I arrived in Sandpoint, Idaho in late October just in time to experience the stark contrast of the Autumn leaves against the slate grey sky. I stayed in Dover Bay which is a little town right next to Sandpoint.
They have gorgeous homes and a quaint resort with a beach, boating docks, and water sports rentals.
Dover is only three miles away from Sandpoint. I was right on the water on Lake Pend Oreille. The lake is 148 square miles and 1,150 feet deep making it the fifth deepest lake in the nation. The lake views are accompanied by the skyscraping mountains and the beautiful wildlife.
Connie’s Cafe
I wasn’t too hungry when I arrived but managed to scrounge up an appetite at the mention of some local grub. My grandma and I ventured to Connie’s Cafe. The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and offers up some traditional American food.
I had a small side salad with clam chowder soup. It wasn’t the most spectacular I have ever had, but the atmosphere was cozy and the staff was friendly. It reminded me of a local diner spot where the waitstaff knows your order by heart and your kids’ names. I liked it and would recommend it for anyone in search of a modestly priced restaurant.
Oak Street Mercantile
My grandma and I drove around and explored the shops. Sandpoint has many local artists and antique stores. We visited Oak Street Mercantile and it was bigger than expected. The antique store had three parts on the top floor and was equally large in the basement. It homed many antiques, a cafe, and a yarn store. I loved seeing all of the local art being sold as well. It had heaps of things to rummage through from antique clothing, furniture, to locally-made candles and soaps. I ended up buying a cute “Thank You” card made by a local artist in Sandpoint. I’m a sucker for crafty cards.
Hiking in Verwolf Vista Park
In Sandpoint there are a lot of hiking and walking trails. Unfortunately, when I was there it rained most of the time and I was visiting my grandmother who couldn’t be out in the weather.
I did however manage some hiking through Verwolf Vista Park in Dover Bay.
This short hike doesn’t take you far, but gets your blood pumping and once you reach the top, you are able to see above the homes and trees.
The panoramic views of the mountains and Lake Pend Oreille are worth the exercise.
Fun In The Snow At Schweitzer Mountain Resort
If you are into some snowy adventures then, you must go to Schweitzer Mountain Resort. It’s 11 miles northwest of Sandpoint.
It’s located in Bonner County in the Selkirk Mountains and you can view Lake Pend Oreille in the distance. Schweitzer Mountain is not for the beginner skier or the faint of heart.
It has an elevation of 6,400 feet and a big vertical drop. The climb to the mountain was an activity in itself. The winding roads up the mountain with the changes of season right before your eyes.
The higher we climbed the more snow we saw. It was my first time driving in the snow on a mountain and it was phenomenal.
Spuds Waterfront Grill
After the trip up and down Schweitzer Mountain, which took about 35 minutes each way, I was ready for some food. And what better place to eat in potato country than a place that specializes in well… potatoes.
Spuds Waterfront Grill is located on the water in downtown Sandpoint. The cozy atmosphere overlooking the water was a perfect combination for some comfort food and conversation.
They serve everything fresh and homemade right there in the kitchen. Spuds offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner with a range of delectable salads, oven roasted potatoes, soups, and sandwiches. The patio was closed for the cold season so the seating was limited. My grandma and I ordered at the front and stood while a table freed up. The wait wasn’t too long and the staff was attentive in getting us sat right away.
I had a half of caesar salad with the Canadian Spud. I didn’t realize that the spud itself is a meal. The Canadian Spud featured butter, bacon, jack cheese, cheddar cheese and sour cream. Yum!
The Coffee Cup Coffee Shop
I didn’t finish all of my spud deliberately, so I could enjoy a coffee at the cutest little coffee shop we passed on the way to Spuds. It’s called Industry Coffee Drive Thru. It wasn’t hard to notice, since it’s in the shape of a coffee mug.
I drove up and excitedly looked at their menu to see almost everything was made in house from homemade caramel to their own chai spice recipe. I ordered the hot apple cider and my grandma had a hazelnut latte.
Man was it good. If you get a chance to go to Sandpoint. Go there! You will not be disappointed and you can take cute little pictures of you pretending to hold the cup. It’s a win-win.
Have you been to Sandpoint? What’s your favorite thing to do there?
