During our anniversary trip to Coeur d’Alene (CDA), my husband and I experienced one of the most beautiful areas of the Inland Northwest on a Sunday Brunch tour with Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises. We visited in August as the summer season was ending. The temperatures were in the mid-to-upper 80s during that week, a perfect time to enjoy all that Lake Coeur d’Alene had to offer.
Coeur d’Alene was a place we had never visited, but one we had our eye on for a few years. Being from Colorado, I will always pick the mountains over the beach – but I do enjoy time spent out on the lake. CDA offered both for us, being another area of the Rocky Mountains in Northern Idaho with a stunning lake to fill my adventurous soul.
As we were planning for our trip, we agreed that a boat tour had to be on our itinerary of things to do. We knew that a Sunday Brunch Cruise would be a relaxing activity to do toward the end of our anniversary trip.
This is my review of Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises during the Sunday Brunch Cruise.
Our Experience with Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises
It was clear and warm that Sunday as we arrived at the dock at Independence Point. Check-in was smooth and we were guided to the boat we would be on for the late morning and early afternoon. While the line formed, we joined other couples, families, and a bachelorette party, all ready for a relaxing cruise.
As we boarded, we chose where we wanted to sit. There was indoor seating on the main level and outdoor seating on the upper level of the boat. My husband and I chose to sit at the upper, outer area of the boat at an open table. He went down to the main level to purchase a mimosa for me and grab a free coffee for himself. As he was in line, a sweet couple stopped by to ask me if they could join our table – which I, of course, said yes.
Shortly after the boat took off, it was time for a buffet-style brunch. The buffet included a wide variety of options – including French toast, eggs, hashbrowns, sausage, bacon, macaroni salad, mixed greens salad, rolls, and a table full of desserts.
As we enjoyed our delicious brunch, we visited with the couple at our table, who we found out were from a small town near the southern end of the lake. We had a nice conversation with them, and it gave us an appreciation for the welcoming people in the area which we noticed throughout our CDA trip.
After brunch, we walked around the boat to see different areas of the deep blue lake. It was relaxing listening to the crashing waves against the boat and the sweet sound of country music playing in the background (our favorite). I am always mesmerized by the gentle waves of water. There is something about the lake life that draws me in.
The captain of our cruise shared some history of Lake Coeur d’Alene, like how it dates back to the formation from the Missoula and Spokane glaciers during the last Ice Age. After being first discovered by European explorer, David Thompson in 1807, it was later used to transport mining of silver, gold, and ore across the water from Silver Valley.
One of the gorgeous sights to see (especially because my husband and I are golfers) was the Famous Floating Green from the Coeur d’Alene Resort Golf Course. I couldn’t capture a good photo of the floating green as we were too far away, but in this photo, you can see part of the golf course along the edge of the lake.
Another sight to see was the World’s Longest Floating Boardwalk. We walked along it a couple of times during our trip, so it was neat to see it while on the water. The floating boardwalk is 3,300 feet long, and a popular spot for a leisure walk.
Looking for other things to do while you’re in Coeur d’Alene? Check out my review of Circling Raven Golf Club!
As we ended our cruise, we exchanged numbers with the nice couple we met, planning to stay in touch. The weather was warm at that point, so we were ready for a sweet ice cream treat afterward. It was a fantastic day!
Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises Final Review
My husband and I would both highly recommend Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises to anyone planning a trip to Coeur d’Alene. We took a cruise during our anniversary trip, but there were also families, friends, and wedding celebrations on the boat.
The staff was kind and helpful, the food was delicious with many options, and the overall experience was hands down the best part. You can enjoy a unique experience of the second-largest lake in Northern Idaho on a cruise.
Other Tours offered by Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises
We enjoyed the Sunday Brunch Cruise, a 90-cruise that began at 11 a.m. Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises also hosts a North Shore Dinner Cruise with gourmet cuisine and a Sunset Dinner Cruise with romantic dining. Additionally, they have River Cruises and specialty cruises (for seasonal or wedding groups). To see a full list of options, visit Lake Coeur d’Alene Cruises.
*** Thank you, Coeur d’Alene for hosting us. All opinions are my own.***