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Idaho is a charming landlocked state in the Pacific Northwest that often gets overlooked by tourists, partly because it is one of the least populated and does not have a gorgeous coastline. However, visitors who look beyond those factors will be stunned by the state’s unique touristy charms. Whatever it lacks in size and location, it compensates with many iconic tourist attractions. From waterfalls to historic establishments, and parks, this state is loaded with so many incredible points of interest worth getting on the next flight to see. So, prepare to be thrilled in the Gem State by visiting these 10 most loved tourist attractions.

Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site, Boise

The Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site is a favorite historic landmark in Idaho’s gorgeous capital. The historic prison built in 1870 was home to some of the state’s most hardened and infamous criminals, among other inmates, between 1872 and 1973. It is now a museum where visitors can embark on various tours to see the solitary confinements, cell blocks, and gallows of inmates. There are nearly a dozen unique exhibits and interactive displays that detail the daily lives of the prison’s inmates, including biographies of its former employees and residents. The museum is also home to the Idaho Botanical Garden, where visitors can explore a variety of plants and gardens.

Idaho State Museum, Boise

For history buffs visiting the state, the Idaho State Museum in Boise is a must-visit. This museum is a treasure trove of the state's relics, housing over 500 artifacts in its over 80,000 square feet of space. With its educational programs, the museum takes visitors on an immersive journey into the state's changing landscape and how it impacts the people who have lived and continue to live here. Exhibits explore Idaho’s Indigenous heritage, pioneer history, and natural environment, offering interactive displays that engage all ages. The museum is an excellent spot for people of all ages.

Silverwood Theme Park, Athol

Silverwood Theme Park is Idaho's most famous theme park and the largest of its kind in the American Northwest. Covering a 413-acre area, this park is a fun-filled destination in Athol with over 70 rides, slides, and shows. Additionally, the park features restaurants, gardens, seven roller coasters, a steam engine train, live entertainment, and many more exciting attractions. The Boulder Beach Water Park is also in area, offering super exciting water adventures with its two large wave pools, water slides, and lazy river. This park is open from May through October and is defintely worth a visit to the state of Idaho.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is a dramatic site near the town of Arco endowed with several stunning features created by volcanic activity thousands of years ago. Covering 750,000 acres, this monument features volcanic rifts, lava tube caves, and spatter cones, including some plants and animals. The park also has a visitor center where one can learn more about the stunning landscape through educational exhibits and a short park movie. Popular activities include hiking, camping, wildlife watching, and stargazing.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley is an iconic winter destination where thousands of skiing junkies across the state and beyond assemble to participate in a plethora of winter sports. Notably, the resort town boasts access to Bald Mountain, featuring 12 chairlifts and more than 120 unique runs. The resort area also features Dollar Mountain, where kids and beginners can enjoy the snow with 16 trails, five lifts, and friendly slopes. In addition to the mountains, Sun Valley features other exciting attractions, including - an ice rink, nordic & snowshoeing trails, winter sleigh rides, and a bustling main street lavish with everything from gift shops to an Opera House, cozy lodges and restaurants, among others. Thankfully, this valley also transforms into a perfect landscape for hiking, horseback riding, and mountain biking, making it a year-round destination for adventures in Idaho.

Shoshone Falls, Twin Falls

Idaho is home to many waterfalls, and Shoshone Falls, reputed as the Niagara of the West, is one of the country’s finest and tallest waterfalls. The falls are 900 feet wide and 212 feet tall, making it even taller than Niagara Falls. Its source is the wild and dramatic Snake River flowing through a canyon and dropping over a rim to create the falls. Tourists are invited to witness the charming and thundering glory of the falls from its main viewpoint while enjoying picnics. For a more immersive experience, walk up the canyon rim trail and capture the views from several panoramic viewpoints. The best time to visit is spring and summer. Also, hiking around it down to Dierkes Lake to swim makes the experience more refreshing.

Sawtooth National Recreational Area, Near Stanley

Sawtooth National Recreational Area in Central Idaho is arguably the biggest outdoor attraction in Idaho. At 756,000 acres of wilderness, it is a massive outdoor playground for hikers, outdoor buffs, and nature enthusiasts. The area features about 700 miles of hiking and horseback riding trails, including a myriad of mountain peaks and over 300 alpine lakes. Thus, popular activities in the area range from hiking and horseback riding to boating, kayaking, fishing, canoeing, and rafting in its various lakes. Some of its finest lakes include Stanley, Perkins, Petit, and Redfish Lakes, where swimming, tubing, fishing, waterskiing, and boating are recreational activities. Additionally, hiking trails surround these lakes to explore first before dipping in the waters to ward off the heat. Biking, camping, nature walks, backpacking, hunting, and nature photography are other activities within the recreational area to enjoy.

Bruneau Dunes State Park, Bruneau

Bruneau State Park is one of many jaw-dropping landscapes that make Idaho a bucket list destination. This state park houses the largest and tallest freestanding sand dunes in North America, with some reaching up to 470 feet. Visitors will meet a charming vast landscape of soft, powdery dunes that can be explored on foot or by sandboard. For hikers, there’s a scenic 6-mile trail, which offers informative stops to explore the vast dunes, beginning from the visitor's center. Since the sands are always hot, exploring in the early hours is advised. Meanwhile, there is an enchanting lake at the foot of the dune, so picturesque it would be a shame to leave without capturing the scene with a camera. Visitors can even fish for bluegill in this lake or picnic on its banks. The park also offers camping and horseback riding.

Lake Coeur d’ Alene, Coeur d’ Alene

Lake Coeur d'Alene is one of the prettiest waterbodies in Idaho, encircled by green mountain peaks. The lake stretches its magnificence for over 26 miles and offers prime activities such as boating, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, and wildlife watching. Tourists can also hike in the forests surrounding the lake followed by a refreshing dip from one of its beaches. One of its popular trails is the Trail of the Coeur d'Alene, stretching 73 miles between the towns of Mullan and Plummer. The trail is great for hiking and biking and bypasses spectacular landscapes such as Silver Valley and the rolling hills of Plummer town.

Hells Canyon National Recreational Area

Hells Canyon National Recreational Area spans approximately 652,000 acres in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, endowed with a wealth of natural features from one of America’s deepest gorges to rivers, lakes, mountains, and wildlife. Naturally, these incredible features make the area a hotbed for a wide range of adventures, including hiking, wildlife watching, picnicking, and camping. Riggins in Idaho is one of the towns closest to the area, and visitors can explore its numerous trails, such as Heaven’s Gate Trail, which leads to Heaven’s Gate Lookout, where there are sweeping views of the canyon. Meanwhile, the Snake, Rapid, and Imnaha Rivers are also in the area, offering great opportunities for fishing, canoeing, and white water rafting.

Why Idaho’s Attractions Are Unmissable

The gem state has a lot going for it in terms of attractions. From magnificent dunes and volcanic formations to picturesque lakes, Idaho is truly blessed with some of the most loved attractions in the country. Visit this gem state today and explore its top offerings for blissful memories, Idaho’s top attractions promise experiences you won’t forget.