Kellogg grew up around the Bunker Hill mine, which ran for 94 years before closing in 1981. The history is everywhere here, and it makes for some of the best family day trips in North Idaho.
Go underground
Crystal Gold Mine
Walk into an authentic 1880s hard-rock gold mine that was rediscovered in 1991. A fun one for kids and a great rainy-day plan.
51931 Silver Valley Rd, Kellogg, ID
Sierra Silver Mine Tour
A trolley ride through historic Wallace, then a walk underground with a retired miner as your guide. Plan on about 75 minutes, and bring a jacket since the mine stays around 50°F.
509 Cedar St, Wallace, ID
History & small towns
Historic Wallace
The entire town is on the National Register of Historic Places. In 2004 the mayor declared the corner of Bank and 6th the Center of the Universe, and there’s a manhole cover to prove it.
Staff House Museum
Built in 1906 for the Bunker Hill mine manager, now the Shoshone County Mining & Smelting Museum.
820 W McKinley Ave, Kellogg, ID
Old Mission State Park
The Cataldo Mission, built 1850–1853 by Jesuit missionaries and members of the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, is the oldest standing building in Idaho and a National Historic Landmark.
Bigger day trips
Coeur d’Alene
Lake days, boardwalk strolls, boat cruises and shopping in one of the prettiest lake towns in the West. Easy to visit and then retreat to the quiet of the Silver Valley.
Lookout Pass
Skiing in winter and the Route of the Hiawatha bike trail in summer, right on the Idaho–Montana line.
Tips from the Manor
- Mine tours run seasonally. Check each tour’s website for current days and times.
- Pair the Sierra Silver Mine Tour with lunch and a stroll in Wallace for an easy half day.
- Old Mission State Park is right off I-90, so it’s an easy stop on the way to or from Coeur d’Alene.
Questions we get
01What is the oldest building in Idaho?
The Cataldo Mission (Mission of the Sacred Heart) at Old Mission State Park, about 15 minutes west of Kellogg, built between 1850 and 1853.
02Can you tour a mine near Kellogg, Idaho?
Yes. The Crystal Gold Mine is just east of Kellogg, and the Sierra Silver Mine Tour is about 15 minutes away in Wallace.
03Where is the Center of the Universe in Idaho?
At the corner of Bank and 6th Streets in Wallace, Idaho, about 15 minutes east of Kellogg. The mayor proclaimed it in 2004 and it is marked by a manhole cover.