Let’s be honest. It can be hard staying on top of different activities to do every weekend while trying to stay on a budget. Leaving the house costs money, unfortunately. However, Idaho is full of cheap and even free things to do that are still entertaining. Here are 10 activities in Idaho that are perfect for when you don’t feel like spending money.
- Wander into the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center.
Idaho Department of Fish and Game MK Nature Center/Facebook You might’ve walked along the Boise Greenbelt hundreds of times and never noticed the incredibly unique nature center located right off of it. It’s easy to miss. However, once you wander inside you will be absolutely floored by the center’s beauty. In this 4.6 acre site, you’ll see all kinds of wildlife. The best part? It’s completely free.
- Visit a fish hatchery.
Hagerman National Fish Hatchery/Facebook There are 19 fish hatcheries throughout the Gem State and visiting one is a always a unique and interesting experience. These hatcheries are important for the aquatic life in our state and most, if not all, provide visitors with free tours of the hatchery grounds. This is a great way to see some fascinating fish species up close!
- Visit Idaho’s oldest standing building at the Cataldo Mission.
Rachael Alter/Flickr Old Mission State Park in North Idaho is home to the oldest building in the entire state. The Sacred Heart Church was built sometime in between 1850 and 1853. Although it’s old, the building is extremely impressive and a stunning sight that every Idahoan should see.
- Tour the Idaho State Capitol Building
No, I’m laughing with you/Flickr The Capitol Building was built in 1905 and remains one of the most picturesque buildings in all of Idaho. Entirely full of skylights and marble pillars, the building is a wonder that should be on everybody’s bucket list. You can arrange a guided tour in order to hear about all of the Capitol’s incredible history, or visit by yourself at your leisure since the building is open to the public during business hours.
- Hike or ride on the Centennial Trail.
Robert Ashworth/Flickr The Idaho Centennial Trail is a 900 mile long scenic trail going through North Idaho. From desert, to canyonlands, to mountain forests, the trail has it all. Although making the entire trek along the trail would take months, a short hike or bike ride along a small section of the ICT can be the perfect way to spend a day.
- Visit a Farmers Market.
Jeremy Segrott/Flickr There are few things more magical than walking through an Idaho Farmers Market on a beautiful, crisp Saturday morning. And Idaho has a lot of them. The Boise Farmers Market is a staple but many towns across the state have their own. Even if you don’t feel like spending the money, walking along the local artists and farmers booths is a wonderful experience in itself!
- Drive along one of Idaho’s scenic byways.
Charles Peterson/Flickr Idaho is full of scenic roads perfect for cruising down without a destination in mind. Check out our list of the 10 Best Backroads In Idaho For A Long Scenic Drive for some inspiration!
- Spend the day at the lake.
Anne/Flickr Living in Idaho is like living in a giant playground. There are an endless amount of natural attractions that are capable of providing hours of free entertainment! Spend the day at one of Idaho’s breathtaking lakes, splashing around or just relaxing on the shore.
- Visit the Rose Garden at Julia Davis Park.
Ophelia M./Yelp There are plenty of hidden gems in Idaho open to the public every day of the year. One of these places is the incredible Rose Garden at Julia Davis Park in Boise. The garden is a beauty all year long (although it’s best seen during the flower’s peak time in spring and early summer). Sit and relax on one of the benches while taking it all in.
- Walk through a historic town like Idaho City.
Brian Teutsch/Flickr Scattered all over Idaho are towns filled to the brim with history and wonder. These towns make the perfect getaway for the day since just walking through them is an entertaining endeavor. No money required. Some of these towns look like they are part of a Western movie set and observing the old buildings and hearing about their history is a unforgettable, and free, way to spend a weekend!
What do you think? Will you do any of these free Idaho activities?
Idaho Department of Fish and Game MK Nature Center/Facebook
You might’ve walked along the Boise Greenbelt hundreds of times and never noticed the incredibly unique nature center located right off of it. It’s easy to miss. However, once you wander inside you will be absolutely floored by the center’s beauty. In this 4.6 acre site, you’ll see all kinds of wildlife. The best part? It’s completely free.
Hagerman National Fish Hatchery/Facebook
There are 19 fish hatcheries throughout the Gem State and visiting one is a always a unique and interesting experience. These hatcheries are important for the aquatic life in our state and most, if not all, provide visitors with free tours of the hatchery grounds. This is a great way to see some fascinating fish species up close!
Rachael Alter/Flickr
Old Mission State Park in North Idaho is home to the oldest building in the entire state. The Sacred Heart Church was built sometime in between 1850 and 1853. Although it’s old, the building is extremely impressive and a stunning sight that every Idahoan should see.
No, I’m laughing with you/Flickr
The Capitol Building was built in 1905 and remains one of the most picturesque buildings in all of Idaho. Entirely full of skylights and marble pillars, the building is a wonder that should be on everybody’s bucket list. You can arrange a guided tour in order to hear about all of the Capitol’s incredible history, or visit by yourself at your leisure since the building is open to the public during business hours.
Robert Ashworth/Flickr
The Idaho Centennial Trail is a 900 mile long scenic trail going through North Idaho. From desert, to canyonlands, to mountain forests, the trail has it all. Although making the entire trek along the trail would take months, a short hike or bike ride along a small section of the ICT can be the perfect way to spend a day.
Jeremy Segrott/Flickr
There are few things more magical than walking through an Idaho Farmers Market on a beautiful, crisp Saturday morning. And Idaho has a lot of them. The Boise Farmers Market is a staple but many towns across the state have their own. Even if you don’t feel like spending the money, walking along the local artists and farmers booths is a wonderful experience in itself!
Charles Peterson/Flickr
Idaho is full of scenic roads perfect for cruising down without a destination in mind. Check out our list of the 10 Best Backroads In Idaho For A Long Scenic Drive for some inspiration!
Anne/Flickr
Living in Idaho is like living in a giant playground. There are an endless amount of natural attractions that are capable of providing hours of free entertainment! Spend the day at one of Idaho’s breathtaking lakes, splashing around or just relaxing on the shore.
Ophelia M./Yelp
There are plenty of hidden gems in Idaho open to the public every day of the year. One of these places is the incredible Rose Garden at Julia Davis Park in Boise. The garden is a beauty all year long (although it’s best seen during the flower’s peak time in spring and early summer). Sit and relax on one of the benches while taking it all in.
Brian Teutsch/Flickr
Scattered all over Idaho are towns filled to the brim with history and wonder. These towns make the perfect getaway for the day since just walking through them is an entertaining endeavor. No money required. Some of these towns look like they are part of a Western movie set and observing the old buildings and hearing about their history is a unforgettable, and free, way to spend a weekend!
Check out these 8 Surprising Things You Never Thought About Doing In Idaho for more amazing ideas.
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