The name Fruitland comes from the profusion of orchards close by in this highly fertile farming region, where several tributaries meet the Snake River.

Ontario, Oregon is barely a couple of miles from Fruitland, and has the shopping, dining and cultural amenities of a large city.

Meanwhile the Snake, Payette and Malheur rivers flowing through the area attract people for fishing and boating, as well as hiking and nature spotting along their green banks.

Fruitland is also close to the point where the Oregon Trail crossed and departed the Snake River, and there are historical sites nearby where you can find out about life on the trail and see genuine 19th-century wagon ruts in the ground.

1. Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum

Source: Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum / Facebook

The big cultural attraction in the Ontario area is this complex ten minutes from Fruitland, combining a gallery, museum, theatre, Japanese garden and event center.

The Four Rivers Cultural Center celebrates the unique heritage of this part of the Treasure Valley, which has roots in Spain’s Basque Country, and Japanese Internment in the Second World War.

At that time Japanese-Americans were invited to work on local farms, and there was also an internment camp close by at Nyssa, and many of the incarcerated families remained in the area post-war.

Visiting the center you can pause for reflection in the garden, check out a local or national exhibit at the gallery, catch a show and browse the museum.

The latter has fascinating historical dioramas tracing the settlement patterns of the Hispanic, Basque, Japanese and European American immigrants, as well as the story of the Northern Paiute people.

2. Mesa Park

Source: EHStockphoto / shutterstock

For a town of modest proportions, Fruitland has a superb public sports facility north of downtown.

Mesa Park has several baseball/softball fields, as well as a basketball court and tennis courts, all in tiptop condition.

There’s also a large playground for little ones, and if you’re just here for a relaxing family outing there’s a concession stand, restroom facilities and a picnic shelter.

The Payette County County Recreation District is also based at Mesa Park and schedules a host of programs at the park in spring, summer and fall.

3. AC&D Farms

Source: Charles Knowles / shutterstock

On Fruitland’s southern fringe is a much loved fresh produce stand open from spring to fall.

AC&D Farms distributes produce throughout the Treasure Valley region, and depending on when you visit you’ll find heaps of peaches, asparagus, cantaloupe, spinach, sweet corn, okra, apples, eggplant, watermelons, pumpkins and squash, all harvested in the fields behind.

The stand also sells homemade preserves, honey, bread, juices, salsas and jams, and if you swing by in fall there will be a cow train, corn maze, pumpkin patch rides and a petting zoo.

4. Crestview Park

Source: Lumena / shutterstock

Fruitland’s newest park has taken over a little grassy hollow in a residential area southwest of downtown.

Since opening in the 2010s Crestview Park has steadily added new amenities, and at the time of writing there were more to come.

In 2017 a highly popular splash pad was installed in the park, to go with a play area and a picnic shelter that can be rented free of charge from the city.

Future plans for Crestview Park include additional seating, a skate park and a walking trail that will take you down to the east bank of the Snake River about 500 yards to the west.

5. Fruitland Community Park

Source: NDAB Creativity / shutterstock

In the heart of Fruitland, this park is a favorite walking location for local residents, and a popular place to bring younger family members for an hour or two of fun.

The park packs a lot of amenities into a relatively small space, with a splash pad, playground, gazebo, horseshoe pits, picnic shelter and a little pavilion with a tiled roof.

This structure is modeled on a bell tower that was attached to Fruitland’s first school building, previously on this site.

Surrounding all of these features are perfectly manicured lawns with walking paths traced by flowerbeds.

6. Payette County Museum

Source: Payette County Museum / Facebook

If you would like to get in touch with the history of the wider county, this museum is just ten minutes up the 95 in Payette.

The location is special, in a Gothic Revival church building erected in 1904. Within you’ll find original church fittings like stained glass windows in situ, combined with intriguing collections.

The Payette County Museum’s display cases are filled with farming, sports and military artifacts, and profiles some fascinating historical figures.

One of these is the famous baseball power hitter, Harmon Killebrew (1936-2011) a 13-time All-Star who was born in Payette.

7. Downtown Ontario, Oregon

Source: LightField Studios / shutterstock

There’s a city of 110,000 little more than five minutes away from Fruitland, across the Snake River.

Directly on the west bank you’ll pass through a series of shopping centers, loaded with chain restaurants, big-box stores, but also no shortage of cannabis dispensaries. This might be a culture shock coming from Idaho, which has some of the strictest cannabis laws in the nation.

Go a little further and you’ll be in historic downtown Ontario, where South Oregon Street is lined with mom and pop stores for fashion, musical instruments, furniture, homewares, craft supplies, hand-blown glass, jewelry, flowers and more.

Sprinkled throughout downtown Ontario is a cosmopolitan array of restaurants specializing in steaks, Mexican cuisine, American classics, pizza, sandwiches and crêpes.

8. Ontario State Recreation Site

Source: CSNafzger / shutterstock

A long strip of the Oregon bank of the tranquil Snake River is accessible to the public as a day-use state park.

On a long and relatively narrow riverside plot are grassy areas shaded by juniper, sumac and cottonwood trees.

You can access the river here for boating, fishing and swimming, and if you just want to take it easy on the banks there’s a stunning variety of wildlife here and on the islands in the Snake River.

Bring a pair of binoculars and you may see deer, Canada geese, great blue heron, muskrats and river otters.

9. Malheur Water Trail

Source: G-Stock Studio / shutterstock

The Malheur River courses east from Oregon’s Blue Mountains through high desert before joining the Snake River a few miles downstream from Fruitland.

Over the last couple of years Ontario has gradually cleared a previously overgrown and undeveloped stretch of Malheur riverbank for a 3.3-mile trail.

The trailhead is just off Malheur Drive, and along the route is a “yakport” if you want to kayak, canoe, paddleboard or tube on these calm and slow-moving waters.

10. Payette River Wildlife Management Area

Source: Gregory Johnston / shutterstock

There are more than 30 Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs) across Idaho, helping to protect the state’s vulnerable species.

One can be found close by in three segments along the lower reaches of the Payette River. The closest of these segments is known as the Birding Islands, a few minutes east of Fruitland and incorporating several islands on the river that provide habitats for waterfowl and shorebirds.

A few of the species that nest or stop at the Birding Islands are the night heron, great blue heron, snow egret, mallards, widgeons and Canada geese.

You can access Birding Islands from four different locations along the river, while just south of the WMA is a series of three gravel ponds, open for warm-water fishing all year.

11. Keeney Pass Interpretive Site

Source: BLM Oregon & Washington / Flickr | CC BY

One aspect of local history that we haven’t covered so far is that the Oregon Trail forded the Snake River close to Fruitland.

After following the valley for the breadth of what is now Idaho, the trail broke away into the rugged high desert of Oregon.

An easy drive west of Fruitland is Keeney Pass, named for the pioneer and fur trapper Jonathan Keeney.

This was the first stop in Oregon on the trail, and in the mid-1800s many thousands of emigrants passed through on their way to the fertile farmlands in the distance to the west.

At Keeney Pass you can peruse the exhibits at an interpretive shelter, before setting off on a brief hike along the Oregon Trail route, where you can see wagon ruts in the ground some 170 years later.

12. Babby Farms

Source: Dave Cornelius / shutterstock

This petting zoo is open May through October and is run by a non-profit organization. The main purpose of Babby Farms is to give children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to interact with animals.

For this reason, almost all of the animal residents here have been handled by humans from birth and are extremely tame.

You can pet and feed monkeys, kangaroos, donkeys, zebras, pygmy goats, lemurs, pigs, deer, sloths, camels, alpacas and a yak.

On Saturdays from October to April, Babby Farms also runs “Jr. Zookeeper” classes for children aged 5-12.

13. Old Fort Boise Park

Source: Michael Ward / Facebook

South of Fruitland, close to the confluence of the Boise and Snake Rivers, you can visit the site of a vital trading and supply post from the pioneer days.

Fort Boise was established in 1834, at the height of the fur trade and with the backing of Hudson’s Bay Company.

This was conceived as a rival to Fort Hall, some 300 miles to the east, close to modern day Pocatello.

Fort Boise became an important stop on the Oregon Trail before being abandoned in 1854 due to flooding as well as the Ward Massacre, in which the Shoshone attacked an emigrant train, killing 18 pioneers.

A replica of Old Fort Boise has been erected close to the original site in Parma and has seasonal opening hours. The surrounding park has campsites, a small playground and a picnic shelter.

14. Stone House Museum

Source: Ian Poellet / Wikimedia | CC BY-SA 3.0

For more on the Oregon Trail you can make your way to this historic building, not far west in Vale, Oregon.

Jonathan Keeney built the predecessor to the current building, and that log cabin was a rest stop from the early days of the Oregon Trail.

As it is now, the Stone House was built from local sandstone in 1873 and continued to receive travelers until the early 1900s.

The museum opens its doors from early March to the end of October and has interpretive exhibits about the Oregon Trail, enhanced with 19th-century artifacts.

15. Payette County Fair & Rodeo

Source: Payette County Fair / Facebook

The county fairgrounds are a short way east of Fruitland in New Plymouth and stage events throughout the year.

Of course the annual highlight is the county fair, taking place across four days in early August.

This is a small but well-attended celebration of rural life in Payette County, putting on 4-H and FFA events, concerts, livestock shows, all kinds of demonstrations, a wide variety of exhibits, activities for kids, a pet parade, raffles, dances and a lot more besides.

Delicious comfort food is integral to the county fair, as is the annual Payette County Rodeo, with world-class performers in a host of categories, from bull riding to barrel racing.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Fruitland (Idaho) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

Here at the far western end of the Treasure Valley, Weiser is ensconced in fertile farmland, producing peaches, pears and apples but also raising livestock.

So in the summer you can head out into the countryside for U-Pick farms, or for camping and fishing trips to the many reservoirs that lie within a few miles.

The city itself has an interesting past, as a railroad town that grew up quickly in the late 19th century.

Downtown Weiser is littered with historic architecture, and there’s no shortage of elegant Queen Anne and Shingle style homes on the residential streets close by.

1. Snake River Heritage Center

Source: Ian Poellet / Wikimedia | CC BY-SA 4.0

There may not be a more imposing building in Weiser than Hooker Hall (1907) at the Intermountain Institute on the northwest side of town.

Crowned with a clock tower, Hooker Hall is the linchpin in a complex of nine buildings that made up this former school, all constructed in the early 20th century from cast concrete.

That main building rests among neatly tended lawns dotted with tall deciduous trees, and is the heart of the community, hosting plays and music recitals in its auditorium.

Hooker Hall is also the venue for the Snake River Heritage Center, covering various aspects of the region’s history, from famous personalities to mining, irrigation, agriculture and transport.

2. Weiser River National Recreation Trail

Source: Hanjo Hellmann / shutterstock

Where Route 95 crosses the namesake river in Weiser, you’ll find the trailhead for an 84-mile walking, cycling and riding route taking you all the way to the town of New Meadows at the upper end of the Meadows Valley.

Ready in 1998, the trail is on the railbed of a former Union Pacific line and is the longest of its kind in the state of Idaho.

Taking on bite-sized sections of between five and twenty miles, you’ll travel through unblemished riparian habitats, with breathtaking mountain views and interesting slices of railway heritage like trestle bridges.

The character of the trail changes gradually as you leave behind the lower canyon’s bare hills and lava cliffs for the dense pine forest of the upper canyon.

Wildlife is abundant all along the trail, from raptors to bear, deer, elk, wild turkey and great blue heron.

3. National Old-Time Fiddle Contest and Festival

Source: Artem Furman / shutterstock

During the third full week in June hundreds of musicians from all over the United States descend on Weiser for one of the nation’s great old-time music events.

The National Old-Time Fiddle Contest and Festival has such a prominent position in the fiddling community, that it is often referred to as simply “Weiser”.

The inaugural contest took place in 1953, and today, at the Weiser High School gymnasium, fiddlers compete against each other in eight different categories.

The contest is accompanied by a host of noncompetitive live performances, as well as a parade, carnival and fiddling workshops.

4. Historic Downtown Weiser

Source: Ken Lund / Flickr | CC BY-SA

Weiser’s heyday came at the turn of the 20th century, when a railroad way station was set up in the city, making in an important cog in the region’s transportation network.

