Tautphaus Park Zoo
2725 Carnival Way
Idaho Falls, Idaho 83405
Phone: (208) 528-5552
Watch the flock of threatened African Penguins as they swim in their pool, experience a wallaby mob on the move, or surround yourself with sights and sounds of South American birds in the walk-through aviary. Stop by the Children's Zoo and pat a donkey, feed a lamb or just relax on a bench and enjoy the beautifully landscaped grounds.

National Parks

City of Rocks National Reserve
Almo, Idaho
Phone: (208) 824-5519
City of Rocks offers scenic walks near the historic California Trail and opportunities for wildlife watching, photography, world-class technical rock climbing, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, ice climbing, cross country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing, picnicking, and camping near fantastic rock formations.

Craters of the Moon National Monument
Arco, Idaho
Phone: (208) 527-3257
The Craters of the Moon lava field covers 618 square miles and is the largest young basaltic lava field in the conterminous United States. The park contains more than 25 volcanic cones including outstanding examples of spatter cones. There are 60 different lava flows in the field and they range in age from 15,000 to just 2,000 years old. Activities include hiking, photography, biking, camping, bird watching, backpacking, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Hagerman, Idaho
Phone: (208) 837-4793
Hagerman Fossil Beds NM contains the largest concentration of Hagerman Horse fossils in North America. The Monument is Internationally significant because it protects the world's richest know fossil deposits from a time period called the late Pliocene epoch, 3.5 million years ago. Activities include visiting various museums and exhibits, joining in guided programs (seasonally), fishing and hunting within designated boundaries (appropriate state licenses required), bird watching, canoeing and other boating.

Nez Perce National Historical Park
Spalding, Idaho
Phone: (208) 843-2261
Visit the museums at Park Headquarters in Spalding, Idaho and Big Hole National Battlefield in Wisdom, Montana to view exhibits, take ranger-led tours, see movies on Nez Perce history and culture. Both places have walking trails and picnic facilities. Recreational opportunities abound in the National Forests located throughout the Park. The Nez Perce National Historic Trail is part of the Park as is a portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Museums

Discovery Center of Idaho
131 Myrtle St.
Boise, Idaho 83702
Phone: (208) 343-9895
The Discovery Center is a laboratory for science discovery and fun. Visitors are actively and directly involved in scientific exploration; you DO something to learn the science behind the exhibit. Each station allows for hypothesizing, experimentation, and drawing conclusions -- a replica of the scientific method. Through participatory science exhibits, demonstrations and classes, students and families experience science in an entertaining, engaging and educational environment. Exhibits, programs and events will help guide you in understanding the connection between scientific principles and your everyday life.

Warhawk Air Museum
4787 Riverfront Pl
Boise, Idaho 83703
Warhawk Air Museum is an educational museum whose purpose is to preserve American World War II aviation history. Rare and unusual World War II items are on display such as men's and women's uniforms, engine displays, aerial cameras, photos, German and Japanese memorabilia and much more.

Museum of Idaho
200 N. Eastern Ave.
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Phone: (208) 522-1400
Largest museum in Idaho (over 30,000 square feet). Includes permanent displays of natural history, early inhabitants and explorers, agriculture, mining, military, and nuclear energy. Also hosts traveling exhibits. A great selection of exhibits, programs and education centers for the whole family.

Crystal Gold Mine
Kellogg, Idaho
Experience Underground Fun and Adventure in a Real Gold Mine! You and your family can take a guided tour into the actual old gold mine.

Faulkner Planetarium
The Herrett Center for Arts & Science
The College of Southern Idaho
315 Falls Avenue
Twin Falls, Idaho 83303
Planetarium Ticket Sales: (208) 736-3059
The Faulkner Planetarium is the largest planetarium theater in Idaho, and one of the best equipped in the northwestern U.S.. The theater seats 144 under a 50' dome and features a Digistar II digital graphics projection system. It is located in the Herrett Center for Arts & Science on the College of Southern Idaho's main campus in Twin Falls, Idaho, and features state-of-the-art projection equipment which immerse the audience in sights and sounds for a truly memorable theater experience.

Wallace District Mining Museum
Wallace, Idaho
Phone: (208) 753-7151
The museum captures the flavor of the mining in North Idaho from the days of the early gold rush to the more recent of world record silver production. Artifacts, models, photographs, paintings, and displays of mining activity and techniques are shown.

Theme Parks, Amusement Parks & Water Parks

SilverWood Theme Park
Silverwood, the Northwest's largest theme park. Experience earth-shaking roller coasters, dazzling entertainment, a miniature mining town just for the kids complete with the Tiny Toot Coaster ( 42" min w/o adult), climbing trees, pump cars, games and water fort all designed for the little ones and the young at heart, bumper boats, water rides, games, and Victorian charm. Located within the natural beauty of Northern Idaho, Silverwood can be found just 15 minutes north of Coeur d' Alene, ID, on Highway 95. Only 50 miles from Spokane, Wa. and the Spokane International Airport via I-90 to Highway 95 north.

Triple Play
175 W. Orchard Avenue
Hayden, Idaho
Phone: 1-208-762-PLAY(7529) / 1-877-770-PLAY(7529)
The Triple Play family entertainment center offers a variety of family fund under one roof including, bowling, miniature golf, Raptor Reef Indoor Water Park, wave pool, children's lagoon, bumper boaters, go karts, lazer tag, and more.

Western Amusement Co.
Idaho Falls, Idaho
Phone: (208) 525-9814
Carousel, ice rink, miniature golf, petting zoo, picnic grounds for the family.

