Diane Kehm

Last summer, our family relished the opportunity to spend a day at Silverwood Theme Park in Northern Idaho. It was such a memorable, fun, and unmatched 'staycation' that for the last year the kids have begged to return. So, I was delighted when they invited us back as guests.

What made this experience different and unique was that we went in the throes of summer when it was much hotter, which offered us new possibilities. This time of year presented us the prime opportunity to try out Boulder Beach Water Park. We also kept cool and got out of the sun by ducking into some of the live shows like Nick Norton’s magic act.

The biggest change you’ll notice this summer at the Northwest’s Largest Theme Park (just north of Coeur d'Alene), is the highway construction that lends itself to an improved – and safer – entry and exit into the amusement park. And at the entryway to the park there is a building project nearing completion that will house a Silverwood coffee roasterie and café where we will serve hot and fresh cinnamon rolls. Yum. Already completed in the same vicinity is a new, spiffy, more user-friendly ticket booth where we were greeted by the nicest older gentleman upon our arrival.

We headed straight for our favorite family rides from last year - the Tilt-a-Whirl, Scrambler, Paratrooper, and Antique Cars.

After a morning of big rides, little rides, dizzy rides, and those that take your breath away, we headed to Boulder Beach Water Park and straight for the wave pool. The kids rolled in the waves for a long time before we made our way over to Ricochet Rapids. This newest water slide was under construction during our last visit, so we were thrilled to give it a go. Exhilarating!

After relaxing in the Lazy River, we dried off and headed to Nick Norton’s Mysterium, one of the many entertainment acts. How he does his magic tricks had us completely stumped – and believe me, we were trying hard to figure them out! That day, there were no performances by the ‘parrot guy’ and we really wanted to see him, too. Rock Concert meets Parrot Show? Heck, yeah! I’m all over that.

We opened them in the morning and closed them down at night (we learned they don’t close the gates to the park at their closing time, but instead they close the rides, so if you’re already in line for, say, Timber Terror, you can ride it one last time – which me and my MiniMac did!), and we still didn’t get to everything we wanted. Truly, I don’t think we could ever satisfy everyone and get to every single ride and attraction. But we did pretty darn good. And everyone left with smiles (and sticky cotton candy and ice cream) on their faces before falling asleep in the car on the short ride to the hotel.

The next morning at breakfast? You guessed it. The kids were already asking when we would be going back. I said soon. What I really meant was: Next year.

Fun Facts:

• Silverwood employs 82 year-round and 1,400 seasonal workers
• During our visit there were 7,000 guests there that day. The previous Saturday? 11,000!
• Boulder Beach is 21-acres
• Silverwood has been open for 25 seasons

Silverwood offers an assortment of discounts and e-ticket sales. To learn about discounts, updates, savings and coupons, sign up for their monthly e-newsletter HERE. Soon they’ll begin selling Preseason Season Passes for next year. The cost for one of these is the equivalent to three days at the park, which makes it an incredible deal. Also, ‘like’ them on Facebook and be the first to know about specials and their weekly Facebook Friday deal!

You still have plenty of time to visit! The Silverwood season doesn’t end until October 27. Coming up in October is the 4th season of Scarywood Haunted Nights for the PG-13 crowd (at the parent’s discretion). “The theme park you thought you knew becomes the nightmare you never imagined.” (This event is NOT for me, personally. We’re told this spooky side of Silverwood gets better and better every year! Details here: www.scarywoodhaunt.com