A lot of the buildings that went up during this period are still standing, and Weiser has more than 20 places listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

A couple of these will appear elsewhere in this article, but on a little tour of the town, look out for the Knights of Pythias Lodge Hall (1904), the Star Theater (1917) and the Weiser Post Office (1932), as well as the historic brick frontages along Main Street, Idaho Street and Slate Street.

The residential areas close by are also packed with charming old houses, many in the Queen Anne style in fashion at the end of the 19th century.

5. Kelley Orchards

Source: Natural_p / shutterstock

The fertile soils, long summer days and cool nights in this part of the Snake River Valley contribute to perfect conditions for growing fruit.

One of many fruit farms around Weiser, Kelley Orchards grows peaches, nectarines, apples, plums, apricots, cherries, grapes, tomatoes and all kinds of berries.

But where this family-run enterprise stands out is that you can visit throughout the season to pick your own produce.

The farm’s website will let you know exactly what fruits are ready and when, and visiting the orchards will be an educational experience as you learn about each fruit variety.

If you’re pressed for time, you can call in at the Barn Store for freshly picked fruit, but also jam, dried fruit and farm-fresh eggs.

6. Memorial Park

Source: NDAB Creativity / shutterstock

Weiser’s main spot for recreation is within walking distance of downtown and has facilities for all. In the southwest corner is Weiser’s outdoor swimming pool, open in the summer months.

At the north end sits Walter Johnson Field, a community stadium used primarily for baseball.

Walter Johnson (1887-1946), remembered as one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, played for the long defunct semi-professional team, the Weiser Kids in 1906-07 when he was scouted by the Washington Senators.

Elsewhere in Memorial Park you’ll find two playgrounds, a sledding hill in winter and lots of tall trees offering shade for picnics in summer.

7. Weiser Classic Candy

Source: Weiser Classic Candy / Facebook

This independent candy shop in downtown Weiser attracts people from far and wide and has become a destination in its own right.

Weiser Classic Candy specializes in hand-crafted sweet treats, from fudge to chocolate truffles, velvet mints, sea salt caramels ice cream and caramel corn. And the chocolate dipped bacon is something you didn’t know you needed in your life.

Weiser Classic Candy also operates as a deli, with an enticing menu of sandwiches (Reuben, French dip, Monte Cristo), as well as salads, soups and frozen treats to finish up.

8. Weiser Train Depot

Source: Keli Trn-Kost / Facebook

There’s a beautiful piece of early 20th-century heritage by the tracks on the south side of downtown Weiser.

This is the Weiser Train Depot, constructed by the Union Pacific Railroad in 1907 and sharing design traits with the depots in Caldwell and Ontario, Oregon.

The depot is built from brick, with cast stone dressings, and has distinctive exaggerated eaves supported by elongated wooden corbels.

The building was carefully restored in the early 2010s and now serves as a venue for private and public events like the Weiser Farmers’ Market.

9. Rolling Hills Golf Course

Source: Mikael Damkier / shutterstock

In the green and undulating countryside north of Weiser, the city’s public golf course is everything you would want from a small town golf facility.

Naturally the staff are friendly and the service is great, though Rolling Hills shines most of all for the restaurant in the clubhouse, making dishes like beer batter prawns and grilled salmon with real flair.

The course itself, a nine-hole par 36, is well cared for and has a slope rating of 115. And although this is a relatively small operation there is a driving range if you want to rediscover your swing before your round.

10. Steck Park

Source: BLMIdaho / Flickr | CC BY

Downriver from Weiser proper, Steck Park sits on the Idaho side of Hell’s Canyon, beside the Brownlee reservoir.

This body of water stretches for more than 50 miles along the Snake River and is a magnet for activities like boating, fishing and camping.

In fact the reservoir has some of the best fishing in Idaho, particularly for catfish, smallmouth bass and crappie.

Along with two boat ramps and a fish cleaning station, Steck Park has more than 40 campsites for RVs, spread across two campgrounds. The older of these is in a wonderful setting, shaded by mature trees.

11. Weiser Community Fishing Pond

Source: Cannon Colegrove / shutterstock

Near the confluence of the Weiser and Snake Rivers there’s a place of real tranquillity so close to downtown Weiser.

More than just somewhere to fish, this pond is loved for its scenery too, with green, sheltered banks accessed via a walking path.

Close to the water are several fire pits, and there’s a little wooden dock on one side. The pond has largemouth bass and bluegill, but is also stocked with hundreds of rainbow trout, up to seven times a year.

12. Farewell Bend State Recreation Area

Source: Oleg Kovtun Hydrobio / shutterstock

On the Oregon bank of the Brownlee reservoir is a picturesque stretch of waterfront for boating, fishing and other water activities.

Farewell Bend is also endowed with plenty of history. The name comes from the Oregon Trail, which would depart the Snake River at this point, having followed the valley for hundreds of miles to this point.

You can check out historic markers and interpretive displays recording this history, while the park’s day-use portion features picnic areas, a viewing platform, a dog park, horseshoe pits and facilities for sand volleyball and basketball.

13. Crane Creek Reservoir

Source: Marty Nelson / shutterstock

For truly intrepid fishing enthusiasts, this reservoir is deep into Weiser’s sparsely populated backcountry. It will take about 45 minutes to get there, and the final portion of the drive will be along a gravel track.

Crane Creek Reservoir is used purely for irrigation, so the level may be low come late summer.

But earlier in the season this is one of the best places to fish in the area, with plentiful largemouth bass, bluegill, catfish and some of the largest black and white crappie you’ve ever seen.

There is a boat ramp here but apart from that, facilities are non-existent, so it pays to be ready to leave civilization behind for a few hours.

14. Vendome Events Center

Source: Gena Melendrez / shutterstock

Run by the Weiser Chamber of Commerce, this venue on the corner of Slate and Commercial Street downtown is an anchor for a slew of community events throughout the year.

These include charity auctions, benefits, craft fairs, banquets and much more. A landmark on the calendar for more than two decades is the annual Crab Feed in early April, accompanied by silent and live auctions.

During major events in Weiser like the Halloween Carnival and the Night Light Christmas Parade, there will usually be something going on in this building.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Weiser (Idaho) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

It also made Rupert one of the first cities in the world to have street lights powered by electricity.

Rupert has held onto its character down the years, preserving a quaint town square bordered by historic buildings housing independent businesses.

There’s a surprising amount to see and do downtown, but Rupert is also within striking distance of a ski resort, the jaw-dropping Snake River Canyon and the otherworldly lava fields of the Craters of the Moon National Monument.

1. Rupert Historic District

Source: Ken Lund / Flickr | CC BY-SA

Made for walking and pottering around, Rupert has a delightful downtown area, with architecture and a layout frozen in time in the first decades of the 20th century.

There are more than 30 contributing buildings and 11 non-contributing buildings in the Rupert Historic District, most of which are clustered around the lovely Rupert Square.

It’s easy to lose track of time here, savoring the greenery and old-time buildings, and calling in at some of the stores and restaurants inside them.

All of these are locally-owned establishments, ranging from a western store, to a gift shop, flower shop, quilt specialist, bookstore and eateries for Mexican, pizza, deli food and American diner fare.

2. Rupert Square

Source: Julie Kamiya-Craig / shutterstock

The linchpin for the Rupert Historic District is one of Idaho’s few surviving town squares. This was the site of Rupert’s first water source, and so was the natural point from which the city developed.

Now this grassy space is at the heart of that vibrant commercial district and is a hub for well-attended events like the five-day Fourth of July celebrations.

At any other time the square is a great spot if you just want to take it easy for a few minutes.

Hiding among the tall deciduous and coniferous trees are benches, picnic tables and a gazebo and you can pick up a bite from one of the local restaurants for some al fresco dining.

3. Lake Walcott State Park

Source: Kim Schroeder / shutterstock

Northeast of Rupert, Lake Walcott is an 8,000-acre reservoir on the Snake River, impounded by the Minidoka Dam since 1906.

You can visit the west shore where there’s a fantastic state park where you can hike, go fishing and camp on the water’s edge.

People travel a long way to play the excellent 21-hole disc golf course here, rated as one of the best in the country.

The park also has some of the oldest mature trees in the area, and is loved for its massive cottonwoods, providing ample shade for picnics. For nature spotting you can head further east into the Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge, which we’ll cover below.

4. Neptune Park

Source: Diego Trabucco / shutterstock

Rupert’s main park for active recreation is on the south side of the city and has amenities for an array of sports.

Neptune Park offers basketball courts, tennis courts, a baseball field, horseshoe pits and a popular nine-hole disc golf course.

There’s also a large children’s playground and four covered pavilions with picnic tables available for reservation. The park is also home to Rupert’s newly renovated outdoor swimming pool, usually open from the start of June to late August.

5. Minidoka County Historical Society Museum

Source: Minidoka County Historical Society Museum / Facebook

Slightly out of town to the east, this museum is filled with interesting objects and structures from the county’s 100+ years of history.

Especially absorbing are the details about the Minidoka Dam, which helped to turn a vast area into arable farmland. Railroad history is also prominent, in the form of a Union Pacific Railroad Caboose and Rupert’s preserved 1906 depot.

Look out for the collections of fossils and prehistoric bones, antique firecarts, tons of old farming equipment, Native American artifacts and an authentic marble soda fountain from 1900.

Other curiosities include a 220-volt permanent wave machine and more than 600 vintage bottles and jars.

6. Historic Wilson Theatre

Source: ChrEugLee / Flickr | Public Domain Mark

An endearing landmark on Rupert Square, this Spanish Revival performing arts venue has a distinctive flatiron silhouette and exquisite architecture.

The Wilson Theatre was completed as a vaudeville stage in 1920 and after being listed on the National Register of Historic Places has spent much of the last two decades undergoing a painstaking restoration.

Just passing by on the street you can check out the exquisite Plateresque moldings adorning the entrance arcade, the window openings and the balustrade on the roof.

The theatre is a wonderful venue for plays, musicals, dance performances and concerts, but also conventions, meetings, book signings, art exhibits and much more.

7. Minidoka National Wildlife Refuge

Source: Jerek Vaughn / shutterstock

Some two thirds of Lake Walcott is protected as a wildlife sanctuary. The ideal time to come for birding is in spring and fall, when migratory shorebirds like long-billed curlews, spotted sandpipers, American avocets and willets all stop by.

This is also a key molting area for a huge variety of waterfowl, with as many as 100,000 individuals counted at one time.

But perhaps the stars of the show are the American white pelicans. This is one of only two places in the state that has colonies of this species, and you can spot them nesting on the little islands in the Snake River.

8. Craters of the Moon National Monument

Source: Stephen Moehle / shutterstock

Visiting Rupert you’ll be within a comfortable drive of one of Idaho’s most celebrated natural sights. Craters of the Moon is a flood basalt area on an amazing scale, made up of three vast and relatively young lava fields featuring amazing volcanic formations.

The national park alone is on 750,000 acres, about the same size as the state of Rhode Island.

You’ll see molds left behind by incinerated trees, gargantuan lava tubes, cinder cones and some of the most impressive rift cracks on the planet, the deepest of which descends 800 feet.

Many of these wonders are connected by a loop road where you can get out of the car at a series of trailheads for hikes in this lunar terrain.

9. Sofie’s Chatterbox

Source: Szekeres Szabolcs / shutterstock

It’s a good sign that this cafe on the east side of Rupert Square is as popular with local residents as visitors.

Sofie’s Chatterbox is exactly the sort of establishment you would hope to find in a small town like Rupert: A warm and friendly eatery with a downhome character and a menu brimming with diner classics.

People flock to this spot for breakfast, and things can get quite hectic on weekends. Think pancakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy, omelettes cooked to order and eggs any way you want.

These are complemented by delectable home baked treats like scones, cinnamon rolls, blueberry muffins, brownies and cookies. In fact, even the bread is homemade here.

10. The Gathering Place

Source: The Gathering Place / Facebook

Another wonderful find on Rupert Square is this fabric shop, attracting crafters from far and wide. If you’re a quilter, you’ll feel like a kid in a giant candy store at The Gathering Place.

