Top Things to do in Idaho
Top Hotels in Idaho
- 1. The Riverside Hotel, BW Premier Collection
- 2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Boise Towne Square
- 3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Coeur d Alene
- 4. Modern Hotel
- 5. My Place Hotel-Twin Falls, ID
- 6. Hampton Inn & Suites Boise-Downtown
- 7. Best Western Plus Coeur D'Alene Inn
- 8. The Grove Hotel
- 9. La Quinta by Wyndham Pocatello
- 10. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Twin Falls
The 10 Best Museums in Idaho, United States
A mixture of forested mountains, alpine peaks, wildflower meadows, deep river canyons, and high plains deserts, Idaho is a paradise for golf, skiing, fly fishing, and river rafting. Boise, the capital, is the state's largest city and airline hub. North of Boise are golf, lake, and ski resorts from McCall in the south to Sandpoint and Coeur D'Alene in the north. East of Boise are the ski slopes of Ketchum and Sun Valley. East of Sun Valley are Craters of the Moon National Monument, Pocatello, Idaho Falls, and the small town of Island Park just across the border from Yellowstone National Park. Boise's Basque Museum and Cultural Center reflects having the largest Basque population in the U.S. Reflecting Idaho's diverse heritage, near the Idaho Historical Museum in Boise's Julia Davis Park is the Idaho Black History Museum's chronicle of the slave York who served the Lewis & Clark Expedition. After a family visit to the Peregrine Fund's World Center for Birds of Prey and an outdoor performance at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, the next stop after Boise is likely to be Payette Lake in McCall or Sun Valley and Ketchum. About 100 miles north of Boise, past Cascade Lake, McCall takes you to the shores of Payette Lake. Go golfing, fishing, hiking, biking, waterskiing, sailing, boating, or whitewater river rafting. Ski or snowshoe Brundage Mountain or Tamarack Resorts, as well as Ponderosa State Park in winter. Ice skate year-round at Manchester Ice & Event Centre. About 450 miles north of Boise, there are resort lakes near skiing and golf at Coeur d'Alene, Hayden Lake, and Sandpoint. Golf, tennis, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, rafting, and hunting are popular in Sun Valley and Ketchum. Sockeye salmon may no longer do much spawning in Redfish Lake, but the boating and mountain scenery in the Sawtooth National Recreation Area make the short trip north to Stanley worthwhile. When the snows come the whole family will head for the slopes of Soldier Mountain, Bald Mountain, Dollar Mountain, or the Sun Valley Resort. A tiny forested town of about 250 people, Island Park has a large reservoir with fishing and boating, as well as Henry's Fork of the Snake River for fly fishing. It's only 15 miles from Yellowstone as well.
Restaurants in Idaho
1. Boise Art Glass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 80 reviews
Boise Art Glass: Fine Art Glass and Classes in Boise, Idaho. We are driven to do what we love! Our goal is to share our passion with our community while creating positive, memorable experiences. Boise Art Glass is independently owned by a professional artist. Striving to communicate quality through our showcase of fine glass products, we display a variety of handmade items ranging from sculptures, chandeliers, jewelry and more. You have the opportunity to hand-make an item of your choice with us in one of our many classes. Our Glassblowing Studio and Gallery is open to the public! We offer classes, supplies, torch/furnace rentals, custom orders and live demonstrations. Give us a call!
Reviewed By kdmt13 - Red Lodge, United States
My daughter (14) and I had an absolute blast making glasses on our visit to Boise! It was such a unique and fun experience to add to our trip. Austin was a great instructor and helped us each make a glass that we love! Best souvenir ever! Megan was a champ to get us in for a class on short notice!
2. Collector Corner Museum
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 69 reviews
Collectors Corner Museum's Featured exhibit area changes every 3 months. Take some time and enjoy a fun and relaxing museum experience.
Reviewed By K594YSlisap
We LOVED this wonderful museum! The owners were phenomenal and so informative. Their cheerful way of teaching made this an incredible experience for all of us. It had an incredible history worth of items all the way up to the present day. They provided a great scavenger hunt that kept us all searching and enjoying all the museum had to offer. We would definitely recommend this to anyone! Great for kids and adults.
