Things to do in Idaho, United States: The Best Historic Sites

May 7, 2022 Marissa Gamble

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. First United Presbyterian Church

950 W State St, Boise, ID 83702-5440 +1 208-345-3441
Excellent
83%
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17%
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5.0 based on 6 reviews

First United Presbyterian Church

2. Eagle City Park

439 Eagle Creek Rd, Wallace, ID 83873-8001 +1 208-682-8128 http://goldfeverminingsupply.com
Excellent
100%
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5.0 based on 1 reviews

Eagle City Park

3. Nez Perce National Historical Park

Spalding, ID +1 208-843-7009 http://www.nps.gov/nepe/index.htm
Excellent
60%
Good
31%
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5%
Poor
2%
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4.5 based on 58 reviews

Nez Perce National Historical Park

This park has 38 separate sites spanning four states, all dedicated to preserving the history and culture of the Nez Perce Indian Nation. The park includes the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, a portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail and the White Bird Battlefield.

4. Old Idaho Penitentiary

2445 E Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise, ID 83712-8254 +1 208-334-2844 http://www.history.idaho.gov/old-idaho-penitentiary
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
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4.5 based on 952 reviews

Old Idaho Penitentiary

In 1872 the Idaho Territorial Prison opened its doors to some of the most desperate and mean criminals the West could offer. In 1973 the Idaho State Penitentiary closed to inmates. Now our doors are open for visitors to explore over 100 years of Idaho's unique prison history. Open year-round, visitors of the Old Idaho Penitentiary can walk through solitary confinement, cell blocks, and the gallows. Visit today and relive the Old Pen's exciting past of daring escapes, scandals, and executions. Call for more details about special events, educational programs and guided tours.

Reviewed By moreworld2c - Poulsbo, United States

Several friends had recommended the visit and the guided tour, and we weren't disappointed! Our guide Said was excellent—obviously passionate about local history and had done a lot of personal study to be able to share interesting stories about the prison and its inmates. The visit includes several different styles of cellblocks for the general population, a couple of solitary confinement sites, and death row with its permanent gallows. This visit made me think a lot about crime and punishment, justice and injustice. Very reasonable price. Many well-labeled exhibits and displays.

5. Boise Train Depot

2603 W Eastover Ter, Boise, ID 83706-2800 +1 208-384-4060 http://parks.cityofboise.org/parks-locations/parks/boise-depot
Excellent
51%
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41%
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4.5 based on 150 reviews

Boise Train Depot

Reviewed By AmyL2929 - Boise, United States

My husband and I were looking for a way to start learning a little bit more about our new town. This was a great way to enjoy a beautiful Fall day with each other and see a beautiful building, learn some history, and relax. Although the grounds are not blooming with flowers, the gardens are still interesting with the water features and Koi fish in the pond. Building history and architecture is interesting and amazing to see how building has been preserved. Loved the old train outside and the view from the bell tower is amazing. The bells themselves are great to get a peak at. This was a hopping spot today with visitors of all ages. Had a great time and especially enjoyed the tour guide and staff that were there to answer questions for us!

6. Meriwether Lewis' August 12, 1805 Campsite

Salmon, ID +1 208-756-5407
Excellent
75%
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4.5 based on 4 reviews

Meriwether Lewis' August 12, 1805 Campsite

7. Chesterfield Townsite

Bancroft, ID 83217-0002 +1 208-648-7177 [email protected] http://chesterfieldfoundation.org/
Excellent
72%
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11%
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4.5 based on 18 reviews

Chesterfield Townsite

Reviewed By Ejayer - Sun City West, United States

My wife & I live in Sun City West, AZ and this is our third year attending the Summer Citizens Program at Utah State University in Logan, UT and we are trying to see as many historical and wonderful place in both Utah and Idaho as possible. We came across a brochure for the Chesterfield Townsite and just had to drive up and see it. It was well worth the 2hr drive from Logan and our tour guide Jack Jensen was fantastic. Since his family help settle Chesterfield he was able to give us great insight into the history of the town and the effort taking place in restoring some of the buildings.

8. Big Springs

hwy 059A, Island Park, ID +1 208-523-3278
Excellent
78%
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7%
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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!

9. Christ Chapel

Broadway Ave Boise State University, Boise, ID 83725-0001 +1 208-426-1900
Excellent
50%
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50%
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4.0 based on 2 reviews

Christ Chapel

10. Portia Club

225 N 9th St, Payette, ID 83661-2529 +1 208-572-5825 [email protected] http://www.portiaclub.org
Excellent
50%
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4.0 based on 2 reviews

Historic Women's Clubhouse that now serves as Community Center.

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