Sponsored by Visit Sandpoint

Like Seattle, Sandpoint, Idaho exists at the fortuitous intersection of water, mountains, and charming urban life. With its vibrant shopping and cultural scene and the close proximity to some of the most sought-after outdoor recreation in the Pacific Northwest, urban and rural seem to blend seamlessly together to make for a traveler’s panacea, able to satisfy anyone’s vacation needs. Sandpoint is just over a five-hour drive away from Seattle, a terrific destination for a brief getaway or leisurely vacation. This spring and summer, Sandpoint awaits an influx of travelers hungry for its beautiful Northwest landscape on the magnificent Lake Pend Oreille, of which you have the chance to be a part.

As with many other towns of the Pacific Northwest, Sandpoint’s outdoor recreation is one of its biggest attractions. For an alpine experience, Schweitzer Mountain Resort undergoes its annual spring metamorphosis from a winter sports destination to a hiking and biking haven. Schweitzer’s plethora of activities also includes chairlift rides, a zip line, climbing wall and more. Schweitzer has major events throughout the year and lodging and dining on the mountain – including the Sky House, reached by chairlift to the top of Schweitzer Peak. One of the finest guest ranches in the Northwest is Western Pleasure Guest Ranch. The ranch lies in the foothills of the Cabinet Mountains, and activities include trail rides of all types, many with views of Lake Pend Oreille and the Cabinet and Selkirk Mountains. You can even stay and dine at the ranch too, for a full ranching experience. And of course there’s Lake Pend Oreille itself, which often takes center stage for spring and summer visitors. As Idaho’s largest lake, it boasts a 111-mile shoreline comprised mostly of U.S. Forest Service and public lands with excellent parks located at various points around the lake. It’s also the deepest, and, factoid of note, it is home to a U.S. Navy submarine station where acoustical testing is conducted in the lake’s quiet waters.

An abundance of outdoor recreation is just one of Sandpoint’s great attractions. 

There’s no shortage of cultural diversity and entertainment in Sandpoint’s town of 7,800 for those who prefer to dwell in the city amid the arts and food scene, or once the outdoor adventurers need to rest and refuel. The historic Panida Theater, a restored vaudeville and movie house built in 1927, is a vibrant center for performing arts. The biggest summer event is the Festival at Sandpoint coming August 6-16, with eight major concerts played under the stars on the lakeshore. Dozens more will reward your visit to Sandpoint which can be found on the extensive calendar.

Sandpoint’s historic Panida Theater. 

Downtown you’ll find the quaint shopping district – highlighted by the Cedar Street Bridge, a public marketplace-on-a-bridge not unintentionally akin to Florence, Italy’s infamous Ponte Vecchio – which has unique shops of all sorts. As for food and drink, Sandpoint has more than 40 restaurants in town that will suit all tastes, four craft breweries and the award-winning Pend Oreille Winery, with a tasting room that hosts live music and other year-round events.

Some of your best summer vacation memories are yet to be had in Sandpoint, Idaho. Start dreaming up your adventure at www.visitsandpoint.com.