Downtown Coeur d'Alene with Children – Coeur d'Alene, Idaho

Traveling to Coeur d’Alene with children? Wondering how to keep them entertained, fed, and happy on your trip? I’ve got you covered. I am a teacher, a mom, and a Coeur d’Alene native, making me a wealth of information when it comes to doing CDA with little ones. I would love to give you some tips to make your trip the best it can be.

Here is my travel guide to downtown Coeur d’Alene, Idaho when you’re traveling with children. All the information is here including where to eat, where to shop, what to do, and what not to miss. I hope you enjoy visiting Coeur d’Alene with your family!

Kid-Friendly Restaurants

Where to eat with kids in CDA? Let’s start with the most kid-friendly restaurants downtown, because in my family, let’s be honest, we travel for the food. You might also find this post and this post helpful when searching for good eats in CDA.

Breakfast–

Jimmy’s Down the Street

Jimmy’s Down the Street is hands-down the cutest diner in the Coeur d’Alene area and it is also kid-friendly. It became famous after Guy Fieri visited and showcased their food on his food and travel show, “Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives.” The vibe is adorable with 50’s music playing, (lots of Elvis) and license plates hung up all over the walls. The kids will love it! We devoured “Jimmy’s Chimi,” a biscuits and gravy chimichanga filled with eggs and bacon. Their pecan rolls are also a must-try. We got them battered and fried, served as french toast sticks that we smothered in maple syrup. This place has been around for years and when you dine there the chaos of life seems to stop for a minute. It’s a simple, classic, retro diner that anyone will get a kick out of visiting.

1613 Sherman Ave.

Lunch–

Hudson’s Hamburgers

My recommendation for a kid-friendly casual option in Coeur d’Alene is Hudson’s Hamburgers. It’s been around since 1907. They still make their burgers the same way that they always have. They don’t want to mess with something good. If you go to Hudson’s, I’d say, dine-in. The kids will enjoy sitting on the tall bar stools and watching them flip the burgers while they gulp their cold glass of milk. Order a “single cheese with everything on it.” This translates to a single patty cheeseburger with house-made pickles and onions. If you’re extra hungry, just ask for another! Dining in will give you the full Hudson’s experience. Getting it to-go just isn’t quite the same, but we’ve certainly done it when we want to eat at a nearby park instead. But don’t expect fries here, they don’t have them! But they do have pie. More info here.

207 Sherman Ave.

Dinner–

Crafted Tap House and Kitchen

For my mid-level kid-friendly restaurant pick, I’d go with Crafted. Sitting in the ample outdoor seating area at Crafted is quite a treat, especially on Sundays when they have live music. I love the chill vibe and the friendly service. The games set out for kids to play with while they wait for their food is genius, making it a very family friendly option. They have a giant Jenga set and a corn hole toss, both quite entertaining. Their kid’s menu has some delicious options like homemade mac and cheese or house fried chicken strips. And parents, you’re in luck. Crafted has one of the best beer selections in town so there is something for you too. It’s a great little spot! More info here.

523 Sherman Ave.

Dessert–

Abi’s Ice Cream

Abi’s makes delicious small batch ice cream. Their sorbets really stand out to me and are always bursting with flavor. I love the blueberry lemon sorbet and the mango sorbet. They have free kid’s toppings like rainbow sprinkles and gummy worms. It’s always nice to get a little something extra.

112 N. 4th St.

Dockside

Dockside, in the CDA Resort, is known for their “Gooeys,” AKA their desserts. Their ice cream sundaes are popular, especially among kids, because of their massive size. Served in large glass goblets, they are easily shareable between 2-3 people. They make children’s themed monthly sundaes that kids go nuts over like, "Cookie Monster,” and “Olaf Frozen.” Otherwise they have more classic options like a Butterfinger Sundae, a Peanut Butter Cup Sundae, and a Chocolate Lover’s Sundae. They also make personal sized sundaes, perfect for one person. (Personal size pictured below) If you don’t love ice cream, they have a variety of other dessert options that are equally as delicious like huckleberry cobbler and creme brûlée. The views of the lake at Dockside are the frosting on the cake. Such a fun place!

