Get excited for a Summer Adventure!

If you haven't been to Silverwood Theme Park for awhile, there's a whole lot more to see than ever.

That's a true statement whether your last visit was years ago or even earlier this summer.

Even though the Northwest's largest theme park started just over 20 years ago with only a steam train and a private collection of classic airplanes, it seems like new features are always being added.

In the last five years, the park has added several large and small rides plus Boulder Beach, an entire waterslide complex. It also continues to make ongoing improvements to landscaping, gift shops and restaurants.

With more than 100 year-round employees and as many as 600 during the peak season, the park draws in a growing number of guests from around the country. Annual attendance figures rank Silverwood as the top attraction in the state of Idaho, and fun-seekers from Spokane and eastern Washington also represent a significant percentage of overall park visitors.

This summer, there are even more reasons for a trip north.

First, more of us are looking for places to stay and play locally. With Silverwood just over an hour away from Spokane, they can easily spend a day enjoying more than 65 rides and attractions and then just as easily drive home.

Or they can make a weekend getaway out of it - the park has plenty of hotel partners in Spokane and Kootenai counties, all of which will be happy to help arrange a good hospitality package.

Second, there's plenty new to see this summer, including Aftershock, a gigantic metal coaster that, at top speeds of 65.5 mph and G forces up to 4.5, will be the fastest ride in the park. Check www.silverwoodthemepark.com for the latest details about when Aftershock is ready to open.

The park also has an all-new magic show by Nick Norton, a new star-studded ice show, and new food options, such as slider-style mini burgers and Wok in the Park, an Asian meal area. Not to mention more than 65 other rides and attractions, plus plenty of special events like classic car shows.

Silverwood is open daily until mid-September, when it returns to a weekend-only schedule until the end of October.

And if that isn't enough fun for you in summer 2008, there are plenty of other 'stay-cation'-worthy attractions that are downright fun in the Inland Northwest.

You can visit a growing number of water parks in Washington and Idaho. You can spend a sunny day on one of 40-plus golf courses, or take a trip to a casino.

Visit a museum. Recreate on one of the many lakes and rivers. Walk around a local park or explore a new hiking trail or camping area.

Drive to a neighboring community you've heard of but never made it to yet - you'll find that each one has a unique charm and history, and if you time it just right, you'll get their in the middle of a fun summertime festival.

We invite you to visit this page all season and use it to help plan your own Summer Adventures!