Enjoy Sandpoint
Food scene
There are so many places to dine, drink or snack in Sandpoint. Here are some of my favorites:
Panhandle Cone & Coffee
216 N First AveBEST. ICE CREAM. EVER. Plus they have coffee :)
Award winning coffee. Great place to sit and play a game of cribbage. They host community activities such as 80s PROM, UGLY SWEATER Party and often have live music.
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Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters
524 Church StAward winning coffee. Great place to sit and play a game of cribbage. They host community activities such as 80s PROM, UGLY SWEATER Party and often have live music.
A great variety of ethnic cuisine, Vegan and Gluten Free options.
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Beet and Basil
775 S 1st AveA great variety of ethnic cuisine, Vegan and Gluten Free options.
The Fat Pig
301 Cedar StOne of my Favorite's! Good food all around.
Beautiful atmosphere and scenery overlooking the lake with incredible food and wine to enjoy.
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Trinity At City Beach
58 Bridge StBeautiful atmosphere and scenery overlooking the lake with incredible food and wine to enjoy.
So many beers to choose from. Fun atmosphere and events hosted most Saturday's from live music to yoga and beer.
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Matchwood Brewing Company
513 Oak StSo many beers to choose from. Fun atmosphere and events hosted most Saturday's from live music to yoga and beer.
Great Beer... good food. Family friendly. Trivia Tuesday. Live Music Th, Fri, Sat.
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MickDuff's Brewing Co. - Beer Hall & Brewery Tasting Room
220 Cedar StGreat Beer... good food. Family friendly. Trivia Tuesday. Live Music Th, Fri, Sat.
Want Sushi...? Artfully crafted and delicious to taste.
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Thai Nigiri Restaurant
209 N First AveWant Sushi...? Artfully crafted and delicious to taste.
Authentic Mexican, unfortunately not open for dinner. Great for Breakfast and Lunch.
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Joel's
229 Church StAuthentic Mexican, unfortunately not open for dinner. Great for Breakfast and Lunch.
If you are in the mood for Italian, this is the place to go.
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Ivano's Ristorante
401 S 1st AveIf you are in the mood for Italian, this is the place to go.
Want plenty of vegan and gluten free options. Here they are.
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City Beach Organics
117 N First AveWant plenty of vegan and gluten free options. Here they are.
The Burger Dock
116 N First AveGreat Burgers and shakes, near City Beach.
Local pizza favorite. Beware, they are unlike any pizza you've had, loaded with toppings.
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Second Avenue Pizza
215 S 2nd AveLocal pizza favorite. Beware, they are unlike any pizza you've had, loaded with toppings.
Want to watch the game and eat great food? This is the place to go.
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Sweet Lou's Restaurant and Bar
477272 US-95Want to watch the game and eat great food? This is the place to go.
Farmhouse Kitchen and Silo Bar
477227 US-95Great variety of food in a beautiful atmosphere.
Bar and Entertainment
There is entertainment to be found at every corner, but these are the places it's found more consistently.
219 Lounge
219 N First AveKaraoke Tuesday, Live Performances Friday/Saturday
Incredible small music venue with lighting and acoustics. Hosts Live Performance's by the likes of Sir Mix A Lot, DJ SKWISH and Jam Shack.
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The Hive
207 N First AveIncredible small music venue with lighting and acoustics. Hosts Live Performance's by the likes of Sir Mix A Lot, DJ SKWISH and Jam Shack.
Historical theater hosts comedy shows, The Follies (local fundraiser adult variety show), the Nutcracker, Movies...
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Panida Theatre Inc
300 N First AveHistorical theater hosts comedy shows, The Follies (local fundraiser adult variety show), the Nutcracker, Movies...
A & P Bar & Grill
222 N First AveLocal Bar with pool and DJ and Fri and Sat.
Activities
There are SO many things to do whether the weather is good or bad. This is not a comprehensive list, but I must admit, I am biased toward outdoor activities. I put in a few indoor things, just in case :)
Northwest's Largest theme park. Open May through September and hosts Scarywood in October. Check website for days/hours as these change with the season's.
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Silverwood Freizeitpark
27843 US-95Northwest's Largest theme park. Open May through September and hosts Scarywood in October. Check website for days/hours as these change with the season's.
Huckleberry Lanes
120 S Division AveBowling, Arcade and Jump-house for kids. They serve limited food.
This is a unique mall corridor that is over the water, truly unique to Sandpoint. There is an Arts & Crafts area with Sip & Paints hosted here. Arcades, food, and incredible shops.
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Cedar Street Bridge Public Market
334 N First AveThis is a unique mall corridor that is over the water, truly unique to Sandpoint. There is an Arts & Crafts area with Sip & Paints hosted here. Arcades, food, and incredible shops.
