Immerse yourself in Idaho history and culture at one of the many museums located in Boise. From the history of the Gem State to science experiments, there are a variety of museums to suit any interest.
Idaho State Museum
Head to the Idaho State Museum to learn more about the great Gem State. This interactive museum provides insight into the agriculture, history, and culture of Idaho. Visitors can take a virtual bike ride through Boise, learn about the effect of wildfires, or hear the story of the famous parachuting beavers. There is even a kid-friendly section where little ones can pretend they are miners or train conductors.
Discovery Center of Idaho
The Discovery Center of Idaho is the state’s only hands-on science center. Through interactive, fun exhibits, visitors of all ages can learn about science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) at the Discovery Center. Current exhibitions range from a Tyrannosaurus rex to artifacts from the Titanic.
Boise Art Museum
Feast your eyes on a vast array of artwork at the Boise Art Museum (BAM). With 12 to 16 new exhibits each year and the children’s ARTexperience gallery, there is something for everyone who visits the museum. BAM also hosts one of Boise’s most popular events in September: Art in the Park.
Idaho Black History Museum
The Idaho Black History Museum is the only museum dedicated to African American history in the state, and it is the oldest black history museum in the Pacific Northwest. The museum is housed in the historic St. Paul Baptist Church building which sits in Julia Davis Park. Visitors can learn about the history of African Americans in Idaho from the early 1800s to the present at the museum’s permanent display, “The Invisible Idahoan: 200 Years of Blacks in Idaho.”
The Basque Museum and Cultural Center
Here is a fun fact: Boise has one of the largest Basque populations in the United States. Visit the Basque Museum and Cultural Center to learn more about the individuals that decided to call the City of Trees home when they left Spain. Located in the historic Cyrus Jacobs-Uberuaga House that sits in downtown Boise’s Basque Block, you will be fully immersed in Basque culture and history on your visit.
Old Idaho Penitentiary
Do not let the name spook you—the Old Idaho Penitentiary is filled with history, not ghosts. The penitentiary served as a functional prison from 1872 to 1973, housing both male and female prisoners. Step into Solitary Confinement, peruse cell blocks, and read up on interesting stories of inmates to imagine what life was like behind those walls! There are also exhibits ranging from historic weaponry to prison tattoos.
These are only a few of the many museums that populate the Treasure Valley and our great state. If you want to learn more about a specific part of Idaho’s history, I would be happy to help!