List of museums in Idaho facts for kids

A museum is a special place where interesting objects are collected, cared for, and shown to the public. These objects can be about history, art, science, or culture. This list tells you about the many museums you can visit in Idaho. It doesn't include museums that are only online.

Museums in Idaho

Idaho has many different kinds of museums! Here's a list of some of them:

• Appaloosa Museum in Moscow: Learn all about the history of the beautiful Appaloosa horse and where it came from. Find out more here.
• Art Museum of Eastern Idaho in Idaho Falls: This museum has five different rooms filled with art for you to explore. Visit their website.
• Bannock County Historical Museum in Pocatello: Discover the local history of Bannock County. See their website.
• Basque Museum & Cultural Center in Boise: Explore the unique history and culture of the Basque-American people in Idaho. Check out their site.
• Bellevue Historical Society in Bellevue: Learn about the history of Bellevue.
• Bingham County Historical Museum in Blackfoot: This museum shares the history of Bingham County. Learn more.
• Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center in Sagle: See historic airplanes and learn about amazing inventions.
• Blaine County Historical Museum in Hailey: Dive into the local history of Blaine County. Visit their website.
• Boise Art Museum in Boise: This museum focuses on American art from the 1900s, especially art from the Northwest, and also features ceramics.
• Boise Basin Museum in Idaho City: Discover the local history of the Boise Basin area. Find out more.
• Bonner County History Museum in Sandpoint: Learn about pioneers, farming, logging, mining, and the Kalispell and Kootenai people. Check their website.
• Boundary County History Museum in Bonners Ferry: Explore the history of Boundary County. Visit their site.
• Cambridge Museum in Cambridge: This museum tells the story of local history.
• Camp Tosobia and Camp Mead DUP Historical Museum in Soda Springs: This museum is run by the Daughters of Utah Pioneers.
• Canyon Crossroads Transportation Museum in Melba: This museum is still being built! It will show exhibits on local nature, Native Americans, and transportation.
• Captain John Mullan Museum in Mullan: Learn about the history of this area. Visit their website.
• Cassia County Historical Museum in Burley: Discover the history of Cassia County.
• Chesterfield Townsite in Chesterfield: Walk through a late 1800s ghost town that's like an outdoor museum.
• Clayton Area Historical Museum in Clayton: Learn about the history of the Clayton area.
• Clearwater Historical Museum in Orofina: Explore the local history of Clearwater. Find out more.
• Collectors' Corner Museum in Idaho Falls: This fun museum has collections of dolls, bears, antique toys, trains, coins, stamps, and military items.
• Council Valley Museum in Council: Discover the local history of Council Valley.
• Crane House Museum in Harrison: This museum is located in an old house and shares local history.
• Crystal Gold Mine in Kellogg: Take a guided tour deep underground in a real gold mine! Visit their website.
• Discovery Center of Idaho in Boise: This is a science museum with lots of hands-on exhibits. It's designed to make you excited about science, technology, engineering, and math!
• Eagle Historical Museum in Eagle: Learn about the history of Eagle.
• Elk River Museum in Elk River: This museum shares the history of Elk River.
• Experimental Breeder Reactor I in Hailey: See a nuclear research reactor that is no longer in use. It's a science museum!
• Farragut State Park in Athol: This park has the Brig Museum, which shows displays about the Farragut Naval Training Station.
• Fort Hall in Pocatello: See a replica of a trading post from the mid-1800s.
• Franklin Idaho Relic Hall in Franklin: This museum is run by the Idaho State Historical Society and shows local history.
• Gem County Historical Village Museum in Emmett: Explore exhibits on Native Americans, trappers, miners, settlers, and farming. See a period house and a blacksmith shop. Learn more.
• Glenns Ferry Historical Museum in Glenns Ferry: This museum is in an old schoolhouse from the early 1900s and tells the local history.
• Gooding County Museum in Gooding: Discover the history of Gooding County.
• Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument in Hagerman: See amazing fossils of ancient horses and take tours of the fossil beds.
• Hagerman Valley Historical Society Museum in Hagerman: Learn about area fossils, Native Americans, explorers, and pioneers. Check their website.
• Heritage Hall Museum in Dubois: This museum is in a former church and shares local history.
• Herrett Center for Arts and Science in Twin Falls: This center has Native American artifacts, natural history exhibits, a planetarium, and art galleries. Visit their website.
• Historic P&IN Depot in New Meadows: See a restored train station with changing exhibits on local and state history.
• Historical Museum at St. Gertrude in Cottonwood: Learn about the Benedictine Sisters, the Nez Perce people, fossils, minerals, and artifacts from Asia and Europe. Find out more.
• Hughes Home Museum in St. Maries: This museum is in an early 1900s log house and shows local history.
• Idaho Black History Museum in Boise: Learn about the history and culture of African Americans, especially in Idaho.
• Idaho Heritage Museum in Twin Falls: See Native American artifacts, mounted animals, fossils, guns, and coins. Visit their website.
• Idaho Military History Museum in Boise: Explore the military history of Idaho, including all branches of service and the wars Idahoans have fought in. Check their website.
• Idaho Museum of Mining & Geology in Boise: See mining tools, rocks, and minerals, and learn about Idaho's geology and mining history. Find out more.
• Idaho Museum of Natural History in Pocatello: Discover Idaho’s geology, fossils, Ice Age animals, native cultures, plants, and animals.
• Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot: This fun museum is all about potatoes! Learn about potato farming and how potatoes are part of our food culture.
• Idaho State Historical Museum in Boise: Explore the history, culture, and daily life of people in Idaho.
• J. Howard Bradbury Memorial Logging Museum in Pierce: Learn about the history of mining and logging in the area.
• Jefferson County Historical Museum in Rigby: Also called the Farnsworth TV & Pioneer Museum, this museum shows early electric items, the history of Jefferson County, and the story of Philo Farnsworth, who helped invent television.
• Jerome County Historical Museum in Jerome: Learn about the history of Jerome County. They also run the Idaho Farm & Ranch Museum nearby. Visit their website.
• Kamiah Valley Museum in Kamiah: This museum shares the local history of Kamiah Valley.
• Kootenai County Jail Museum in Rathdrum: This museum is in the old sheriff’s office and county jail. Learn more.
• Kuna History Center in Kuna: Discover the history of Kuna.
• Lawson's Emu-Z-um in Grand View: See pioneer tools, old clothes, antique kitchen gadgets, early vehicles, farming equipment, and Native American artifacts. Check their website.
• Legacy Flight Museum in Rexburg: See restored military aircraft at this aerospace museum. Visit their website.
• Lemhi County Historical Museum in Salmon: Learn about the Lemhi Shoshone people, ranching, mining, pioneers, and Chinese immigrants. They also have records from the Lewis and Clark expedition. Find out more.
