There’s something a little brag-worthy about arriving at a destination by tube. Especially when that destination is a beautifully rustic farm-to-table eatery and general store. That’s what you can expect at the Pack River Store in Sandpoint, Idaho. It’s located in the flatwater section of the Pack River — known by locals as the “Lower Pack” — the perfect put-in or take-out for family-friendly floating adventures.
Arrival at the Pack River Store is aromatic. This Sandpoint institution, circa 1976, offers house-cured, smoked and roasted meats available by the pound; a delicatessen with salads, pastas, ribs, jams, sauces, baked goods and desserts; and a curated selection of local beer and wine. Customers can also sit down and enjoy farm fresh breakfast, lunch and dinner before they grocery shop, stock up on gas and propane, and take a shower to boot.
Just like the Pack River Store, all of Sandpoint is a summer mecca for paddlers — and food and beverage enthusiasts alike. Whether you’re in town to paddleboard the town’s focal point — Idaho’s largest lake Pend Oreille — or enjoy the mellow backwaters of the Pack River, or get technical on the Moyie River’s whitewater, the aprés options are abundant.
Maybe scenic lakefront views are more your jam than water sports, in which case you can browse the shops at Sandpoint’s iconic Cedar Street Bridge. This unique marketplace sits above Sand Creek and includes more than 24 vendors like the Gethsemane Oil & Vinegar Shop, the Sugar Tooth homemade candy shop, Sunshine on Cedar that serves charcuterie boards paired with wine and beer, and the RetroPlay Arcade.
Just steps away from the Cedar Street Bridge is a grid of more of Sandpoint’s great shopping and downtown venues. MickDuff’s Brewing Company, the Hydra Steakhouse, Spud’s Waterfront Grill and Baxters on Cedar are all a stone’s throw from Sandpoint City Beach Park, the nucleus of town that even has its own Statue of Liberty.
Walk a block inland for a French-inspired wine experience with Northwest ingredients at Pend d’Oreille Winery. Among their award-winning wines are Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, both of which are great pairings for their array of specialty pizzas. This Sandpoint staple, in business since 1995, also crafts several other red, white, sweet and reserve wines that you can even take home in a growler fill.
Next door is The Fat Pig, where the menu full of local ingredients rotates seasonally. Items here range from the nostalgic “Fast Food Burger” to salmon and steak to ramen. Don’t miss the crispy Belly Bits appetizer.
Across the street is Eichardt’s Pub Grill & Coffee. Just as the name suggests, there’s something here for everyone — including morning coffee, an array of local beers and wines on tap, live music, ping-pong and shuffleboard.
Venture a few more blocks into town and discover another must-visit in Sandpoint: Matchwood Brewing Company. Seasoned beercationers will appreciate not just the world-class lineup of European-inspired beers, but also the welcoming atmosphere. Inside it’s casual-meets-chic architecture; outside, it’s bier garten-esque seating on a spanning, twinkle light-lit patio.
Evans Brothers Coffee is just across from Matchwood, and well worth a visit. Coffee aficionados will appreciate their array of single origin options, and house plant hoarders will swoon over the monsteras and outside planters.
These recommendations are simply a scratching of the surface of the reasons to visit Sandpoint, Idaho. Come for the mountains and the lake, stay for the refined yet casual food and beverages to be found literally on every corner.
