Top 7: Things to Do in Idaho, USABy Angelica Malin
A northwestern U.S state, Idaho is known for its vast swaths of protected wilderness, outdoor recreation areas, and picturesque mountainous landscapes. The capital Boise is located in the Rocky Mountain foothills and is bisected by the Boise River, which is a perfect place for fishing and rafting while Julia Davis Park is a downtown green space boasting a rose garden, zoo, and museums. In south along Interstate 84, you’ll find history and deserts, the Oregon Trail that brought pioneers to the West passes through here.
You’ll surely enjoy great recreational opportunities among the best places to visit in Idaho: golfing and skiing, hiking and camping, and some best mountain biking in the Hiawatha Trail that starts at the Montana border and ends 17 stunning, graveled miles later. Regardless of the adventure that you’ll be choosing, you’re sure to make lifelong memories in Idaho. If you’re looking for a perfect place to spend your ultimate getaway, there are various cabin rentals in Idaho that will surely provide you the relaxation that you need along with outstanding services that you deserve. Here are the top places to visit in Idaho:
Yellowstone National Park
Not just America’s first national park, but also the first national park in the world, Yellowstone is America’s most loved park. It is an amazing place to visit, with stunning scenery and many geothermal activities. Don’t ever miss seeing the Old Faithful erupt. It is also an interesting place to see wild animals in their native habitat. Here you’ll find buffalo, so don’t be surprised if you get stuck in traffic caused by a buffalo walking down the road. But remember that these are wild animals, so keep your distance. Yellowstone is located mostly in Wyoming; only one percent of the park is located in Idaho.
Hells Canyon Recreational Area
For many visitors, Hells Canyon Recreational Area is a scenic and recreation area that divides Idaho and Oregon. It is the deepest river gorge in North America that can be explored on countless hiking trails. The Snake River runs through Hells Canyon that combines with the Clearwater River. This place is also an important archaeological district, with proofs that humans lived here 15,000 years ago. You’ll find historic sites on both sides of the canyon, as early explorers also passed through here.
Lewiston
Lewiston is situated at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, which still serve as the focal point of the town. This town traces its history all the way back to the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. At the present time, Lewiston is considered to be a gateway to natural wonders like Salmon River Canyons and the Hells Canyon. There are walking tours available if you’re interested in the history of this historic downtown. Another interesting tour to try here is the popular Ghost Tour, where you can have a chance to explore beneath the sideways, and even feel the presence of the spirits that once traversed them and worked in the place in the 1930s. You can also visit the Lewis Clark Discover Center where you can find interpretive displays such as dugout canoe, an Indian teepee, a salmon stream, and an exhibit that focuses on Lewis and Clark’s challenging route going to the Bitterroot Mountains.
Idaho Falls
These falls in Idaho may not be very deep, but they’re plenty wide, stretching 600 feet and 22 feet across the Snake River. To have a perfect view of these falls, go to Snake River Greenbelt, a six-mile round trip over a paved path. The greenbelt is the top attraction here and is popular among bikers and strollers as well as for fishing. Idaho, economic, arts, and cultural center for the region is the best city in eastern Idaho.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint is a major economic hub in northern Idaho, even having only less than 8,000 residents. The two national businesses namely Coldwater Creek, a women’s wear retailer, and Lighthouse Food, a salad dressing manufacturer are Sandpoint’s national headquarters. Settled in the mountains, Sandpoint is situated on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, town’s largest lake with fishing, boating, and swimming. There’s a nearby mountain named Schweitzer Mountain, Idaho’ largest ski resort, where it was named as the most beautiful small town in 2011.
Coeur d’Alene
Known for water sports on Lake Coeur d’Alene and trails in the Canfield Mountain Natural Area and Coeur d’Alene National Forest, Coeur d’Alene is a city located in northwest Idaho. Some of the best places to visit here are the McEuen Park, which offers a grassy lawn and trailhead for adjacent Tubbs Hill. It is also one of the world’s top golf destinations, where you can play and see its famous 14th Hole, a green that sits in the lake, floating along on an underwater cable. This city is one of the best places to visit in Idaho throughout the year from Christmas lights cruise on the lake to Iron Man competition during the summer season.
Boise
The state’s largest city and also its capital, Boise is located in southwest Idaho and is part of Idaho’s Treasure Valley. It was a stop along the Oregon Trail. Now a pedestrian zone, the city’s 8th Street through downtown is where you can find the Basque Block where you can learn more about Boise’s Basque heritage. Boise’s North End contains some old-design homes and tree-lined streets. If you’re into music, especially a jazz fan, don’t miss the annual Gene Harris Jazz Festival.