The shop, much larger than it appears from the street, covers 10,000 square feet, and almost every inch of display space is filled with fabrics in a multitude of patterns and styles.

This is one of the largest stores in the United States dedicated solely to quilting, and you could easily spend an hour or two immersed in the range, inspecting samples and browsing quilting supplies and accessories.

11. Rupert Swimming Pool

Source: Roman Samborskyi / shutterstock

A mainstay of the summer in Rupert, the local municipal pool can be found on the north side of Neptune Park.

This is an ideal and inexpensive activity for kids during the school break, with a slide and a separate shallow kiddie pool at one end.

There’s also night swimming, which is a fine way to relax or get some laps in on the hottest days in July and August, and you can reserve the pool for parties.

Generations of Rupert kids have learned to swim at this very place, and today’s swim teacher’s are praised for their friendliness and enthusiasm.

12. Twin Falls

Source: Huntstyle / shutterstock

Things also start to get spectacular west of Rupert, where the Snake River has carved out a canyon up to 500 feet deep.

There are lots of places where you can stop and savor this dramatic scenery, and most are found close to the city of Twin Falls. Crossing the canyon here is the epic Perrine Bridge, famous for its spellbinding views, but also the BASE jumpers who leap into the canyon from this crossing.

A couple of miles upriver is Shoshone Falls, majestic all year, but absolutely fearsome during the spring runoff.

A trail hugging the canyon rim connects this waterfall with other noteworthy spots like the haunting Pillar Falls and Centennial Waterfront Park where you can launch paddle boards and kayaks and even ride a zipline across the canyon.

13. Pomerelle Mountain Resort

Source: MWiklik / shutterstock

Punching well above its weight, this small but highly-rated ski area is only 30 miles south of Rupert. Pomerelle Mountain Resort has a high elevation, at a maximum 8,762 feet, which ensures snow early in the season and regular deposits of fresh powder.

There are 24 groomed runs on the mountain, accessed via a triple chair, double chair and magic carpet, none of which are ever clogged up with lines.

The runs will suit intermediate skiers most of all, and if you’re in need of tuition the resort is praised for its patient and talented instructors.

Night skiing is available five days a week, Tuesday to Saturday, and you can recharge your batteries at the cozy lodge at the base of the mountain serving comfort food and cold beers.

14. Emerald Lake

Source: Mystery in the mail / Flickr | CC BY-ND

If you’re into fishing there’s a recommended lake, five miles from downtown Rupert, by Interstate 84.

Open all year, Emerald Lake covers just over 33 acres and is a picturesque place to drop a line, with green shores, occasionally shaded by mature trees.

A whole spectrum of species have been observed in surveys at the lake, but the recommended game fish are bluegill, bullhead catfish, largemouth bass and rainbow trout, the latter restocked regularly. Bag and size limits apply to trout and bass.

15. Rupert Fourth of July

Source: Jag_cz / shutterstock

For nigh on a century, Rupert has marked Independence Day with a major celebration that even draws people from neighboring towns.

In fact, there are five days of festivities here, all loaded with activities and entertainment.

Throughout this time you’ve got a carnival, and this is complemented by live music and dance performances in Ruper Square, as well as food booths, a big parade on the 4th and 5k, 10k and duathlon events.

Throughout this time there’s also action at the Minidoka County Fairgrounds, with horse racing, lawnmower races and an ATV rodeo.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Rupert (Idaho) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

On the eastern flank are the Bear River Mountains, and in a few minutes flat you can be fishing at a crystal clear lake or hiking in an alpine meadow.

Franklin, Idaho’s oldest European settlement is on Preston’s outskirts and is a starting point for an historic byway, connecting a long chain of sites relating to the region’s Native American past, pioneer days and the Oregon Trail, which passed by the Cache Valley to the north.

As the Franklin County Seat, Preston hosts some major events at the fairground on the west side of town, and none are bigger than That Famous Preston Night Rodeo, which is celebrated with three days of carnival amusements and parades.

1. Pioneer Historic Byway

Source: Deb Hall / Facebook

Mixing glorious natural scenery with compelling history, this driving route follows the paths taken by the region’s earliest European visitors in the first decades of the 19th century.

Aptly the Pioneer Historic Byway begins in the village of Franklin, Idaho’s earliest permanent European-American settlement, before heading on a rough northeasterly bearing through awe-inspiring terrain.

Begin with a look around the Franklin Historic District, and on your journey you’ll discover the Bear River Massacre Site (more next), the vestiges of Idaho’s earliest grist mill, genuine wheel ruts on the Oregon Trail, a Mormon ghost town and almost constant majestic natural scenery.

The byway passes no fewer than ten reservoirs for camping and fishing interludes, but will take around 2.5 hours to complete without stopping.

2. Bear River Massacre Site

Source: Beneathtimp / Wikimedia | CC0

On January 29, 1863 the worst single massacre of Native Americans in the history of the West took place a few miles northwest of what is now downtown Preston.

Pushed from their traditional lands, the Shoshone Indians led by chief Bear Hunter had resorted to conducting raids and attacks on settlers. In response, a detachment of California Volunteers from Fort Douglas (Salt Lake City) was sent north to deal with this threat.

The resulting event was initially remembered as a victory for the United States Army, but is now considered a massacre in which as many as 400 men, women and children were surprised and slaughtered.

There’s a memorial with a picnic area right next to Route 91, but the Shoshone tribe has recently purchased 600 acres of land at the site and plans to establish a cultural interpretive center here.

3. Napoleon Dynamite Filming Locations

Source: Ken Lund / Flickr | CC BY-SA

The cult 2004 comedy Napoleon Dynamite is a snapshot of growing up in southeast Idaho.

There’s talk of Shoshone arrowheads and catching bass, while Napoleon takes part in an FFA event at the county fair and Grandma Dynamite even goes on an ATV ride in the St. Anthony sand dunes.

But Preston was the main filming location, and spots like Preston High School and numerous stores downtown make repeated appearances.

If you want to retrace the movie’s steps you can locate Napoleon, Trish, Pedro and Summer’s house, and maybe grab some tots and a Napoleon Dynamite t-shirt downtown.

4. Preston Park

Source: B Brown / shutterstock

Preston’s main urban park is right next door to the Franklin County Fairgrounds, and has a wide array of family facilities.

A favorite when the mercury rises in summer is the splash pad, typically open from the beginning to mid-September.

This is a treasured local amenity for young families, opened in 2016 and with all kinds of sprays and jets.

Also here are two playgrounds for kids, a skate park, ample open space, as well as facilities for baseball, soccer, basketball and tennis. And if you’d like to take a picnic here in summer you’ll find pretty boweries equipped with tables.

5. Franklin Relic Hall

Source: Franklin Relic Hall Museum & Historical Site / Facebook

Southeast of Preston, the village of Franklin is the oldest permanent Euro-American settlement in Idaho, having been founded in 1860.

The Franklin Relic Hall in Franklin dates back to 1937 and the purpose-built venue for the museum was designed to evoke the log cabins from the village’s earliest days.

Aside from being updated with the help of contemporary research, the exhibits here have hardly changed since the 1930s and include 19th-century photographs of settlers, farm tools, Native American artifacts and riveting historical objects like a Yellowstone Park Touring Stagecoach.

Check out the Relic Hall’s accompanying buildings like the Franklin Cooperative Mercantile Institute and a replica of the fort that gave birth to the village.

6. Glendale Reservoir

Source: M Huston / shutterstock

Little more than ten minutes out of Preston, Glendale Reservoir is in a lovely setting, framed by the tall rolling foothills of the Bear River Mountains, and with a green, wooded shoreline.

Glendale Reservoir covers around 240 acres when full and is a prime fishing destination in the Preston area for its plentiful rainbow trout, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch and white crappie (size and bag limits apply).

You’ll find plenty of shore access under the trees, as well as docks and a boat launch. No surprise given its picturesque setting, but the reservoir is also a summer day out for local families, who visit for swimming, boating and all sorts of water activities.

7. Oneida Narrows Reservoir

Source: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided / Wikimedia | Public domain

A place of breathtaking natural beauty, the Oneida Narrows Reservoir is in a narrow and steep valley on the Bear River, about 15 miles northeast of Preston.

This is the ideal place for a weekend away from it all, with 12 developed campsites on the forested shoreline, complete with picnic tables, fire rings, boat ramps and docks.

You can drop a line in the reservoir for yellow perch, smallmouth bass and walleye, or just pass the days soaking up the impressive, rugged scenery.

Downriver, the Oneida Dam is the starting point for rafting and tubing trips down the Bear River. The six-mile run here is thrilling without requiring advanced rafting skills, and is a fine way to escape the summer heat.

8. Oneida Stake Academy

Source: ChrEugLee / Flickr | Public Domain Mark

At the northeast corner of Preston Community Park (Benson Park) is a wonderful piece of early Preston history.

This handsome three-story stone building was constructed in the early 1890s by Mormon pioneers as a secondary school and is one of just three surviving buildings (out of 35) from the time of childhood education sponsored by the Mormon Church.

Some of the important alumni at the Oneida Stake Academy were Ezra Taft Benson (1899-1994) and Harold B. Lee (1899-1973) both of whom became presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

The building used to be found at Preston High School but in 2004 was moved stone by stone to its present location.

9. Willow Flat Springs Trail

Source: Ryan Strikwerda / shutterstock

The call of the Bear River Mountains to the east will be difficult to resist. In a matter of minutes you can be hiking in romantic upland scenery, surrounded by wildflower meadows, soaring peaks and giant conifers.

The Willow Flat Campground, at an elevation of 6,300 feet, can be the first step on an unforgettable mountain walk.

There’s a 4.7-mile, there and back trail here, following the course of the Cub River and leading you to the gorgeous Bloomington Lake.

This alpine lake is encircled by walls of sheer rock, giving way to boulder-strewn green slopes that are embroidered with wildflowers in early summer.

10. Preston Golf and Country Club

Source: Mikael Damkier / shutterstock

Despite the exclusive-sounding name, this semi-private 18-hole golf course at the north end of the Cache Valley accepts guests.

The front nine here was laid out in 1960, while the back nine followed in 1999. Both have distinctive characters, with the opening nine holes lined with mature trees and featuring small greens, whereas the back nine is more open, challenging players with its numerous hazards.

One of several draws for Preston Golf and Country Club is the magnificent scenery, with the Bear River Mountains rising to the east.

Green fees are famously reasonable at this course and the levels of service far exceed what you might expect from a small-town course.

11. Bear Lake

Source: Sandra Foyt / shutterstock

A scenic hour-long drive across the Bear River Range will bring you to this enormous, not to mention beautiful, freshwater lake, spanning the Idaho-Utah state line.

Bear Lake has earned the nickname “Caribbean of the Rockies” for its beguiling, clear turquoise waters.

And you can experience these at the fabulous North Beach State Park, where you can laze on the sandy shore spellbound by the scenery or rent kayaks or motorized vessels for an adventure on the water.

In the Bear Range high above Bear Lake you can visit the limestone Minnetonka Cave for a 90-minute guided walk through nine chambers bursting with stalagmites, stalactites and beautiful banded travertine.

12. That Famous Preston Night Rodeo

Source: Kelleen Smith / Facebook

The premier annual event in Preston takes place in the newly renovated arena at the Franklin County Fairgrounds in late July or early August.

The curious name is an upshot of being the first rodeo to be held after dark, and during these three days there’s plenty going on both in the arena and around Preston.

When it comes to action you’ve got bull riding, bareback riding, saddle broncs, roping, steer wrestling, barrel racing and more.

Throughout the rodeo there’s a lively schedule of side events, like an amateur golf tournament, a sidewalk sale, and the “Rodeo Roundup”, with activities for kids.

Every evening at 6.30 Preston comes alive for the Rodeo Days Parade, and this is followed by a carnival with rides, shows and cotton candy.

13. Franklin County Fair

Source: PPstock / shutterstock

A few days after the big rodeo the fairgrounds in Preston host the annual county fair. This is usually a six-day event and is steeped in the county’s farming culture, with 4-H and FFA events, and all kinds of livestock displays.

