Wallace Idaho: Center of the Universe — Guide & Top Attractions

Center of the Universe manhole cover in Wallace Idaho — casual tourist phone photo at Bank and 6th Street — The Center of the Universe manhole at Bank Street & 6th Street — Wallace's free signature photo stop.

The Center of the Universe sits in the small mining town of Wallace, Idaho (USA) at the intersection of Bank Street and 6th Street. In 2004 the mayor formally proclaimed the spot the center of creation, wryly noting that science cannot prove otherwise. Today it is a popular stop marked by a commemorative manhole cover, with museums, mines, and historic architecture clustered around it.

Wallace fits a multi-city vacation plan along I-90: Spokane → Wallace → west toward Leavenworth's Bavarian village or south into a California road trip. Ready-made frames: 1 day in Wallace (road trip), 1 day for couples, 3-day road trip, or 3 days with kids.

Compare flights into Spokane (GEG), book a hotel in Wallace or nearby Silver Valley, and get travel insurance for the USA. Mountain stretches of I-90 can drop cell service — an eSIM with offline maps helps. For mine tours and guided activities, check tours and experiences in the area.

Why did Wallace become the Center of the Universe?

The landmark began in 2004 as a sharp tourism and PR move. Mayor Ron Garitone issued an official proclamation based on probabilistic logic: if the universe is infinite, any point can be its center until proven otherwise.

To lock in the claim, the city installed a custom sewer manhole with engraved lettering at the Bank Street crossroads — now the town's main free photo zone. The unconventional branding helped this tiny settlement attract thousands of travelers already driving Interstate 90.

Things to do in Wallace: top tourist stops

Wallace is known in the U.S. as the Silver Capital of the World. The region has produced more than 1.2 billion ounces of silver. To save the town from demolition when Interstate 90 was built, residents secured National Register listing for every building in the historic downtown.

Use this comparison when planning a day in AlpacaBag:

Attraction	What it is	Best for
Center of the Universe	Commemorative manhole at the main crossroads — free signature photo stop	Unusual landmarks and pop-culture travelers
Sierra Silver Mine	Underground silver-mine tour by vintage trolley with a former miner as guide	Families; pair with a kids day plan
Oasis Bordello Museum	Bordello preserved as it was when it closed abruptly in 1988 — personal effects still in place	Wild West history fans
Northern Pacific Depot	1901 depot building with exhibits on regional rail transport	Architecture and railway buffs
Pulaski Tunnel Trail	~3.2 km hike to the mine where ranger Ed Pulaski saved his crew during the Great Fire of 1910	Hiking and outdoor travelers

For more unusual USA stops, see Leavenworth Washington, Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, and Vermont scenic drives.

Useful facts before you go

Historic status. Wallace is the only U.S. city whose entire downtown is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Cinema. The town stood in for filming of the 1997 disaster movie Dante's Peak.
Infrastructure. I-90 runs on a viaduct above town — the design that spared Wallace from being leveled in the 1970s.
Population.Fewer than 800 permanent residents, yet craft breweries, restaurants, and hotels punch above the town's size.

Season framing: when to travel guide. Budget check: travel budget calculator.

How to get to Wallace, Idaho

Wallace sits in the Idaho Panhandle. Driving I-90 is the practical default. Before you go, review our road-trip car checklist.

Airport / city	Drive time	Route notes
Spokane (GEG)	~1.5 hours	~80 miles (130 km) west via I-90 — best major gateway
Coeur d'Alene	~1 hour	East on I-90 through the Silver Valley
Seattle (Sea-Tac)	~5.5–6 hours	Full I-90 day drive; combine with Leavenworth or Spokane overnight

Couples often prefer the 3-day couples itinerary; mountain lake vibes compare well with our Mammoth Lakes guide and offbeat destinations without crowds.

Build your Spokane + Wallace itinerary

Set dates, interests, and trip style (couples, kids, road trip) — AlpacaBag lays out the manhole stop, mine tour, museums, and I-90 timing day by day.

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FAQ: traveler questions

Where exactly is the Center of the Universe in the USA?

The memorial marker sits at the intersection of Bank Street and 6th Street in downtown Wallace, northern Idaho. The engraved manhole cover is set into the asphalt of the crosswalk.

What else is Wallace famous for besides the Center of the Universe?

Wallace is known as the Silver Capital of the World — historically one of the richest silver mining districts. It also draws visitors with historic museums (including the Oasis Bordello Museum), the Sierra Silver Mine tour, and nearby mountain recreation such as the Route of the Hiawatha bike trail.

How do you get to Wallace, Idaho?

Wallace sits in the Idaho Panhandle on Interstate 90. The easiest approach is a rental car along I-90. The nearest major international airport is Spokane (GEG) in Washington, roughly 80 miles (130 km) west.

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