Longtime Idahoans are probably very familiar with McCall. The cozy mountain town is a popular vacation destination for a reason. During the winter, it's a wonderland of snow and beautiful ice sculptures. During the summer, Payette Lake provides an endless amount of summertime fun including kayaking, swimming, fishing, boating, and lots more. Maybe it's the abundant recreation activities or the tight-knit community, but it just feels like there's something special in the air here. It seems like every time you visit, you can discover something new to love about this little town! For example, this beloved ice cream stand has been a McCall tradition for decades and it's a must-visit the next time you find yourself in town.
Ice Cream Alley may be hard to find since it's tucked away in an actual alley. However, if you follow the large line culminating down McCall's Lake Street then you should be just fine.
This little ice cream stand is a true hidden gem and has been a staple in the community for over 25 years. Locals anxiously await Ice Cream Alley's opening every year as summer approaches, and they are never disappointed.
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Ice Cream Alley is quite literally just a little stand in an alley, but that's all part of the charm. It's not uncommon to see the alley bustling with people with cones in their hands on a hot summer day.
Don't be discouraged if you see a long line leading up to the stand. The ice cream is the best in McCall and well worth the wait.
Be warned: the portions are absolutely massive! They are definitely not kidding around when it comes to loading up your cone. Even their single scoop is enough ice cream to split between two people. Two scoops is actually more than a pint.
You'll have your choice of a broad selection of ice cream flavors, including every Idahoan's favorite—huckleberry. They also serve banana splits, hot fudge sundaes, milkshakes, and more.
You definitely don't see ice cream stands like this every day. This old-fashioned joint is bursting with charm. It's easy to see how this place became such a beloved local treasure.
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There's no better way to cool off on a hot day than by stuffing yourself with as much homemade ice cream as you possibly can. You'll definitely want to make this your new summer tradition!
You'll find Ice Cream Alley at 310 E Lake St, McCall, ID 83638. Remember to bring cash or check. They don't accept credit or debit cards.
Did you know about this hidden ice cream stand? What a neat hidden gem! Nothing beats holding an ice cream cone on a hot summer day. Not unless it's huckleberry flavored, of course! Check out these 10 Places With The Best Huckleberry Ice Cream In Idaho and make it your mission to visit a few in the upcoming months.
There’s something about rural Idaho in autumn that feels like a slow exhale. The roads are quieter, the scenery is endless, and sometimes the best fall foliage is found while simply cruising down a highway lined with bright fiery dogwood. That’s exactly what I was doing when I stumbled upon a restaurant that’s bound to stick in my memory — though not for the reason you might think.
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West-central Idaho, particularly the area around McCall, is known for the vibrant fall foliage that breathes life into Idaho's dry, post-summer landscape. McCall sits around 9,000 feet in elevation in the mountains around Payette Lake, so its fall foliage is especially dramatic. Aspen and cottonwood trees steal the show, their leaves turning brilliant shades of yellow and gold. You'll also find western larch (also known as tamarack), which adds a stunning splash of golden-orange to the forests as its needles change color before falling. I highly recommend experiencing fall in this slice of the state at least once! And if hiking isn't your thing, a scenic drive can be just as rewarding. It's not always the case, but my timing this year was perfect, and I found myself completely engulfed by spectacular autumn colors, particularly along Highway 95 to New Meadows.
But, after a long weekend spent hiking and chasing the stunning fall colors all around the Cascade, Donnelly, and McCall areas, hopping around from the Cuddy Mountains to the North Fork Range and everywhere in between, I found myself starving. You know the kind of hungry where you’ll eat anything, but you really want something that hits the spot? That’s where I was. And luckily, right off the highway in Council in a big, unmistakable red building, there it was: Sprockets Taphouse and Restaurant. It's pretty hard to miss! From the outside, it looked like the perfect kind of quirky spot that promised good vibes and comfort food to soothe my backpacking-fueled hunger.
As soon as I walked in, I was hit with the sense of "home." There was an old-school charm about it, but clean and welcoming. Vintage bike posters and photos covered the walls with some fun, Idaho-inspired photography mixed in. The unfinished wood details added a slight mountain cabin vibe that had me smiling before I even sat down. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back just to see what other quirky details you missed the first time.
Sprockets also captured the familiarity and camaraderie of small-town Idaho restaurants as well. Seriously, everybody knew everybody here. Servers and diners were chatting about last weekend's cattle escapades and next weekend's fishing trip. Guests who came in to pick up their to-go orders were greeted by name as soon as they walked in the door. While not your usual longtime family-fun establishment, it was everything I love about small-town dining. And, as expected, the service was top-notch too. My server was friendly, chatty in the best way, and genuinely made me feel welcome.
Keeping in line with the whole fall experience, I scoured the menu, hoping for something warm and hearty after hiking 12 or so miles that morning. The closest thing I could find was a hot and melty Philly Cheesesteak, served with hand-cut fries. The portions were massive and it certainly filled me up, but it didn't quite hit the spot.
I wanted a little reward after all that hiking, you know what I mean?
Enter: the pumpkin pie milkshake.
I’ll admit, I was feeling a bit disheartened by the lack of autumn-inspired dishes on the menu. But then, as if the heavens opened up, my server casually suggested I try their seasonal pumpkin pie shake. My first thought was, “Sure, why not?” I mean, how can you go wrong with pumpkin pie in the fall? Little did I know, I was about to experience something magical.