This is an experience to remember. In the Winter, you can spend the day cross country skiing and the evening being pulled by a horse drawn carriage and then head to the lodge to enjoy a nice home cooked meal and some beer. In the Summer you can ride horses and explore this beautiful Ranch.
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Western Pleasure Guest Ranch
1413 Upper Gold Creek RdThis is an experience to remember. In the Winter, you can spend the day cross country skiing and the evening being pulled by a horse drawn carriage and then head to the lodge to enjoy a nice home cooked meal and some beer. In the Summer you can ride horses and explore this beautiful Ranch.
Want to catch some trout? This is one of many guided charters to help you do just that.
Pend Oreille Charters
47392 ID-200Want to catch some trout? This is one of many guided charters to help you do just that.
Ever want to jump out of a helicopter and board down a mountain? They'll give you that experience among many other extreme skiing and boarding experience's.
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Selkirk Powder
10 Schweitzer Mountain RoadEver want to jump out of a helicopter and board down a mountain? They'll give you that experience among many other extreme skiing and boarding experience's.
If you come to Sandpoint, there is no if's, and's or but's about it, you must go visit Schweitzer. There is incredible skiing in the Winter with activities hosted throughout the ski season. In the Summer and Fall you can adventure zip lines, hike or extreme bike. If you prefer taking the lift up, hiking and picking huckleberries they've got that too.
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Schweitzer Mountain Resort
10000 Schweitzer Mountain RdIf you come to Sandpoint, there is no if's, and's or but's about it, you must go visit Schweitzer. There is incredible skiing in the Winter with activities hosted throughout the ski season. In the Summer and Fall you can adventure zip lines, hike or extreme bike. If you prefer taking the lift up, hiking and picking huckleberries they've got that too.
This is one of several places to rent watercrafts and enjoy one of many things our lake has to offer.
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Action Water Sports
215 Lake StThis is one of several places to rent watercrafts and enjoy one of many things our lake has to offer.
They have a huge selection of boats, jet skis or kayaks and paddle boards.
Sandpoint Boat and RV Rentals
120 E Lake StThey have a huge selection of boats, jet skis or kayaks and paddle boards.
A truly unique place to go. There are several places to rent bikes in town, but not any that have Siri's a four person bike... They also serve up incredible donut's and ice cream.
Murphy’s
130 N 6th AveA truly unique place to go. There are several places to rent bikes in town, but not any that have Siri's a four person bike... They also serve up incredible donut's and ice cream.
Sightseeing
Sandpoint is a beautiful lake town nestled between the Cabinet Mountain's and Selkirk Mountain's. There is a huge variety of easy, in-town walking trails, to moderate and challenging hiking that may require gear to accomplish. There are waterfalls throughout... I included local favorite's, by no means is this a comprehensive list.
This is a beautiful waterfall with a swinging bridge to explore nearby. This is featured in the movie River Wild and The Revenant. It’s a 90 minute drive from Sandpoint.
Kootenai Falls
This is a beautiful waterfall with a swinging bridge to explore nearby. This is featured in the movie River Wild and The Revenant. It’s a 90 minute drive from Sandpoint.
This is a local favorite because it’s not too far to get to and is fun to play in. You can either hike up the creek to get to the waterfalls or take the trail that loosely follows the creek though it is muddy in areas and very steep in others with a steep climb to get down into the falls. However, it’s a very short “hike” from the parking lot. Be sure to bring water shoes, something to dry off with and wear something you can get wet in – forty minute drive away.
Grouse Creek Falls
This is a local favorite because it’s not too far to get to and is fun to play in. You can either hike up the creek to get to the waterfalls or take the trail that loosely follows the creek though it is muddy in areas and very steep in others with a steep climb to get down into the falls. However, it’s a very short “hike” from the parking lot. Be sure to bring water shoes, something to dry off with and wear something you can get wet in – forty minute drive away.
There are many trails around the refuge to explore, although none are pet-friendly. There is a boat launch about a mile down the road from the falls that your pups can take a quick dip in or you can take the West Side Road to the next waterfall location, Snow Creek Falls. You will backtrack about .3 miles to West Side Road from Myrtle Falls, taking a right and follow for 2.8 miles to Snow Creek Road. Continue for 1.6 miles to the trailhead. Parking is found at a small turn out just before the trailhead. This is about one hours drive from Sandpoint.
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Snow Creek Falls Trailhead
Snow Creek RoadThere are many trails around the refuge to explore, although none are pet-friendly. There is a boat launch about a mile down the road from the falls that your pups can take a quick dip in or you can take the West Side Road to the next waterfall location, Snow Creek Falls. You will backtrack about .3 miles to West Side Road from Myrtle Falls, taking a right and follow for 2.8 miles to Snow Creek Road. Continue for 1.6 miles to the trailhead. Parking is found at a small turn out just before the trailhead. This is about one hours drive from Sandpoint.