These are accompanied by a world of fun for all the family, including live music, stand-up comedy, motocross, a ninja warrior competition, magic shows, fun contests, horse pulls, another rodeo, a car show and demolition derby.

As you would hope there’s also lots of delicious fair food, from fried dough to tacos.

14. Festival of Lights

Source: Audy39 / shutterstock

Preston ushers in the holiday season in style, with a one-day event at the end of November loaded with activities and entertainment.

On the program at the Festival of Lights is a variety show at Preston High, a visit from Santa Claus on State Street, a fun bed race and a free kids’ movie at the Worm Creek Opera House.

This all culminates with the main event, which is a lighted parade, preceded by entertainment to warm up the crowd and followed by fireworks.

15. National Oregon/California Trail Center

Source: US Department of State / Flickr | CC BY-SA

A worthwhile detour when you’re in the Bear Lake area is this interpretive attraction, recreating the experience of cross-country emigrants in the middle of the 19th century.

The Oregon/California Trail entered modern Idaho in the state’s southeastern corner, heading northwest to get onto the flat terrain of the Snake River Valley.

The well-researched and creatively realized exhibit at the National Oregon Trail Center simulates a wagon train and has a host of interactive areas as well as genuine artifacts including chests, dolls, guns, an antique cash register and much more.

Docents dressed in period costume add color, with tales of hardship and adventure. You can also head out into the grounds to discover authentic wheel ruts carved out by wagons more than 170 years ago.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Preston (Idaho) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

The Snake River also serves as a state line here, and on the opposite bank is Ontario, the easternmost town in Oregon.

This area is steeped in the history of the Oregon Trail, and Payette itself is named after one Francois Payette (1793-c. 1855), a fur trader who spent much of his life on trapping expeditions in the Northwest.

On the Oregon side of the river you can visit several places with wagon ruts and even a building surviving from the days when hundreds of thousands of people passed through on their long journey west.

1. Kiwanis Park

Source: Parilov / shutterstock

Payette’s most visited park is at the southern end of Main Street on the edge of downtown. Something you’ll notice right away is the bandshell, staging all sorts of outdoor events in the summer.

One is the Payette Apple Blossom Festival in mid-May, with free concerts here and at Central Park, as well as a parade and one of the largest carnivals in the region.

Also at Kiwanis Park is a superb skate park, which was built with the material and a lot of man hours donated by the community.

Another big draw is Payette’s public pool, which we’ll talk about a little later in this list.

2. Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum

Source: Four Rivers Cultural Center and Museum / Facebook

Something interesting about the neighboring city of Ontario is its Japanese American community, harking back to when the city opened its arms to Japanese American workers during WWII.

Initially conceived as a Japanese cultural center, the Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum comprises a gallery, event & conference center, diorama museum, newly revamped theatre stage and a Japanese garden.

A word first on the museum, which is dedicated to the social history of the region, and tracking the settlement patterns of the Northern Paiute people, as well as Hispanic, Basque, Japanese and Euro-American immigrants.

Outside, Hikaru Mizu is the only Japanese garden within 400 miles. Sitting in 1.3 acres, this was laid out in memory of the Japanese Americans who lost their freedom during internment in WWII.

The photography-oriented Harano Gallery is also well worth your time and has displayed work by the likes of Dorothea Lange.

3. Payette County Museum

Source: Payette County Museum / Facebook

The museum for the Payette County Historical Society has a beautiful setting, in the Gothic Revival Methodist Episcopal Church, completed in 1904.

As well as showing off some lovely church fixtures like stained glass windows, the museum has extensive collections of historic clothing, hand fans, home appliances, toys, agricultural equipment, tools and much more besides.

One compelling detail is a Confederate Civil War cannon, cast in bronze in 1861 and purchased by the city after a fundraising campaign in 1912.

Also on the darker side of Payette’s past is an authentic KKK costume, evoking a gathering that took place in the city in the early 20th century.

This is displayed not as a point of pride but as something unflattering not to be shied away from.

4. Centennial Park

Source: Canyon County, Idaho / Facebook

The main launch point In Payette for recreation on the Snake River is this waterfront park that was laid out in 1991 to coincide with the city’s hundredth anniversary.

The boat ramp/dock is at the west end, by the parking area and RV dump. Further east, towards the bridge, the riverfront is furnished with a row of picnic tables.

Cut in and there’s a football field, as well as open green spaces dotted for trees for a short, relaxing stroll.

5. Scotch Pines Golf Course

Source: Kati Finell / shutterstock

Out in the rolling hills northeast of Payette is an excellent 18-hole public course that was landscaped in the early 1960s.

Depending on the weather you can play golf at Scotch Pines all year round, and there are tees to suit all ability and experience levels.

The course and greens are always in great condition, and have forgiving layouts, except for the tricky doglegs at the third and thirteenth holes.

You can get warmed up at the practice bunker, putting green and driving range, while the Pine Room Bar & Grill has burgers, wraps, sandwiches and more, for a satisfying post-round bite.

6. Payette Municipal Swimming Pool

Source: Elena Yakusheva / shutterstock

A real strong point for Payette is this newly renovated community pool complex in Kiwanis Park. There are three pools here, two of which are open-air and one inside that is used all year round.

The outdoor area consists of one wading pool for smaller children and a full-sized pool. That third, indoor pool is in a temporary building, with walls that can be removed in warmer weather.

All summer long there’s a busy activity calendar, with water aerobics classes and lessons, while the jacuzzi is a popular new addition.

7. Weiser River National Recreation Trail

Source: sportpoint / shutterstock

Nearby Weiser is the southern trailhead for an 84-mile trail that runs all the way to New Meadows in Adams County.

This follows the railbed of a former stretch of the Union Pacific Railroad, and is Idaho’s longest rail trail.

The route follows the course of the Weiser River, with the namesake town located at the river’s confluence with the Snake River.

On the way, the trail, open to hikers, cyclists and horseback riders, leads through an ever-changing array of landscapes, from desert canyons to alpine meadows and coniferous forests.

You’ll cross historic trestle bridges, savor glorious fields of wildflowers in spring and see charming farmhouses, barns and quaint old town centers.

And as for wildlife, you may happen upon great blue herons, turkeys, coyotes and elk, but also wolves, bears and maybe even a mountain lion.

8. Payette River Greenbelt

Source: Kathy Kerby / Facebook

Centennial Park is also the start of a short but well maintained riverfront walk. You’ll begin on the Snake River, heading west to the mouth of the Payette River before turning south.

The greenbelt is designed for pedestrians and cyclists and has a few spots where you can pause and admire the scenery.

The land here on the west side of the city center is mostly undeveloped and, when we wrote this article, plans were afoot to allow even more access to the riverfront and extend the trail down to Kiwanis Park.

As it is, the trail concludes just past a popular fishing pond stocked with largemouth bass, bluegill and rainbow trout.

9. Farewell Bend State Recreation Area

Source: Oleg Kovtun Hydrobio / shutterstock

On the Oregon bank of the Snake River, about 20 miles northwest of Payette you can get a taste of the high desert and the Oregon Trail.

There are historical markers and interpretive boards throughout the park recalling the site’s role in emigration some 170 years ago.

Pioneers would take a rest here before departing the Snake River for the last time, having traced the valley for hundreds of miles.

Aside from interesting historical details there are plenty of activities available at Farewell Bend, like swimming, boating, water skiing and fishing on the river’s Brownlee Reservoir, and horseshoes, basketball and volleyball on land.

You can take a picnic on the lush grass by the river and, for an authentic pioneer experience, you can spend the night in a genuine covered wagon or Native American tepee.

10. Keeney Pass Interpretive Site

Source: BLM Oregon & Washington / Flickr | CC BY

After departing the Snake River the first stop in Oregon along the Oregon Trail was this spot, around 30 miles southwest of Payette.

Keeney Pass was named for the pioneer Jonathan Keeney who spent a career trapping and trading in this region for the American Fur Company from the early 1830s.

This is one of numerous places along the route of the Oregon Trail where you can still see the ruts left by thousands of wagons more than 170 years ago.

There’s a walking loop two thirds of a mile long, accompanied by fascinating details about life on the trail and the native peoples of the area.

11. Stone House Museum

Source: Ian Poellet / Wikimedia | CC BY-SA 3.0

In the town of Vale, close to the Keeney Pass you can visit the Rinehart Stone House (1872), the first permanent building in Malheur County.

Constructed from rustic sandstone blocks, this sits on the course of the Oregon Trail and replaced an earlier log building raised by Jonathan Keeney.

For decades tired travelers would rest at this building, and in 1878 this served as a makeshift defence during the short-lived Bannock War.

The Stone House is open from the start of March to the end of October and has a helping of artifacts and accounts relating to the Oregon Trail.

12. Ontario State Recreation Area

Source: davidhoffmann photography / shutterstock

There’s a lovely place to relax by the Snake River, a little way downstream in Ontario on the Oregon bank.

Tracing the riverbank for almost a mile, this state recreation area faces a chain of little islands in the river. On the bank are big parcels of green space, shaded by junipers, sumac and cottonwood trees.

These are extremely pretty during the fall months and offer ample cover for picnics in summer.

The park also shines for its nature spotting opportunities, with Canada geese, great blue heron and river otters commonly sighted, while if you come at dawn you may see herds of deer grazing on the river islands.

13. Babby Farms

Source: Dave Cornelius / shutterstock

Open in the spring and summer, this exotic petting zoo is little more than 20 minutes southeast of Payette.

Babby Farms is managed by a non-profit organization enabling children and adults with disabilities to interact with animals.

For this reason, many of the animals on the farm have been hand-raised to ensure tameness. A few of the many residents include zebras, alpacas, sloths, lemurs, kangaroos, anteaters, ponies, donkeys and yaks.

You can purchase feed for many of these animals, and there’s a gift shop selling lots of cute things to raise money for the charity.

14. Payette County Fair

Source: Payette County Fair / Facebook

The fairgrounds for Payette County are a short way up the Payette River in New Plymouth. The big event usually takes place across four days in early August, and has something for all ages to enjoy.

Of course, there are classic livestock and crop displays, demonstrations and competitions but there is also live music, dance performances, raffles, old-time amusements and quirky fun like a stick horse race, duck race, siphon tube contest and a pet parade.

The curtain falls on the County Fair on the Saturday night with an end of fair dance that finishes at 11 pm.

15. Cruise Night and Car Show

Source: Bobby Scroggins / Facebook

A Payette institution, this classic car event has been going for more than 30 years and takes over the lots around A&W on South Main Street at the start of September.

Organized by Rods of Idaho and Oregon, the Cruise Night and Car Show is a two-day event bringing an armada of hot rods and motorcycles from across both states.

On Friday you can catch a cruise along Main Street. And then on the Saturday there’s a “Show & Shine”, with awards and trophies in more than 70 categories, as well as a swap meet that continues all day long.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Payette (Idaho) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

Visit in summer and fruit will be a running theme in Emmett, with U-pick farms welcoming visitors, a lively farmers’ market and the annual Emmett Cherry Festival.

Emmett is full of small-town amenities and attractions with a downhome feel and faithful clientele, while the dramatic beauty of the Boise Mountains is never far away, at Squaw Butte, dominating the northern horizon and Black Canyon Dam, flanked by tall hills.

Flowing through Emmett, the Payette River is a byword for whitewater rafting, and there are Class II and Class III rapids around half an hour upstream.

1. Emmett City Park

Source: deryabinka / shutterstock

Emmett’s largest urban park is a couple of blocks east of downtown and absolutely loaded with facilities.

Scattered with tall mature trees, this well-kept space has picnic shelters, tennis courts, a large playground for kids, exercise stations, tennis courts and more.

Emmett City Park is also the venue for large-scale events like the Cherry Festival in mid-June.

In the same month you’ve also got the Emmett Show and Shine, one of Idaho’s premier free car events, with 1000+ vehicles, including many rare classics, and a swap meet. There’s also a great selection of food for the event, and live music in the afternoon.

2. Gem Historical Village Museum

Source: SevenMaps / shutterstock

Emmett’s early days are documented at this riveting museum, made up of a collection of historic buildings.

The main exhibit recalls the days of trappers, prospectors, miners and early settlers, as well as the Native Americans who had lived on these lands for centuries.

