A trail near the office and an area on the auto route are handicapped-accessible. Phone 208-267-3888.
BONNER COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY AND MUSEUM
This delightful museum has many fine displays depicting old-time Bonner County. An extensive collection of Ross Hall photos are on exhibit, as well as a pioneer kitchen with memorabilia from a bygone era and reproductions of gowns worn by First Ladies at their husbands' inaugurations. Summer hours are Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winter hours are Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located at 611 S. Ella at Lakeview Park. Phone 208-263-2344. Website: www.bonnercountyhistory.org
DAM TOURS
Albeni Falls Dam tours are free and held seven days a week at six different times throughout the day. Tour guides will lead you inside the powerhouse, around the generators, onto each of the five floors and out on the spillway. Phone 208-437-3133.
LAKE PEND OREILLE CRUISES
Come be Captain Pearson's guest aboard the 40-foot Shawnodese, and discover the majesty and magic of Lake Pend Oreille. The Shawnodese was built by the Captain himself, employing the style and grace of shipbuilding utilized at the turn of the century. In summer, public cruises are scheduled daily. This distinctive vessel can be chartered for two to 30 people and is excellent for weddings, parties, business meetings, or just touring the lake. Call 888-SANDPOINT (726-3764) or 208-255-LAKE (5253) or see their website.
STATE PARKS
Three state parks are within close range to Sandpoint, Farragut, Round Lake and Priest Lake (www.idahoparks.org). Farragut State Park is located four miles east of Athol, phone 208-683-2425, with 4,000 scenic acres alongside the southern tip of Lake Pend Oreille. Camping, swimming, boating, lots of wildlife viewing, a model-airplane flying field, mountain biking, cross-country skiing and an 18-hole disc golf course are all available. Round Lake State Park is located 10 miles south of Sandpoint just west of Highway 95 on Dufort Road, phone 208-263-3489. Round Lake is a small, scenic lake surrounded by an interpretive trail and filled with perch and trout. Camping, fishing, hiking, skating, sledding and cross-country skiing are all available. Priest Lake State Park is located on Coolin Road in Coolin alongside the clear waters of Priest Lake, a beautiful lake abundant in kokanee salmon and trout. Phone 208-443-2200. Hiking and biking trails, camping (RV or tent), wildlife viewing and swimming are all available.
FISH HATCHERIES
On the Pend Oreille River alongside Lakeshore Drive, the new Sandpoint Waterlife Discovery Center offers interpretive trails and self-guided tours of fish habitat and an educational interpretive area. Check the web page. 208-769-1414 Cabinet Gorge Hatchery, about 30 miles east of Sandpoint just outside of Clark Fork, hatches several million kokanee salmon eggs each year for release into Lake Pend Oreille. Open daily; call 208-266-1431 to arrange a tour for a group, or stop in any day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a self-guided tour.
HORSEBACK RIDING
Mountain Horse Adventures treats riders to leisurely horseback tours through rich mountain forests and alpine meadows at Schweitzer in summer and similar sleigh rides in the winter; phone 208-263-TROT or 800-831-8810. Or visit their website. Western Pleasure Guest Ranch, 16 miles northeast of Sandpoint, offers sleigh rides in a rural setting for groups and couples, as well as horseback rides and overnight camping horse trips; phone 208-263-9066. See their website.
BONNER MALL
Climate-controlled shopping with room to roam. This expansive mall has many stores, a restaurant and a full-service supermarket. Open seven days a week on Highway 95 two miles north of Sandpoint. Frequent events. Phone 208-263-4272.