Idaho with Kids
Places to See and Things to Do
I am planning a family trip to Idaho (in our quest to visit all 50 states), and decided to post the places to see and things to do with kids that I am finding as I do my trip research. Most of my trip planning involves many hours of research, especially for a multiple location ‘road trip’ kind of a trip. I generally find that there is way more of interest than we have time to do in one trip, and this trip to Idaho is no exception. I will admit that I am surprised by my Idaho research. I think that I was prejudiced against Idaho and bought into the potato stereotype (and the confusion with Iowa, which is nowhere close). Idaho, please accept my apology. I am not sure what I was expecting to find, but this long list of possibilities of things to do in Idaho with kids wasn’t it. Of course, we won’t be able to do everything on this list. I am listing most of what sounds interesting to us here though, for future reference and with the hope of helping other Idaho vacation planners. We will be arriving into Idaho via Jackson Hole, Wyoming & will be leaving via Spokane, Washington.
Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
If this quote from the National Park Service website doesn’t make you want to visit, I don’t know what will:
“Its like black vomit from the bowels of the earth” was the reaction of a 1860s emigrant when crossing the lava fields in the present day Craters of the Moon National Monument.This colorful description was probably the most critical ever expressed about this volcanic landscape, but the negative comment most commonly heard at the visitor center desk is “This place is nothing but black rock.”
I mean, where else do you get to see black vomit from the bowels of the earth? Awesome. It’s on our list for our Summer 2015 trip.
Website: National Park Service
Soak in the Hot Springs
Idaho has tons of hot springs to choose from, so fitting a visit into an Idaho itinerary shouldn’t be too hard. Some information I have come across in my research says that Idaho has more hot springs than any other state. I don’t know if this is true or not, but I did find many options.
This is one good option on our route (and they have camping domes where we can spend the night): Miracle Hot Springs
Websites:
Drive-In Movie Theater
In my research, I came across an old fashioned drive-in movie theater close to the border of Wyoming in Teton Valley. It was built in 1953, and looks like it would be a fun family experience. We don’t often come across the opportunity to see a drive-in movie anymore (this was one of my favorite childhood memories), especially one with a 2 ton potato named Old Murphy.
Website: Spud Drive In
Bruneau Dunes State Park
With the tallest single peak sand dune in the US & the ability to rent sand boards to ride, this looks like a great place to visit for an hour or two with the kids. They have camping and other activities as well.
Website: Bruneau Sand Dunes
Sun Valley & Ketchum
It looks like the Sun Valley area has lots of outdoor activities in all seasons, especially in the winter. Anyone who knows me knows that snow is not my thing (as I write this there is 6 inches of snow here at my house), and you’d have to pay me to go skiing. But this area of Idaho looks gorgeous. In summer there is hiking, biking, horseback riding, rafting and more. There are lots of lodging options, from resorts to condo rentals. The prices are high for the times when we will be visiting.
Websites: Visit Sun Valley
Stanley & Redfish Lake
Close to the Sun Valley area are Stanley and Redfish Lake. Stanley has been called the most scenic town in the United States in this article, and Redfish Lake comes highly recommended as a place to visit. Lodging option are limited and pricier than I expected.
Sawtooth National Recreation Area
National Geographic Sawtooth Roadtrip
Boise
The city itself looks to have some cool places to check out, and some fun places to eat (have to try the french fries, obviously). It is also the state capitol, and seems to offer many museums to visit and other boring things like that. There is a Saturday Market that looks like it’s worth a visit.
I also think that the kids would love floating on the Boise River in a raft or tube. Hopefully we will have time to try it!
Yellowstone National Park
We haven’t yet visited this most stunning of National Parks, but it is on our summer itinerary. The park covers areas of Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho.
Website: Yellowstone National Park
There is also a place called Island Park in Idaho that we may be able to visit from our base in West Yellowstone. As I came across it in my research, it looked like a place worth adding to my list.
Check Out Some Waterfalls
There is no waterfall shortage in Idaho. According to this list, there are 63 named waterfalls in the state. The time of year and melting of snow will dictate the strength and volume of the flow at any given waterfall, but I lost count of the number of beautiful Idaho waterfalls I have seen photos of while doing my research. We are sure to find some that are flowing while we are there & that are along our route.
Stay Inside of a Dog
No brainer. We are already booked for our summer trip & ready to surprise the kids.
Website: Dog Bark Park Inn
Silverwood Theme Park
Located north of Coeur d’Alene, Silverwood is the largest theme park in the Northwest. We will most likely visit because we love theme parks, and the summer trip will involve lots of National and State Parks and outdoor activities. A visit to Silverwood sounds like a fun way to inject some man-made fun into our vacation.
Website: Silverwood Theme Park
Coeur d’Alene
With a gorgeous lake, beaches, parks, and lots of restaurants, this city in the Idaho panhandle will be our last stop on our Idaho trip. I’d like to stay at the well-known Coeur d’Alene Resort, if it works out for this trip. We will spend a few days in the area, visiting the city, lake and Silverwood Theme Park.
Website: Coeur d’Alene
Visit the Interesting Small Towns & Ghost Towns
In doing my research, I have found that Idaho has some really cool small towns & cities. There are even ghost towns, which I find oddly appealing. I am not sure yet if or how any of these will fit into our itinerary, but they are worth noting: Idaho Falls
See Some Cool Geological Formations
Here are a couple of rock formations that looked interesting and worth a visit if in the area:
Ride the Best Bike Trail in the World
I don’t know if this is an exaggeration or not, but in my research the Hiawatha bike trail was described as the best in the world more than once. It looks incredibly scenic and unique because it used to be a railroad track with tunnels and bridges.
Website: Ride the Hiawatha
There are so many bodies (of water)
There are a ridiculous amount of lakes, rivers, streams, and hot springs in Idaho, and many of them look like lots of fun. There is rafting and fishing and swimming and soaking. I know we will fit some of these things into our itinerary, but one trip to Idaho surely will not be enough.
Some that I have come across in my research:
List of a bazillion Rivers in Idaho
Some other helpful Idaho links:
Plus you can check out my Idaho Pinterest Board and follow as I pin more ideas (and check out my other state and travel boards too!)
Have you ever been to Idaho? Do you live there? What are your favorite places to see and things to do there? I would love some suggestions!