One particularly interesting facet of Emmett’s past covered here is irrigation, which made the city’s burgeoning fruit industry possible.

The photograph collection is massive, and you can tour a turn-of-the-century parlor, general store, doctor’s/dentist’s office and laundry room for a glimpse of Emmett in bygone days.

The other buildings in the museum complex include a blacksmith shop, bunk house, school house and the cottage belonging to the fifth Governor of Idaho, Frank W. Hunt (1861-1906), furnished with authentic family possessions.

3. Black Canyon Park

Source: SAPhotog / shutterstock

A few miles upstream from Emmett, the Payette River is impounded by a dam built in the early 1950s for irrigation and hydroelectricity.

Long and relatively narrow, the Black Canyon Reservoir has more than 12 miles of shoreline, and four parks by the water.

The largest of these is the 12-acre Black Canyon Park, in a wonderful spot looking across to the tall, steep face of the canyon opposite.

Among the amenities you’ll find a beach and swimming area, a large tree-shaded grassy space, barbecues, picnic tables, gazebos, a horseshoe pit, restrooms, a boat launch and docks.

4. Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard

Source: Charles Knowles / shutterstock

A family enterprise, this orchard on the city’s outskirts has a beautiful location at the foot of the ridge on the southern edge of the Emmett Valley.

At this idyllic setting you can pick your own cherries, plums, apricots, blueberries and peaches, as well as golden delicious and red delicious apples.

Picking season is usually from mid-June to the end of October, and you can find out on the orchard’s facebook page what fruit is ripe.

After picking your own fruit you can climb up to Rocky Point behind for an all-encompassing view of the valley.

5. Squaw Butte

Source: Blazej Lyjak / shutterstock

A looming presence over the Emmett Valley is one of the most prominent peaks in the region and is capped with snow as late as April.

Viewed from the south at Emmett, Squaw Butte (5894 ft) has the appearance of an isolated mountain, but actually has a ridge eight miles long and is connected to the Boise Mountains.

An interesting detail about Squaw Butte is that it was used as a wintering ground by Native Americans for hundreds of years, and it is thought that they, not European settlers, coined the potentially offensive name.

For hiking trips, Emmett is the main entry point along gravel roads, as the eastern slopes are very steep. The main 13-mile track is a wonderful hike or drive if you want some solitude, with running creeks, wildflowers in spring and sensational views.

6. Freezeout Hill

Source: Ken Lund / Flickr | CC BY-SA

You can get a sweeping view of the valley at this spot atop the ridge close to Tyler’s Rocky Point Orchard.

Freezeout Hill has a name coined in the 1860s during the valley’s early settlement. Old-timers needed to lock their wheels to negotiate this slope on the way down, and it would take as long as a day and up to 12 teams of horses to haul a freight wagon up the hill.

In 1864 a group of freighters had to brave the elements, camping at the top of the hill on a cold winter’s night rather than attempt the treacherous slope, which is where “Freezeout” comes from.

Later, in 1934 the one-time Congressman Robert M. McCracken was killed when his car went through a guard rail and tumbled down this hill.

The memorial standing there today consists of a flagpole and more than 950 engraved bricks paying tribute to everyone from veterans to lawyers.

7. KT’s Lanes

Source: Aleksandar Karanov / shutterstock

Emmett’s residents are fond of this small but friendly and well looked-after bowling alley. On the south side of Emmett, KT’s Lanes holds leagues and tournaments for bowlers of all ages and abilities.

You can also book a party here, or simply book a slot for a casual game. There’s unlimited bowling on Friday nights from 6 pm to 12 am, as well as cosmic bowling, with a blacklight and party atmosphere from 8 pm on Saturdays.

There are ten lanes in all, so it’s a good idea to place a reservation to guarantee a slot.

8. Frontier Cinema

Source: Jacob Lund / shutterstock

In the very heart of Emmett, this family-run cinema has been around since at least 1920. For most of its life the Frontier Cinema was known as the Ideal Theater, and, though showing its age a little, has a stylish Art Moderne facade.

Watching a movie here feels like an experience from a bygone age. Concessions are affordable, tickets are as cheap as $2.50 (on Tuesdays) and you’ll be greeted by the owner, Roy, on arrival. He’ll even ask you how you enjoyed the show on your way out.

9. Gem Island Sports Complex

Source: David Lee / shutterstock

An island on the Payette River has been transformed from an abandoned feedlot into a 55-acre sports complex.

This has a skatepark, eight baseball/softball fields, two soccer fields and volleyball and basketball courts.

The complex is also ready for passive recreation, with a 1.1-mile paved path, picnic areas, rose garden and fishing pond, and has started to welcome wildlife back to the island with nest boxes for owls, ducks, swallows and woodpeckers.

Gem Island Sports Complex is the venue for the county’s Fourth of July Celebrations, with a fireworks display and food trucks on hand.

10. Roystone Hot Springs

Source: Roystone Hot Springs / Facebook

There are hot springs bubbling up all over Idaho, often giving rise to mini resorts. The nearest establishment like this is a few miles east of Emmett in Sweet.

Roystone Hot Springs has a pool and 12-seater hot tub that can be rented for one hour or an hour and a half. Both are fed by natural mineral water, while the hot tub has a natural temperature of 104 °F.

The water at Roystone Hot Springs is naturally high levels of potassium, silica, sulfate, bicarbonate, chloride and sodium, helping blood pressure, immune system, circulation and acting as an anti-inflammatory. The pool usually offers regular public sessions if you just want to drop by.

11. 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards

Source: 3 Horse Ranch Vineyards / Facebook

The largest family-owned winery in Idaho can be found a few miles southeast of Emmett in the new Eagle Foothills AVA.

This highly remote ranch, lost in the hills, might seem an unlikely location for a vineyard, but 3 Horse Ranch has thrived since it was first planted in 2002.

The ever-growing estate now covers close to 50 acres, and produces a large percentage of the grapes for the winery’s range.

These include Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris, Malbec, Syrah, Grenache, Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot, to name just a few.

At the tasting room, the patio is a lovely place to linger over a glass of wine, accompanied by a delicious snack tray. 3 Horse Ranch also offers a wide choice of tasting experiences and tours, if you’re curious to know their wine’s journey from grape to glass.

12. Emmett Farmers’ Market

Source: Arina P Habich / shutterstock

In a city couched in the “Valley of Plenty”, you can’t pass up the opportunity to browse the local farmers’ market.

Setting up shop on Wednesday afternoon and Saturday morning in the spring and summer, Emmett Farmers’ Market means world-class fruit and vegetables directly from the grower, as well as herbs, nuts, plants, flowers and homemade salsas, jams, jellies and delicious baked goods.

There’s also an array of arts and crafts, from jewelry to knitwear, crocheted items and polished rocks. The market takes place under the trees at Blaser Park, right on Washington Avenue.

13. Emmett Cherry Festival

Source: Emmett Cherry Festival / Facebook

Around Emmett the verdant banks of the Payette River are lined with stone fruit farms, and cherries are a real local specialty.

They are also the star of Idaho’s oldest local festival, which has been running since the 1930s. Attracting thousands of people from the region, the Emmett Cherry Festival brings four days of fun in mid-June.

On the program are a carnival, a spectacular parade (and kids’ parade), a 5k run, more than 100 vendors, free concerts and a host of games. Some of the wackier events in store include a cherry pie eating contest and a cherry pit spitting contest.

14. Gem County Fair

Source: Olga_i / shutterstock

On the south side of town, the Gem County Fairgrounds hosts tons of events throughout the year, from horse racing to sled pulls, livestock shows and the annual Harvest Festival in September.

One event to mark in the calendar is the Gem County Fair & Rodeo, across four days, typically at the end of July or very start of August.

As well as the classic livestock and crop displays, demonstrations and contests, this features numerous vendors, a dog show, fashion revue and a wealth of free entertainment on the midway stage.

The rodeo is at the core of the entertainment, with 14 different events, from bareback bronc riding to steer wrestling.

15. Whitewater Rafting on the Payette River

Source: CSNafzger / shutterstock

The Payette River has a worldwide reputation for its whitewater, especially wild along the North Fork and the South Fork, which converge at Banks, about 30 miles northeast of Emmett.

Slightly closer to Emmett is Cascade Raft & Kayak, based in Horseshoe Bend, and perfectly positioned to offer exhilarating trips on Class I, II, III and IV rapids along the North Fork, South Fork and on the main stem downstream from Banks.

When you get a moment to look up from the river, the scenery is awesome, as you float through rocky canyons and past densely forested slopes teeming with wildlife.

A favorite package for families is the “Splash” Half Day, a three-hour adventure along the main stem, tackling Class II and Class III rapids on the way from Banks to the Cascade River Center.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Emmett (Idaho) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

This is the largest university in the state, and is a private institution run by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

In fact an overwhelming percentage of Rexburg’s residents belong to this church, so it’s no surprise that one of the city’s main landmarks is the eye-catching Rexburg Idaho Temple, posted on high ground above the university campus.

Rexburg is often named among the country’s safest cities, and is blessed with a lot of green space downtown and in a chain of parks and trails along the Teton River corridor to the north.

For visitors, Rexburg is one of the last large settlements as you approach Yellowstone from Southern Idaho, while the formidable peaks of the Teton Range stand just across the state line in Wyoming.

1. Legacy Flight Museum

Source: Legacy Flight Museum / Facebook

Hiding in a hangar at Rexburg Madison County Airport is a superb collection of historic aircraft and vehicles.

The Legacy Flight Museum is open Monday to Saturday between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and then on Saturdays for the remainder of the year.

Inside you’ll be met by a Grumman S-2 Tracker, a P-63 Kingcobra, a Boeing Stearman and a Beechcraft Staggerwing, to name a few.

A real highlight is a P-51 Mustang flown by the local ace Roland R. Wright (1919-2015). Wright was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which led to the aircraft being dubbed a “Mormon Mustang”.

Another conversation piece is Ole Yeller, a P-51D Mustang that previously belonged to another WWII pilot Bob Hoover (1922-2016).

Auto fanatics will admire the museum’s Ford Mustang, Corvette Stingray and small fleet of military vehicles, and on the upper level are displays of uniforms, equipment, weapons and flags.

2. Yellowstone Bear World

Source: Nagel Photography / shutterstock

A few minutes out of Rexburg on U.S. 20, this drive-thru wildlife park lets you get close to the magnificent wild species indigenous to the Yellowstone region.

From the comfort of your own vehicle you’ll see bison, Rocky Mountain elk, mule deer, Rocky Mountain goats, moose, white-tail deer and of course, grizzlies and black bear.

On foot there’s a petting zoo, with free-roaming farm animals, and occasionally the chance to feed elk calf and deer fawn, while Yellowstone Bear World also has a small amusement park with rides for younger children.

If you book in advance you’ll also be able to go behind the scenes with the keepers and bottle feed bear cubs.

3. Rexburg Idaho Temple

Source: Denton Rumsey / shutterstock

It is estimated that 95% of Rexburg’s residents are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, so it’s natural that a focal point for the city will be the rather impressive Rexburg Idaho Temple.

With a gleaming facade coated in white quartz, this landmark crowns the highest point in Rexburg proper and is visible for miles along Highway 20.

The view from this location on the south side of BYU-Idaho is wonderful, and the temple sits in landscaped grounds in full bloom in spring and summer.

When the temple was dedicated in 2008, Rexburg became the third city in Idaho with an LDS temple.

You don’t have to be a member to appreciate this building, in particular the 700 stained-glass window panes, many with a wheat motif representing the importance of agriculture to the area.

The fittings inside were made with wood from Africa and stone and tiles from Israel, while the ordinance room is adorned with murals depicting the Snake River landscape by local artist Leon Parson.

4. Porter Park

Source: rexburg.org

Taking up an entire block downtown, Rexburg’s oldest park was landscaped in 1919 and for more than a century has been the traditional gathering place for big events.

Half-covered with mature trees, Porter Park is celebrated for its iconic weeping birches, and has an array of amenities attracting families in summer.

One is the splash pad, with enough equipment for hours of fun on a hot day. Also open in summer is one of Idaho’s only antique carousels, built in 1926 by the Spillman Engineering Company of New York.

