History enthusiasts in Coeur d’Alene can explore the city’s past on foot this summer as the Museum of North Idaho brings back its Saturday walking tour series, running weekly through September 12.
The museum is offering four different guided tours that showcase different aspects of Coeur d’Alene’s heritage, from downtown landmarks to lakefront development and military history at Old Fort Sherman.
Four Tours Highlighting Different Historical Eras
Executive Director Britt Thurman of the Museum of North Idaho said participants will enjoy access to historic buildings and hear stories from knowledgeable guides during the 1.5-mile walks.
The “From Slab Town to Downtown” tour represents the museum’s longest-running walking program and has been updated for 2026 with new stops. This year also introduces “The Lakeshore Story,” which focuses on the development and significance of the Lake Coeur d’Alene waterfront.
A third option, “Life Along Sanders Beach,” explores the residential and recreational history of that neighborhood. These three tours all depart from the museum’s main location.
The fourth offering, “Tales of Old Fort Sherman,” begins at the historic chapel on the former military installation. Between June and August, visitors can also view a temporary exhibit at the fort featuring artifacts and educational displays.
Inside Historic Downtown Buildings
Tour participants will enter some of Coeur d’Alene’s oldest commercial buildings, including Clark’s Diamond Jewelers, which has operated continuously as a jewelry store since opening in 1907. The business still displays original furnishings and its first cash register, according to Thurman.
Cemetery Tours Also Available
Beyond the Saturday programs, the museum schedules cemetery walking tours on Thursday and Friday afternoons and evenings from June 4 through August 28.
The “Patriots and Pioneers” tour at St. Thomas Cemetery takes place Thursday afternoons, while “Legends and Leaders” at Forest Cemetery is offered Friday evenings. These specialized tours focus on notable figures buried in Kootenai County’s historic cemeteries.
How to Participate
Tickets for all walking tours and cemetery programs are available through the Museum of North Idaho’s website at museumni.org. The tours run each Saturday morning through September 12, giving residents and visitors multiple opportunities to learn about Coeur d’Alene’s development from a frontier settlement to a thriving North Idaho community.
The walking tour series provides an educational outdoor activity for families, tourists, and longtime residents interested in understanding how Coeur d’Alene evolved over more than a century of growth along the shores of Lake Coeur d’Alene.