• Lewis-Clark State College Center for Arts & History in Lewiston: This center has changing exhibits of art and local history.
• Lochsa Historical Ranger Station Museum in Kooskia: This museum is run by the US Forest Service and shares history about the Nez Perce National Forest. Learn more.
• McConnell Mansion Museum in Moscow: Explore historic rooms decorated to look like different time periods from 1900 to the 1930s. Visit their website.
• Minidoka County Historical Society Museum in Rupert: Learn about the history of Minidoka County.
• MK Nature Center in Boise: This nature center is run by the state and is also known as the Morrison Knudsen Nature Center. Check their website.
• Mountain Home Museum in Mountain Home: Discover the local history of Mountain Home. Find out more.
• Mud Lake Museum in Terreton: This museum shares the local history of Mud Lake.
• Museum of Clean in Pocatello: This unique museum shows the history of cleaning devices, including vacuums, washers, brooms, toilets, and cleaning products. Visit their website.
• Museum of Idaho in Idaho Falls: Learn about Idaho's history, culture, natural history, nuclear energy, and Native Americans. Check their website.
• Museum of North Idaho in Coeur d'Alene: Exhibits include logging, farming, steamboats, railroads, recreation, and the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. Find out more.
• Museum of Winchester History in Winchester: This museum shares the local history of Winchester.
• Nampa Train Depot Museum in Nampa: Learn about the area's railroad history, antique dolls, and rodeo. Visit their website.
• National Oregon/California Trail Center in Montpelier: Experience what it was like to travel on a wagon train in the 1850s. It also has the Rails & Trails Museum about local history and pioneers. Check their website.
• Nez Perce County Historical Museum in Lewiston: Discover the history of Nez Perce County. Visit their website.
• Nez Perce National Historical Park in Spalding: The Spalding Visitor Center has a museum about the Nez Perce people. The park has many sites related to the Nez Perce across four states.
• North Custer Museum in Challis: This museum shares the local history of North Custer.
• Northern Pacific Depot Railroad Museum in Wallace: Learn about the area's railroad and mining history in an old train station. Find out more.
• Oakley Valley Historical Museum in Oakley: Discover the history of Oakley Valley.
• Old Fort Boise in Parma: See a reconstructed replica of Fort Boise.
• Old Idaho Penitentiary in Boise: Explore this historic prison. It also has a collection of historic weapons and military items.
• Old Mission State Park in Cataldo: Visit a historic mission built for the Coeur d'Alene Tribe.
• Oneida County Pioneer Museum in Malad: Learn about the pioneers of Oneida County.
• Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History in Caldwell: This natural history museum is part of College of Idaho.
• Our Memories Indian Creek Museum in Caldwell: See rooms decorated to look like different time periods. Check their website.
• Owyhee County Historical Society Museum and Library in Murphy: Discover the local history of Owyhee County. Visit their website.
• Palouse Discovery Science Center in Moscow: This center offers hands-on science and learning experiences. Find out more.
• Pappy Boyington Veterans Museum in Hayden: Learn about local aviation and military aviation history, including items from aviator Pappy Boyington. Visit their website.
• Paris Historical Museum in Paris: This museum shares the local history of Paris.
• Payette County Museum in Payette: Discover the history of Payette County. Check their website.
• Post Falls Historical Society Museum in Post Falls: Learn about the history of Post Falls.
• Power County Museum in American Falls: This museum shares the local history of Power County.
• Priest Lake Museum in Coolin: Exhibits cover area Native Americans, pioneers, early businesses, and the history of the US Forest Service. Find out more.
• Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center in Priest River: Learn about pioneer life and the timber industry in an old homestead house.
• Rock Creek Station and Stricker Homesite in Twin Falls: See a mid-1800s house, store, pioneer cemetery, and other old buildings.
• Roseberry General Store and Museum in Donnelly: This is an early 1900s general store with historic displays and items you can buy today. Visit their website.
• Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural and Education Center in Salmon: This center focuses on Sacajawea, her people (the Agaidika), and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Check their website.
• Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Museum in Fort Hall: Explore the culture and art of the Shoshone people.
• Shoshone County Mining & Smelting Museum in Kellogg: Also known as Staff House Museum, it shows exhibits on mining, smelting, and the history of North Idaho's Silver Valley. Find out more.
• Shoshone Indian Ice Caves and Museum in Shoshone: Explore a lava ice cave and a museum with Native American artifacts, minerals, and gems.
• Sierra Silver Mine Tour in Wallace: Take a tour of an underground silver mine! Visit their website.
• Soda Springs Historical Museum in Soda Springs: This museum is in the 1919 Ender's Hotel and shares local history.
• South Bannock County Historical Center Museum in Lava Hot Springs: Learn about the local history of South Bannock County. Check their website.
• Spragpole Museum in Mullan: Discover the area's mining and logging history, and see rooms decorated from the late 1800s.
• Stanley Historical Museum in Stanley: This museum is in the historic Valley Creek Ranger Station and shares local history.
• Sun Valley Center for the Arts in Ketchum: This center shows modern and historical art from artists around the world.
• Sun Valley Museum of History in Ketchum: Learn about the cultural heritage of the Sun Valley area.
• Teton Flood Museum in Rexburg: This museum tells the story of the Teton Flood. Visit their website.
• Teton Valley Museum in Driggs: This museum shares the local history of Teton Valley.
• Twin Falls County Historical Society Museum in Twin Falls: Learn about the Oregon Trail, ranching, farming, and life in the early 1900s. Check their website.
• Valley County Museum in Donnelly: Also known as Historic Roseberry, this is an outdoor museum with historic buildings like the John Korvola Homestead. Find out more.
• Wallace District Mining Museum in Wallace: See artifacts and a model of the Sunshine Mine, and learn about the area's mining history. Visit their website.
• Warhawk Air Museum in Nampa: See historic military aircraft and learn about military aviation history. Check their website.
• Weippe Discovery Center in Weippe: This center has a museum with exhibits about Lewis and Clark. Find out more.
• Weippe Hilltop Heritage Museum in Weippe: This museum shares the local history of Weippe.
• Weiser Museum in Weiser: Displays include the Intermountain Institute, agriculture, Native Americans, mining, local car history, and military items.
• White Spring Ranch Museum in Genesee: Visit a late 1800s farmhouse, an 1876 log cabin, and an 1880 Curio Museum cabin. Visit their website.
• Wilford Woodruff Home in Randolph: See pioneer items from early Mormon pioneer leader Wilford Woodruff.
• World Sports Humanitarian Hall of Fame in Boise: This hall of fame celebrates athletes who have made important contributions to humanity. It's located on the campus of Boise State University.