3. The Art Spirit Gallery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 40 reviews
Established in 1997, The Art Spirit Gallery features high-quality, original work by regional artists embracing a diversity of mediums and styles. The gallery seeks to exhibit artists with a unique voice that show a dedication to craft, materials, observation and creativity. The 4,000 square foot gallery has hosted about 200 exhibitions and curated shows, generally opening on the second Friday of each month. It's a vibrant art environment that makes art collecting and browsing relaxed and enjoyable. Gallery founder Steve Gibbs started the gallery after a successful 15-year career as an art director and graphic designer. He strived to promote high-quality art in the resort community of Coeur d’Alene while fostering the work of local and regional artists. He joined with various arts organizations to actively promote art education and develop awareness and participation in the arts on a community and state level. Since Steve's passing on December 31, 2016, the gallery is continuing to move forward to keep his beautiful legacy alive. We have also recently collaborated with the University of Idaho to create the Art Spirit Education Collaboratory. This non-profit will run alongside the for-profit gallery as an educational arts entity. We are proud to celebrate 20 years of business in July 2017!
4. Wallace Mining Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 84 reviews
Museum that captures the flavor of mining in northern Idaho, from the days of the early gold rush to contemporary silver production.
Reviewed By STAN49_12 - Powell River, Canada
A tour of the mine should be high on one's list if stopping in Wallace. The guide we had was an ex miner and was great at conducting the tour with interesting stories and demonstrations of the equipment used when mining.
5. Idaho State Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
The Idaho State Museum is a fun, interactive experience where people of all ages and backgrounds come to explore the story of Idaho! Featuring over 514 artifacts on display, 800 photographs, and 46 individual multimedia exhibits, the museum shows the profound relationship between Idaho's land and its people shaping each other over time.
Reviewed By Way2013 - San Diego, United States
This is one great museum! Lots to see and lots to learn. Going through this museum is just one incredible educational experience. There are some volunteers at the museum and their knowledge of any subject at the museum is amazing. Well worth visiting.
6. Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 45 reviews
Learn about the rich history of the Nez Perce Native American tribe, remembered especially for having saved the Lewis and Clark Expedition team from starvation following their harrowing journey through the Bitterroot Mountains. Native American and pioneer artifacts are on display.
Reviewed By lawritzm - Boise, United States
This small museum is packed with interesting exhibits and information. The staff was friendly and helpful. Has kid-friendly activities and too long so they won't get bored.
7. Basque Museum & Cultural Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 203 reviews
Contains exhibits and collections that provide a look at the Basque heritage, history and culture.
Reviewed By lfsunflower - Durango, United States
After visiting the museum and learning about the history and rich culture of the Basques in Idaho, check out the boarding house next to the museum. I hope you get to see the 3D photos--so cool! Go to the restaurant across the street for delicious paella too.
8. Bruneau Dunes Observatory
9. National Oregon / California Trail Center
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 245 reviews
The National Oregon/California Trail Center is at the junction of US 89 at 320 North 4th Street. The Trail Center Depicts the 2000-mile trek on the Oregon Trail in "Living History Tours." A wagon master guides visitors through an interactive tour that includes a ride in a simulated covered wagon ride. The rails and trails museum within the center displays artifacts, diaries, relics and pioneer memorabilia of Bear Lake Valley.Living history tours 10-5, May-September or by appointment in groups of 15 or more.
Reviewed By lesandmarsha - Boylston, United States
Great narrative given of the hardships of settlers as they took to the Oregon Trail--covered 1500 miles from Independence, MO to Oregon. The tour included a great simulation that put you back to the 1800s when the 500,000 pioneers were seeking a better life. The tour guides dressed in the clothing of the 1800s which was nice. A different kind of museum with its excellent displays and a great way to spend a few hours.
10. Warhawk Air Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 249 reviews
The mission of the museum is to teach and educate about the cost of freedom and honor those who paid its price.
Reviewed By betsyo437 - Fort Myers, United States
Great airplane and military museum. There were also some great old automobiles. Lots of personal written histories of military people who have served. Great displays and very informative. There was a very interesting Eagle Scout project. Nampa is about 20 minutes away from Boise. The museum was very easy to find, lots of free parking and the staff were very helpful and friendly.
