Sandpoint enjoys one of the Northwest's most scenic settings, nestled on the north shore of Lake Pend Oreille and at the foot of the Selkirk and Cabinet mountains. Abundant recreation and a relaxed way of life have made the town a favorite with tourists, retirees, and longtime residents alike.
There is plenty to see and do:
Ski Schweitzer Mountain. Still relatively uncrowded, Schweitzer has 82 downhill runs on 2,800 acres, six miles of cross-country trails, a snowboarders' half-pipe, snow-making equipment, slope-side lodging, and more. In summer, the mountain is a favorite with mountain bikers, hikers, and horseback riders.
Enjoy Lake Pend Oreille. Sandpoint has a city beach for swimming, sunning, and sports. A wide range of resorts dot the lake-front in Sandpoint and nearby communities. Take a boat cruise or fishing charter—Pend Oreille has yielded world record-size Kamloops trout and state record bull trout—or rent a houseboat for an extended stay.
Take part in the arts. Sandpoint is best-known for its three-week-long summer music extravaganza, the Festival at Sandpoint. Other events take place throughout the year, many at the beautifully restored Panida Theater. Visual arts aficionados will find a good selection of fine arts galleries.
Play a round of golf at at the Sandpoint Elks Golf Club. A beautiful 9-hole public course with pro shop and café. Take Highway 2 west of Sandpoint for 26 miles, then Highway 41 south for seven miles. Just follow the signs to the entrance.
Explore the past. Visit the Bonner County Historical Museum, where exhibits detail local Native American lore and Sandpoint's timber industry. The historical museum also offers a brochure outlining a walking tour of Sandpoint.
Go catalog shopping in person. The Coldwater Creek catalog company, headquartered in Sandpoint, has refurbished the historic building at 311 North First Avenue. This downtown Sandpoint landmark anchors a wide variety of other great shops, making Sandpoint one of the Northwest's most interesting towns for browsing and buying.
Shop at Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, the nation’s only marketplace on a bridge. You will find great stores in this wondrous split-level arcade of native tamarack and fir timbers spanning a meandering mountain creek.
Year-round Sandpoint is known for its amazing culinary scene, that includes an award-winning brewery and winery.
Other attractions near Sandpoint include the town of Bonners Ferry (with wildlife viewing and several nearby waterfalls) and Priest Lake (actually two lakes connected by a water thoroughfare).
