As we approach the holiday season, downtown Coeur d’Alene becomes a beautiful winter scene where people from all over the region come to shop, enjoy the decorations, and have fun with the family. Downtown vendors decorate their storefronts while horse drawn sleighs transport people around town.
The annual Festival of Trees shows off the talents of our local artists and designers, and money raised goes toward continued expansion and improvement to Kootenai Health. In sticking with one of the area’s favorite traditions, the Coeur d’Alene Resort will again put on its massive holiday light display. Workers spend hours upon hours stringing up more than a million-and-a-half twinkling lights, and the switch is flipped on Thanksgiving Day. Everyone is invited to stroll the grounds and see the display up close. The lights will be on from Thanksgiving through the New Year and are a great backdrop for your family Christmas card.
Another exciting way to see the resort lit up as well as other waterfront displays is on a Lake Coeur d’Alene Holiday Cruise. Cruises set sail from the resort docks each night during the holiday season. Eager kids are taken across the lake to see Santa’s toy workshop and even meet the jolly fellow himself. This year Santa’s elves will also have a fun fireworks display for everyone who visits. Adult and kid-friendly snacks and refreshments are available on board the approximate 40-minute cruise.
The cost for adults is $20.75; kids 6 to 12 are $6, and 5 and under are free. It’s an experience that moms, dadsand kids won’t soon forget. Take a few minutes to experience the wonder and beauty of downtown during the holidays. The season can sometimes be stressful, but a peaceful night out and taking in the beautiful place we call home will definitely put you in the holiday spirit.