The 10 Best Points of Interest & Landmarks in Idaho, United States

May 13, 2022 Enedina Augsburger

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. Minidoka County Historical Society Museum

99 E Baseline Rd, Rupert, ID 83350-9700 +1 208-436-0336 http://www.facebook.com/MinidokaMuseum/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
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5.0 based on 2 reviews

Minidoka County Historical Society Museum

2. Gooding City of Rocks

City of Rocks Rd, Gooding, ID 83312 +1 208-824-5901 http://visitsouthidaho.com/adventure/gooding-city-of-rocks/
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
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Poor
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Gooding City of Rocks

3. Sun Valley Resort

1 Sun Valley Road, Sun Valley, ID 83353 (800) 786-8259 [email protected] https://www.sunvalley.com/
Excellent
66%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 288 reviews

Sun Valley Resort

Whether it's an exciting day on the slopes of Bald Mountain, or a relaxing sleigh ride or round of golf, Idaho's famous year-round resort promises a variety of recreation for outdoor enthusiasts.

Reviewed By jimrusssauer - Austin, United States

Sun Valley is our Favorite NA Ski resort and we have skied almost everywhere in Colorado, CA, Utah, NM and Canada. This was our 3rd visit in 5 years. The mountain and the town have a down home feel and folks are incredibly friendly. The mountain can be challenging but SV grooms almost every Blue and Green run every night. SV also has great snow making so even in a year like 2021 where not much snow has fallen, SV still has plenty. We skied all over but our favorite is Seattle Ridge Runs. They say Green on the map, but most are probably blues in any other resort. No houses on the Mountain which are a true Ski experience and also keeps the crowds away. Not easy to get to but worth it when you get there!

4. Johnny Sack Cabin

Big Springs Park, Island Park, ID http://www.co.fremont.id.us/departments/parks_rec/big_springs/johnny-sack_big-springs.html
Excellent
75%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
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Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 97 reviews

Johnny Sack Cabin

Reviewed By RiverReader - Elko, United States

This is a review of the place more than the cabin. Thothe story of Johnny Sack is great. The springs are unbelievably beautiful. Hundreds of acre feet of crystal clear water rushing out of the ground all around the bluff base. Watched an ouzel forage, as well as mergansers. Well worth the visit.

5. Snake River Greenbelt

Snake River Greenbelt - Idaho Falls City Center, Idaho Falls, ID 83402 +1 208-243-0725 http://www.idahofallsidaho.gov
Excellent
70%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
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4.5 based on 513 reviews

Snake River Greenbelt

Reviewed By dogsrthebest - Idaho Falls, United States

This green belt is the most beautifully designed place I have ever walked!! Whether taking family, children or dogs it is a spectacular place! The view and the horticulture are spectacular! A wonderful place to take a beautiful walk!

6. Paris Tabernacle Historical Site

109 S Main St, Paris, ID 83261-7727 +1 800-537-9703
Excellent
53%
Good
44%
Satisfactory
3%
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4.5 based on 34 reviews

Paris Tabernacle Historical Site

7. Elmer's Fountain

306 3rd St, Mullan, ID 83846
Excellent
67%
Good
17%
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Poor
17%
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4.5 based on 6 reviews

Elmer's Fountain

210 N 9th St, Boise, ID 83702-5709 +1 208-703-5966 [email protected] http://www.freakalleygallery.org
Excellent
60%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
10%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 223 reviews

Freak Alley Gallery

Freak Alley Gallery is the largest outdoor mural gallery in the Northwest. It's free and open to the public 24/7. We also have an Indoor Gallery that promotes our local Art and Artists; all proceeds from sales support the project and keep the lights on. Be sure to visit our website for detailed information on the indoor and outdoor events. You can even watch the progression of this Boise landmark.

Reviewed By chasewfahn - San Francisco, United States

Amazing art within this alley, it's a great way to walk off after you had a meal in one of the many restaurants in downtown Boise. I enjoyed the one that had a Twinkie and cockroach holding hands behind a nuclear bomb going off.

9. Big Springs

hwy 059A, Island Park, ID +1 208-523-3278
Excellent
78%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
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Poor
7%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 27 reviews

Big Springs

Reviewed By CXGuide - Lehi, United States

This was an awesome stop on our snowmobiling experience. Great to see fish and ducks in the springs. We'll go again!

10. Giant Eagle Waterfall Nest

1075 S Utah Ave, Idaho Falls, ID 83402-3327
Excellent
65%
Good
27%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 120 reviews

Giant Eagle Waterfall Nest

Reviewed By jerb2014 - Bristol, United States

As part of the open air display of art in Idaho Falls, this is one of the crowning jewels. The sculpture is quite large with several bald eagles amidst dead branches. Inside there is a fountain. It is a very cohesive and striking sculpture and you can literally drive around it. When you tour around Idaho falls, it is easy to encounter. This and the benches around the River walk are truly striking and unique.

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