Coeur d'Alene. Idaho

The Coeur d'Alene area is surrounded by scores of lakes from the ice age. There are more than 55 lakes within minutes of Coeur d'Alene, but the highlight is Lake Coeur d'Alene itself. The magic of Lake Coeur d'Alene is hard to define, but begins with spectacular North Idaho sunsets and moonrises and the glowing lights of Coeur d’Alene reflecting across its waters at night. 

The city of Coeur d'Alene has grown significantly in recent years, in part because of a substantial increase in tourism. Barbara Walters called the city "a little slice of Heaven" and included it in her list of places to visit. Coeur d'Alene is a resort town, with the Coeur d'Alene Resort taking up a prominent portion of downtown. It is also located near two major ski resorts, with Silver Mountain Resort to the east in Kellogg, and Schweitzer Mountain Ski Resort to the north in Sandpoint. The name Cœur d'Alène translated into English means Heart of an Awl, referring to the indigenous tribe's reputation as tough businessmen.