The profusion of tall old trees allows you to relax in style if you have your own hammock, and there’s a wide choice of restaurants a short walk away if you’d like to bring takeout for a picnic.

5. St. Anthony Sand Dunes

Source: David Gilder / shutterstock

Fifteen miles to the north is a 10,600-acre expanse of shifting white quartz sands, swept by the wind into peaks rising 400 feet.

Much of the St. Anthony Sand Dunes are reserved as a wildlife study area, hosting one of the largest herds of wintering elk in the United States.

So while the dunescape is closed off to the public during the first few months of the year to make way for this migration, the rest of the time you can visit for all kinds of memorable experiences.

You can walk or go on horseback rides and try sledding down the sandy slopes, while there’s a list of companies in the area offering thrilling ATV rides in the dunes.

Spend the night at the Egin Lakes Campground and you’ll witness one of the greatest night skies you’ve ever laid eyes on.

6. Cress Creek Nature Trail

Source: Devin Davis / shutterstock

The South Fork of the fabled Snake River winds through some beautiful terrain not far south of Rexburg.

There you can access the Cress Creek Nature Trail, an easy but spectacular 1¼-mile path, high on the rock north bank.

The route guides you through sagebrush, varieties of grass and juniper, and all along the route are boards that tell you about the various plants all around, as well as ways to identify local wildlife, be it tracks or scat.

The trail takes its name from the watercress growing abundantly on the riverbank, nourished by the warm waters and so able to grow all year round.

7. Beaver Dick Park

Source: thejesse / Flickr | CC BY-SA

Seven miles west of Rexburg, Beaver Dick Park is in a pretty spot, on Henry’s Fork of the Snake River.

This 9.5-acre space is managed by the Madison County Parks and Recreation Department and given its riverside setting is a go-to for water activities and fishing.

There’s a boat dock and floating dock here, as well as a swimming area best suited to more experienced swimmers because of currents.

On the shore are bathrooms, pavilions, fire pits and a playground for kids. If you’re wondering about the park’s curious name it comes from Richard Leigh (1831-1899), the famous local trapper, hunter and guide who earned the nickname “Beaver Dick”.

8. Menan Buttes

Source: James Haston / shutterstock

Looming over the Snake River plain to the west of Rexburg is a pair of volcanic tuff cones, among the largest in the world and easily visible from the city.

This kind of formation is caused by basaltic magma boiling up through groundwater, and the cones were born in a violent eruption in the late-Pleistocene, around 10,000 years ago.

The Menan Buttes stand around 800 feet over the river, and while the South Menan Butte is in private hands, the immense cone of the North Menan Butte, a National Natural Landmark, can be discovered via a 3.1-mile walking trail.

This takes you from the parking area, around the rim and back down, with interpretive signs to explain the powerful forces that forged this natural landmark.

9. Museum of Rexburg

Source: Ken Lund / Flickr | CC BY-SA

One of Rexburg’s finest landmarks is the Rexburg Stake Tabernacle, a Romanesque Revival building from 1911.

This was the tabernacle for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints before being sold off to the city in 1980.

In the basement is a museum for the Upper Snake River Historical Society, with a major exhibit about the devastating Teton Dam collapse of 1976, which left Rexburg underwater and resulted in the deaths of 11 people and the loss of 13,000 cattle.

The total damage estimates are $2 billion and the dam has never been reconstructed. You’ll see a line on the wall marking the high water mark as well as interesting artifacts from the event and the remarkable reconstruction of the city.

Also here is an old-fashioned one-room schoolhouse, home to the Rexburg Children’s Museum, which has lots of interactive displays and activities for kids.

10. Rexburg Rapids

Source: Rexburg Rapids / Facebook

Another reason for families to look forward to summer in Rexburg is for this outdoor water park, set just a couple of blocks north of downtown.

Staffed by trained lifeguards, Rexburg Rapids offers a lazy river, a beach-entry pool for little ones, a water playground, a large heated pool and two water slides beginning three stories above the park.

A unique feature at Rexburg Rapids is a rock wall rising at one end of the heated pool, allowing kids to test their climbing skills with the safety of a splash landing below.

11. Rexburg Nature Park

Source: Diego Trabucco / shutterstock

Next door to the airport, this park was laid out on previously empty land close to the South Fork of the Teton River.

The name “Nature Park” is appropriate, as this water-rich space is removed from busy roads and feels like a natural haven, abounding with wildflowers and bird life, especially waterfowl.

You can come to feed the ducks (bird seed instead of bread), while teenagers will love the Clair Boyle Skate Park, touted as the best in the city.

The fishing ponds are open to all, with one designated for children under the age of 12, and these are accompanied by a playground, disc golf course, covered picnic shelters and a walking/bike path.

12. Jefferson County Lake (Rigby Lake)

Source: G-Stock Studio / shutterstock

A fine way to pass a sunny summer day is at this natural lake, about 12 miles south of Rexburg. June through August, Jefferson County Lake is open daily, 9 am to 10 pm.

Greeting you is an enticing sheet of blue water, ringed by beaches, grassy areas, hiking trails and 50 campsites. The lake is safe for swimming, and has a floating dock with a slide, while you can rent stand-up paddleboards and kayaks from the shore.

The campsites have water and electric hookups, and other amenities include tennis courts and a children’s playground.

13. Eagle Park

Source: rexburg.org

Yet another place to relax in nature without leaving the city, Eagle Park in the western green space in the Teton River Corridor Park and Trail System.

With grass and brush right next to the river, Eagle Park is geared towards tent-only camping, offering 24 campsites complemented by amenities like bathrooms and drinkable water.

And if you’re feeling hardy these campsites are available all year, even in the depths of winter. In summer there are a few spots where you can take a dip in the Teton River, although some caution is advised.

14. Teton Scenic Byway

Source: salilbhatt / shutterstock

Rexburg is one of the major access points to a 70-mile scenic drive taking in the glorious Teton Range rising just over the state line in Wyoming.

Beginning southeast of Rexburg in Swan Valley, the Teton Scenic Byway grazes the westernmost spur of the Caribou-Targhee National Forest, before tracing the Teton Valley upriver from Rexburg.

On this drive the jagged peaks of the range over in Grand Teton National Park dominate the eastern horizon beyond a bucolic landscape of potato, wheat and barley fields.

You can step out and stretch your legs at quaint rural towns like Victor, Driggs and Tetonia, or you could integrate the drive with a day of hiking at jaw-dropping locations like Table Mountain.

15. Kelly Canyon Ski Resort

Source: MWiklik / shutterstock

Come winter you won’t be more than half an hour from some decent slopes for skiing and snowboarding.

Kelly Canyon Ski Resort is in the Targhee National Forest, about 20 miles southeast of Rexburg.

This compact resort has 640 acres of slopes, with a drop of 1,000 feet, served by four double and a rope tow. As this is a small-ish resort it’s worth coming early in the day to avoid lines on the lifts, or come late in the day for night skiing.

The runs are suited to skiers of all abilities, with 35% rated green circle (easiest), 45% blue square (more difficult) and 20% black diamond (most difficult). You’ll also find trails for skiing and snowshoeing, as well as affordable equipment rentals and tasty food.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Rexburg (Idaho) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

With a maximum elevation of more than 5,000 feet, one peak right on Rathdrum’s doorstep has the same name as the city. A big chunk of Rathdrum Mountain is open to the public, and you can make your way up for hikes in unspoiled coniferous forest.

Back on the plain, Rathdrum has plenty of great amenities, from well-kept parks to a links-style golf course, while the wonderful Hauser Lake is minutes away.

And being so close to Coeur d’Alene puts a world of top-class visitor attractions, outdoor activities and breathtaking natural scenery in easy reach.

1. City Park

Source: Gregory Johnston / shutterstock

Just off State Highway 53, the star of Rathdrum’s park system is set along the banks of a creek.

This is crossed by a pedestrian bridge, and on both sides are verdant grassy spaces sprinkled with mature coniferous and deciduous trees.

On a sunny day in spring or summer you could bring a picnic to the tables, and while away an hour or two in the shade of these handsome old trees.

Children will love paddling in the stream’s shallow, clear water. City Park also has a large pavilion and a gazebo that can be rented, as well as a playground area, horseshoe pits and restrooms.

2. Rathdrum Mountain

Source: Gregory Johnston / shutterstock

A dominating presence on the northwest side of Rathdrum, the city’s namesake mountain is one of the southernmost peaks of the Selkirk Range, which straddles the border with Canada.

Under a mantle of beautiful coniferous forest, Rathdrum Mountain is a popular destination for outdoor pursuits and is open to the public during daylight hours.

The city owns almost 550 acres up here, with a 9-hole disc golf course and an ever-growing series of trails.

The most trafficked of these is a six mile loop on an old logging trail, with a brisk elevation gain of more than 1,000 feet. If you go quietly you may spot elk, deer, wild turkeys and possibly a bobcat.

The trail is fringed by giant cedars and ponderosas, but every so often you’ll be treated to a fabulous view of the range.

3. Rathdrum Farmers’ Market

Source: Arina P Habich / shutterstock

On the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month, May through August, there’s a small but lively farmers’ market in a picturesque location at City Park.

This was established in 2009 and offers garden and farm-fresh produce, directly from the grower, as well as handmade arts and crafts from the Rathdrum community.

As well as seasonal fruit and veggies, you’ll find plants, jams, honey, bread, pastries, and all kinds of gift inspiration.

Typically there will be freshly made food, as well as live entertainment and fun activities for kids.

4. St. Stanislaus Kostka Mission

Source: Ian Poellet / Wikimedia | CC BY-SA 4.0

A monument worth seeking out in Rathdrum is this elegant Catholic church, constructed in 1900. This makes it the oldest brick-built Catholic church in the entire state.

St. Stanislaus is in the Gothic Revival style and has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1977.

The church is an anchor for the community, hosting the beloved Polish Fall Festival every November.

Inside you can admire the fine wooden pews, statuary and most of all the beautiful altarpiece (1901), depicting St. Stanislaus kneeling before Mary with Jesus.

If you only get to see the facade, check out the small multifoil windows and the whitewashed wooden segments of the tower above the portal.

5. Majestic Park

Source: Gregory Johnston / shutterstock

Out in open country just past the city’s southeastern outskirts, Majestic Park is Rathdrum’s newest park.

The name is appropriate too, as from this location on the prairie you can see the mountains on the horizon in every direction. The closest of course are the Selkirk Mountains, rising behind the city to the northwest.

To go with the scenery, Majestic Park is also endowed with a lot of facilities, including a splash pad, popular with families with younger children, and open from Memorial Day to the end of September.

Added to this are a climbing wall, two softball fields, swing set and a paved pathway traced by newly planted trees.

6. Silverwood Theme Park

Source: CoasterMatt / Flickr | CC BY

A stone’s throw from Rathdrum is the largest amusement park in the Pacific Northwest. Silverwood Theme Park is a sprawling attraction in more than 400 acres and has a whole spectrum of rides, shows and amusements for all ages.

These range from high-tech thrill rides breaking records for top speeds and inversions, like Stunt Pilot, Aftershock and Tremors, to bumper cars, carousels, spinners, a Ferris wheel and white water raft ride.

A charming narrow gauge railway snakes through the park, while admission to Silverwood also includes Boulder Beach Water Park, with its numerous slides, play complex for smaller kids and two large wave pools side-by-side.

7. Links Golf Club

Source: Mikael Damkier / shutterstock

Five minutes from downtown Rathdrum is a highly-rated 18-hole course, touted as one of the best in the region and enjoying wonderful mountain views.

True to its name, this course has a Scottish-style links layout. This means that the course follows the natural contours of the landscape, and has formidable, deep bunkers and a boisterous wind to contend with.

The tees and fairways are always in great condition, and the bent-grass greens tend to be quick. Among the amenities here are power carts, a driving range and a beverage cart, while you can put a cap on your round at The Links Restaurant and Bar, which has a scenic patio.

8. Hauser Lake Park

Source: Gregory Johnston / shutterstock

Right on the Idaho-Washington border, a mere ten minutes from downtown Rathdrum, is a mid-sized lake wrapped in stunning mountain scenery.

