Silverwood Theme Park

So your travel budget this summer may not let you afford a trip to play somewhere far away. Lucky for you, the Northwest’s largest theme park is nearby, just north of Coeur d’Alene: Silverwood Theme Park, which is always happy to welcome visitors. Silverwood offers more than 60 attractions, and is now joined by Boulder Beach Water Park, an area full of slides, fountains, rivers and other water fun. It’s a perfect, affordable destination for families, whether you visit a few times during the year or buy a pass for the entire season. This year, the park offers plenty for every age and interest, including the second season of Aftershock, the fastest coaster in the park, plus other favorite coasters Tremors and The Timber Terror. Aftershock reaches speeds up to 65 mph, and takes riders on a complex series of loops and twists, and then does it all in reverse. The tower itself is 190 feet, and there are times when riders will drop 177 feet at once. The park opened May 2 and continues weekends-only through May 31. Then it’s open daily until fall when it returns to weekly operations. Boulder Beach opens June 6. Entertainment includes magic show, appearances by Garfield and Odie, the steam locomotive ride around the park, and various events in the Main Street Theatre. Discount days include a 10th anniversary party for Tremors May 2-3, where admission is only $19.99 (marking 1999, the year the coaster was opened to the public.) and the 22nd anniversary celebration May 16-17, where general admission is $22 each day. For more information visit www.silverwoodthemepark.com.