Overview
Wallace is a historic mining city in North Idaho in the United States. It is the principal city of the Silver Valley, which for many decades was the most productive silver mining region in the world. The entire city is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and it claims to be the only city in the U.S. listed in whole.
6 sights · 18 things to do · 2 places to eat · 3 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Wallace
Pulaski Tunnel Trail
Hike 4 mi round-trip with 550 ft gain along Placer Creek to the mine where firefighter Ed Pulaski saved 40 men from the 1910 Big Burn. Signage along the way tells the story, one of the most celebrated acts in the history…
Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area
Voted most family-friendly ski area in the Pacific Northwest. Soft opening in November moving to being open daily. Season usually ends by April. Ticketed summer lift rides with free disc golf course at the summit, or huc…
Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum
This two-story museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was relocated across the river when the I-90 overpass was being constructed. Colonel Wallace's gravestone can be seen at the lower…
Oasis Bordello Museum
When the final occupants of the Oasis Rooms left in January 1988 (the last recorded date in the "hotel" registry), they seemed to have left in a hurry. Clothing, makeup, toiletries, food and personal items were all left …
Sierra Silver Mine Tour
This is the only tour of its kind in the Northwest. You can experience the underground world of mining in the richest silver district on earth. The tour begins by boarding a 16-passenger trolley. On the short trip to and…
Silver History Site
The open grounds surrounding the Chamber of Commerce has an interpretive walkway littered with brightly-painted historic mining equipment, leading to a restored machine house. There's also a large parking area and public…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 87°F; winter lows dip to about 20°F. Cold months (Jan, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Superior)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- PUW Pullman-Moscow Regional Airport, Pullman — 75 mi away. Directions
- GEG Spokane International Airport, Spokane — 76 mi away (major hub). Directions
Interstate 90 passes through town, Exit 61 at the west edge and Exit 62 at the east edge.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 3-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum, Sixth Street Melodrama, Oasis Bordello Museum
- Lunch Blackboard Cafe
- Afternoon Sierra Silver Mine Tour, Silver Streak Zipline Tours
- Dinner 1313 Club
- Evening Cogs Gastropub
Day 2
- Morning Lookout Pass Ski and Recreation Area, Burke Road ghost towns, Route of the Hiawatha Bike Trail
- Afternoon Wallace Craft Beer Pub Crawl, Silver Valley Jeep Jamboree
- Evening City Limits Brew Pub
Day 3
- Morning Silver History Site, Historic stairs, Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes
- Afternoon Depot Day, Statehood Day Parade
- Evening The Fainting Goat Wine Bar and Tap Room
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
This mining town fought for its survival on several occasions:
The Mining Wars: twice in the 1890s civilian rule was suspended in Wallace. Army troops enforced martial law, locking up every man 15 years of age and older in internment camps because striking miners blew up two mills (1892, 1899) a train (1899) and the Governor of Idaho (1905). The assassin, former Wallace area miner Harry Orchard, spent the rest of his life in prison. The men who allegedly hired him, union bosses with the Western Federation of Miners, also hired famed attorney Clarence Darrow and were acquitted for the conspiracy to murder the Governor.
The Fire: five years after the governor was blown up, the mountains blew up. Wallace was in the crosshairs of America's largest ever wild land fire, the Big Burn of 1910. 30 million acres, an area the size of Connecticut, were incinerated in a weekend. One-third to a half of Wallace burned, but these feisty folks lit four back-burns, put out falling embers the size of trees and battled fire tornadoes to survive. That catastrophe changed the way America fought fires and manages forest.
The Freeway: in 1967 the federal highway department announced plans to build Interstate 90 through Wallace, which would have led to the demolition of its downtown corridor and most of its residential area. The town fought back, holding up completion of project in court for nearly 20 years. In that time while city fathers sued, the ladies of the Wallace Historic Preservation Society -- mostly grandmothers -- went to every downtown building, filed reams of paperwork, hired historic architects and got every building, then the entire town placed on the National Register -- so the feds couldn't touch a brick. Wallace was saved and the highway department was forced to build a $43-million bypass.
