region 1: southwest
f e a t u r e d
a tt r a ct i o n s
Southwest
Treasure Valley
Basque Museum and Cultural Center
Discovery Center of Idaho, Boise
Boise is home to the highest concentration of Basques in the United
States. The cultural center looks into the history of the Basques in Idaho
and their old-world origins. A guided tour through a historic building, the 1864 Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga house, is available. The historic
landmark was a pioneer family home and was later used as a Basque
boarding house from 1910 until 1969. The museum includes exhibits,
classrooms, archives, library, and a gift shop.
Explore the unexpected at this state-of-the-art facility that engages the
interest of children as well as adults. Discover the wonder of science and
challenge your senses with more than 130 hands-on exhibits. Popular
exhibits allow guests to blow a 3-foot bubble, build an arch, and capture
their shadows.
Basque Museum & Cultural Center
611 Grove St.
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 343-2671
Bogus Basin Mountain recreation area
Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area has been a Treasure Valley winter playground for over 65 years. Located 16 miles north of Boise, the
slopes of Bogus Basin Mountain Recreation Area are covered annually
with 200 inches of snow. The result is a remarkable metropolitan ski
area with more night skiing terrain (165 groomed acres) than any other
ski area in the northwestern U.S.
Bogus Basin Recreation Area
2600 N. Bogus Basin Rd.
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 332-5100
Boise State Capitol building
The Capitol Building is the centerpiece of downtown Boise and was
constructed in the same style as the nation’s Capitol. Work began on
Phase I in 1905 and the second phase was completed in 1912. Exterior
walls were built with Boise’s native sandstone. Inside the capitol building are displays of Idaho’s history and major industries.
Idaho State Capitol Commission
700 W. Jefferson
Boise, ID 83720
(208) 332-1826
Bruneau Dunes State Park
Bruneau Dunes State Park includes the tallest single-structured sand
dune in North America. With desert, dune, prairie, lake and marsh
habitat, area activities include fishing, bird watching, camping, hiking,
swimming and viewing the stars at one of only two public observatories
in Idaho. The visitor center offers information on birds of prey, insects,
fossils, wildlife and sand dunes. Gift items are available for purchase.
Bruneau Dunes State Park
27608 Sand Dunes Rd.
Mountain Home, ID 83647
(208) 366-7919
www.IDAHOTravelCouncil.com
Discovery Center of Idaho
131 Myrtle St.
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 343-9895
Idaho City Historical Area
Located 45 miles from Boise on Highway 21, a living ghost town was
once the largest mining town in the Pacific Northwest. It was a riproaring gold mining area, rivaling anything the California ‘49ers could
have created. Many of the original buildings are still in use by the almost 500 residents who make Idaho City their home today. Eighteen
Historical buildings line the town, including I.O.O.F. Masonic Lodge
and Catholic church. The visitor center is open daily.
Idaho City Historical Area
Corner Main St. and Hwy. 21
Idaho City, ID 83631
(208) 392-4159
Idaho State Historical Museum
The Idaho State Historical Museum, founded in 1907, is Idaho’s largest
and most popular museum. Inside its walls you can discover the history
of the state from prehistoric times through fur trading days, the gold
rush and pioneer settlement. Richly detailed interiors show how Idahoans in the late 19th and 20th centuries lived and conducted business.
Idaho State Historical Museum
610 Julia Davis Dr.
Boise, ID 83702
(208) 334-2120
Lucky Peak & arrowrock reservoirs
Lucky Peak Recreation Area, 12 miles northeast of Boise on State Highway 21, is an