Standing over the “Center of the Universe” manhole cover in Wallace, Idaho, I couldn’t help but think of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy and that famous quote, “The answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything is famously 42.” Cheeky? Definitely. But also kind of perfect. Because Wallace is all about perspective. Come curious, and suddenly you have foodie finds, outdoor adventures, and even a little Hollywood history, all packed into one small town. Center of the universe? At least while you’re here. Here are 10 things to do in Wallace and one epic event you NEED to see.
Table of Contents
- Oasis Bordello Museum – Where Wallace Broke the Rules
- Dig Into Wallace’s Gritty Mining Story at the Mining Museum
- Go Underground on the Sierra Silver Mine Tour
- Step Inside the Northern Pacific Depot and the Railroads That Built the Valley
- Train Whistles to Bike Bells Riding the Route of the Hiawatha
- Stroll Downtown Wallace for One-of-a-Kind Finds
- Meet the “Prime Minister” & Visit the Center of the Universe
- Bring Out Your Inner Artist at Eureka Sally
- Drop in and Send it at Silver Mountain’s Rowdy Bike Park
- Have a Powder Party at Lookout Pass Ski Resort
- Gyro Days: Big Bets, Floating Balls, Small Town Chaos
Oasis Bordello Museum – Where Wallace Broke the Rules
Hours: May – Sept: Mon & Tues by Appointment Only. Open Wed – Sat 11 am – 4pm
Text 208.512.9239 with Name, # of guests & requested date & time
Cost: $5
Website
If Wallace had a personality, “colorful” barely covers it. For decades, the town pushed back against federal crackdowns, running bordellos in broad daylight until 1988. Madam Ginger’s Oasis Bordello brought in serious money, and the women were woven into daily life, even cheering at local games. In a mining town full of single men, the system, controversial as it was, kept certain crimes nearly nonexistent.
Today, the Oasis Bordello Museum feels frozen in time, with rooms left just as they were when the women walked out. You will see everything from lingerie to eight track tapes and everyday toiletries, offering a rare, personal glimpse into their lives. For the full experience, book a stay at the boutique hotel Lux Rooms, a converted 19th-century bordello, where you can step right back into that era, whether for a single night or on an entire floor.
Dig Into Wallace’s Gritty Mining Story at the Mining Museum
Hours: May – September: 9am – 3pm
Cost: $15
Call: 208-556-1592
At Wallace Mining Museum, you aren’t just learning mining history but the story of how a town rewrote the rules of the West. While most boomtowns were rough and temporary, Wallace rebuilt in solid brick after the 1890 fire to attract serious industry, and it worked, with major mining companies based here for decades. What really sets this place apart is the people. Miners in the Silver Valley organized, pushed back, and held real power, shaping a rare story where workers stood their ground and made lasting change.
Inside, you’ll find hands-on exhibits like detailed mine models, original drilling equipment, and recreated underground tunnels that show what daily life was like below the surface. There are also historic photos, personal gear from miners, and displays on union battles and local uprisings that bring the town’s bold, gritty past to life.
Go Underground on the Sierra Silver Mine Tour
Hours: June – August: 10am – 4pm; May, September, October: 10am – 2pm
New tour departs every 1/2 hour with the first tour at 10 am and the last Tour departing at 4 pm
Cost: $20 Adults; $10 Children
Website
Continuing your journey into Wallace’s mining history, the Sierra Silver Mine Tour offers a unique hands-on experience deep underground with a former miner as your guide. You’ll explore historic tunnels while hearing real stories of hard rock mining and what life was like in one of the richest silver districts in the world. Part history lesson and part immersive experience, it shows just how deeply Wallace’s identity was shaped below the surface. By the time you return to daylight, you’ll see the town in a completely new way.
Step Inside the Northern Pacific Depot and the Railroads That Built the Valley
Hours: April 15 through October 15: 9am – 5pm; Off season open request
Cost: $5 Adults; Family $10
Website
All that silver in the region had to move somehow. Enter the railroads. Trains have been rolling through the Silver Valley since 1886, with the final run (by Union Pacific) pulling out on July 15, 1994. Today, the Northern Pacific Depot, once visited by Theodore Roosevelt himself, keeps that history alive with exhibits on the Coeur d’Alene Mining District and the rail era that shaped it all.
Train Whistles to Bike Bells Riding the Legendary Route of the Hiawatha
Hours: May 22, 2026 through September 13, 2026
Shuttle Cost: $16-$20 (based on past year)
Website
While the sound of a locomotive’s horn is but a distant memory it has now been replaced by the sound of bicycle bells ringing and it might be even better for it. The once so called most scenic railroad in the country, the Route of the Hiawatha has become the diamond in the Rail-to-Trail Conservancy’s crown of epic routes.
Along this 15-mile ride through the Bitterroot Mountains, it’s packed with adventure including 10 tunnels (bring a headlamp) and 7 sky-high trestles that’ll have you stopping for photos more than once. The best part is it’s mostly downhill. Cruise at your own pace, soak up the views, and hop a shuttle back to the top when you’re done. Easy, fun, and perfect for families or anyone just looking for a seriously good day outside.
