Summer's magic abounds in North Idaho
Caroline Lobsinger
From hidden gems to popular favorites, North Idaho is filled with places to go and events to get lost in.
From campers and disc golfers to Boy Scouts and sailors, countless visitors to Farragut State Park have frolicked in its majesty and enjoyed the natural environment where numerous activities and adventures can be found.
“With over 4,000 acres, Farragut State Park ranks among the top state parks in Idaho for visitation, recreation opportunities and camping demand with an average of more than half a million visitors a year,” officials at the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation shared with the North Idaho Business Journal. “Originally a World War II naval training station, the park preserves its historic roots while offering recreation opportunities now and for future generations.”
There’s the fun of escape rooms such as 59: Escape Adventures, where families, friends — and even coworkers — bond over solving mysteries and puzzles in real time.
It’s a chance to have fun, challenge your thinking skills and while away an afternoon. If it’s a rainy summer day? Even better.
The time limit forces teams to find ways to work together under pressure, Alicia and Eric Zaas said. The family sees the business as a way connect generations through bonding during one of the games.
There’s the summer (and fall) bounty found at the region’s farmer’s markets — from fresh veggies of every variety to artisan breads and baked goods and crafts and artwork.
From local to visitors, the markets are a magnet for all, serving as a place to gather, shop for the week’s groceries — straight from the farmers and artists. There’s no better place to hang out for an hour, finding just the right items, listening to music and visiting with friends and friends-in-the-making alike.
There the endless list of fun events, festival and celebrations that sprinkle the region’s summer months. From Lost in the ’50s, the Festival at Sandpoint to Family Day in the Park, Gyro Days, the Sandpoint Renaissance Faire and Ironman 70.3 to the Community Memorial Butterfly Release to a bevy of Fourth of July celebrations, there is an endless variety of events.
There are fun runs, music festival and celebrations of both the region’s history, its present and its future. There is, as cliche as it sounds, something for everyone.
The changing times haven’t changed the sparkling magic of the Silver Valley with the community’s chambers working hard to both promote their communities while helping the region’s business bridge the valley’s rich past and bright future.
“As the name of our chamber implies, honoring our history and historic nature of our community is a guiding principle for our organization,” HWCC President KimBerly Keyton said. “We believe our history is one of the key attractions which brings visitors to Wallace and the Silver Valley. In many ways, staying the course to protect and preserve the traditions of our community is important for our members and community.”
— Caroline Lobsinger, North Idaho Business Journal
