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
Countries
What to do and see in Idaho, United States: The Best Nature & Wildlife Areas
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. Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness Area
2. Sawtooth Wilderness Area
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 176 reviews
The 217,000 acres within the Sawtooth National Recreation Area include some 300 lakes, 40 wilderness trails and a forest of fir, spruce and pine.
Reviewed By ugaworldtraveler8 - San Diego, United States
Snow had fallen and remained on both sides of the highway, although the roads were plowed and safe. An Idaho senator proposed this as a national park in the 1930s, unfortunately conservative politicians stand in the way. It really deserves national park status.
3. Elk River Recreation District
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Family Fun in the BackCountry ATVing, Snowmobiling, Hiking, Huckleberry Picking, Fishing, Hunting, Camping, Events, Mushroom Hunting, Wildlife viewing, Scenic Byway, and much much more!!!
4. Lake Walcott State Park
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4 reviews
Reviewed By taniad444 - Santa Clara, United States
We had a great visit here-our two families meeting up from Boise (3hour drive) and Idaho Falls (2hour Drive). It’s about 20 minutes off the freeway. Beautiful, well maintained state park and we saw a tiny snake, squirrels, a deer, a pelican, and many other birds. Large playground area, full basketball court, spacious frisbee golf course, numerous picnic tables spread out for privacy and in the shade. Flush toilets in the bathrooms. No “beach area” or sand but younger ones were able to wade right off the grass easily. We went on a Wednesday in June and only saw a handful of people all day, only one motor boat, and two fishing boats, until about 5:30 when there were a few more people around. Other posts have complained of bugs. We saw none down by the water and only saw some swarms in the parking lot as we loaded up at 6:30-so it may depend on time of day. In 2020 water fountains were off be because of COVID so bring extra water bottles. We had a great, fun day!
5. Roosevelt Grove of Ancient Cedars
6. TerBest Alpacas
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By brandir492 - Priest River, United States
I live in Priest River and when my niece and her boys came to visit she found this place! We took the boys and it was so fun! The tour is free and the people who own it are awesome! I’m going to take my older boys there! The gift shop with alpaca fur items is so cool and proceeds go to help the alpacas, because they rescue some too! I’ll be shopping there for Christmas!
7. Craters of the Moon National Monument
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,212 reviews
An ocean of blackened lava flows holds opportunities to relax, explore, and enjoy for all ages and abilities. The monument is an easy day trip from Boise, Sun Valley, and Idaho Falls. Click on the link below to learn more about this unearthly landscape and start planning your visit today.
Reviewed By Christigal - Apex, United States
We visited the Visitor's Center and watched the film to educate ourselves about what we were seeing. There is a loop road that is great if you are not mobile. Each stop on the loop offered different geological/Volcanic features and varying lengths of trails and hikes. In one place you can climb a cinder cone, another you can peer into a spatter cone, you can see the different types of lava flows, climb down into lava tube caves and more. Such a great way to spend a day.
8. Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 50 reviews
Habitat for many species, including the golden eagle and the peregrine falcon.
Reviewed By 774sued
We went out to look for raptors and saw red tailed hawks.swainsons hawk and many ravens and kestrals. It is a ways out but worth the drive just to see the canyon carved by the river and time. Old dam has a museum but we had our dog so didn't go in
9. Rapid River Fish Hatchery
10. Henry's Fork Greenway
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