Top 5 things to do while visiting for Ironman

Ironman weekend is upon us. Soon our small, city streets will be full of athletes and their families all visiting our beautiful town. While some locals dread this busy and traffic-filled weekend, some of us enjoy watching these amazing competitors and sharing everything that's so wonderful about our area.So a message to the locals:Be kind, courteous and welcoming to our guests. It's one weekend a year and it will have a positive impact on our local economy for the entire summer.For those coming to visit Coeur d'Alene, I've compiled a list of the top five things you should do while you're here. Enjoy!1. Sample our local cuisine.If there's one thing we have plenty of, it's local restaurants and nightlife. Let's break it down by meal. This could take a while...BreakfastBakery by the Lake - Located on Front Ave., this local bakery has the best of everything. Coffee, pasties, egg sandwiches, and (usually) a beautiful view.Michael D's - Locally owned and operated, Michael D's is a great family restaurant. Although it's always busy so call ahead or get there early.Java- A coffee house for the Hipsters. If you go make sure to get the Bowl of Soul. You won't regret it.Le Peeps - A little newer on the scene, it's also a great family place with a large menu and a great view of the Spokane River. Everything there is good. I recommend the breakfast burrito.Lunch/DinnerSeasons- I recommend Seasons' happy hour daily from 3-6. Great deals and a good way to try the food. They boast having a seasonal and local menu. I highly recommend the Kobe burger with the yam fries. Amazing!Fire- By far my favorite restaurant in town, and perfect for a date night. Their artisan pizza is to die for and they have a great craft beer and wine selection. I recommend the Thai pizza if you want to be daring and the house Big Fire Red wine. Yum! You can't go wrong, We've tried every pizza there and love them all. If you go, you HAVE to order the cookie. Just trust me on this one.Tony's- About 10-15 minutes away from downtown, Tony's has great Italian food. Very romantic with gorgeous views, Tony's is a memory-maker.I could go on and on about all our amazing restaurants, but there's still so much to cover! Here's a few more recommendations: Syringa (sushi), Moontime, the Cellar (wine and fine dining), Titos (Italian), and Capones (burgers, pizza and more. Featured on Diners, Dine-ins, and Dives).There is also an abundance of night life. Just take a stroll along Sherman Ave. and you'll see Splash, the Beacon, the Moose, the Country Bar (on Lakeside), and the Ironhorse.2. HikeWow, did I spend enough time on food? Now how about burning off some of those calories with some hiking!Definitely check out Tubbs Hill! Located right downtown on the lake, it's a favorite spot for the locals. I've done several other hiking posts you can check out here:Mineral RidgeCaribou CreekMarie CreekCanfield Mountain - Apparently I haven't done a Canfield post yet... oops! It's a challenging hike but the view from the top is amazing! You can see all the way over to Spokane. A must-do!3. ShopWe have a lot of fun shops downtown and over at Riverstone. Kids love going to Figpickle's and Mrs. Honeypeep's. Also be sure to check out Fleet Feet (for the runners, located on Sherman) Tiffany Blue (downtown on Sherman and a second location in Riverstone), Daisy J's and Escape Outdoors (both in Riverstone).4. RentalsTerra Sports on Sherman can not only tune up your bike before the big race, but they also do day trips to Canfield and bike rentals. If you're wanting to get out on the water (but maybe not in) Check out the Cd'A Paddleboard Co. They rent boards and have classes, including yoga. Row Adventures is also a great place to check out for rentals and day trips. Finally, if you're wanting to rent a boat for the day, the Boardwalk Marina can hook you up!5. SilverwoodOur local theme park, located about 20-30 minutes north of Coeur d'Alene. There's rides, shows, games, and a water park. Definitely worth checking out, especially if you have kiddos.So that's it! That is the shortest list I could come up with because there is so much to do and see around here. Please explore our area and enjoy the sights and wildlife!