Family Activities

If you know of a family activity in Idaho, let us know and we will add it here.

Summer - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Beaches, Lakes, etc.)

Red Horse Mountain Ranch
11077 East Blue Lake Road
Harrison, Idaho 83833
Phone: (208) 689-9680
Red Horse Mountain Guest Ranch is located near Harrison, Idaho, just 1 hour south of beautiful Coeur d'alene, Idaho. Here you will find the perfect, all-inclusive Idaho guest ranch vacation experience. A total of 7 private cabin units are scattered near the main lodge, each uniquely designed for the perfect vacation. Each log cabin has plenty of western flavor, a gorgeous view of the Red Horse Mountain valley and is conveniently located close to the main lodge and swimming pool. Activities include a number of guided adventures including horseback riding, mountain biking, fly fishing, kayak touring, hiking, archery, sporting clays, swimming, challenge course, whitewater rafting, and kids outdoor educational programs, activities, and games.

Dworshak Dam & Reservoir - Fishing, swimming and camping. 50 miles east of Lewiston on U.S. 12.

Payette Lake - Fishing, swimming and camping. This scenic 6 miles long lake features Ponderosa State Park that extends out towards the middle of the lake. Located in the city of McCall off Idaho State Route 55.

Lake Pend Oreille - Fishing, swimming and camping. This is the largest lake in the Idaho pan handle. Sunnyside State Park on the northern shoreline and Farragut State Park on the southern shoreline provide camping facilities. The Kaniksu Coeur D' Alene National Forest lies along the eastern shoreline featuring tall pines. This lake is more than 25 miles long and is located in Sandpoint off U.S. 2 / 95.

Zoos, Museums, National Parks, Theme, Amusement and Water Parks listed above. During summer months the Winter Vacation spots listed below also offer mountain biking and other activities. Visit the Ski resort area links below to find out summer activities.

Winter - Family Vacation Hot Spots (Ski Resorts, etc.)

Pomerelle
Pomerelle is located just 25 miles off Interstate 84
via Idaho 77, Declo/Albion exit #216
Albion, Idaho 83311
Phone: (208) 673-5599
A great family oriented ski area that also offers night skiing part of the season. Most trails are made for beginners. Click here for directions.

Bogus Basin
2405 Bogus Basin Road
Boise, Idaho 83702
Phone: (208) 332-5100
Bogus Basin Ski Resort is a very family-oriented ski resort, offering skiing excitement for skiers of all abilities, spread out over a 2,600-acre area and is the largest night skiing resort in the northwest.

Brundage Mountain
1410 Mill Road
McCall, Idaho 83638
Phone: (208) 634-4151
Winter at Brundage Mountain Resort is spectacular. The breathtaking view from the top of Brundage includes the nearby Salmon River Mountains, beautiful Payette Lakes, Oregon's Eagle Cap Wilderness, and the famed Seven Devils towering over Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in America. Surrounded by mountain peaks, pine trees and fresh air it's the perfect place to bring the family or plan a special trip. Under the careful guidance of Professional Ski and Snowboard instructors, new skiers get off to a good start and have fun on a variety of terrain perfect for the first-time skier. And for the pros at they offer instruction in powder, moguls, snowboarding, and telemark techniques at all ski levels.

Lookout Pass Ski Area
I-90 Exit 0 Idaho/Montana Border
Mulland, Idaho83846
Phone: (208) 744-1392
At Lookout Pass, they're committed to providing you and your family with a great skiing experience. The snow comes early. It snows regularly. And the climate results in snow that tends to be light and fun to ski. Lift tickets are prices so that you can afford to come often to enjoy yourselves on a regular basis. The convenient location has made it easy for thousands of families to enjoy outstanding winter recreation over the past 66 years. For 50 of those years, they've offered a Free Ski School for Children, which has taught most of the youngsters in Northern Idaho and Western Montana their skiing skills. And Snowboarders! You won't believe thier Claim Jumper Terrain Park complete with huge launches, banks, and an 1,111 foot long natural quarter-pipe.

Pebble Creek
3340 E. Green Canyon
Pocatello, Idaho 83245
Phone: (877) 524-7669
Pebble Creek plays host to 1,100 skiable acres, 45 runs and an abundance of annual snowfall, providing enough playful terrain for beginners and those demanding an honest challenge. The rental shop carries high performance shaped skis and the lodge offers cafeteria-style dining and fresh home-baked treats. Renowned for its fun and friendly atmosphere Pebble Creek offers great winter fun at a great value!

Schweitzer
10,000 Schweitzer Mtn Rd
Sandpoint, Idaho 83864
Phone: (208) 263-9555
Offers 2,500 acres of skiable terrain with 59 trails and night skiing.

Silver Mountain
610 Bunker Ave
St. Ignace, Idaho
Phone: (208) 783-1111
Two mountains, 50 named trails, 2,200 vertical feet and a gondola ride on the world's longest eight-person gondola, which climbs 3,400 vertical feet to Mountain Haus.

Sun Valley
Sun Valley Road
Sun Valley, Idaho 83353
Phone: (800) 786-8259
There are two ski mountains in Sun Valley, each with its own point of view. Bald Mountain can be accessed at River Run on the south and Warm Springs on the north. A total of 13 chair lifts and 65 varied runs await skiers on either side of the mountain. Dollar Mountain caters to the needs of beginners with 13 runs and 628 feet of vertical rise.

Helpful websites and services

If you know of a website or company that is helpful to families traveling to Idaho, let us know and we will add it here.

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(specials are updated weekly)
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