We all know potatoes are the best vegetable. There’s no better example than the great state of Idaho, where no spud is a dud.

We’re talking french fries, sweet potato pies, overloaded baked potatoes, pillowy potato doughnuts, and of course, vodka.

Boise may be Idaho’s most notable name to pig out as its undoubtedly become one of America’s trendiest cities, but it’s not just epic eats and college sports’ only blue football field that’s a draw to visitors — not even close.

Beyond various aforementioned food and drink concoctions are stunningly beautiful landscapes all around “The Gem State”, whether it be towering pine-laden forests, tranquil streams and rapid rivers, or in this case, shimmering lakes surrounded by posh hotels, luring tourists from all across the States and even as far as Asia, according to Idaho news source, KXLY.

One such town is having a record-breaking summer even as many usual Canadian vacationers politely say “no thanks” to visiting the U.S. given the, let’s say, unpredictable day-to-day political climate.

It turns out people are saying “tariffs schmariffs”! The luxe (and hard to spell) lake haven of Coeur d’Alene is welcoming more tourists than ever this summer as it’s simply too enjoyable to pass up its pristine nature and hometown warmth.

Coeur d’Alene: A Majestic Oasis In Northern Idaho

Hugging the Washington border across Spokane lies a lakeside beauty, Coeur d’Alene. This bountiful town’s centerpiece is the lake itself, going by the same name.

Lake Coeur d’Alene is truly majestic, wrapped by lush forest and an array of wildlife during summer months, and slowly transforming to a fall lover’s dreamscape too, with rustic treelines making for an even better photo-op.

Whether Coeur d’Alene will break fall tourism records is another question, but right now it’s all the rage.

Mark Robitaille, executive director of the Coeur d’Alene Convention & Visitor Bureau, was quoted as saying, “I think people like that hometown feel of Coeur d’Alene”.

A recent visitor added, “Oh, I think it’s beautiful. It’s great. We went to the water yesterday. They were having a big to-do down at the water”, in regards to the town’s summer attractions and year-round beauty.

Summer offers splendid weather for aquatic thrills and beachside lounging — yep, there are indeed beaches in Idaho.

Expect to see temps hover in the low to mid 80’s until leaves begin to fall and change hues, meaning you have another 2 months or so left to enjoy summery splendor, whether it be partaking in a variety of lake activities such as kayaking or fishing, kicking back on your ritzy resort balcony taking in the views, or absorbing the down-home charm of downtown with cozy cafes, boutique shops, and trendy restaurants.

Travel Tip: The easiest way to reach Coeur d’Alene is through Spokane’s small airport, which means a layover is likely. Check out Travel Off Path’s handy-dandy Jetlag Fixer!

No Shortage Of Luxury Stays: Coeur d’Alene Resort Takes The Cake!

Chances are, if you aren’t checking prices at Whole Foods, then you can afford a Coeur d’Alene splurge.

If not, there are still some options for you, but there’s no denying this town is a luxury destination in the same category as, say, Aspen.

Many vacationers here are multi-time visitors. As such, when they begin making summer plans, the most common go-to is the fab Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort, offering unmatched views, a world-class spa, and even a “floating” golf green for a unique way to test your swing, and award-winning Beverly’s, considered one of the country’s best restaurants.

Don’t even get me started on their immaculate wine cellar…

Needless to say, the resort comes with a premium price tag, but if you’re up for putting a bow on Summer 2025 in style, there’s no better place in Idaho to do so.

According to TripAdvisor, these are travelers’ top 3 favorite Coeur d’Alene luxury stays:

• Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort
• Blackwell Boutique Hotel
• One Lakeside Hotel

Travel Tip: If you’re ballin’ on a budget like me, check out name-brand hotels such as La Quinta or Staybridge Suites for much more palatable rates.

Hike, Bike & See The Sites! Explore Coeur d’Alene’s Stunning Nature

Beyond the gorgeous lake, there are ample inviting trails popular for exploring Coeur d’Alene’s breathtaking nature.

Tubbs Hill is arguably the favorite of tourists and locals alike. This public peninsula is smack dab downtown, making for easy access and leads you to sweeping views of the lake and vibrant townscape.

The North Idaho Centennial Trail is another popular spot, except this trail winds along the lake, meeting the Spokane River.