On the south shore is a lovely little swimming beach. This is backed by a grassy picnic area with a little grove of trees, while the water is enclosed on three sides by wooden docks.

Kids love to use this platform to leap into the water, while fishermen drop a line here for bluegill, perch and bass.

The park is equipped with restrooms, running water and a playground, as well as a boat launch, set right beside the beach.

9. Lake Coeur d’Alene

Source: Wollertz / shutterstock

About ten miles to the southeast of Rathdrum is the northern shore of an enormous glacial lake, trapped by pine-covered mountainsides. Right on the water here is the namesake city, which serves as a charming resort town.

The downtown area abounds with buildings from the turn of the 20th century, and has cute gift shops, cafes and restaurants with outdoor seating.

The lake is a honeypot for cruises, water sports, hikes along the shore and action-packed activities like zip-lining.

There are also lovely public spaces on the lakefront, like City Park and Tubbs Hill, where you can take in the wonderful scenery in your own time. If you’re in the area in winter, you can visit quieter stretches of shoreline east of the city to spot bald eagles.

10. North Idaho Centennial Trail

Source: Wollertz / shutterstock

Draining Lake Coeur d’Alene, the Spokane River flows west for 111 miles to Lake Roosevelt, Washington where it meets the Columbia River.

The north bank on the Idaho side of the state line is fully accessible via a superb 24-mile multi-use trail, running from Higgens Point on the eastern shore of Lake Coeur d’Alene to the Idaho-Washington boundary.

Threading through a succession of gorgeous parks along the riverbank and lakefront, the trail was completed in stages in the 1990s and has recently been completely repaired and seal-coated.

If you’re feeling energetic you can continue your hiking or cycling trip on the Spokane River Centennial Trail, which begins at the state line and continues for another 37 miles into Washington.

11. Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center

Source: Bird Aviation Museum & Invention Center / Facebook

The local airport, Pappy Boyington Field, is a ten-minute drive southeast of Rathdrum, and in one of the hangars is a compelling museum dedicated to the Idaho inventor Forrest Bird (1921-2015).

An aviator from a young age, Bird made vital contributions to the medical field, using his knowledge of aircraft oxygen regulators to develop ever more efficient respirators and ventilators in the post-war years.

The Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center details these innovations, but also displays a rotating lineup of aircraft from Bird’s private collection.

These include a 1968 Bell 47, 1947 Republic RC-7, a 1967 Alon A-2 and a North American AT-6, to name just a handful.

12. Buck Knives

Source: Jeffrey B. Banke / shutterstock

A knife manufacturer with an international reputation is headquartered just 15 minutes away in Post Falls. Buck Knives was founded in 1902 in San Diego and made the decision to relocate to Post Falls in 2005.

The brand has cornered the folding hunting knife market so well that people use the term “Buck Knife”, in the same way you might say “Hoover” for a vacuum cleaner.

You can visit the factory for a 45-minute tour, learning about the history of the company, the story of the game-changing Model 110 Folding Hunter (1964) and to see how each knife is precision-made.

13. Stub Myers Park

Source: deryabinka / shutterstock

Just south of downtown and edged by tall softwood trees, Rathdrum’s second-largest park is a little under ten acres.

Stub Myers Park has large grassy spaces, kept lush through an automatic irrigation system and installed with picnic tables and park benches.

There’s a playground for kids, a volleyball court, basketball court, four baseball/softball fields, horseshoe pits and complimentary amenities like barbecues, a picnic shelter, an accessible restroom and a concessions stand.

14. Falls Park

Source: Gregory Johnston / shutterstock

If you’re in the area in spring be sure to head down to this riverfront park in Post Falls. Here you’ll be at a spot integral to the development of the region in the 19th century.

This dam was first built in the 1870s by one Frederick Post to drive a lumber mill, but was converted into a hydroelectric facility in the early-1900s providing power to mines up to 100 miles away.

When the snow melts in March and April the water powers over the falls with a thunderous roar.

The scenery is also impressive, with a rugged canyon a little way downstream. In Wandering Falls Park you can read historical interpretive signs and visit a tranquil little pond within earshot of the falls.

15. Rathdrum Days

Source: Gregory Johnston / shutterstock

One of the highpoints of the summer in Rathdrum is this two-day event, usually taking place on the third weekend of July.

A vibrant celebration, Rathdrum Days packs in a wide variety of activities and spectacles. To list just a few, there’s a beer garden and dance on the Friday night, car shows, a cute doggie race, a strongman competition and a parade along Main Street.

These are accompanied by a host of vendor booths and a main stage providing live entertainment, from live music to magicians, dance and live comedy.

The post 15 Best Things to Do in Rathdrum (Idaho) appeared first on The Crazy Tourist.

Middleton a distinct rural flavor, with a world of agritourism experiences awaiting you close by. You could sip award-winning wine at a Snake River Valley vineyard, meet cute alpacas, tour an organic farm or shop for produce that has traveled no more than a few miles.

The city of Caldwell is also ten minutes by road and has a revitalized downtown, with an exciting program of outdoor events and restaurants for every palate.

1. Sunnyslope Wine Trail

Source: CSNafzger / shutterstock

It has taken a while for the rest of the country to catch up, but parts of the Snake River Valley in Southwest Idaho have the climate, terrain, soils and agricultural infrastructure for world-class wine.

The center of the Snake River Valley AVA is only 15 miles southwest of Middleton. Here the Sunnyslope Wine Trail incorporates 17 wineries and vineyards, producing award-winning wines and offering memorable tasting experiences.

As well as delivering you to tasting rooms ranging from sleek to cozy and homespun, the trail will also lead you through some of the Northwest’s loveliest farmland, on tall rounded hills that rise abruptly from the Snake River Valley.

A few of the standout establishments include Fujishin Family Cellars, Sawtooth Estate Winery & Vineyard, Indian Creek Winery, Koenig Vineyards and Ste. Chapelle Winery, all within 20 minutes of Middleton.

2. Middleton Place Park

Source: Idaho Real Estate- Hughes Group / Facebook

On the east side of town, Middleton Place Park sits next to Idaho 44 and boasts a sizable tract of greenery on a rectangular plot.

There’s a baseball field, skate park, basketball hoops and tennis court here, but the park offers plenty of passive recreation too.

A meandering pathway, two thirds of a mile long, borders the entire park and weaves its way between the trees.

There’s also a hill in the otherwise flat terrain, used for tubing and sledding in the winter, and in summer you can make the most of the two picnic shelters, one small and one containing several tables.

3. Centennial Grove Park

Source: Idaho Real Estate- Hughes Group / Facebook

On Middleton’s southern margins, within walking distance of downtown, is a compact pocket park where you’ll find the “Welcome to Middleton” sign by the road.

There’s a little more to Centennial Grove Park than meets the eye. First off, this is a very pretty place to take a picnic, with rows of fast-maturing deciduous and coniferous trees.

You’ll find a shelter and a slide for children, and you’re close enough to a slew of eateries and cafes if you want to bring takeout to this spot.

But Centennial Grove Park is also the trailhead for a path that will take you down to the nature-rich banks of the Boise River.

4. Macpaca Farms

Source: Margo Harrison / shutterstock

Out in the countryside northeast of Middleton proper is a family farm that raises Huacaya alpacas.

The McCallister family has been in the alpaca business since 2013, working hard to develop its breeding program to ensure happy, healthy alpacas producing high-quality fleeces.

Macpaca Farms sells male and open and bred female alpacas, as well as a range of products made from their natural fiber.

Although the farm isn’t an attraction in the traditional sense, Ben and Kristi McCallister enjoy having visitors and showing the knowhow that goes into raising these lovable animals.

5. Indian Creek Plaza

Source: Indian Creek Plaza / Facebook

Indian Creek flows through Treasure Valley for more than 60 miles before joining the Boise River at Caldwell.

In the downtown area the creek had been used for sewage disposal in the 20th century and was covered over for decades, but was finally brought to light once more with a superb urban renewal project.

Indian Creek Plaza is a creekside open area, setting the scene for dozens of outdoor events throughout the year, from movie screenings to Cinco de Mayo, farmers’ markets, the Sunnyslope Trail Wine Festival and Winter Wonderland, which we’ll cover in more detail later.

This part of downtown is also constellated with restaurants (more than 15 with a one-block radius), many sourcing their ingredients from the many farms all around Caldwell.

6. Babby Farms

Source: Villiers Steyn / shutterstock

A brief drive from Middleton is a wonderful petting zoo managed by a non-profit organization. Babby Farms was founded with the purpose of giving children and adults with disabilities the opportunity to interact with animals.

For this reason all of the animals here have been handled from a young age to get them accustomed to contact with people.

The petting zoo, open in the spring and summer, is in three acres, keeping a wide array of animals including anteaters, sloths, alpacas, yaks, camels, kangaroos, zebras, lemurs and many more.

This hands-on attraction is open to all and you can buy animal feed for many of the species. There’s a gift shop here too, helping raise money for the farm with lots of cute trinkets.

7. Silverhawk Aviation Academy

Source: david muscroft / shutterstock

On Caldwell’s outskirts, about ten minutes from downtown Middleton is a city-owned airport used by amateur pilots but also a number of aviation businesses.

One of these is Silverhawk Aviation Academy, founded in 1998 and billed as Idaho’s number one flight school.

If you’re new to flying you could come for a hands-on Discovery Flight in an R22 or R44 helicopter, or a Cessna, taking the controls.

The company also offers a menu of helicopter tours, giving you sublime panoramas of beauty spots in the Boise region, like the Black Canyon Reservoir, Snake River Wine Region, the Owyhee Mountains and Downtown Boise.

8. Sky Down Skydiving

Source: Sky Antonio / shutterstock

Another company based at Caldwell Industrial Airport offers skydiving experiences for everyone from newcomers to experts.

For newbies, Tandem Skydives require no prior experience and almost no training. You’ll be attached by harness to a seasoned skydiver and will be free to marvel at the views after leaping from an altitude of 10,000 feet.

Sky Down Skydiving uses a modified Cessna 182 able to climb at a remarkable rate and carry up to ten skydivers.

And to help you remember your jump or show it off to friends you can choose from professionally shot video and stills packages.

9. Piccadilly Park

Source: Lumena / shutterstock

By the time you read this article there’s a good chance that this park on West Main Street will be transformed.

Sitting across the road from Middleton Middle School, Piccadilly Park was home to the city’s expansive main skate park at the time of writing.

But to meet the recreation needs of a growing population a master plan was in place to add facilities like a giant “play pyramid”, a zip line, a skateable pathway, outdoor fitness stations, a splash pad/interactive creek, a tot lot and an amphitheater.

The park’s focal point will be the plaza, bordering the road and hosting the Middleton Farmers’ Market.

10. 4th of July Parade and Festivities

Source: Jag_cz / shutterstock

There’s extra reason to look forward to Independence Day in Middleton, as the city has a packed timetable of events and activities throughout the day.

We won’t be able to squeeze everything into this entry, but you can expect a kids’ carnival, vintage car show, train rides, a climbing wall, food and craft vendors, dance performances and live music.

There are also plenty of fun competitions, for anything from watermelon eating to baking pies. At noon you can catch a parade through the city streets and the festivities are brought to a close with fireworks at Foote Park.

11. Boise Riverside Park

Source: Benjamin Jacobs-Schwartz / shutterstock

Another project underway when we wrote this article was a 100-acre park on the north bank of the Boise River.

Some of the work already undertaken involved collecting trash and clearing large areas of invasive weeds.

This has already allowed a lot of gorgeous wetland plants like willows to thrive in a short space of time.

Slowly a wide array of songbirds are flocking to the riverside, from marsh wrens, to willow flycatchers and warbling vireos.

If you’re lucky you may see a great blue, or even a bald eagle if you come by in winter. In the meantime, the neighboring city of Star has developed an inviting piece of waterfront at the Star Riverwalk Park, five miles east of Middleton.

12. Winter Wonderland, Caldwell

Source: Charles Knowles / shutterstock

Another benefit to being so close to Caldwell is enjoying this festival taking place throughout the holiday season and centered on Indian Creek Plaza.

