IDAHO

YEAR VISITED: 2002, 2007, 2011, 2012, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023, and 2025.

FAVORITE CITIES AND EXPERIENCES: Boise, the capital of Idaho, is the city we have spent the most time in within the state. If we were to move to Idaho tomorrow, we would most likely look to live in or around Boise as it seems to have a little something for everyone. We enjoy the downtown area and the many unique resturant options. Specifically a three to four block radius around Eighth and Main Street. I remember eating at the Fork, Bittercreek Alehouse, The Juniper, Funky Taco, Tupelo Honey, the Pie Hole, and Lock Stock and Barrell.

Tupelo Honey is a 2nd story restaurant on the corner of 8th Street and Main. This is a popular area, a great place to people watch, and there are multiple restaurants all on the same block. This area is my top recommendation for a night out in Boise.

We have also explored many of the downtown shops, including the Town Square Mall, as well as the capital building. Freak Alley (a very cool and creative alley off of the busy downtown 9th street) is located adjacent to the Town Square Mall. It was created in 2002 and is said to be the oldest outdoor mural gallery in the northwest.

This area of Boise definitely has a big city feel.

As we were walking the capital grounds we discovered Julia Davis Park that was directly across the street from Boise State University.

Bailey and I rented Lime Scooters and rode them in and around the park in the summer of 2023. This park has fantastic paths for running, biking, or jogging.

While getting our steps in, I was surprised to come across multiple Abraham Lincoln statues. I then discovered the Idaho State History Musuem and learned that Lincoln had an indirect connection to Idaho as he rallied the Senate to sign a bill that led to Idaho becoming a territory in 1863. As a result the museum has a rather sizeable collection of Lincoln momentos.

In 2011 we elected to drive to a family reunion in Colorado. The first stop on the trip was in Boise and our hotel was across the street from Roaring Springs Waterpark. Even though it was late in the afternoon the girls begged us to go and ultimately we decided to cool off at the water park. It wasn’t etremely crowded and we decided to buy tickets. Unfortunately a couple of hours later a storm rolled in complete with lightening and thunder and the park make the decision to close early to insure the safety of all of us. Therefore, on the way out of the park we were given vouchers good for a free return trip. While we didn’t necessarily intend to return, two weeks later on our way home from the reunion we made yet another stop in Boise to use our vouchers and enjoy nearly a full day at the water park.

Coeur d’ Alene is another beautiful city in Idaho. Unfortunately, we haven’t explored the city since 2002 when we had a Reslock family reunion at the lake. While I don’t remember a ton of specifics, I know I greatly enjoyed the experience and the lake was absolutely gorgeous. We have driven through here and there over the course of the past twenty years but haven’t spent any significant time. It is a destination high on our families list to return to.

We drove to Moscow after touring Washington State University. After driving through the Palouse and seeing open fields, tractors, and train tracks we weren’t expecting much. We were pleasantly surprised – the downtown shops are a great place to wander and there are more than a handful of cute stores and restaurants. We enjoyed touring the campus of the University of Idaho.

STADIUMS AND/OR SPORTING EVENTS: In 2011 our entire family visited the campus of Boise State University. In 2023 and 2025 my daughters were seriously considering attending there. As a result, we took an official college tour. While in Boise, my oldest and I attended the Boise State vs Central Florida football game.

Seeing a game on the famed “smurf turf” was a bucket list item for me. Even though the Broncos lost on a last second field goal, I loved this experience.

We also visited LC State in Lewiston while on our way home from visiting our friends the Feltons in Missoula. The main reason for the stop was for three year old Bailey to stretch her legs and for dad to see a northwest baseball institution, Lewis-Clark State. Another bucket list sporting event would be to attend the NAIA Baseball World Series at Harris Field.

ADVENTURE(S): On one of our earlier trek’s through Idaho we stumbled upon the Potato Hotel. It is located roughly halfway between Boise and Twin Falls off of I-84. Once you take exit 71 you head south on Orchards Access Road for roughly 6 miles. The hotel is off to your right and at 28 feet long and 12 feet wide it is difficult to miss. While we didn’t stay there (it is for rent) we did get out, explore, and take a few pictures.

Silverwood Theme Park, roughly 45 minutes north of Coeur d’ Alene, is a fantastic family stop. While smaller than some of the other amusement parks we have been, the bang for your buck is as good as it gets. Our favorite roller coasters are Tremors and Corkscrew.

There is also a water park called Boulder Beach. Unfortunately we haven’t returned to the water park since before we had Maddie, but it is definitely on the kids’ list of places they would like to re-visit. Team Castro has always had a good time at Silverwood.

NOTABLE DESTINATIONS & STOPS: On roadtrips, we have always tried to keep from driving more than eight hours in one day. Because Twin Falls is just over 8 hours away from home, it is a perfect day #1 destination when driving southeast. As a result we have stopped at Twin Falls multiple times on driving trips. In our most recent stop in 2019, we ate dinner outside on the patio at Elevation 486. Besides great food, the views of the Snake River Canyon and the Perrine Bridge were spectacular.

Shoshone Falls is a must do when traveling to or through Twin Falls. At 212 feet tall, the falls are taller than the Niagara Falls. The cost is $5 per car which includes access to the falls, hiking trails, and lake access (there is a great swimming hole for families which includes a lifeguard and diving boards attached to rocks).

In 1974 Evel Knievel attempted to jump the 1 mile wide Snake River Canyon just south of the Perrine Bridge. While the attempt failed there was a ton of media fanfare and the town has erected multiple monuments commemorating the event.