115 S. 2nd St.

Woops! Bakeshop and Gifts

I fell in love with French Macarons when I lived in London. They are such a fun little treat, almost too cute to eat. Almost. Woops makes delicious macarons, and they have a wide variety of flavors. I’ve found that kids go crazy for the birthday cake, red velvet, and chocolate macarons. Yum! Besides macarons, Woops has cookies, muffins, cupcakes, and tons of other to die for baked goods.

119 N. 4th St.

Family Outdoor CDA Activities –

Hike Tubbs Hill

You can’t go to Coeur d’Alene and not hike Tubbs Hill. Tubbs Hill is an easy 2.5 mile hike good for all skill levels. The entrance to the hike is to the left of The Buoy Lakeside Restaurant and just east of the resort. Hiking Tubbs Hill is a fun family activity. There is a main trail that is easy to follow. There are smaller trails that take you down to the lake or further up the mountain. There are a few little beaches that can be fun to swim at or visit and put your feet in the water. If you’re looking for an adventure, many people jump off the rocks into the lake. There are some smaller jumps and some pretty good size ones. Not all cliffs are suitable, and you should be very careful before you jump. If you don’t hike Tubbs Hills for anything else, hike it for the great views of Coeur d’Alene Lake. You can’t get much prettier than this.

The trail does not return to the starting point. Many people turn around and come back the way they came. However, if you want to finish the trail, it’s easy to make it back to where you started. The other end of the trail is by Sanders Beach and the 11th Street Boat Marina. If you continue to walk west, through the neighborhood a bit, you will land right at The Coeur d’Alene Public Library, McEuen Park, the dog park, and if you walk through the grassy field, you will be right back to where you started again, the beginning of Tubbs Hill.

208 S. 3rd St. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814

Walk the Floating Boardwalk

Walking the boardwalk is another must-do activity when in Coeur d’Alene. Coeur d’Alene has the longest floating boardwalk in the world. The boardwalk is part of The Coeur d’Alene Resort, but it is free and open to anyone, not just resort guests. The boardwalk starts on one side of the resort and ends on the other side. You can walk the whole thing in 15 minutes if you walk quickly, 25 minutes if you stop and take your time. The views from this boardwalk are incredible. You can see Tubbs Hill, the Coeur d’Alene Resort, and Coeur d’Alene Lake. It is flat and safe for children, just make sure to watch the little ones so they don’t miss their step and end up going for a swim! There are some stairs in one area to go across the bridge, so just be ready for them if you are traveling with a stroller. In the middle of the boardwalk are some tables and chairs, perfect for taking a quick rest if needed with the little ones.

Rent a Boat on Coeur d’Alene Lake

It seems like the main reason people visit Coeur d’Alene is to play on the lake. The best way to play on the lake is by going boating. It’s always a good time, especially for kids! If you come to Coeur d’Alene with your own boat, great! But if you don’t own one but would still like to go boating while your’e in town, look into renting one. There are two options that I recommend for renting a boat on Coeur d’Alene Lake. The first is KJ Water Sports. They offer a variety of ski/wake boat rentals, pontoon boat rentals, jet ski rentals, and they are very professional and easy to work with. Secondly, Resort Boat Rentals through The Coeur d’Alene Resort is another great option. If you’re staying at the resort, this might be an easy option because they are located on the floating boardwalk. They offer Cobalt Sports Boats, pontoon boats, jet skis, and paddle boards.

Spend a Day at the Beach

Coeur d’Alene City Beach

The Coeur d’Alene City Beach has a great beach just to the right of The Coeur d’Alene Resort. This is the “it place” to be in the summertime for all ages. Everything is happening here. Many people would argue, this is the beach where the fun is at. Because it’s such a fun place, it can be very crowded, despite the long stretch of beach. The closer you are to the resort, the more crowded it is, and the further you are from the resort, the less crowded it is. Despite the crowds, it’s a fun place to be and spend the day. You can rent water toys like paddle boats from the nearby dock as well as single and double kayaks, and paddle boards. More info about rentals can be found here. There are currently no lifeguards.

