Entry No. 29 — the Coeur d'Alene file — filed under: haunted
Museum of North Idaho Cemetery Walking Tours
The Museum of North Idaho runs guided flashlight-at-dusk and afternoon walks through two of CdA's oldest burial grounds. The 'Legends and Leaders' tour at Forest Cemetery profiles founders like Frederick Blackwell and Constance Cassedy, while the 'Patriots and Pioneers' tour at the historic St. Thomas cemetery includes pioneer graves and Pro Football Hall of Fame coach Ray Flaherty. About 1.5 hours, led by museum staff who dig into the real history behind the headstones. Tours run evenings and Sunday afternoons in the fall and sell out every year, so book ahead.
The story
If you only know Coeur d'Alene from its polished lakeside resorts, you're missing the messy, industrial timber-and-mining intrigue buried just under the turf. The Museum of North Idaho runs small-group evening and weekend walking tours through two of the city's oldest burial grounds—Forest Cemetery on Government Way and the historic St. Thomas Cemetery—skipping theatrical jump scares in favor of real, documented local history.
On the 'Legends and Leaders' route through Forest Cemetery, museum staff walk you right up to the markers of figures like Frederick Blackwell, the rail and timber magnate who helped shape early North Idaho infrastructure, and pioneer figure Constance Cassedy. Shift over to the 'Patriots and Pioneers' tour at St. Thomas Cemetery and the tone switches to early Catholic settlement history and surprising pop-culture roots, including the grave of Ray Flaherty—the Pro Football Hall of Fame coach who introduced the screen pass to the NFL.
What it's like
You’ll meet your museum guide at the cemetery gates—either at 1500 N. Government Way for Forest Cemetery or at St. Thomas Cemetery depending on your ticket. Evening tours run around dusk, so bring a solid flashlight or headlamp and wear real walking shoes to navigate uneven grass, tree roots, and dim stone paths. It takes about 90 minutes, moves at a deliberate pace, and requires booking well in advance as seasonal spots fill up quickly.
The move: Book the Friday-night Forest Cemetery tour, then walk a few blocks to downtown Sherman Avenue for a nightcap and trade favorite stories from the graves.
📍 Before you go Advance tickets required and non-refundable (about $25 adult); tours run on a seasonal schedule, mostly warmer months, so check current dates before planning.
- 📍 Coeur d'Alene
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: Tours meet at Forest Cemetery (1500 N. Government Way) and St. Thomas Cemetery, Coeur d'Alene, ID
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
⚠ Seasonal or scheduled — always check before you go.
Pair it with
- The Blue Shell — After walking dim cemetery paths, head to this downtown gaming bar to warm up with classic arcade cabinets and embedded NES console bars.
- Chimney Shaped Like Idaho — Pair a historical ground-level tour of the town's founders with a quick roadside glance at a 1950s motor court chimney built in the exact outline of the state.
- Cisco's Gallery — Extend your dive into local frontier lore by browsing this massive downtown collection of high-end taxidermy and Old West oddities.
Good to know
Where do the tours meet?
Forest Cemetery tours meet at 1500 N. Government Way, while St. Thomas Cemetery tours meet at St. Thomas Cemetery. Check your ticket confirmation carefully for your specific starting point.
Are tickets available at the gate?
No. Advance tickets are mandatory, non-refundable, and cost around $25 for adults. They consistently sell out ahead of the seasonal runs.
Is this a theatrical haunted ghost tour?
No. It is a research-backed historical walking tour led by museum staff who focus on real local biographies, town founders, and archival records rather than paranormal theatrics.
How long is the walk and what should I bring?
Tours last approximately 1.5 hours. Bring a flashlight for dusk tours, dress for cool Idaho autumn air, and wear sturdy walking shoes.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · findagrave.com · spokesman.com · cdapress.com · stthomascda.org
last checked: 2026-06-24