1. Visit Lava Hot Springs
I love Idaho because it offers such a variety of things to see and do.
If you need to relax, plan a trip to Lava Hot Springs, famous for five hot pools where temperature ranges from 102° to 112°, as well as the Olympic pool, water slides, diving platforms, Indoor Aquatic Center and Portneuf Kiddie Cove.
The hot springs are rich in minerals and were known for their healing properties by the original inhabitants, the Shoshone-Bannock people, who called them Poha-Ba, the Land of Healing Waters.
You'll find Lava Hot Springs in the Portneuf River valley, on the route of the old Oregon and California Trails.
Address:Lava Hot Springs, 430 East Main, Lava Hot Springs, ID 83246, Phone: 208-776-5221
2. Have fun on Lake Coeur d'Alene
I loved seeing Coeur d'Alene in the summer and can't wait to go back in the winter ASAP.
Coeur d'Alene is a natural lake next to the city of Coeur d'Alene. It is 25 miles long, and from 1 to 3 miles wide. I (and everyone else!) love it because of its wonderful beaches, scenic views and endless opportunities for outdoor activities.
You can just relax on vacation of you can hike along the North Idaho Centennial Trail which runs along the lake's north shore.
Many other trails circle the lake and won't disappoint you with their spectacular views.
Water sports are, naturally, very popular. You can boat, kayak, fish, sail, and swim in the crystal clear water.
You can watch bald eagles feeding on the kokanee in the Wolf Lodge Bay.
I stayed at Blackwell Hotel which is for adults-only, but if you are traveling with kids, book a stay at The Coeur d'Alene Resort.
3. Stroll through lovely Idaho Botanical Garden
For a bit of nature right in Boise, spend a morning at the Idaho Botanical Garden.
Stroll through a 15-acre mosaic of pleasant shade and splashes of color that contains domestic and Idaho native plants.
There are more than 800 species you can admire, planted in 14 distinct specialty gardens. My favorite was the the Lewis & Clark Native Plant Garden. It actually contains 145 plant species that the two explorers collected between Great Falls in Montana and The Dalles in Oregon! How about that!
Address: 2355 Old Penitentiary Rd, Boise, Idaho 83712, Phone: 208-343-8649
What to do if you are traveling with kids:
4. Take the kids to the Museum of Clean
If you need a family-friendly idea in Pocatello, head to the Museum of Clean. It is not a cleaning museum, it has no detergents or brooms; it is a museum of clean.
It is based on the fact that clean dominates everything that affects our lives, such as clean air and water, clean language, health, clean bed and floors, clean politics, teeth, jokes, art, even clean arteries.
I love the way the material is presented! It will take you a minimum of an hour and half for a tour with kids, but much longer if you are a history or art buff.
Address: Museum of Clean, 711 S 2nd Ave, Pocatello, Idaho 83201, Phone: 208-236-6906
5. Have fun at Silverwood Theme Park
For a fun day trip near Spokane, head to Silverwood Theme Park near Coeur d'Alene.
You can have fun on 413-acres at what is the biggest theme and water park in the northwest!
It was opened in 1988 with a bunch of carnival rides, an original steam train that took guests on a loop around the park's property, and a "main street" with various shops and restaurants.
Some of the most famous rides you should check out are the new Riptide Racer, Aftershock, Corkscrew and Panic Plunge.
Address: 27843 North Highway 95, Athol, Idaho 83801, Phone: 208-683-3400
6. Discover the scenic Route of the Hiawatha
I've written about The Route of the Hiawatha for nearly a decade. It's such a special scenic bike route!
Rent a bike from the Lookout Pass Ski Area or bring your own on this unique adventure.
One of the most exciting parts of the trail is the 1.66 mile long St. Paul Pass Tunnel and the wonderful waterfall you'll find near it.
Activities and Attractions for Couples and Singles:
7. Learn about history at the Warhawk Air Museum
Just 25 minutes from Boise, you will find the Warhawk Air Museum, a 40,000 square foot museum in Nampa, Idaho.
In addition to a range of historical memorabilia and personal stories, you can admire a large collection of airplanes, including two Curtiss P-40 World War II fighter airplanes and a rare World War II P-51C razorback Mustang fighter airplane.
Address: 201 Municipal Way, Nampa, Idaho 83687, Phone: 208-465-6446
8. Learn about the gray wolf at The Wolf Center
Drive 2 hours and 20 minutes from Spokane to reach the magical Nez Perce Tribal Wilderness. There you will find The Wolf Center, a serene place surrounded by meadows and trees.
You can see the gray wolf and its native habitat in the Northern Rocky Mountains here. It teaches you about captive wolf care and complex ecology.
In addition to seeing wolves, you can explore hiking trails.
9. Learn about mining at the Wallace District Mining Museum
1 hour and 20 minutes from Spokane is the small mining town of Wallace, Idaho, located in Idaho's scenic Silver Valley.
It is known as the "Silver Capital of the World."
I was interested to learn that more than 1.2 billion ounces of silver came out of Shoshone County since 1884.
Visit the Wallace District Mining Museum & Visitor Center to see artifacts, photographs, models, paintings and mining activity displays.
Plan Your Trip