Winter Activities Coeur d'Alene | Idaho Guide

If you’re craving a holiday getaway, you’ve come to the right place! Coeur d’Alene, Idaho is one of the most magical spots in the Inland Northwest. This is especially if you’re looking for snowcapped mountains, festive events and family-friendly activities.

We had the opportunity of enjoying the annual Holiday Light Show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort on opening weekend. They kicked off their season of winter wonderland charm with a variety of kid-inspired experiences.

To help you plan your trip to Coeur d’Alene, check out the list below of our favorite things to in this gorgeous lakeside town.

10 Kid-Friendly Winter Activities – Coeur d’Alene, Idaho

Holiday Lights at The Coeur d’Alene Resort

(November 23rd – January 1st)

Selected as a Top 10 Holiday Light Show in America by USA Today. The Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Light Show was once selected as the #4 Holiday Light Show in America in the USA Today Readers’ Choice List of the best holiday light shows in America.

From Thanksgiving to New Year’s, bring the family to see The Coeur d’Alene Resort Holiday Light Show. It is a wonderland of over 1.5 million lights and the largest on-the-water holiday light display in America. Our signature “Journey to the North Pole” Holiday Lake Cruise visits Santa’s North Pole Toy Workshop.. This is where America’s Tallest Floating Christmas Tree towers above the lake with thousands of twinkling lights. Santa’s elves have a special surprise fireworks show waiting for each visit to the North Pole.

A fleet of cruise boats depart every evening through the holiday season to view the magic of the holiday lights across the lake. Christmas spirit is in the air at The Coeur d’Alene…

The Coeur d’Alene Resort offers a variety of Holiday Lake Cruises following Thanksgiving Day and continuing through New Year’s Day.

Santa read off the name of each kid on board…they all made the nice list this year. ♥

Christmas Unwrapped – A Holiday Show

(November 23rd – December 16th)

Each season, The Coeur d’Alene Resort features a timeless original holiday theatre production by Ellen Travolta. It captures the spirit of the Christmas season.

Christmas Unwrapped, directed by Troy Nickerson, features the talents of Ellen and Margaret Travolta. Plus Molly Allen, Mark Cotter, Abbey Crawford, Patrick Treadway, Laura Sable and Lola Fridley.

Don’t miss a night filled with music, laughter and stories celebrating the holiday season.

The Gooey Dessert at Dockside

(Year-Round)

This world famous dessert – loved by all ages, is a must at least once during your stay at The Coeur d’Alene Resort. Shares well with others.

New Years Celebration

(December 31st)

2018 New Year’s Eve Resort Fireworks Show

A New Year’s Eve celebration wouldn’t be complete without the booms, crackles and flashing display of dazzling color over Lake Coeur d’Alene. Join the celebration with two amazing fireworks shows at 9:00 PM and again at 12:00 AM on New Year’s Eve over the lake at The Coeur d’Alene Resort.

New Year’s Grand Celebration – A Diamond Soiree!

The Resort Convention Center will host one of the largest New Year’s Eve parties in the region, complete with a buffet dinner, live entertainment, costume contest, Facebook photo contest, prizes and a New Year’s Champagne Toast at Midnight.

Mac & Cheese Dinner Cruise

(January 18th)

Kick off the Mac & Cheese Festival Weekend right with our Mac & Cheese Dinner Cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene! Grab your friends, family & kiddos and hop on-board for some cheese-filled fun. Featuring an “Around the World Macaroni & Cheese Menu”. Pasta creations from Mexico, Italy & America. You will not want to miss out on the cheese-filled deliciousness!

Scenic Hot Cocoa Lake Cruise

(Select dates in January)

Warm up this winter on Lake Coeur d’Alene with a toasty hot cup of cocoa in your hands. Sit back and enjoy the 90-minute scenic tour of the lake. A hot cocoa bar will be available on-board for purchases. Hot cocoa for the kiddos, spiked cocoa for the adults. Take photos with your friends and family at our “Cozy Corner”.

Figpickels Toy Emporium

(Year-Round)

Thousands of visitors from all over the United States & Canada have rediscovered the joy of “feeling like a kid again” while exploring Figpickels Toy Emporium. From our combination of hands-on displays, unique and retro toys and great executive gifts to our working German carousel and award-winning customer service, our family owned and operated emporium has become the premier toy store in the Northwest. Now, we are bringing this same quality & service to our e-customers. Almost every toy is hand picked and tested to make sure it meets our high standards for safety, quality, education, value and most of all….FUN!

Shenanigans Sweets & Treats

(Year-Round)

Over 50 different types of gourmet artisan chocolate, a wall of salt-water taffy, retro candy bars and sweets, espresso and Ice Cream.

You’ll step back in time when you see our pedal cars, planes, tricycles and other nostalgic toys from the good ol’ days!

Tubbs Hill Hike

(Year-Round)

Tubbs Hill consists of over 120 acres and is bordered by Lake Coeur d’Alene on the west, south and east sides. There are several miles of hiking trails on the hill that provide spectacular scenery for everyone to enjoy. The trail head on the west side of Tubbs Hill is located in the south western corner of McEuen Park. The east side trail head is located at the south end of 10th Street. A 2.2 mile interpretive trail follows the perimeter of Tubbs Hill.

And most importantly – a trip to Coeur d’Alene would not be complete with a stay at The Coeur d’Alene resort, a central hub (and host) for nearly every activity on this list!

The Coeur d’Alene Resort

Beautiful lakefront property with a wealth of amenities for all ages, The Coeur d’Alene Resort is a perfect getaway to rest and recharge or play and engage in the outdoors. Centrally located in the heart of downtown Coeur d’Alene, with dining, spa, fitness, golf, hiking, shopping, lake cruises all within steps of your room. Check out their packages to find something that fits your kind of vacation!