Sandpoint, Idaho, Is a Perfect Year-round Destination—How to Visit

Sandpoint, Idaho is a small town that you can only dream of. It’s an historic charmer, perched at the edge of a stunning lake and the foot of densely-forested mountains. The town is full of youthful energy, vibrant music, art and culinary scenes. The historic depot is Idaho’s one and only Amtrak station, where the Empire Builder stops. Nearby, Schweitzer Lake Pend Oreille, at 1,158 feet deep, is popular with sailors and swimmers. Be on the lookout for the Pend Oreille paddler, a mysterious monster that lives in the lake.

Olivia Caso – a fifth generation Sandpointer and executive director of the Greater Sandpoint Chamber of Commerce – tells us that “Sandpoint is a community with a vibrant spirit.” Travel + Leisure. “This is where people smile and wave at others, and open their doors.” Rick Evans, coowner of Sandpoint’s Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters says the same thing, adding that there is a “place here where people know eachother, there are lots of quirky character, and there is a space for people of every personality and walk of life.”

Here’s how to plan your own trip to Sandpoint. Here’s how you can plan your trip to Sandpoint. best places to visit in Idaho.

Best Hotels & Resorts

Humbird

A great location right in the middle of Schweitzer’s base town. Humbird The perfect option for those who are looking for both comfort and style. Portland-based Skylab Architecture, the 31-room boutique hotel offers knockout mountain and lake views—head to the rooftop hot tub for stargazing—plus the tasty Crow’s Bench restaurant and even a handy coworking space.

Dover Bay

For lakeshore lovers, Evans recommends Dover Bay. It has a beautiful boat launch, bike paths and a good restaurant. Dish at Dover Bay—waterfront, great food and cocktails.” The resort features a lakefront or courtyard bungalow, as well as a beach, marina, park and trails.

What to Do in Best Things to See

Play in the Mountains at Schweitzer

Idaho’s largest resort offers 2,900 acres of skiable land, 10 lifts and 92 trails in winter, plus 40-plus miles when the snow melts. The base village of Schweitzer offers a variety of temptations, including the Cambium SpaYou can find everything from a zip line and a bungee-trampoline to an old mining sluice that you can use to search for “gemstones.”

Idaho’s biggest and deepest lake is the perfect place to make a splash.

Lake Pend Oreille is a great place to fish, sail, cruise or paddle. It’s a huge watery playground with 111 scenic mile of shoreline, and a 1,158-foot depth. What about the lake monster mentioned above? Caso: “The Pend Oreille Paddler remains a controversial subject.” “I think that the Paddler is actually a large sturgeon.” Try it yourself! Lake Pend Oreille CruisesThere are a variety of sightseeing tours, including a sunset tour and an eagle-watching cruise. Action Water Sports Also rents out a wide range of watercraft.

There are many swimming pools for swimmers. City BeachEvans calls it a classic place for all ages. Afterward, stop by Panhandle Cone & Coffee Sample ice-cream flavors such as buttermilk huckleberry, strawberry, lime & avocado or buttermilk, huckleberry, and more.

Attend a summer festival of music under the stars.

Two weeks every summer. The Festival at Sandpoint War Memorial Field, on the shores Lake Pend Oreille, welcomes national touring bands. The event features a variety of local food and beverage vendors, as well as a lively, neighborhood-like atmosphere.

A vintage theater is a great place to catch a show.

Downtown Sandpoint Panida Theater The Spanish Mission style movie palace, and vaudeville theater (named after the Idaho panhandle) opened its doors in 1927. The restored theater is listed on National Register of Historic Places. It hosts movies, concerts and comedy performances.

Enjoy a local beverage.

Sandpoint’s beer scene includes Matchwood Brewing Company, the brewery-meets-curry-house Utara Brewing Company. MickDuff’s Brewing CompanyThe headquarters for is located in the historic Sandpoint Federal Building. The Pend d’Oreille Winery There’s a wine bar in downtown that features award-winning vintages. Live music is also available on certain days.