Since Coeur d’Alene is seeing such an uptick in visitors right now, it’s safe to say you won’t have any trails to yourself, so we at Travel Off Path scoped out a hidden gem nearby offering fewer crowds and a surprising place to discover Idaho’s oldest standing building — Old Mission State Park.

This under-hyped state park is just a half-hour drive and only $7 per vehicle (plus $5 for exhibits).

You’ll find the remarkably preserved Mission of the Sacred Heart (built without nails), eerie burial grounds, historic artifacts, and of course, plentiful trails to explore with far more space to enjoy the sights and sounds of Northern Idaho’s astounding nature.

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Fall tends to give new life to a handful of states that are normally skipped over. Take New Hampshire, for example.

What’s normally just a pass-through state turns into a real-life kaleidoscope of fall colors, luring in millions of tourists each year.

But seeing nature transform before our very eyes isn’t limited to the East Coast’s hidden gems; you can enjoy visiting other overlooked states across the country as well.

Idaho isn’t just a foodie destination whipping up every potato concoction imaginable; it’s a gorgous state through and through.

The state’s capital of Boise may be the new trendy spot of the Pacific Northwest, but it’s the ritzy lakeside town of Coeur D’alene that makes for the ultimate fall getaway.

Northern Idaho’s Ritzy Hideaway

Coeur D’alene attracts all types of travelers, including the rich and famous. Far from being comparable to the bright lights of Hollywood, this is the perfect place to escape the noise, so you may see some familiar faces attempting to blend in with us “normies”.

Celebs such as The Kardashians, Justin Bieber, and Mark Wahlberg have been spotted vacationing here while it’s said that Oscar winners, Matthew McConaughey, and George Clooney, own homes here.

Coeur D’alene is delightful in fall no matter how big or small your paycheck, but be warned it is a ritzy destination.

People tend to splurge on the ample selection of premiere resorts and vacation rentals found here.

Resorts sell out like hotcakes here, so making plans ahead of time is highly recommended.

While there are some truly lavish cabins to book through Airbnb and local agencies, TripAdvisor has these 3 resorts listed as Coeur D’alene’s top stays:

1. The Coeur d’Alene Golf & Spa Resort
2. Coeur D’Alene Casino Resort Hotel
3. One Lakeside Resort

Although, my top pick isn’t a resort at all – The Blackwell is a historic boutique hotel set in an eye-popping circa-1900 home oozing Savannah vibes and much more affordable in the low $100s.

Endless Fall Splendor

Sure, you can lounge around the resort for the duration of your trip, but Coeur D’alene is made to be explored.

With a plethora of designated trails and scenic drives at your fingertips, you have the sights, sounds, and smells of fall in close reach.

There’s arguably no prettier place in Idaho to immerse in all that fall brings, from peeping the vibrant foliage to incredible wildlife sightings, including bald eagles.

We’re not saying you have to stop in your tracks and say the Pledge of Allegiance, but there’s certainly no better place to witness our country’s emblem, as 2024 has so far been a record year with 400+ sightings.

For the best viewing opportunities, the eagles tend to flock to Wolf Lodge Bay and Lake Coeur D’alene to feast on salmon from November – February.

But truth is you never know what goodies you’ll find exploring this lake town. That being said, visitors love taking the Lake Coeur d’Alene Scenic Byway through lush forestry to truly take in the town’s autumnal glory.

Otherwise, simply enjoying a stroll around the lake offers incredible views, especially at Tubbs Hill, a sprawling park at the edge of the lake.

Beat The Winter Crowds!

Despite feeling magical in the throws of autumn, this season is undoubtedly the best time to visit between the hordes and summer lakers and the unstoppable surge of winter skiers.

Not every place is blessed to be a real treasure each season, but that’s the case with Coeur D’alene.

This pretty town nestled in the Bitterroot Range within in the Rockies has a lot going for it. Not only is it a place to enjoy Idaho’s finest resorts and fall colors, there are many other ways to unwind as well.

One of which is Coeur D’alene is an underrated golf destination with multiple scenic courses to hit the links before the winter weather rolls around.

You can also enjoy fishing and boating around the picturesque lake by renting a kayak, or Lake Coeur D’alene Cruises provides daily cruises for about $30.

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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com

Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.