The Dike

Further away from the resort, closer to North Idaho College, you’ll find, “The Dike.” It is called, “The Dike,” because it is the area that connects the lake with the Spokane River. It’s a place that is more popular with the locals than the tourists, often being full of families who have set up “camp” and are hanging out for the entire day. It is typically less crowded than the Coeur d’Alene City Beach. There are pine trees and signs of nature everywhere, giving it more of a camping type of feel. You’ll see families of ducks swimming by. There are small grills for the public to use for barbecuing. Boats are passing by of people who are done boating for the day and are headed home. Like the Coeur d’Alene City Beach, you can also rent water toys through the North Idaho College. They have kayaks, paddle boards, canoes, and sailboats. More info about rentals can be found here. There are no lifeguards at this beach.

Sanders Beach

Sanders Beach is popular with the locals, especially the locals who live in the nearby neighborhood. There are two sections of Sanders Beach. The first area closest to the 11th Street Marina is a pretty small space but closest to downtown and the end of the Tubbs Hill hike. If you head east, you’ll find some private beaches. If you keep heading east, there is another stretch of public beach that is much larger than the first. For either, park along the street and walk down. Sanders Beach as a whole is often less crowded than the beaches closer to the resort. (However recently it seem to be getting more busy.) The lake water at Sanders seems to be cleaner and clearer than other parts of the lake because less people are in it. The downside of Sanders is that the sand is full of sticks, rocks, pine needles and sometimes, unfortunately, pieces of glass. Despite this, it’s still a great place to spend the day, and it definitely has its perks.

(Pro tip: Pick up burgers and milkshakes nearby from Roger’s Ice Cream & Burgers, 1224 Sherman Ave, Coeur d’Alene, ID 83814, and eat at the beach.)

Go Parasailing

At the Coeur d’Alene City Beach area, there is another fun option to do on the water – parasailing at Coeur d’Alene Parasail. You launch and land right from the boat, riding alone or with a friend. I went on my 17th birthday and again in my 20’s, and it was really fun both times. This activity is safe for children to do with a trusted adult. The recommended age is 4 and up. You don’t even have to get wet if you don’t want to. The views are incredible, and I’d say it’s worth every penny. Get more info here.

Play at the Parks

The Coeur d’Alene City Park

The Coeur d’Alene City Park is a great stop for people traveling to Coeur d’Alene with kids. I grew up playing here in this gorgeous outdoor space with the giant trees and lush grass. When I was 10 years old or so, the old playground’s rickety equipment was removed and the community came together to build this wooden playground structure. My dad helped build it, and my mom helped prepare lunch for the people who were volunteering. It was a memorable time for me as a child. Now, I enjoy taking my son here to play.

Besides this playground area, this is a great park for your kids to go and run around. We like to play outdoor games here like hide-and-seek and tag. Volleyball nets are often set up for a fun game with friends. The basketball area is a good size with several different courts. There are picnic tables sprinkled throughout, so we often pack a picnic lunch beforehand and make a day out of it. There is a gazebo area too with grills, but if you don’t get there first you’ll miss out. It’s a popular little place for families and seems to always be occupied.

McEuen Park

The McEuen Park playground is another must-stop when visiting Coeur d’Alene with kids. This playground is so colorful and fun, with slides coming out this and that way and things to climb everywhere you turn. There is a smaller toddler play area and lots of swings, including baby swings. We have nicknamedl it, “The Colorful Park.” Jimmy loves playing here.

(Pro tip: Pick up drinks and snacks at Bakery By the Lake, 601 E. Front Avenue STE 104, Coeur d’Alene, ID, 83814, It’s right across the street from the park. They have grab-n-go type things like baked goods, bottled drinks, and coffee. They also serve sandwiches, pizza, and other lunch items.)

Play at the Splash Pad

Also in McEuen Park, right next to the colorful playground structure is a splash pad area. This area is perfect for young kids to play at on a hot summer day. There are so many fun structures that spray water at you and dump water on your head. Your child is sure to have a ball when they come here and will also get cooled off!

(Pro Tip: There are bathrooms in the nearby wooden building and a covered patio area with picnic tables if you need some shade.)

Go Zip-Lining

Timberline Adventures is the place to go zip-lining in Coeur d’Alene. Their office is located in The Coeur d’Alene Plaza Shops, where you start and finish your adventure. The actual zip-lining takes place 12 miles east, overlooking the Coeur d’Alene Lake. My nephew did this for his birthday and said, “It was really scary but really fun!” They offer four different tours, costing around $100 give or take, depending on what tour you decide on. Get more info here.