Best Shopping

Cedar Street Bridge

You can also find out more about the following: Cedar Street Bridge This is a Panhandle Ponte Vecchio, spanning Sand Creek. The 400-foot-long marketplace includes gift shops and clothing boutiques as well as food purveyors. There are also family play areas for children, a pottery studio, and family-friendly activities. There are many Bigfoot cutouts in the town and on our trails,” Caso says. “See how many Bigfoot cutouts you can locate.”

Farmers’ Market at Sandpoint

The hottest months are May to mid-October. Farmers’ Market at Sandpoint The market comes alive with local vendors selling baked goods, fresh produce and a variety of handcrafted products, all set to live music.

La Chic Boutique

Evans and Caso both mention a particular antique store and vintage shop in Sandpoint.La Chic Boutique Caso’s has a carefully curated collection of gently used and new clothing as well as journals, cards and a wide range of gift ideas.

Best Restaurants

Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters

Granary Arts District has everything you need to get your adventure started. Evans Brothers Coffee Roasters. The wholesale, full-service coffee roaster offers custom-roasted coffees as well as a rotating menu of seasonal drinks, pastries for picnics, breakfast burritos and sandwiches, including vegan and gluten-free alternatives. The cafe displays artwork by local artists and has a dog-friendly patio.

Matchwood Brewing Company

Matchwood Brewing Company offers a rotating selection of handcrafted beers, including the award-winning Spruce Tip Pale ale. When the weather is nice, share “Not So Hotcho Totchos” – Idaho-inspired tater-tots – on the covered porch.

Crow’s Bench

Crow’s Bench The menu at Schweitzer’s Humbird is elevated and features local ingredients in imaginative preparations. Caso says, “I often return to Crow’s Bench because of their braised pork bell.” I’m still thinking about the delicious huckleberry-cheesecake.

The Nest Bar & Restaurant

The summit of Schweitzer can be reached by taking a scenic ride on the lift. Sky House The name of the park is apt, as it offers panoramic views stretching all the way up to Montana, Washington and Canada. The area is also home of The Nest Bar & RestaurantThe restaurant serves a wide variety of high-altitude cuisine, from paella and Tuscan trout to burgers.

The Bank

“The Bank Evans describes a restaurant in the town that has great cocktails, an innovative tapas style menu, and a pleasant atmosphere. The restaurant features a patio with a view of Sand Creek. This allows you to enjoy whipped feta and house focaccia.

The Best Time to Visit

Sandpoint offers a destination that is perfect for all seasons. Caso says that “magic can be found in our town at any time of year.” The winter brings the flurry and excitement of skiing, snowboarding and community events. Winter Carnival. Caso says that the K-9 Keg Pull is a popular event during Winter Carnival. “It’s a fun spectacle—local dogs pull different sizes of kegs and even cans, depending on the size of [the] dog.”

The spring skiing season ends in mid-April. Summer brings endless lake activities and celebrations including huckleberry pickin’ and fun. Beerfest, Schweitzer’s Northwest WineFestAnd the two-week Festival of Sandpoint. The trails are open to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. Mountain Horse Adventures. As autumn arrives, Schweitzer’s rollicking Fall Fest Sandpoint’s Annual Labor Day Festival takes place on the weekend following Labor Day. Apple Fest This crisp treat is perfect for October.

How to get there

Spokane International Airport GEG is approximately 80 miles from Sandpoint. It’s an easy drive in a rental car. taxi. Sandpoint is also accessible by train. You can also reach Sandpoint by train. Amtrak’s Empire Builder The train, which runs between Chicago and the Pacific Northwest, makes a stop in Sandpoint, where the red-brick Gothic Revival station, built in 16 and listed on National Register of Historic Places, is located.

How to Get Around

SPOT Sandpoint offers a free public bus system. The app allows you to locate the bus closest to you. In winter, there’s a free SPOT mountain shuttle that runs up the winding road to Schweitzer from Sandpoint’s Red Barn Park & Ride lot. Each bus has a bike rack.