Tours
Explore the history of Bonner County on your own or with a scheduled group! Self-led or organized, these tours highlight Sandpoint and Bonner County’s colorful and curious past.
Self-Guided
Historic Driving Tour
Driving Past by Nancy Foster Renk tells the stories of the people and events that have shaped Bonner County over the centuries.
Each of the stops on the tours provides information connected with a specific place or area. Driving Past contains sixteen separate tours, laid out along all of the main highways and many of the secondary roads as well.
The drives can be done individually or they can be combined with other tours to form a loop. Each tour contains a map and each stop includes driving directions, mileages, and GPS coordinates. The book is generously illustrated with historic photographs from the extensive collections of the Bonner County Historical Society.
For more information on Bonner County history, please visit and enjoy Nancy Renk's history blog, North Idaho Past/Present.
Driving Past by Nancy Foster Renk
Hit the road and travel back into Bonner County's rich and colorful past!
Explore Bonner County's history from the comfort of your car (or your armchair) with this handy, easy-to-follow guidebook. Packed with information, Driving Past helps you discover gems of local lore while enjoying spectacular vistas along each route. Each tour has been meticulously researched and includes maps, directions, distances, stories, and photos about the places, people, and events that shaped Bonner County. Whether you're a longtime resident or just visiting the area for a day or two, Driving Past will deepen your appreciation of the region and its roots.
Self-Guided
Historic Walking Tour
You’ve visited the Panida Theater, but have you been to the Northern Mercantile? St. Knights of Pythias? Traders Bank?
In partnership with the Bonner County Historical Society, the City of Sandpoint's Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation Commission has put together a fun and informative walking tour brochure which can easily be used to tour Sandpoint's historic buildings, including the Panida Theater and Northern Mercantile
From the tour: Sandpoint has historically benefited from its key strategic geographic location as a link between water and land based transportation routes. Sand Point, as it was known, was a meeting ground and trading center for local Native American tribes when early explorers and trappers visited the region.
Sandpoint… A Walk through History
Explore Sandpoint’s colorful past. Pick up a brochure at the Museum and other locations downtown. Or check out the digital brochure and take the tour with the PocketSights app.
Bonner County Historical Society
Newcomer Cucumber Tour
Lifted from an early 1900s newspaper, the term "Newcomer Cucumber" was used by settlers to describe newcomers to the area. Today, we use this cheeky term to welcome old timers, new residents, and visitors alike. This tour highlights some of the key historic families, businesses, and stories dating from Sandpoint's earliest beginnings.
Tours facilitated through the City of Sandpoint’s Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Division.
Newcomer Cucumber · Fridays, June - August
Dates: Every Friday, June - August
Time: 2:30 p.m.
Duration: 1 hour, with optional 30 minute extension
Cost: $15 adults / $5 youth / 6 and under free
Meet at: Elevate Realty, 212 N First Ave, Sandpoint
Registration: Required
City of Sandpoint Arts, Culture & Historic Preservation Commission
A Walk through History Tour
Learn about Sandpoint’s rich architectural history. Led by local historians and actors, the tours will bring you fun and engaging stories about Sandpoint’s past.
Tours facilitated through the City of Sandpoint’s Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces Division.
A Walk through History · Fridays, June - August
Dates: June 28, July 26, August 23, and September 27
Time: 10:00 a.m.
Duration: 1 hour
Cost: Free
Meet at: The Panida Theater, 300 N First Ave, Sandpoint
Registration: Encouraged
School Tours
Schedule a tour for your students! Docent-led or self-led museum tours are available. Visit the school tours page to get started.