Keep the fun going
It isn’t the only award-winning trail in the area. The Northern Pacific Depot serves as a gateway to the Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a 73-mile paved route stretching from Mullan to Plummer. In the summer you can explore it by bike, or in winter glide along on cross-country skis while taking in big views of alpine peaks, quiet lakes, and classic Silver Valley scenery.
Stroll Downtown Wallace for One-of-a-Kind Finds
Skip the usual souvenir shops, Wallace does things differently. Start at Johnson’s Gems & Collectibles, the largest gem and mineral shop in the Inland Northwest. It feels more like a museum than a store, except here, you can actually take the “exhibits” home.
Got someone impossible to shop for? Head to North Idaho Trading Company. Tucked into a cozy space, it is packed with truly offbeat treasures, from a mummified mermaid to moose antlers sold by the pound. There is a reason visitors call it the “weirdest little shop in the West.”
Meet the “Prime Minister” & Visit the Center of the Universe
For a town of just 788 people, Wallace knows how to make a big impression. You have to lean into the story here, and nobody does it better than Wallace’s Rick Shaffer.
Rick came to Wallace for a short contract, and has stayed for more than 30 years. If you ever took one of his tours, you probably heard his signature line at the end:
“Make sure you tell your friends you got a tour from the Prime Minister of Wallace.”
He said it for 16 years until it stuck. In 2005, the town made it official, naming him Prime Minister of Hospitality and Official Greeter of Historic Wallace.
Wallace doubled down on the fun a year earlier, when Mayor Ron Garitone basically said, “Hey, no one can prove this isn’t the center of the universe… so it must be.” Classic Wallace logic. Now there’s a manhole cover at the intersection of Bank and 6th marking the exact spot. So yeah, one minute you’re cruising through a tiny Idaho town, the next you’re literally standing in the Center of the Universe.
Bring out Your Inner Artist at Eureka Sally
For those artistic souls, pop your head into Eureka Sally. The front is filled with amazing art as well as craft chocolate that she makes herself. And in the back is a classroom for people to let their inner artist reign free.
Drop in and Send it at Silver Mountain’s Rowdy Bike Park
Hours: May 25, 2026 through September 2026
Daily Lift Tickets: $52.98
Website
Just 15 minutes from Wallace, Idaho sits one of the most legit lift access bike parks in the Northwest, and yeah, we don’t throw that around lightly. Silver Mountain isn’t playing the “summer cash grab” game. They’ve been all in on gravity riding since day one, and it shows the second your tires hit dirt.
This place leans raw and rowdy. Think roots, rocks, and proper tech instead of buttery flow trails, though there’s a bit of everything. With 3,400 vertical feet and close to 40 miles of singletrack, you’ve got plenty of room to open it up, get uncomfortable, and level up your riding. There’s a reason it’s hosted North America’s only Enduro Cup stop and why riders keep voting it number one in the Northwest. Bring the big bike if you’ve got it or rent one and send it. Either way, this is where you go when you want your riding to push back.
Still got gas in the tank or more about earning your descents? The CC Divide nearby is a whole different beast, with more than 60 miles of rugged ridgeline that will test more than just your legs.
Have a Powder Party at Lookout Pass Ski Resort
As winter arrives, outdoor fun in Wallace shifts to snow sliding, and just east of town you’ll find Lookout Pass Ski Resort. This is a cruiser’s mountain with wide open groomers and a laid back, old school vibe that still feels authentic. It is the kind of place built for cruising, powder hunting, and anyone who wants steady laps without the chaos.
Short lift lines and a historic day lodge add to the charm, keeping the experience simple and unpretentious. The recent expansion into Eagle Peak adds 500 vertical feet and nearly doubles the terrain. That area feels wilder and more remote, almost like stepping out of the resort and into the backcountry.
Not enough or craving a challenge? While Silver Mountain offers epic downhill biking in summer, it also belongs on every expert skier and snowboarder’s list. It stands out for raw, mountain-led terrain, with steep pitches, gladed runs, and a true “ski it if you can” vibe full of variety and adventure.
Gyro Days in Wallace: Big Bets, Floating Balls, Small Town Chaos
No event showcases the quirky fun vibes of Wallace than Gyro Days. Every third weekend in June, this 80+ year old tradition is a mix of carnival, fundraiser, and pure small-town chaos. The highlight of the multi-day event is the Lead Creek Derby, where bets are placed on the exact moment a leather ball dropped in Mullan will reach Wallace. As the ball floats downstream along the South Fork of the Coeur d’Alene River, hordes follow its progress, tracking its journey mile by mile. It is pronounced “Gyro” as in Gyroscope, and the guessing game alone brings the whole valley together in anticipation and friendly competition. Depending on water flow, it could take minutes to lonnngg hours. Add in a sandwich truck, live music, entertaining traditions everywhere, and nonstop laughter, and you get one of the most uniquely entertaining traditions in the Silver Valley.
