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.

Share The Article

Last Updated 20 seconds ago

The New Year has finally arrived! While many of us convince ourselves we’ll activate a hard reset at the turn of midnight with a sudden passion for the StairMaster, travel goals are always the most feasible.

Backed by a recent report showcasing the world’s best destinations to kick off 2025 with your budget in mind, Asia stands out the most.

Truth is, winter is an incredible time to globetrot, and not just nearby Caribbean Islands and Mexico’s hotspots.

Asia may seem like a far-flung land of bucket-list wonders, and it is, but let’s not take for granted how connected our skies have become.

You can travel to a majority of Asia’s metropolises with just a single layover from the U.S. For example, Thailand has no direct flights (for now), but still remains Southeast Asia’s tourism titan.

Offering visitors cheap stays and rich cultural experiences, in no particular order, these 4 Asian metropolises make for perfect sunny city breaks rather than shivering in your skivvies back home:

Kuala Lumpur: Malaysia’s Captivating Urban Sprawl

How does 80 degrees in January sound?

Kuala Lumpur may not be a beach city, but it’s a sprawling metropolis brimming with wondrous sites, buzzing markets, and perhaps most notably, the Batu Caves, a vast cave system work the steep 272-step hike explore hidden Hindu temples and sweeping views of the city.

Malaysia’s capital is renowned for its safety, affordability, and phenomenal architecture, ranging from sky-scraping marvels to preserved structures of its former British colonization.

With an average price of $62/night, you’ll find cheap stays, no matter your preferred style of accommodations.

Luxury travelers will enjoy great rates at such places as 5-star Amari Kuala Lumpur for $71, and even the Ritz Carlton is only $160 on Priceline in February – unheard of!

If you do opt for opulence, check the amenities for rooftop pools like what Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur has to offer.

Bangkok: Real Estate May Be Surging, But Hotels Are Still Affordable

Truth be told, I’ve been keeping an eye on Bangkok’s condo market as an Airbnb investment, and I think I missed my chance to score dirt-cheap condos.

The good news for travelers, however, is Bangkok still offers an array of fancy schmancy hotels to high-rise condo rentals for an incredible value.

With temperatures in the high 70s at this time of year, Bangkok is a splendid destination before the summer humidity takes over.

Between floating markets, night markets, rooftop bars, never-ending temples, and incomparable nightlife, travelers never have an issue finding their niche in Bangkok.

However, my personal favorite district is Chinatown (Yaowarat) for action-packed people-watching, sensational eats, and cheap shops to haggle.

The Border Telegraph reports Bangkok’s hotels average out to $65/night, so visitors can easily treat themselves to high-end stays, such as the 5-star Grand Mercure Bangkok Atrium beating the average at $61.

Ho Chi Minh City: An Insanely Cheap Gateway To Vietnam’s Wonders

Formerly known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is a vast urban jungle of sensory overload from the aromas of street food vendors, the sounds of an endless sea of scooters, and eye-popping sites like the Notre Dame Cathedral and intriguing museums like War Remnants Museum (only $1.57 admission)

There will never be a dull moment exploring this city, but most travelers prefer to run the gamut since there are so many more enticing destinations, from Da Nang’s beaches to Hanoi’s cultural delights.

No matter the reason for your trip, Ho Chi Minh is incredibly cheap, with sunny 78-degree days.

Like Bangkok, hotels average $65/night, but you can score great deals below the average, such as 4-star Odys Boutique Hotel for $36 or level up to a 5-star stay at Windsor Plaza Hotel for only $57 in February.

Phnom Penh: Southeast Asia’s Up-And-Coming City

Perhaps the least known on this list, Phnom Penh is Cambodia’s vast capital city but is typically overshadowed by tourist hotspot Siem Reap, a much smaller city beaming with history and impeccably preserved sites like world-renowned Angor Wat, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Phnom Penh is ready to take center stage, though, as the Los Angeles Times just ran a feature on Cambodia’s newfound fame as an up-and-coming destination.

Prices are jaw-dropping here. This city of traditional markets, grand palaces, and more-than-affordable luxury makes for a great base as you discover Cambodia’s lush nature, immaculate ruins, and temples.

The weather hovers around 78, and hotel rates average an even $50/night, but believe it or not, you can score luxury hotels like Snowbell Hotel for just $37 on Agoda.

↓ Elevate Your Travel↓

Sign Up Now For Travel Off Path Premium! No ads, VIP Content, Personal Travel Concierge, Huge Savings, Daily Deals, Members Forum & More!

✈️Join Our Travel Off Path Community Forum: Where travelers unite, ask questions, share experiences and even find like-minded travel buddies!

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR LATEST POSTS

Enter your email address to subscribe to Travel Off Path’s latest breaking travel news, straight to your inbox.

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.