Idaho Trip

[neilw]

In a few weeks I will be going to Idaho for a few days of business. I think I can extend my stay 3 or 4 days and would like know what the TBN group recommends for a tourist in Idaho. I'll be arriving in Boise and traveling to the Lewiston area on the business.

My wife and I enjoy good scenery and museums. The wife has never been out of Texas so I expect the mountain vistas will leave her open mouthed.

What the brain trust think?

 

[Bird]

Part of the highway between the two towns is designated as a scenic drive; ought to be enjoyable. It would be a bit out of the way to take the scenic drive up into the Sawtooth area, Sun Valley, etc. We spent a week or so just south of Stanley several years ago; very pretty country. Of course we were there at an entirely different time of year (about 4 months later in the year).

 

[Mark_in_NH]

neilw,
I was born in Boise Idaho, in 1961, but left there when I was 1 and have only been back twice since.
One of the places I went to visit when I was there several {many}years ago may seem rather morbid. It was the old {closed} State prison. It was interesting to see the various sections of the prison, ie. the Hanging room with the trap door. the solitary confinement cells etc. etc.. Like I said it may seem very morbid, but educational.
Have a safe and happy trip. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[wasabi]

Call ahead or ask around about a guided fly-fishing outing. IMHO, nothing beats the thrill of a wild trout rising to a dry fly!

 

[Golfgar4]

It might be a little early in the year (meaning cool), but rafting on a river is a terrific activity! My son and I have done that in Wyoming and Colorado, and it's a real kick.

 

[TxSam]

The Sawtooths are a definite must see, beautiful area. The Salmon River runs through the same area, so fishing and/or rafting are all possibilities. Another possibility would be Craters of the Moon Nat'l Monument, it is a fairly interesting place to see. I have family not too far from the Lewiston area, they live near a small town named Kamiah. I believe it is on or near the Clearwater River which is also great for fishing.

Of course the Lewiston area is where Lewis and Clark met up with the Columbia River in their expedition to the west coast. I believe they floated down the Clearwater to the Columbia. You may run across some signs while driving marking the Lewis and Clark Trail. Hope you have a great trip, I'll be jealous of you! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

Now you're talking about where I grew up! I was born in Caldwell, Idaho which is about 30 miles from Boise. All of my family still lives around there. I have an Aunt that lives in Lewiston too. As far as things to do I would go the scenic route to Lewiston up through Horseshoe Bend and Cascade to McCall. That drive is beautiful. Once you get to McCall I would stay the night in a place called the Shore Lodge. The view is breath taking. It's right on McCall Lake. Around McCall it's a small mountain town. While there I would go out to Given's Hotsprings. It's a natural hotsprings place that you can swim and relax. There are some excellent golf courses if you like to do that. The one in McCall is nice but the best one is over by New Meadows which is about 12 miles away. It's a golf course literally set right in the middle of the mountains. It's not something you would forget. If you're going to Lewiston I would call and book a whitewater rafting trip. That is an experience you won't soon forget. Idaho has the best whitewater rafting in the world. There is a town called Rigby, Idaho that is right on your way that you could do a half day trip. Well worth it. In Lewiston there is alot of history to look at. Get a local tourist map and visit some of the old battlegrounds. You are also right by the Nez Pierce indian reservation and there is alot to see there as well. If you like fishing you are right in the middle of some of the best steelhead fishing in the world there in Lewiston. Get a charter and go out and catch some of those monsters. That's a blast.

In Boise your choices are endless for the outdoors and indoors. Boise State Univ. has some great fine arts and you ahve to look at the blue turf. I did my masters at BSU and coached there in the late 80's. It was also my first job in the sports med. dept. there. It's a really nice univ.

If you like wine while you're in Boise head over to Nampa, ID. to the Ste. Chappelle winery. It's very nice and done in the old Sicilian charm.

Also if you like to look at dams and such head to Lake Lowell. It's just outside of Boise and is nice to look at. If you like hiking either go to Bogus Basin ski area while you are in Boise or to Brundage up in McCall. Both have some great hiking and rock climbing.

Let me know more of what you are looking for and I can give you some more ideas.

 

[LilRhody]

I agree with TxSam...Sawtooth Valley is worth the extra miles and the Crater's of the Moon National Park is quite a thing to see. My wife and I did the middle of Idaho (enroute to Glacier National Park a few summers ago); can not wait to get back to that part of the country...

 

[ColorMeGreen]

If you're going in the middle of June there's the Riverfest right in Boise and that's a bit of fun with a night-time parade "Parade of lights". I get up there every year to see family. Hell's canyon isn't too far. Cascade....McCall.... all nice. Personally I don't think you'd miss too much if you don't see Sun Valley. Another mentioned fishing. Fly fishing right in town isn't bad, and there is the South Fork of the Boise not too far... My reports are that the steelheading is starting to fall off, but one fish in a year is a memory. Also in the middle of June is the National Old Time Fiddler's Championship (which my 9 year old took 2nd in her age div. last year).
Also in Boise is the National Bird of Prey Museum which I thought was great.
Have fun.
JS

 

[scruffy]

Hell's Canyon, a must. In Lewiston, it is a short drive out hwy 12 to the Selway River....road follows the river for several miles. It is a wild&scenic white water river that is quite enjoyable to spend a day investigating...unless you drive on up over the Lolo Pass to Missoula Mt, which is a pretty drive!