Get in
Interstate 90 passes through town, Exit 61 at the west edge and Exit 62 at the east edge.
Get around
Most businesses and museums are within a block of either Bank St or Sixth St. It's only about 0.5 mi from one end of town to the other.
See
See Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum
This two-story museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building was relocated across the river when the I-90 overpass was being constructed. Colonel Wallace's gravestone can be seen at the lower right by the entrance, though his remains are in California.
See Oasis Bordello Museum
When the final occupants of the Oasis Rooms left in January 1988 (the last recorded date in the "hotel" registry), they seemed to have left in a hurry. Clothing, makeup, toiletries, food and personal items were all left behind. An accurate and tastefully-presented twenty-minute tour of the upper rooms explains the mystery of the ladies' hasty departure and gives a glimpse into the town's bawdy past with details that range from poignant to hilarious. The main floor is an unusual gift shop adorned with Robert Thomas murals that depict the realities of mining in an earlier era. The two-story brick building began its existence in 1895 as a hotel and saloon, and is one of the few structures in Wallace to survive the famous 1910 fire. At that time, Wallace men outnumbered women by nearly 200 to 1. The Oasis was one of five brothels operating without hindrance on Wallace's main street until 1973.
See Sierra Silver Mine Tour
This is the only tour of its kind in the Northwest. You can experience the underground world of mining in the richest silver district on earth. The tour begins by boarding a 16-passenger trolley. On the short trip to and from the mine portal, a narrated tour is given of Historic Wallace. Hard hats are issued at the portal and an experienced miner is your guide as you walk through the main drift of the mine. Displays and exhibits are explained so people of all ages may safely observe equipment in operation and see modern and historical techniques used to mine silver, lead and zinc.
See Silver History Site (Wallace Chamber of Commerce)
The open grounds surrounding the Chamber of Commerce has an interpretive walkway littered with brightly-painted historic mining equipment, leading to a restored machine house. There's also a large parking area and public restroom, making it a great rest stop after getting off the freeway.
See Wallace District Mining Museum
This museum documents the mining history of the Silver Valley, the richest silver mining region in the world. Artifacts and exhibits portray life during the heydays of the 1890s and early 1900s, and a walk-in "mine" exhibit demonstrates how all the various equipment was used. Videos are shown daily in the 30-seat theater.
See Burke Road ghost towns
A 5-mile drive or walk along Burke Road takes you through a collection of ghost towns - Gem, Frisco, Black Bear, Cornwall, Mace, and Burke. Many of the town sites have been cleaned up, so many of the buildings and houses are no longer standing. Visiting the Mining Museum in Wallace prior to this self-guided tour will prepare you to understand the life of the men and women who endured the hardships of a mining town, and show you some of the images and artifacts of the Burke area. Burke Road has no cellphone service, so bring a map.
Do
Outdoors
Do Historic stairs
Wallace neighborhoods are built on a steep hill. The historic stairs have been restored and are a great way to adventure through the town.
Do Pulaski Tunnel Trail
Hike 4 mi round-trip with 550 ft gain along Placer Creek to the mine where firefighter Ed Pulaski saved 40 men from the 1910 Big Burn. Signage along the way tells the story, one of the most celebrated acts in the history of the U.S. Forest Service.
Festivals and events
Do Gyro Days and Lead Creek Derby
Gyro Friendship club's primary fundraiser for scholarships. Follow the Gyro ball from Mullan to Wallace. Winning time wins the pot.
Do Center of the Universe Re-Dedication
Wallace will be the center of the universe until you can prove otherwise. Ask the EPA!
Buy
Eat
Eat Blackboard Cafe
Fresh, homemade dishes.
Drink
Drink City Limits Brew Pub
Home of North Idaho Mountain Brew, provides a full unique pub-fare menu including gluten-free and vegetarian options.
Drink Cogs Gastropub
Craft beers, cocktails and light fare, including BBQ and California Street Tacos. They also have a fully stocked cigar humidor.
Drink The Fainting Goat Wine Bar and Tap Room
Sleep
Go next
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