Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Wallace, ID

  • Published 2022/08/29

The town of Wallace, Idaho, boasts of a thriving silver mining industry.

Mining has helped turn this town into one of the wealthiest towns in the country.

Named after local farmer William Wallace, the town also prospered in agriculture.

In 1884, the town catapulted into economic growth with the discovery of the Poorman and Tiger silver lodes.

Today, tourists will still see most of the mining influences from Wallace’s rich history and bustling business and entertainment districts.

Here are the best things to do in Wallace, ID:

Learn about Wallace History with Sierra Silver Mine Tours

The tour bus of Sierra Silver Mine Tours

Alexander Oganezov / Shutterstock.com

Embark on a fun educational journey about mining and Wallace history by booking a trip with Sierra Silver Mine Tours.

Located along Cedar St., Sierra Silver Mine Tours offers guests the chance to tag along and explore a real silver mine.

Climb aboard the trolley and learn about the stories and historical facts directly from an experienced hard-rock miner.

A tour guide demonstrating an equipment during the Sierra Silver Mine Tours

Alexander Oganezov / Shutterstock.com

You’ll also have the chance to experience actual hard-rock mining methods from retired miners.

Enjoy a one-of-a-kind experience in the most prosperous silver district in the area.

The tour usually lasts for about an hour and 15 minutes.

Bring a light jacket, as the temperature in the mine can get as low as 50 degrees F.

Swing by the Wallace District Mining Museum

The town of Wallace has some of the wealthiest mining sites across the globe.

Likewise, the Wallace District Mining Museum on High Bank St is a testament to its richness.

Founded in 1956, the mining museum has curated over 130 years of production of silver, lead, zinc, and gold.

The museum offers guests a walkthrough mining experience that anyone can surely enjoy.

Check out over 50 exhibits, over 5,000 photos, and maps depicting the Coeur d’Alene Mining District and Silver Valley.

You can also join the mock mine walk-through at the Wallace District Mining Museum.

See what it’s like to venture deep in the mines as you hunt for precious metals and minerals.

Visit the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot

Exterior of Northern Pacific Railroad Depot

B Brown / Shutterstock.com

Witness how the people of Wallace traveled to neighboring cities during its early years at the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot on 6th St.

Learn how railroading played an essential role in the Coeur d’Alene Mining District.

The railroad helped develop Wallace into a thriving area.

Swing by the chateau-style depot and gift shop and marvel at the grandeur of Wallace architecture.

You can also check out a replica of a working railroad agent’s room from the Northern Pacific Depot Museum.

Walk around the room, and you might even catch a glimpse of the rare safe while talking on a working 1908 telephone.

Built in 1902, the Northern Pacific Railroad Depot was a daily transportation service during the silver boom.

It played an important role in Wallace’s economic development.

Traverse the Pulaski Tunnel Trail

Several natural wonders in Wallace await you,

If you want to embark on a journey away from the busy streets, check out the Pulaski Tunnel Trail.

Spanning a total of 6.4 kilometers, the Pulaski Tunnel Trail leads to an overlook where you’ll see the Nicholson mine.

Besides the thick spruce and fir, you’ll admire every bit of the trail for its simplicity and beauty.

As you traverse the trail, you’ll come across several signs that uncover the mystery of the Pulaski Trail and how it appeared.

The Pulaski Tunnel Trail gets its name from Ed Pulaski, a fireman who saved 39 men out of his 45-man crew during a firestorm.

Pulaski saved most of his men by forcing them to hide inside a nearby mine and holding them at gunpoint until the fire cleared.

Swing by the Oasis Bordello Museum

Exterior of Oasis Bordello Museum

Kirk Fisher / Shutterstock.com

Don’t miss the Oasis Bordello Museum on Cedar St. while touring the streets of Wallace.

Unlike other museums with artifacts and exhibits, the Oasis Bordello Museum portrays an old cathouse that got stuck in time.

Historically, the museum was an active bordello until 1988.

It became one of the more profitable businesses in Wallace back in the day.

