Lewiston is the county seat of and largest city in Nez Perce County, Idaho. It is the second largest city in the Idaho Panhandle region behind Coeur d'Alene. Lewiston is the principal city of the Lewiston, ID-WA Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes all of both Nez Perce County in Idaho and Asotin County in Washington. As of the 2000 Census the population of Lewiston was 30,904 (2006 estimate: 31,293).
Understand
Founded shortly after gold was discovered in the nearby Clearwater River in 1860, Lewiston played an important role in the state's early history. The city became the capital of the newly-created Idaho Territory in 1863, but lost the distinction to Boise shortly thereafter in what proved to be an enormously unpopular decision in northern Idaho. To this day it is not unusual to hear locals lament losing the capital to Boise.
Like Pocatello, Lewiston has a strong working-class heritage. Industries related to timber and logging pursuits have long been key to the city's economy. Because the Columbia and later the Snake River are navigable by some ocean-going vessels all the way to Lewiston, the city has the distinction of being Idaho's only port city as well as the furthest inland port in the western United States. It's also easy for visitors to confuse Lewiston's two main rivers. The Clearwater River is on the north side, and runs straight into the Snake River. However, the Snake on the city's west side makes a left turn at this point, going into neighboring Clarkston, Washington.
Get in
By plane
Lewiston Nez Perce County Airport (IATA: LWS), 46.3772°, -117.0113°. Skywest operates daily flights to Salt Lake City as Delta Connection and to Denver as United Express. Car rental is also available.
The next nearest airports served by more airlines, including Alaska Airlines, Southwest and United Airlines, at more competitive fares are in Boise IATA: BOI ( south) and Spokane Geiger Field IATA: GEG ( north).
By car
By car Lewiston is accessible by a series of US and state Highways which becomes local streets. WA-Hwy 193/128 bypasses north of town, north of the river on a two lane highway.
Comes in from Walla Walla, WA in the west and Missoula, MT in the east through the Nez Perce National Forest. Goes through Clarkston as Bridge St and along the river as Dikes Bypass in Lewiston.
Connects Coeur d'Alene to the north and Ontario to the south at its junction with I-84. If coming from Boise go north on SR-55 its junction with US Hwy 95 in New Meadows ( north of Boise)
Comes in from Spokane, WA (the largest city in the region) from north through Colfax and Pullman in the Palouse country via the Memorial Bridge just east of town.
By bus
- Northwestern Trailways, (bus stop) North Lewiston Dyna Mart at 1920 Hwy 128, +1 509-838-4029, team@northwesterntrailways.com. Connects Spokane to Boise via Pullman, Moscow, Lewiston, Cottonbird, McCall, Cascade, Grangeville etc. along US Hwy 195, 95, ID-Hwy 55. Some variations of the route continues towards Coeur d'Alene from Moscow. Connections to Greyhound and other intercity bus lines are in Boise and Spokane. Connections to Amtrak is only in Spokane.
Get around
See
- Lewis–Clark State College, 46.412°, -117.026°. 2019-10-15
Do
- Clearwater River Casino & Lodge, 17500 Nez Perce Road, 46.4376°, -116.9049°. 2016-11-07
- NAIA World Series. 2019-10-15
- Hells Gate State Park, 5100 Hells Gate Rd, 46.3547°, -117.043°, +1 208-799-5015. 2021-09-18
Buy
- Lewiston Center Mall, 46.3995°, -117.0056°. 2019-10-15
Eat
- Jollymore's, 1516 Main St, +1 208-743-9448. 2021-09-18
Drink
- Clearwater Canyon Cellars, 3143 10th St, +1 208-816-4679. Tasting room and curbside pickup: Tu-Sa noon-5PM. 2021-09-18
- Lindsay Creek Vineyards, 3107 Powers Ave, +1 208-746-WINE. Tasting room: F Sa 1-9PM, Also, pick-ups by appt. 2021-09-18
Sleep
- Cedars Inn, 1716 Main Street, 46.41678°, -117.007364°. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 3:00. $35+
Connect
- Lewiston Library, 411 D St, +1-208-798-2525, library@cityoflewiston.org. Offers free Wi-Fi, computers, and a low cost printing center ($0.10 a page). 2019-10-17