Truth be told, I'm not a huge pumpkin spice gal. The PSL movement has never really been up my alley, and its addition to seemingly every product on the market has gotten a little out of hand. But…homemade pumpkin pie is definitely in my top five favorite desserts of all time. So you have no idea how thankful I was when the shake came out that it wasn’t just some pumpkin-flavored ice cream thrown in a blender or sprinkled with pumpkin spice.
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Oh, no, no.
They ground up real pumpkin pie in the back — crust and all — and blended it into a thick, creamy, hand-scooped shake.
As soon as it arrived, I could tell it was going to be special. First off, it was huge. We're talking at least 36 ounces of pumpkin pie deliciousness and ice cream, all blended together and beautifully drizzled with sweet caramel. Plus, the whipped cream on top was enough to make a dairy lover weep with joy. It wasn’t one of those puny, half-hearted dollops. This was a hearty swirl of whipped glory, cascading over the rim like a dessert volcano waiting to erupt.
From a calorie perspective, I don't particularly want to know how much of that whole pumpkin pie I wound up consuming in ice cream form. I'll leave it to the imagination.
But the first sip? Life-changing. I barely got a photo of it before it was half gone (sorry!).
I'm no stranger to Idaho's best milkshakes, and one thing I know for sure: those big kid straws (you know what I'm talking about — the ones that are half an inch wide and could probably be used as a cattle prod) are the only right choice for sipping one of these beauties. I’m not exaggerating when I say this milkshake might’ve single-handedly restored every sore muscle in my body. It was the perfect blend of real pumpkin pie flavor and sweet cream, with that added crunch from the pie crust chunks.
The caramel was such a light and welcome addition that I found myself savoring each sip like I was drinking autumn itself. You know how some desserts taste like fall candles smell? That was this milkshake, but in the best possible way. It wasn’t over-the-top dolled up or cloying — it was just right. The only thing that could have made it better would have been sticking around to enjoy it on Sprockets' patio, served up in a glass the way all milkshakes aspire to be served. But alas, I took it to go.
Honestly, if I had to come back to Sprockets for one thing and one thing only, it’d be that pumpkin pie milkshake. It’s worth the detour if you’re in the area in the fall, especially if you’re a pumpkin pie fan (and honestly, who isn’t when the leaves start changing?). Fortunately, with how massive the shake was, I'll be freezing it and savoring it for the next 3-5 business days.
Beyond the food and the quirky bicycle decor, would I come back to Sprockets Taphouse? Absolutely. It’s the kind of spot that leaves an impression, and maybe next time I’ll try something else from the menu, hoping to strike gold — or, at the very least, snag another one of their milkshakes. They have a whole lineup, after all! But FYI, the pumpkin pie shake is only available through November.
So, if you ever find yourself hungry and leaf-hunting in the Council, Idaho area, do yourself a favor and swing by the big red building off the highway. Order something from the menu, but whatever you do, don’t leave without trying that pumpkin pie milkshake. It’s fall in a glass, and trust me — it’ll make your day.
One of my favorite places to visit when I’m on vacation is a new bakery. I have a love of baked goods and I’m always on the hunt for something new. That’s why I’m excited to share today’s destination — Bakery by the Lake in Coeur d’Alene. This destination is where you can find some of the best pastries, sandwiches, and coffee in the Panhandle. It’s certainly worthy of a visit.
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While Bakery by the Lake isn’t necessarily right next to Lake Coeur d’Alene, it’s just a short distance to the water. This bakery actually has two locations in CDA — 601 E Front Ave and 315 E Coeur d’Alene Lake Drive.
It doesn’t matter which location you visit, you are going to be in for delicious food and a relaxing vibe.
Bakery by the Lake is a family-owned bakery in Northern Idaho that has quickly become a local favorite. Since 2007, this bakery has been crafting and perfecting a menu that individuals of all ages love.
Coffee is an absolute must here and you’ll enjoy items like freshly brewed drip coffee, hand-crafted lattes and mochas, and iced teas.
Don’t forget to grab some treats like macaroons, scones, cakes, croissants, and cookies.
If you stop by for breakfast, check out the assorted breakfast pastries or one of the many breakfast sandwiches.
Come hungry for lunch because you’ll have options including various paninis, grilled cheese, bread dipping plates, and more.
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There’s also a grab-and-go menu with items such as salads, cold sandwiches, and yogurt and granola cups for when you are in a hurry. And on Friday and Saturday, you must try the house-made sourdough pizza. It is some of the best pizza you will ever try.
While you can always eat indoors, I recommend you take your meal to go and head down to the lake. There’s nothing like incredible food next to one of the best lakes in Idaho.
For more information regarding Bakery by the Lake in Coeur d’Alene, visit this northern Idaho bakery’s website. Make sure to follow the Bakery by the Lake Facebook page as well.
Have you ever visited Bakery By the Lake? What are your favorite items on the menu? Let us know in the comments.
Lake Coeur d’Alene is my favorite lake in Idaho and I could spend weeks along its shores. If you have never been to Lake Coeur d’Alene, make sure to add this area to your bucket list. Check out some cozy vacation rentals for your stay.