210 Sherman Ave. #131

Wednesday Farmer’s Market

Don’t miss the Wednesday evening Farmer’s Market, May - September from 4 -7 PM. It’s full of vendors selling things from fresh artisan bread, homemade jams, plants, organic produce, baked goods, local beer, and freshly cut flowers. The live music playing makes it feel like a party. It is a great place to spend some time with your family and supporting local is always a great idea.

5th St. and Sherman Ave.

Family Indoor CDA Activities –

Kid-Friendly Sherman Shops

Sherman Avenue holds so many memories for me. Stores have come and gone, including my Grandpa’s store, Woolworths. It was located where Sherman Square Park now stands. My mom always has a story to tell as we stroll Sherman, and I’m happy to listen. Sherman Avenue is often changing and growing. It seems like every time I visit, there is something new to explore.

Your Kids Will Love These Shops –

• Mountain Madness Soap Co. – They sell every type of soap imaginable there as well as bath bombs. They even have soaps shaped like the state of Idaho and others made with huckleberries.

• Christmas at the Lake – This is a store with everything Christmas-themed that you could ever want. Maybe pick up a Coeur d’Alene ornament to hang on your holiday tree this year?

• Coeur d’Alene Corner Store – If you find yourself thirsty or needing a little snack, this is a good place to stop. A small convenience store with common drink options like Coke, lemonade, or bottled water. It does the trick on a hot summer day.

• All Things Irish – This store is fun to check out and kids will find it entertaining. There are some quirky gifts inside and things that will make you laugh. It is particularly fun to check out around St. Patrick’s Day.

Jimmy riding the carousel at Figpickles.

Kid-Friendly CDA Resort Plaza Shops

Right on Sherman Ave, there are more shops inside at The CDA Resort Plaza Shops. More info here.

• Figpickles Toy Emporium – This is a toy store full of really fun and unique (and some educational) toys for all ages. I’m always surprised what I find when I stop. They have a little four-seater carousel in the back, and you get a free ride with an in-store purchase. Also, if you want a fun CDA souvenir for the kids, make sure to pick-up a copy of Mudgy & Millie, a children’s book that is set in downtown CDA. (Currently, the entrance is only through the Plaza Shops.)

• Mrs. Honeypeeps Sweet Shop – I mean, what kid doesn’t love candy? This place is full of all sorts of gummy candy, candy bars, and other fun tasty treats. You can conquer that sweet tooth when you visit!

• Coeur d’Alene Clothing – This store sells stylish CDA themed clothes for adults and children. My son has one of their shirts and he loves it. They are cute, good quality, and a great way to remember all the good times that you had when you visited CDA.

(Pro Tip: They have bathrooms inside of the plaza shops located to the right of Figpickles Toy Emporium.)

Ride the Carousel

This carousel isn’t like your typical carousel ride. The fun isn’t just about the ride or about which horse you choose. The Coeur d’Alene carousel has a game built into it, and this game keeps Jimmy totally entertained, wanting to ride it over and over again. At only $2 a ride, I’m all for it. They have a machine that spits out different colored plastic rings. As the children ride by, they grab the rings from the holder and throw it into a bin. It’s a game, and the children love it. But the best part is, if you’re lucky enough to get a golden ring, you get a free ride. But just make sure to hold onto the golden rings and not throw them into the bin! More info here.

439 W. Fort Grounds Dr.

Solve an Escape Room

If you’re into puzzles and solving riddles, maybe an escape room would be a fun idea for you. Coeur d’Alene has an escape room called Escape Game right on Sherman Ave across the street from Hudson’s Hamburgers. They typically have three or four different games going on at one time, so there are lots of different options to choose from. Only $25 per person. More info here.

202 Sherman Ave.

Visit the Library

The Coeur d’Alene Public Library has a beautiful children’s center in the basement of their library. It is warm and inviting and decorated just right to excite children and get them to want to come in and read. Even if you can’t check out books because you are from out of town, the library is a fun place to drop in for a few stories. Not to mention, they have great air conditioning if you need to get out of the heat. More info here.

702 E. Front Ave.

I hope you have enjoyed reading about downtown Coeur d’Alene and how to spend time with your kids when you visit! The downtown area really is special. Leave me a comment below if you have any questions! I’d love to hear from you.