Sandpoint, Idaho Travel & Attractions

Located in the northern Idaho panhandle and home to only 8,200 residents, Sandpoint’s endless natural beauty, adventure activities and vibrant arts community have attracted visitors from across the United States. Accolades from National Geographic Traveler, Sunset and Outside magazines have ranged from Best Small Town in the West to the National’s Top 10 Adventure Towns. As the local saying goes, “Sandpoint is the kind of town you visit once and then try to move to.”

Sandpoint Attractions

Sandpoint’s Lake Pend Oreille (pronounced pon-duh-ray) is the stage for two of the most iconic images in the town: its historic Long Bridge and the seemingly never-ending Amtrak trains as they cross Idaho’s largest lake. The lake’s name comes from the French words for “hangs from ears,” pend d’oreille, which was the name given to a local Native American tribe—after the large shell earrings they wore.

The two-story Cedar Street Bridge Public Market is the only marketplace-on-a-bridge in the country. Built on huge tamarack pylons, the bridge makes for a beautiful sunset picture. While you’re waiting, grab a gelato and start shopping.

Sandpoint has a niche for shopping—handmade furniture, flower shops, jewelry stores, antiques, galleries and boutiques line the quaint downtown streets. Sandpoint start-ups include Coldwater Creek and Litehouse Foods, whose headquarters remain today along with retail stores downtown.

The Hallans Gallery provides a glimpse into the works of Ross Hall, the famous Sandpoint photographer, while the Lisa VanDerKarr Art Studio displays colorful impressionistic paintings.

 

• Enjoy a picturesque shopping experience at the Cedar Street Bridge.

Courtesy of Idaho Tourism

The Panida Theater (Pan for Panhandle; Ida for Idaho) has been entertaining Sandpoint since the days of vaudeville, flaunting its gorgeous architecture with over 144 performances annually.

Summertime in Sandpoint

Sandpoint in summer buzzes with great events like the Summer Sampler featuring local food and drink, Artwalk, the Wooden Boat Festival, Schweitzer Bluegrass Festival and the Lost in the 50s vintage car show. For two weeks each summer, the Festival at Sandpoint attracts world-renowned performers such as Ziggy Marley, Lyle Lovett and Natalie Cole.

The wilderness setting of Sandpoint provides a vast array of outdoor summer sports including hiking, camping, fishing and golfing. With 111 miles of shoreline, Lake Pend Oreille provides an infinite selection of water activities.  

Sandpoint Ski at Schweitzer

Only 11 miles from Sandpoint is the alpine setting at Schweitzer Mountain Resort, where the skiing is awesome. From the mountain top (elevation 6,400 feet), you can see spectacular views of three mountain ranges, three states and Canada.

 

• People gather to hear music at a summer festival in the Schweitzer Mountain village.

Courtesy of Schweitzer Mountain Resort

The mountain receives more than 300 inches of snow annually and offers more than 2,900 skiable acres, 92 trails, two bowls for downhill, two terrain parks and multiple lifts including a high-speed six-person lift named Stella.

Schweitzer also features snowmobile and backcountry ski tours, plus 32 miles of cross-country ski trails with an additional 50 miles offered in Sandpoint’s surrounding area.

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