A woman named Madame Ginger owned the bordello.

However, someone tipped off the FBI about the bordello, forcing them to shut it down.

Once you enter the museum, you’ll notice that everyone rushed out of the building.

You can still see personal items inside the rooms.

Likewise, groceries remain bagged in the cupboards, and old furnishings remain.

They sold the property in 1993.

The new owner decided to keep most things as they were and turned it into a museum.

Enjoy Idaho’s Stunning Views with Silver Streak Zipline

Fly through the treetops to get unparalleled views of Idaho’s natural wonders by booking a trip with Silver Streak Zipline on 5th St.

Founded in 2019, Silver Streak Zipline belongs to a mountain property spanning over 250 acres.

There’s enough fun for everybody at Silver Streak Zipline.

Take your pick from ten lines, which includes a pro jump line and two pump tracks and trails.

If you’ve got what it takes, try cruising along the Big Daddy, which covers over 1,800 feet of zipline action at 50 mph.

You can also join your best friend, ride the zipline with Uncle Bob, and enjoy the sight of the Northern Idaho Skyline together.

Chug Cold Ones at the North Idaho Mountain Brewery

Nothing is more relaxing than enjoying a glass of ice-cold beer and hanging out with your friends after a long day of exploring Wallace.

At North Idaho Mountain Brewery along Nine Mile Rd, you’ll enjoy nothing but the best brews in Idaho.

Licensed in 2008, North Idaho Mountain Brewery quickly rose to fame for serving expertly crafted beers and microbrews.

All bar taps pour beers brewed in-house, so you’ll surely have your fix of premium-quality beer.

Sip on some original favorites like the Sunset Red, Mountain Top Amber, and Loft Honey.

Bring your buddies to the North Idaho Mountain Brewery!

Catch Live Performances at the Sixth Street Melodrama Theater

Discover the talents of Wallace locals in live theater by seeing on-stage performances at the Sixth Street Melodrama Theater.

Don and Joan Springer and Sherrill and Pat Grounds founded the theater in 1983.

Sixth Street Melodrama Theater started showing original plays from the founders.

Laugh, cry, and feel every emotion in the book as you watch budding talents and rising actors realize their characters onstage.

Performances usually happen between July and August.

If you plan to visit Wallace during those months, you might want to book your tickets to the shows.

Besides staging fantastic plays, Sixth Street Melodrama Theater also holds historical significance.

The community theater initially resided where the Northern Pacific Depot Museum currently stands.

Later, it moved to Frank & Kelly’s Paint and Wallpaper Store in historic downtown.

Travel to the Center of the Universe

Street sign of Center of the Universe

Natalia Bratslavsky / Shutterstock.com

Unearthing the world’s deepest, darkest secrets isn’t just for scientists and historians.

Sometimes, even an ordinary tourist can become part of history, too.

If you want to make history, why not travel towards the center of the universe in the city of Wallace?

Situated at the center of Bank and Sixth St. is a manhole that residents claimed to be the center of the universe in 2004.

Ground marker of Center of the Universe

MarkChartier / Shutterstock.com

Although it might not look like much, the manhole has attracted significant attention thanks to this absurd claim.

Many tourists join the fun by taking a few photos and imagining that they were indeed at the center of the universe.

If you happen to be nearby, check out this famous manhole decorated with symbols commemorating the mining history of Wallace.

Celebrate the Wallace Blues Festival

Blues lovers will have a blast jamming along during the Wallace Blues Festival in historic downtown.

Enjoy listening to award-winning blues bands on a July weekend while spending some much-needed quality time with your friends and family.

Sing along or munch on some snacks as you join the annual concert.

Maybe you can even set up camp by the grounds.

If you’re planning to bring an RV, you can park in the open space between Silverton and Wallace.

Book your tickets early, though, as the Wallace Blues Festival is arguably one of the most-awaited festivities in the city.

