Idaho is a truly unique state. This paradise for thrill seekers can be visited throughout the year. It offers more kilometers of designated wilderness areas, state and local parks, and national forests than anywhere else in the continental USA. With cheap flights to Idaho get access to the soaring mountains, sparkling lakes, free-flowing rivers, surprising sand dunes, ancient lava flows, blue ribbon trout streams, and spectacular waterfalls. A vacation in Idaho is a memorable adventure where recreation opportunities abound!
Top Cities to Visit in Idaho
Boise: Idaho’s capital Boise is situated in the lush Boise River valley in southwestern Idaho in a high-desert area of the Rocky Mountain foothills. This vibrant university town is home to Boise State University. The Boise downtown area focusing around 8th Street is packed with shops, art galleries, sidewalk cafes and restaurants. Admire the city’s Basque heritage with a visit to the Basque Block. Take flights to Boise to see some other major attractions worth visiting here such as the impressive Idaho State Capitol, the Zoo Boise, the Julia Davis Park, the Egyptian Theatre, the Albertsons Stadium, and the Boise Art Museum.
Coeur d'Alene: The 55 magnificent lakes formed after the vanishing of glaciers about 10,000 years ago makes the Coeur d’Alene city a magical place to visit. Soak up the awesome views of the city and its surrounding natural beauty by taking a leisurely boat cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Look forward to getting fascinated with some of the other attractions in Idaho, including the Museum of North Idaho, the Silverwood Theme Park, the Art Walk, the Coeur d'Alene Arts & Culture Alliance, the Coeur d'Alene Summer Theatre, and the Art Spirit Gallery.
Pocatello: The unique town of Idaho, Pocatello is the world’s only town with a municipal ordinance making it illegal not to smile. This initially began as a joke to lift people’s spirits during a particularly brutal winter, but continues to be a tradition in Pocatello even today. Founded in 1889 by settlers, gold miners and pioneers, Pocatello is renowned as the “Gateway to the Northwest”. Potacello’s rich cultural life can be best explored with its attractions like the Shoshone-Bannock Fort Hall Reservation, the Idaho Museum of Natural History, the Old Town Actors Studio, the Historic Warehouse District, the Westside Players Dinner Theater, and the Palace Playhouse. Potacello is also a great place for skiing, bird watching, fishing, golf, biking, hiking, and more.
Best Time to Visit Idaho
A vacation in Idaho can be enjoyed at any time of the year. Whether you are visiting the state during the summer, winter, fall or spring, get ready to have your hands full. Idaho is ready to cater to every taste no matter whatever your preferences are. Winter months between February and March bring the deepest snowpack to the mountain resorts at Sun Valley and Silver Mountain attracting skiing enthusiasts in a big way. The mountains in Idaho are equally magical during the summer with perfect temperatures, greenery and wildflowers. Visiting the resort towns of Coeur d’Alene and Sun Valley in summer is highly enjoyable with lots of festivals and special events taking place. It’s recommended that you should contact the online travel agent in advance for booking cheap flights to Idaho when visiting the state during the peak tourism seasons of winter and summer. Fall is also a great time for visiting Idaho. The changing leaves from late September to the end of October, blue skies and refreshingly cool temperatures in the upper 60s F make Idaho simply beautiful.
Best Things to See and Do in Idaho
Idaho with its fascinating mix of a glorious heritage, rich history and culture, friendly native communities, and a remarkable taste of the mountainous American West is a culturally vibrant state worth exploring. Get ready to experience and enjoy all that this magnificent state has to offer.
- Exploring the lunar-like landscape “Craters of the Moon National Monument” in the south of Arco in southeastern Idaho is an exciting experience. This magical landscape was created by volcanic eruptions between 15,000 and 2,000 years ago, and the lava flows in this area can be best explored on signposted circular routes. This unique national monument is also home to five caves, which are surely great to explore
- The Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a major attraction for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers with its alpine lakes, 40 peaks rising over 10,000 feet, and more than 700 miles of equestrian and hiking trails. Comprising of 756,000 wildland acres within the Sawtooth National Forest of central Idaho, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a great place for vacation and spending the night at one of its 50 campgrounds. You will enjoy snowmobiling and cross-country skiing during the winter, while fishing and mountain biking are hugely popular during the summer months
- Plan a visit with your college friends to the Hell's Canyon National Recreation Area with our student flight discount. America’s deepest river gorge Hell’s Canyon, carved out by the scenic and wild Snake River along the border with Oregon and Washington, is situated within the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest of northern Idaho. Tourists visiting here can look forward to enjoying Hell’s Canyon through popular activities such as rafting down the white-water rapids of the Snake River, camping at primitive and developed campgrounds, horseback riding and hiking. Snowmobiles and skiers flock to the Hell’s Canyon and the surrounding National Forest during the winter months
- Skiing enthusiasts will enjoy visiting the Sun Valley Resort in southern Idaho getting attracted to the magnificent winter sports facilities and excellent tourist infrastructure. The Dollar Mountain and Bald Mountain here are wonderful places for downhill skiing for all levels of ability. The Sun Valley Resort has 2,000 acres of skiable terrain catering to 65 named runs and 13 chairlifts. The resort is also home to Nordic Center for cross-country skiers and snowshoers. Besides, Heli Skiing is a popular pastime here. The Sun Valley Resort also attracts mountain bikers, hikers and other outdoor adventurers during the summer months
- Visit the 212-foot-tall Shoshone Falls, also called the “Niagara of the West”, located on the northeast edge of the city of Twin Falls. The huge block waterfall spanning more than 900 feet was created by the Snake River’s turbulent force. Make group flight reservations to visit this majestic falls with your family especially during the surge season between April and July. The waterfalls though can be visited year-round. The Dierks Lake adjacent to the Shoshone Falls offers panoramic views, and is a great place for swimming, hiking and enjoying picnic
Airlines to Idaho
Delta Airlines: Top routes served by Delta Airlines from Idaho include Atlanta (ATL), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), New York (LGA) and Seattle (SEA)
Southwest Airlines: Top routes served by Southwest Airlines from Idaho include Las Vegas (LAS), Oakland (OAK), Phoenix (PHX), San Diego (SAN) and Sacramento (SMF)
American Airlines: Top routes served by American Airlines from Idaho include Washington (DCA), Philadelphia (PHL), Dallas (DFW), Charlotte (CLT) and Miami (MIA)
United Airlines: Top routes served by United Airlines from Idaho include Newark (EWR), Houston (IAH), Denver (DEN), Chicago (ORD) and Los Angeles (LAX)
Alaska Airlines: Top routes served by Alaska Airlines from Idaho include Anchorage (ANC), Los Angeles (LAX), San Diego (SAN), Las Vegas (LAS) and Seattle (SEA)