Hi dustted: I spent a couple of weeks there last summer. As you make the short drive from Spokane to Coeur d'Alene, stop at the welcome center and you can pick up maps, hiking trail ideas etc. All the restaurants are right there in town and easy to find. It'll be getting chilly by late September - so dress accordingly! There's a beautiful trail from from the Lake which you must do called Tubbs Hill which gives you great views of the lake. Another called Caribou Ridge where the vistas are worth the walk. North form Coeur d'Alene is Lake Pend Oreille -- we took a boat cruise on that lake which was quite nice. Right near Lake Pend Oreille, is Schweitzer Mountain -- the ski area. You can take the lift up for some nice views -- and if you're a hiker, you can walk down (if not, just ride the lift down)!