Coeur d’Alene, Idaho
The French name Coeur d’Alene sounds just as pleasant as the charming Idaho town is; but the name means “heart as sharp as a leather-piercing tool.” The harsh name refers to early traders’ belief that the local Native Americans were difficult negotiators.
Nowadays, the city is known as a quaint town set amid pine-forested hills and the deep blue Lake Coeur d’Alene.
“We only have a population of about 40,000,” said Katherine Hoyer, director of the Coeur d’Alene Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). “We have a small-town feel, but we still have all the amenities of a larger city. Our summers here are phenomenal, but we also have skiing and snow activities in the winter.”
Groups can explore the Northwest beauty of the area best by kayak with Row Adventure Center. The company leads kayak tours to point out nesting osprey or the evening sunset while educating participants on the interesting heritage of the town.
Paddleboarding, fly-fishing, hiking and biking interpretive tours also allow groups to combine active fun with the natural beauty of the area. Lake cruises sail the 25-mile-long lake for a more low-key voyage.
Depending on a group’s interest, they can either enjoy Coeur d’Alene’s thriving downtown full of shopping, restaurants and concerts, or ride 15 minutes away to Silverwood, one of the largest theme parks in the Northwest.
Group-Friendly Lakefront Restaurant: Fresh seafood and locally sourced meat arrives daily at Cedars Floating Restaurant. Floating at the confluence of Lake Coeur d’Alene and the Spokane River, the renowned restaurant offers lake views and regional delicacies such as cedar-plank salmon and Biergarten filet.
Grand Rivers, Kentucky
Nestled between Kentucky Lake and Lake Barkley lies the small town of Grand Rivers: “The Village Between the Lakes.” Home to two resort marinas and located near the 170,000-acre Land Between the Lakes Recreation Area and many other tourism-related attractions, the town takes downtime very seriously.
“It’s a very peaceful little town,” said Christine Thompson, executive director of Grand Rivers Tourism Commission. “It comes to life in the spring and summer when we have our festivals and events. Because our town is very pedestrian-friendly, it’s nice to go up Main Street and shop for antiques.”
Groups can either try their hand at the helm during a sailing lesson or sit back on a sailing charter with Lighthouse Landing Marina Sailing School. Captain John Brazell offers group excursions aboard numerous sailboats, depending on the size of the group, for sunset and wildlife viewing.
Guests can explore the 300 miles of shoreline and 200 miles of hiking and biking trails at Land Between the Lakes. The park features educational tours, among them birding trips, wildlife viewing and historic demonstrations at the Homeplace, a re-created working farm. The park’s Elk and Bison Prairie allows visitors to see these wild animals up close during a driving tour of the 700-acre enclosure.
For a relaxing evening, the Badgett Playhouse shows “Variety,” a Branson-style musical review popular with groups.
Group-Friendly Lakefront Restaurant: Food enthusiasts rave over the two-inch-thick pork chops, flowerpot bread and meringue pies at Patti’s 1880s Settlement Restaurant. Within walking distance to both lakes, the Settlement, a re-created historic log cabin village, offers two restaurants and six gift shops.
Grand Marais, Minnesota
Most towns with populations of under 2,000 don’t have enough going on to attract many visitors. But Grand Marais, Minnesota, is not most towns.
The tiny town situated between Lake Superior and the Sawtooth Mountains has an impressive art scene in addition to its sweeping scenes of natural beauty. Lake Superior’s 31,700 square miles holds about 10 percent of all the fresh surface water on the planet. This inspiring body of water helped turn Grand Marais into an art haven, with artists commonly on the docks painting the lake views.
Groups can explore a small part of the massive lake aboard a half- or full-day fishing charter. Rainbow trout, pink salmon and steelhead trout thrive in Lake Superior’s cold waters, which is why novice fishing groups join professional sports fishermen on the lake from spring through fall.
Outfitters also provide canoeing and kayaking on the lake, as well as popular excursions to the nearby Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This natural paradise spans a million acres of woods and crystal-clear lakes left untouched since the glaciers melted.
Groups can also keep busy in Grand Marais without leaving the shore, thanks to local shops, art galleries, studios and the Grand Marais Playhouse. Visitors can tap into their own creativity with an art workshop at the Grand Marais Art Colony or the North House Folk School. Both locations feature artists leading experiential programs for groups, with focuses that include visual arts, glass, clay and woodworking.
Group-Friendly Lakefront Restaurant: Handcrafted meals with fresh and seasonal ingredients ensure a delectable dining experience at Harbor House Grill. There, perched on Lake Superior, guests can overlook the serene expanse of the largest Great Lake during their meal.