One of the big attractions is the Ice Ribbon, a unique loop of skateable ice that looks especially pretty lit up at night.

Downtown Caldwell is also illuminated with more than a million lights from late November to early January, adorning buildings, trees and bridges and painting the city with a magical glow.

Winter Wonderland kicks off in November with a fun-filled opening weekend, featuring a market, classic holiday sweet treats and the opportunity for kids to visit Santa.

13. Little Cow Mountain Farm

Source: Catherine Eckert / shutterstock

In bucolic undulating scenery north of Middleton is one of the area’s most visited agritourism attractions.

Little Cow Mountain Farm raises Aberdeen Angus cattle and poultry, which live happily in spacious fields, grazing on lush pasture.

The farm employs sustainable practices, remaining local and doing much of its business at the Boise Farmers’ Market.

If you want to see how a responsible, small-scale farm operates you can take a 90-minute tour during the spring and summer months for an insight in its day-to-day operation. You can also call in at the shop, selling farm fresh eggs and high-quality pastured chicken.

14. Cliff’s Country Market

Source: Arina P Habich / shutterstock

On the farm-to-table theme there’s a thriving local store in Caldwell selling seasonal produce.

During the summer you can come here for corn, cherries, watermelon and cantaloupe from nearby farms, while the peaches are sensational thanks to the long ripening season in this part of Idaho.

Cliff’s Country Market is strictly GMO free, with a host of private label products and making its own jams and salsa.

There are also two separate bakeries under one roof, one making only gluten-free products and another that also maintains that GMO-free policy.

15. The Haunted World

Source: The Haunted World Idaho / Facebook

Just across the Boise River from Middleton is a seasonal attraction dubbed the “scariest haunted house in Idaho”.

The Haunted World is on an impressive scale, with spooky indoor and outdoor environments that will take 90 minutes to get through on weekdays and two hours on weekends.

Open from mid-September to Halloween, this attraction has been going for more than 20 years now and has a large team of dedicated and energetic actors, extraordinary production values, great costumes and all kinds of creatively designed animatronics and mechanical props.

The attention to detail is off the charts, resembling a theme park and offers lots of new frights with each season.

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The mountains of the Sawtooth National Forest track the valley on both sides. This immense wild region is ripe for all manner of outdoor activities like hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding and cross-country skiing.

The headline attraction close by has to be Sun Valley Resort, rated as one of the best places to ski and snowboard in North America.

The mountainscapes around Hailey have an undeniable romance that attracted Ernest Hemingway, who came here in the summer for 20 years to live an outdoor life, hunting, fishing and canoeing.

1. Wood River Trail (WRT)

Source: The BCRD / Facebook

The old trackbed of the Grand Union Railroad has become a 20-mile multi use path through the Wood River Valley.

Linking the towns of Bellevue, Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley, the Wood River Trail gives you stunning vistas of the mountains walling the valley, but also takes you past plenty of interesting locations.

Interpretive signs along the route tell you about the early days of tourism at Sun Valley, historic depots, silver mines, tram lines, sheepherding and the area’s Basque community in the 19th century.

The WRT has pocket parks, restrooms and connecting trailheads on the way, while in winter it becomes a cross-country ski route.

2. Blaine County Historical Museum

Source: Idaho Real Estate- Hughes Group / Facebook

Put together with a lot of love, this local history museum is a mine of information for Blaine County, which encompasses Hailey, Ketchum and Sun Valley.

In a building standing since 1882, the permanent display will send you down a number of different rabbit holes.

You’ll learn about the poet Ezra Pound’s early childhood here, as well as the Union Pacific Railroad, sheepherding, the Shoshone and Bannock tribes, the origins of the Sun Valley Resort and the pioneer days.

One enthralling exhibit covers the last decades of the 19th century, when Blaine County was riddled with mines for silver, galena (lead ore) and gold.

The museum also lays claim to one of the nation’s largest publicly displayed collections of political campaign buttons and memorabilia.

3. Sun Valley Resort

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In Hailey you’re just ten miles from one of the best winter sports destinations in the country. A few things combine to make Sun Valley a world-class place to ski and snowboard.

Bald Mountain here has a staggering 3,400 vertical feet of fall line terrain, with powdery snow, a consistent pitch and a noticeable absence of wind because of its orientation on the west side of the valley.

There are 75 runs here, evenly weighted between green circle, blue square and black diamond, and accessed by a highly-efficient system of 14 lifts.

This isn’t all, because Dollar Mountain at Sun Valley has a sprawling, family-friendly terrain park, with a gentler pitch to suit younger and less experienced skiers and snowboarders.

And then you’ve got one of the few outdoor ice rinks in the country that is open all year round. This is blessed with outstanding views and is graced by olympic and world-class skiers, so it’s special even if you stay on the sidelines.

4. Rotarun Ski Area

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You’ll find a compact alternative to Sun Valley on the slopes three miles southwest of downtown Hailey. When it comes to convenience, you can’t beat Rotarun Ski Area.

This has been a community winter sports hub for Hailey since 1948, offering affordable access to high-quality runs.

The hill has a vertical drop of 475 feet, served by a single Poma lift, with 2.8 miles of runs available.

There’s free night skiing on Wednesdays and Fridays, as well as free entry level programs to give local children the chance to learn to ski or snowboard, no matter their background.

5. Ernest Hemingway Legacy

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It’s not hard to see why a rugged outdoorsy type like Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) would be drawn to the untamed landscape around Sun Valley.

The writer chose this place as a summer residence in 1939 after the resort had just been created, writing For Whom the Bell Tolls during this time.

For the next 20+ years Hemingway divided his time between Ketchum, Cuba and Spain, and would come here to write, hunt, fish, canoe and wine and dine.

At the Sun Valley Visitor Center (or website) you can get hold of an itinerary of places relating to the writer, including his memorial at Ketchum Cemetery, the places where he would drink downtown and the restaurant where he had dinner with his wife, Mary, the night before he died in 1961.

6. Sawtooth Botanical Garden

Source: Sawtooth Botanical Garden / Facebook

Ten minutes along State Highway 75, on the way to Ketchum there’s a gorgeous showcase for the plant life that grows at this high altitude.

The Sawtooth Botanical Garden is in five acres and has developed steadily since it was founded in 1994.

Among the various sub-gardens there’s a sage steppe garden, a xeriscape garden, wildflower garden, a lava rock garden, a montane garden and a streamside garden.

One important space is the Garden of Infinite Compassion, planted with alpine species and landscaped by a Zen Buddhist monk. In September 2005 the Dalai Lama visited to bless this garden.

The greenhouse, always full of color, is also a delight, planted with a citrus grove and demonstration beds, and used for classes and events all year.

7. Fly Sun Valley

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If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary, you can admire Sun Valley’s sumptuous natural beauty from high in the air as you float on thermal currents.

Fly Sun Valley offers tandem paragliding flights, in which you’ll be a co-pilot requiring no special training.

Launching seamlessly from Bald Mountain you may be surprised just how smooth the ride is, and you’ll be free to survey the mountainscapes at your leisure.

All of Fly Sun Valley’s pilots have helmets equipped with GoPro cameras recording the flight for the perfect souvenir.

8. Central Idaho Dark Sky Reserve

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The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is staking its claim as one of the best places in North America for stargazing.

Beginning in Ketchum and extending northwest into a massive swath of the Sawtooth Range is the first gold-tier dark sky preserve in the United States.

The cities in the region including Hailey and Sun Valley, have long sought to combat the effects of light pollution on the night sky, and this reserve, established in 2017, is the next step.

The State Highway 75, which passes through these 1,416 square miles has been installed with a series of sky quality meters, while local governments have equipped street lights with shields to prevent pollution.

This will all help preserve the glorious spectacle of the Milky Way for future stargazers at the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. All you have to do is look up with the naked eye, and the galaxy is right there.

9. Craters of the Moon

Source: Stephen Moehle / shutterstock

At Hailey you’re in a handy position from which to reach a surreal volcanic wonderland protected as a U.S. National Monument.

Craters of the Moon is around 40 miles to the southeast and stands as one of the best-preserved flood basalt areas in the continental United States.

In this almost alien landscape you can discover the full gamut of basaltic lava formations, including lava tubes, tree molds (created by burned up trees), fissure cones and spatter cones.

The most recent of these features were formed just 2,100 years ago. Start at the visitor center for context, interesting exhibits and maps and then head out onto the seven-mile loop road, connecting a series of trailheads for cones, lava tubes and much more.

10. Galena Lodge & The Trails

Source: Galena Lodge and Trails / Facebook

This local favorite is couched in the Boulder Mountains off the meandering State Highway 75, northwest of Sun Valley.

In the not so distant past Galena was a mining community, a remnant of which survives at this lodge, a beloved recreation outpost owned by the Blaine County Recreation District.

Galena Lodge offers access to 47 miles of non-motorized trails, disappearing into the Boulder and Smoky Mountains.

In summer it’s a basecamp for hiking and mountain biking trips, while in winter you’ve got more than 30 miles of cross-country skiing and snowshoeing trails to discover.

The lodge organizes all kinds of events and special seasonal activities all year round, and is your first port of call for equipment rentals, passes and to book lessons and special tours.

After your adventure you can head back to the lodge, which has lunch and dinner menus that change with the seasons, as well as outdoor fire pits for a cozy moment in winter. And if you’d like to stay overnight you can rent a semi-backcountry yurt.

11. Sun Valley Museum of History

Source: The Community Library / Facebook

You could easily spend a couple of hours engrossed in the exhibits at this historical museum at Ketchum’s historic Forest Service Park.

The Wood River Valley region has a lot of interesting stories to tell, and you can find out about the area’s early pioneers, Ketchum’s first inhabitants, local ski history, mining, the arrival of the railroad, sheep ranching and Ernest Hemingway’s time in Sun Valley.

The temporary exhibitions are always worthwhile, going into depth on specific topics from Japanese internment in WWII to mid-century publicity photography for the Union Pacific Railroad.

12. Silver Creek Preserve

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A short way southeast of Sun Valley is the gentler landscape of Silver Creek Preserve, protecting almost 900 acres of lush, flower-rich meadows on the banks of a clear stream.

The preserve is the property of the Nature Conservancy Idaho, which has spent the last 45+ years restoring this high-desert spring creek to a flourishing ecosystem for more than 150 species of birds, and mammals like moose, bobcats and coyotes.

The Silver Creek Preserve is famed most of all as a fly-fishing destination for its abundance of rainbow trout and brown trout.

13. Draper Preserve

Source: Paul Reeves Photography / shutterstock

On the west side of Hailey there’s a beautiful neighborhood park on the banks of the Big Wood River.

Despite being on the edge of the town Draper Preserve is heavily forested and feels like a slice of wilderness, with good opportunities for spotting animals like moose if you go quietly.

The eye-catching Bow Bridge crosses the Big Wood River, with a span of 160 feet, while stretches of well-maintained boardwalk will carry you over the Cory Creek Wetland.

And when you do step out from the cover of trees, the valley’s sumptuous mountainscapes are all around.

14. Sun Valley Suns

Source: Alexandr Grant / shutterstock

Hailey has its own highly successful semi-professional sports team. The Sun Valley Suns are a hockey outfit, based at the Campion Ice House in downtown Hailey, and competing in the Black Diamond Hockey League.

Expanding fast, this competition is made up of teams from the Western United States, and the Sun Valley Suns have been crowned champions three times since 2015.

On the roster you may find some veterans formerly playing in the NHL or AHL, as well as a lot of up-and-coming talent that might grace a big league arena in the future.

Campion Ice House also puts on causal stick & puck and public skate sessions if you’re inspired to get on the ice.

15. Wagon Days

Source: Monica Minford / shutterstock

Celebrating the Old West, the big cultural event on Sun Valley’s calendar takes place on the five days leading up to Labor Day.

Based mainly at Festival Meadows on the north side of Ketchum, Wagon Days has a diverse, crowd-pleasing program.

On the agenda are roving musicians, art and antiques shows, a car auction, riding demonstrations, poetry readings, a barn dance and fun activities for children.

The event all ramps up to the Big Hitch, which is the largest non-motorized parade in the Northwest, with cowboys, wagons and marching bands.

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