Things to Do in Idaho

The north-western state of Idaho, fondly referred to as the Gem State, is truly a tourist's paradise. Blessed with a great deal of geographical diversity, it offers something for each and every traveler, and rarely do visitors go back unsatisfied or disappointed. Along with a predominantly mountainous terrain, Idaho also has vast expanses of green pastures, forests and farmland. It has some of the country's cleanest rivers and freshwater lakes, and is considered to be one of the least polluted states in the U.S.

Idaho is a state that is well in tune with modern times and yet, at the same time, has successfully managed to retain its age-old traditional culture. A good example being the quaint little small towns that dot the landscape between numerous well-developed urban cities. Well-developed roads and smooth speedways makes the idea of a family road trip through the heart of the state very appealing indeed. In fact, if a short four-day getaway is what you have in mind, then you should just buckle up, sit back, and let the natural beauty of Idaho take you away on a journey of discovery. Thrill-seekers will love the fact that there are plenty of things to do in Idaho as far as adventure sports are concerned. Families, honeymooners, spring break vacationers, college groups, etc. will thoroughly enjoy the wide variety of Idaho attractions on offer. Here are some of the most popular Idaho tourist attractions.

Tourist Attractions in Idaho

Ski Resorts: Idaho outscores every other American state when it comes to skiing and other snow sports. Magnificent snow-capped peaks along with a long list of ski slopes and snowboarding resorts ensure that these high-energy winter sports are not relegated to just the winters. The Sun Valley resort, along with the Brundage, Schweitzer, Silver Mountain and Basin Mountain resorts, are some of Idaho's most popular ski resorts that are frequented by tourists as well as locals.

Balanced Rock: A definite must-see, the 'Balanced Rock' is a 15,000 year old geological wonder. It is located in the vicinity of Twin Falls and is an odd-shaped rock structure consisting of a 40-ton, 50 foot solid rock that stands balanced upon a midget-sized rock pedestal. It has been featured in the Guinness Book of World Records, and it attracts thousands of visitors on a daily basis.

Potato Museum: As amusing as it sounds, the potato museum is one of Idaho's famous landmarks. It is, in a way, the Mecca of the potato industry. The museum provides detailed information on the process of potato production, growing and harvesting of potatoes, exports, etc. There is a lot of educational material and trivia on display that will surely be of interest to kids and teenagers.

Hell's Canyon: 'The Grand Canyon' is what most people answer in response to the question, "Which is the deepest canyon in the US?" Very few know that it is, in fact, Hell's Canyon which is the deepest canyon in the country. Characterized by dusty landscapes, jagged rock edges and the awesome Snake River flowing below, Hell's Canyon is a haven for kayaking and whitewater rafting. Obviously, the fact that it remains the ultimate destination for water-babies and adventure freaks comes as no surprise.

State Parks: Blessed with abundant natural resources, the state of Idaho houses a large number of state parks, wildlife parks, botanical gardens, etc. Visitors can enjoy themselves through nature trails, hiking expeditions, camping trips, wildlife safaris, hot air balloon rides and much more. Quite a few of these parks are situated alongside crystal clear lakes and rivers. Tourists can indulge in a bit of fishing, rowing, boating, canoeing and a host of other water sports.

In addition to the above-mentioned places, there are plenty of amusement parks, art centers, natural hot water springs, and wineries all over Idaho that cater to people of all ages and interests. With so many things to enjoy in Idaho, it is only natural that the Gem State manages to attract a whopping 20,000,000 people each year.