Ride Your Bike along the Famed Route of the Hiawatha

The road of Hiawatha Rails

Roadwardbound / Shutterstock.com

If you like going on extreme adventures, you’ll have a blast conquering the Hiawatha Rails.

Hiawatha Rails is the crown jewel of rail-to-trails, spanning 15 miles, ten tunnels, and seven sky-high trestles.

Remember that the views aren’t the reasons behind the Hiawatha Rails’ rise to fame.

It’s the downhill route that only daredevils are willing to take.

Tall trees surrounding Hiawatha Rails

KilmoreyLaura / Shutterstock.com

Begin your adventure by riding along the St. Paul Pass Tunnel, leading to the Bitterroot Mountains, where you’ll see the Lookout Pass Ski Area.

While you’re at it, don’t forget to enjoy the scenery and take every moment of your adventure in Wallace.

Unleash your inner thrill-seeker by taking the Route of the Hiawatha!

Climb the Wallace Stairs

Climbing a bunch of stairs isn’t something that most tourists would enjoy doing.

However, if you’re exploring Wallace, you might want to check out the historic stairs in the city.

The historic Wallace Stairs are worth the climb, as they’ll bring you breathtaking views of the town like mountains, rivers, and townscapes.

Climbing stairs stretching over a hundred feet long will give you a much-needed workout, too.

The Wallace Stairs feature a 19th-century style, mostly restored with landings and decks.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Enjoy Outdoor Activities by the Coeur d’Alene River

The waters of Coeur d’Alene River

Frank L Junior / Shutterstock.com

Enjoy Mother Nature’s greatest gifts by enjoying the great outdoors along the Coeur d’Alene River.

The river extends to Kingston, stretching towards Lake Pend Oreille and the South Fork.

Reconnect with nature by exploring the trails near the river on foot or riding your bicycle along the pathway.

Hikers can take their pick from three dozen trails, each with varying difficulty.

Trees on Coeur d’Alene River's shoreline

Michael J Magee / Shutterstock.com

You can set up camp at night to watch the glistening stars and light a campfire to keep you warm during the chilly night.

Enjoy the calm and serene environment amid towering trees.

Hear nothing but the sound of birds and rustling leaves.

Those who enjoy fishing can catch chinook salmon, bull trout, brook, and west slope cutthroat, among others.

You can find the Coeur d’Alene River 27 minutes from Wallace.

Go Powder Skiing at Lookout Pass

Scenic view of Lookout Pass

CSNafzger / Shutterstock.com

If you’re planning to visit Wallace during the winter, add powder skiing at Lookout Pass to your itinerary.

Lookout Pass covers approximately 540 acres of land with 34 named runs and prime powder glades.

You can find the pass in Mullan, Idaho,

The area has earned a reputation for lighter and dryer powder than other regions in the state, making it the perfect skiing spot.

However, don’t worry if you’re not a fan of skiing, because Lookout Pass has other activities for you.

Go on a scenic chairlift ride to get the perfect bird’s eye view of the Fabled Bitterroot Mountains and the St. Regious Peaks and basin.

You can also play a round of frisbee golf or even go downhill mountain biking.

Discover a Hidden World at Burke Canyon

Ruins of Hecla Mine at Burke Canyon

Mossbones, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Wallace isn’t the only town in Idaho that’s rich in ancient history.

Drive for about 11 minutes outside the city to reach Burke Canyon, another gem awaiting your visit.

Marvel at the beautiful ruins of Burke Canyon in the form of mines, run-down towns, and hillsides.

The discovery of rich silver ore led to the establishment of Burke in 1884.

In three years since its founding, Burke prospered greatly, becoming a wealthy mining town.

Burke also had a railroad, considered an advanced feat compared to neighboring cities and towns.

Although Burke Canyon has long become forgotten ruins, you’ll still see remnants of a once-thriving community.

Final Thoughts

If you’re still looking for the best things to do in Wallace, stick to this list, and you’re all set.

Besides entertaining sites, you’ll also see many historical areas that will help you learn more about the city.

Start your adventure by booking a trip to Wallace, Idaho, today!

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