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 Outdoor Activities 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 River Greenbelt
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,436 reviews
Flows through Boise and provides more than 25 miles of scenic paths for biking, hiking and jogging.
Reviewed By marmot3 - Boise, United States
The beautiful Boise River flows through the heart of the city. Flanking the river on one side or the other or sometimes both, is the gently winding Boise River Greenbelt, a paved path that runs for 25 miles, from Lucky Peak Dam upriver to the town of Eagle downriver. Along the way, there are many entrances and exits, so you can make your Greenbelt experience as long or short as you wish. Previously, it was totally non-motorized, though recently e-bikes became admissible--with a speed limit. When my family gathered for a reunion in Boise in June, we loved our "bike hike" on the Greenbelt. Some people had brought their own bikes; others rented from bike shops downtown. One family rented a bike trailer/carrier for their little kids. Off we all went, our ride taking us through four leafy city parks, past the zoo, the Anne Frank Memorial, the Fallen Firefighters Memorial, Quinn's Pond and the Whitewater Park and beyond. On the return we stopped off for play time in one of Ann Morrison Park's playgrounds. Many cities are built on rivers, and many cities capitalize on these fortunate features. But I know of no other city that has been as successful as Boise in incorporating their river into the life of the city while preserving its natural beauty. Boise River Greenbelt is an extraordinary gift for the people of Boise and the Treasure Valley, as well as visitors. Just a word of caution: The Greenbelt is extremely popular for recreation, exercise, bike commuting, fun runs, photo shoots, etc. It's busy! The posted "rules" for use state that pedestrians always have the right of way, but many people are oblivious or careless. The yellow stripe down the middle of the path is there for a reason. Treat the path as a highway and stay on the right unless passing. Watch for children or the ubiquitous geese and squirrels straying into your path. Be reasonably careful, share the path, and enjoy this Boise treasure!
2. Bald Mountain Trail
3. Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 116 reviews
Reviewed By westernu_12 - Marysville, United States
Best Trail I have been on. We rode up to Mullan, down to Harrison and got some ice cream, continued down to the old train trestle across the bridge and back to our vehicle. We got 130 miles this day! We saw at least 9 moose, 2 beavers, 2 muskrats, birds (maybe some pelicans in the mix? We didn't know what these albatross looking birds were.) There is little drinking water on the trail. There is water at the maintenance facility, and Heyburn State Park.
4. Pulaski Tunnel Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 92 reviews
Reviewed By 918brucef - San Antonio, United States
Very scenic with great history lesson from sign boards along Trail. 2 mile hike with quarter mile markers. Along Creek that flows year round. Plan on 3 hour total experience. Bring a camera.
5. Wood River Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 46 reviews
Reviewed By belawler1
This trail network is a wonderful way to explore the Wood River and then take the spurs and connecting trails into Sun Valley, Trail Creek, and Elkhorn.
6. Salmon River Scenic Byway
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 57 reviews
Reviewed By P2868BAalisonp
We traveled most of this route when we landed in Missoula and drove down to Salmon, ID. It starts at the border to Idaho (Lost Trial Pass area). Stunning views of the mountains/valleys and the Salmon River, loads of wildlife. We traveled the rest of the route later in the week when we drove to ghost towns - Bayhorse, Bonanza, and Custer. The views were exceptional.
7. Brundage Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 172 reviews
Located high in the mountains of Central Idaho, Brundage Mountain is best known for its powder-packed glades and luxuriously wide groomed runs. Blessed with over 320 inches of snowfall annually, Brundage has an undisputed reputation for the Best Snow in Idaho™. 1,920 acres of terrain and 1,921 feet of vertical make Brundage Mountain an independently-owned ski resort worth the trip!
Reviewed By 463kelliea - The Woodlands, United States
This was my first time to visit and it was amazing. It helped that there was epic snow but still there were runs for the entire family. My daughter and her friends went to the ski school and there skills improved each day. Everyone was very friendly. The restaurant and bar was great. Even though they needed extra staff to handle the crowds, the service was great.
8. Schweitzer Mountain Resort
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 357 reviews
Mountain and ski area located in northern Idaho.
Reviewed By AniT371
We did 9 days here of snowboarding for a family of 5, second year here after discovering it from our family who lives nearby. Great staff, very friendly and fun. Stayed at the White Pine Lodge. My kids did the runs by themselves all day. Excellent prices if you book online lift tickets. Good cafeteria on site with delicious burgers, fries, drinks. My 10 year old got stuck by herself in an area hard to get out of, and a staff member pulled her by his ski pole to the run area for safety. She also have no crowds except during weekend peak times. I just wish the Musical Chairs chair would go slower upon getting off, I kept falling! The other lifts are fast and almost stop to allow you to get off easily. The area is known for excellent snow, no crowds, and good variety of runs. This place is a hidden gem.
9. North Idaho Centennial Trail
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 175 reviews
This 22-mile paved trail is part of the Idaho Centennial Trail, which passes through 11 national forests and extends 1,200 miles from Nevada to the Canadian border.
Reviewed By 752jefferyg - Gainesville, United States
Beautiful bike trail that runs through the heart of Coeur d'Alene. We picked it up in the heart of downtown and rode all the way to the south end. (About 15 miles round trip). There is a section where you have to go through a neighborhood but it's well marked and easy to follow. Loved the scenic views. (Warning: There are some hills, so be prepared). Well worth it though, and you can rent bikes in town. We rented ours from Coeur d'Alene Bike Company, which is about one block off the trail.
10. Bald Mountain
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
Reviewed By mechandler
My home. . . Mt Baldy is host to skiers from all over the world. A wide variety of long runs with great snow that is supported by artificial for early season cover. 3000 vert ft will challenge your lets but there are several beautiful lodges around the mountain for recovery! Great for families if all are strong intermediate and above. Lower lever skiers will be happier on Dollar mtn nearby. Many options for physically challenged skiers served by Higher Ground USA.
