For the Kids

For the Kids

Want to entertain the kids and keep spending to a minimum?  Downtown Coeur d’Alene has plenty to keep them occupied.

If you’re not staying in the downtown area, parking is at a premium in 2013 due to construction around McEuen Park. The city has a downloadable PDF showing parking opportunities. A free shuttle is also available from Memorial Park off Northwest Blvd and from the City Hall parking lot off 8th and Front St.

8:00-9:00am  Enjoy breakfast at one of downtown’s many eateries.

9:00am-noon  Take a hike on the lakeside trails of Tubbs Hill.  The trailhead and map are at the south end of the boat trailer parking lot below the City Lot.  Tubbs has easy trails that circumnavigate the hill and some that will take you to the peak. There are a number of small, rocky beaches all around Tubbs, great for splashing or, because kids never get tired of it, throwing rocks.At the entrance to Tubbs is, no, it’s not Moose and Squirrel, it’s Mudgy and Millie!  Check out the map and story and follow their adventures around the downtown and park area this afternoon.

Noon-1pm  Lunchtime!  Downtown has lots of choices and many can provide you with a picnic lunch to go.  If you do brown bag it, head for City Park where you’ll find plenty of picnic tables.

Afternoon  There’s lots for the kids to explore along the waterfront.  Let them burn off some lunch at the Ft. Sherman Playground in City Park.  If they brought their boards or blades, the Skate Park is just over the right field fence at Memorial Field across the street from the Park. Walk west from the Park along the beach that takes you around Rosenberry Drive behind North Idaho College. Along the “dike road” are interpretive displays about the Coeur d’Alene Tribe.

On your way back through the park walk out onto Independence Point with steps leading right into the water.  There’s Mudgy & Millie again, you’re on the trail.  Walk east on Sherman and you’ll find Mudgy & Millie on the SE corner of 3rd Street. At 4th Street turn south toward the City Parking Lot and then east to the Public Library where the 4th Mudgy & Millie are. McEuen Park is undergoing a massive renovation so excuse the construction.