Museums That Are No Longer Open

Sometimes museums close. Here are a few that used to be open in Idaho:

• Hess Heritage Museum, Ashton
• Ketchum Sun Valley Historical Society Heritage & Ski Museum, Ketchum: Its collections are now part of the Sun Valley Museum of History.
• Sacajawea Museum at Spalding: This museum used to be near the Spalding Mission. After a flood in 1963, its items were sold. It had a buckskin dress from Sacajawea, headdresses from Nez Perce Chiefs (including two from the young Chief Joseph), and a dugout canoe from the Lewis and Clark expedition.

Regions of Idaho

Map showing the tourism regions of Idaho

The Idaho Department of Commerce divides the state into seven main regions for tourism. These regions are used to help organize the museums listed above:

• Northern - Includes counties like Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, and Shoshone.
• North Central - Includes counties like Clearwater, Idaho, Latah, Lewis, and Nez Perce.
• Southwest - Includes counties like Ada, Adams, Boise, Canyon, Elmore, Gem, Owyhee, Payette, Valley, and Washington.
• Central - Includes counties like Blaine, Butte, Camas, Custer, and Lemhi.
• South Central - Includes counties like Cassia, Gooding, Jerome, Lincoln, Minidoka, and Twin Falls.
• East - Includes counties like Bingham, Bonneville, Clark, Fremont, Jefferson, Madison, and Teton.
• Southeastern - Includes counties like Bannock, Bear Lake, Caribou, Franklin, Oneida, and Power.

See also

Map showing the counties of Idaho

• List of nature centers in Idaho