This is a 3.4 mile out and back trail located near Sagle, Idaho that features a lake. The trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking and mountain biking. This follows the side of the lake not viewed from Sandpoint and is about a 25 minute drive to get to the trail head.
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Mineral Point Trail
This is a 3.4 mile out and back trail located near Sagle, Idaho that features a lake. The trail is rated as moderate and primarily used for hiking and mountain biking. This follows the side of the lake not viewed from Sandpoint and is about a 25 minute drive to get to the trail head.
Although this is about a 90 minute drive, if you love the look of ancient forests, this is a breath taking place to go. The trail that winds through the park is well maintained and almost completely flat.
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Ross Creek Cedars Scenic Area
National Forest Development Road 398Although this is about a 90 minute drive, if you love the look of ancient forests, this is a breath taking place to go. The trail that winds through the park is well maintained and almost completely flat.
This is a 5.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Sagle, Idaho that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail. This is about a 20 minute drive.
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Gold Hill Trail 3
This is a 5.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Sagle, Idaho that features a lake and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until September. Dogs are also able to use this trail. This is about a 20 minute drive.
This route is a very challenging and the workout is the uphill section. This is a 7.1 mile hike with a 2,158 elevation gain. There are beautiful views, so be sure to bring your camera and water to drink. If you make it to the third set of benches you’ve nearly reached the top!!! This is about a 10 minute drive to get to.
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Mickinnick Trail Head 13
Woodland DriveThis route is a very challenging and the workout is the uphill section. This is a 7.1 mile hike with a 2,158 elevation gain. There are beautiful views, so be sure to bring your camera and water to drink. If you make it to the third set of benches you’ve nearly reached the top!!! This is about a 10 minute drive to get to.
Trail is a 7.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Clark Fork, Idaho that features a lake and is rated as difficult with a 3,664 elevation gain. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October. It’s one of the epic local trails that takes about 50 minutes to get to trail head. Be sure to right down directions before leaving because you won’t get a cell phone signal once you’re out there.
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Scotchman Peak
Trail is a 7.6 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Clark Fork, Idaho that features a lake and is rated as difficult with a 3,664 elevation gain. The trail is primarily used for hiking, camping, nature trips, and bird watching and is best used from March until October. It’s one of the epic local trails that takes about 50 minutes to get to trail head. Be sure to right down directions before leaving because you won’t get a cell phone signal once you’re out there.
This is an easy, in-town beautiful trail that is dog friendly and stretches a little over a mile along the lake shore. It hosts a number of fun runs and is beautiful to run, walk or ski along. I've seen bald eagles and osprey fight for fish along this trail... incredible lake views the entire time.
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Trailhead for Pend d'Oreille Bay Trail
Pend d'Oreille Bay TrailThis is an easy, in-town beautiful trail that is dog friendly and stretches a little over a mile along the lake shore. It hosts a number of fun runs and is beautiful to run, walk or ski along. I've seen bald eagles and osprey fight for fish along this trail... incredible lake views the entire time.
Community Events
This is not comprehensive by any means. This fantastic community hosts events through out the year including Northern Lights Show, Winter Carnival, The Follies, Fly Fishing Film Tour, K&K Fishing Derby, Lost in the 50's car show, Chafe 150 Bike Race, Long Bridge Swim, Arts & Crafts Festival, Draft Horse Show, Schweitzer Fall Festival, Festival of Trees... There is always something going on.
Don't miss Lost in the 50's usually the first week end in May. Dancing and Cars... who wouldn't love it?
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Sandpoint
Don't miss Lost in the 50's usually the first week end in May. Dancing and Cars... who wouldn't love it?
Sandpoint Music Festival is a magical experience. Hosted the first two weekends of August Th-Sunday. There are incredible performances under the Stars.
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Sandpoint
Sandpoint Music Festival is a magical experience. Hosted the first two weekends of August Th-Sunday. There are incredible performances under the Stars.
Tipps für Reisende
Was einpacken?
Dress in layers
You can expect it to be cold and snowy in the winter and wet and rainy in the spring, but the weather is unpredictable. There are mild winters and dry springs - you never know. Be prepared for it to be sunny in the morning and rainy by afternoon.
Verkehrsmittel
This is a walking town
Although not all of the sidewalks in the neighborhoods are perfectly maintained, people walk everywhere here. If you are driving, pay attention to pedestrians on foot or bike, they are everywhere. Down town recently underwent some major street renovation and so I would advise that walking is the way to go.
So kannst du sparen
Outdoor adventurer's dream - sightseeing is free!
I wish I could have included everything to do in this Guidebook, but it would take a lifetime. I have more information in a helpful binder in the apartment for you to peruse as well as hiking books and trail books.