A Traveler’s Guide to Wallace, Idaho: A Hidden Gem by Glacier National Park

Why you should visit

Wallace is one of those spots you might blow past on I-90 without giving it a second glance. But don’t. Most of downtown is part of a National Register historic district, and the old brick buildings, antique signage, and compact layout give it a distinct character. Add in the mountain backdrop and the fact that world-class trails start practically at the edge of town, and Wallace is more than just a pit stop.

15 miles of breathtaking bike trails!

Travel tip: If you’re renting a car for Glacier, check rates in Spokane before booking flights into Kalispell. Yes, it’s a little more driving, but car rentals are much cheaper—and the route takes you through towns like Wallace that you wouldn’t see otherwise.

The vibe

Historic, quirky, and unpolished in the best way. Wallace leans into its mining past while also feeling like an outdoor hub. You’ll see locals going about their routines alongside bikers and hikers loading up gear for the trails. It doesn’t feel like a staged tourist town—it feels lived in, a little rugged, and very real.

Insider tips

• Center of the Universe: It’s literally a manhole in the middle of the intersection downtown. Locals are used to people posing there- cars politely wait or drive around.

• Route of the Hiawatha prep: If you rent a bike locally, they’ll provide a mounted light for the trail. (Pro tip: Take your sunglasses off before going into the tunnels. I forgot a few times and thought my light wasn’t working!)

• When to go: Summer is peak season, but fall brings golden larches and crisp mornings with fewer crowds.

• Outdoor note: Wallace is well-known among mountain bikers and hikers. Even if you hadn’t heard of it before, you’ll quickly realize it’s a hub for outdoor adventure.

• The town is compact. Park once and walk—you won’t need your car while exploring downtown.

We found the Center of the Universe!

Where to stay: Stardust Motel Wallace

We stayed at the Stardust Motel, and it was so much fun. The owners have done a great job making a little roadside motel feel cool. My 9-year-old was thrilled to find a Snickers bar and microwave popcorn in the room—which made sense once we learned they do Thursday night outdoor movies when the weather cooperates. The retro blue microwave made us smile, the beds were super comfy, and instead of the usual motel soap and shampoo, they had spa-quality toiletries.

It was the kind of place that felt thoughtful in all the small ways and made our stay memorable.

Not your ordinary motel—this place is adorable!

Where to eat & drink

We had dinner with our friends at the Blackboard Café, and the fish and chips were a big hit—my son ordered them and several friends did too.

Sitting there, listening to everyone’s stories from their Hiawatha ride, made us even more excited for our turn the next day. After dinner, we walked down the street to the Center of the Universe for a photo.

A local recommended the Blackboard Cafe. It was fabulous!

For breakfast, don’t miss The Tin Snug. My son had a huckleberry muffin he talked about for days, and their sourdough bread was just as good. The café also doubles as a record shop, with walls covered in nostalgic posters and photos. It gets busy fast, so go right when they open. Even if you have to wait, there’s plenty to look at.

Another favorite was The Fainting Goat Wine Bar & Tap Room. They have a self-serve wine system with a solid selection and serve brick-oven pizza. The outdoor patio was small but relaxing, and the staff made us feel welcome right away.

What to do

The view from the Route to the Hiawatha is amazing! If it's not on your family's bucket list, it should be.

Route of the Hiawatha

The Route of the Hiawatha is the big draw here, and it’s worth the hype. The trail runs 15 miles along an old rail line, with trestle bridges stretched across mountain valleys and dark tunnels that seem to go on forever.

The St. Paul Pass Tunnel alone is a mile long—and you actually ride through it twice. Knowing that ahead of time helped us feel more prepared, and riding it with clear skies made it even better. My son thought the tunnels were really cool and loved shouting inside to hear the echo bounce back.

We biked through multiple old train tunnels.

Explore Downtown Wallace

Since most of downtown is on the National Register of Historic Places, walking the streets feels like stepping back in time. The brick storefronts, vintage signs, and narrow blocks make it fun to wander into antique shops, cafés, or quirky little spots you stumble on along the way.

For adults traveling without kids, there’s also the Oasis Bordello Museum. The building was left just as it was when Wallace’s last working brothel closed in 1988 — complete with furniture, clothes, and personal items untouched. Friends who visited said it was fascinating, though we skipped it on our family trip.

Sierra Silver Mine Tour

On our way back to Spokane after Glacier, we made a point to stop again in Wallace so we could do this tour. You hop on a trolley that takes you into an old silver mine, led by a retired miner who explains what life underground was really like. Our son was fascinated by the hard hats, the equipment, and the chance to see where the town’s history really began.

Great way to learn about Wallace's history.

Northern Pacific Railroad Depot Museum

The museum sits inside the old depot and is packed with railroad and mining history. It’s not a long stop, but it gives good context for how important Wallace was in its heyday.

Center of the Universe

That manhole cover in the middle of town gets its own mention because it’s such a fun, quirky detail. Where else can you stand in the middle of an intersection and say you’ve been to the “Center of the Universe”?

Huckleberry muffin at the Tin Snug Cafe.

Final thoughts

While many of our friends stayed in Coeur d’Alene, we chose Wallace since it was closer to the Route of the Hiawatha and worked better with our timing as we made our way toward Glacier. It turned out to be the perfect fit for us.

Wallace didn’t just serve as a convenient stop—it became one of the most memorable parts of our trip. We loved it so much that, on our way back to Spokane after Glacier, we stopped again to do the mining tour we’d missed the first time.

Wallace works especially well for families. For kids, it’s the small things: candy and popcorn waiting at the motel, a huckleberry muffin for breakfast, and the thrill of biking through a mile-long tunnel. For adults, it’s the character of the town itself—historic buildings, a good meal at a café or wine bar, and the feeling of discovering someplace unexpected.

It’s a reminder that sometimes the towns just off the beaten path end up being the ones you remember most.

For more inspiration and insider recommendations, visit our Idaho page.