Travel Notes: North America: Idaho Travel Notes

Also known as the Gem State, or Gem of The Mountains, Idaho might be famous for potatoes but the unspoiled mountains of coniferous pines, in the north of the state, is what most visitors come to Idaho for.

The state capital of Idaho is Boise.

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Boise, Highway 12, Idaho Municipalities, Idaho Tours, Idaho Travel Guides, Lakes in Idaho, Lewis and Clark, Map of Idaho, Sun Valley, The Oregon Trail, The State of Idaho.

Boise Weather - Idaho Weather.

Map of Idaho - with TravelNotes Hotel Guide

Zoom in on the map to travel around the state and find where to stay.

About Idaho:
Find out more about Idaho before you travel there. Order tourist brochures and look at where you'd like to stay.

The State of Idaho

States neighbouring Idaho are: Nevada, Oregon, Washington, Montana, Wyoming and Utah. Idaho also borders Canada.

State of Idaho:
The word on the state of Idaho, from public office.

Visit Idaho:
Tourism pages for the state of Idaho.

Boise

Boise grew rapidly after the discovery of gold in the region around 1863.

Visitors to the state capital today are close to the splendours of nature.

AmeriSuites Boise Town Square Mall: Boise, Idaho.
925 N. Milwaukee St. Hotel Details. Hotel Rates. Add Hotel Review. Read Hotel Reviews. View Map. Official Website: AmeriSuites Boise.	This AmeriSuites is located just 10 minutes from downtown Boise and within walking distance of the Boise Towne Square mall. With AmeriSuites, you'll always get spacious rooms, free high-speed Internet and a complimentary hot breakfast each morning of your stay. Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online Book a Room at the AmerSuites Boise Hotel amenities include a heated indoor pool, laundry facilities, free parking, airport transportation, and use of a local fitness center. All rooms feature mini-kitchens (with microwaves, coffeemakers, and refrigerators), free high-speed Internet access, hairdryers, irons and ironing boards, free weekday newspapers, voicemail, dataports, and cable TVs with pay-per-view movies and Nintendo games.
Grove Hotel: Boise, Idaho.
245 S Capitol Blvd. Hotel Details. Hotel Rates. Add Hotel Review. Read Hotel Reviews. View Map. Official Website: Grove Hotel.	The Grove Hotel is located in downtown Boise, adjacent to the Qwest Arena. The European elegance of the entry warms the guests with cherry-paneled walls, neoclassical chandeliers, and brass accents. The adjoining lobby bar encourages lingering in overstuffed sofas, and chairs around the fireplace. The Grove houses Emilio's Italian restaurant, Satori Sushi Bar, and a Grand Entree Brunch on Sundays. Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online Book a Room at the Grove Hotel The hotel also has a retail shop and Gold's Gym with indoor pool, whirlpool, sauna, and steam room. All rooms contain in-room entertainment and advanced telecommunications, turndown service, valet, high-speed Internet access, voicemail, irons, minibars, and terrycloth robes.
Holiday Inn Boise Airport: Boise, Idaho.
3300 Vista Ave. Hotel Details. Hotel Rates. Add Hotel Review. View Map. Official Website: Holiday Inn Boise.	With its convenient location, well-appointed accommodations, and full-service features, the Holiday Inn Boise Airport sets the standard of value for Boise airport hotels. Local attractions include Idaho Ice World, Boise State University, State Capitol, Edwards Entertainment Complex, Gowen Field, Bogus Basin Ski Area, Boise outlet centers, and nearby skiing and white water rafting. Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online Book a Room at the Holiday Inn Boise Guest rooms feature high speed Internet, cable/satellite TV, dataports, video check-out, iron and ironing board, air conditioning, safe deposit boxes, coffeemaker, hairdryer, and AM/FM alarm clock radios.
Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner: Boise, Idaho.
1800 Fairview Avenue. Hotel Details. Hotel Rates. Add Hotel Review. Read Hotel Reviews. View Map. Official Website: Red Lion Hotel Boise.	Conveniently located off I-184 in the core of downtown Boise, this AAA Three-Diamond Red Lion is just 15 minutes from the airport, via complimentary airport transportation, and a short drive to the State Capitol, the Boise Convention Center and many other popular attractions. With 8,000 square feet of flexible meeting and banquet space, the Red Lion Hotel Boise Downtowner is a full service convention hotel able to accommodate up to 300 guests. Guaranteed Best Hotel Rates Online Book a Room at the Red Lion Hotel Boise All rooms completed renovations in May of 2006, this includes all new plush pillow-topped beds, new furnishings, and new bathrooms. The bathrooms have all new showers with surround currtains, and adjustable shower heads, all new granite counter tops, and lighting. The hotel also has a fitness room, swimming pool, hot tub, restaurant, and lounge.

Sort Boise Hotels by: Hotel Price, Hotel Rating, Hotel Name.

Lakes in Idaho

Lake Pend Oreille and Coeur d'Alene are both natural lakes tucked away in the north of the state, and there are many artificial ones on the Snake River and its tributaries.

Salmon and trout fishing are popular in Idaho, and some of the best white water rafting can be found along the western border.

The Oregon Trail

The Oregon Trail went further south than the Louis and Clark expedition, although it picked up the Snake River between Fort Hall and Fort Boise.

Many visitors to Idaho also visit parts of the trail.

Lewis and Clark

In May, 1804, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark set out from St. Louis, with some 45 men, to explore the the newly gained lands west of the Mississippi and open up a route to the Oregon.

The expedition followed the Missouri River north to Fort Mandan in North Dakota, where they spent the winter, and east to the Missouri headwaters.

They then came over the Rockies and followed the Snake river through Idaho and Washington to join the Columbia river.

Sun Valley

Sun Valley, outside Ketchum, is the state's ski resort that allures the rich, famous, and fashionable. The hot springs in the hills are also an attraction.

Ketchum Hotels.

Sun Valley Guide:
The Sun Valley Guide is distributed free twice yearly to residents and guests throughout the Sun Valley, Idaho resort area communities. Or you can read the features online.

Sun Valley Seasons:
Comprehensive guide with listings for local events, restaurant reviews and an insiders scoop on the endless recreational activities the Sun Valley resort area has to offer.

Visit Sun Valley:
The Chamber of Commerce in the mountain resort towns of Sun Valley and Ketchum can help you plan a winter or summer vacation to the year-round resort area located in the central Idaho Rockies.

Idaho Tours

Columbia River Cruises:
The American West Steamboat Company runs riverboat cruises on authentic paddle-wheelers along the Columbia River, Snake River, and Willamette River.

Destination Wilderness:
The Main Salmon River combines all the elements that bring people to wilderness river travel. Legendary whitewater, pristine scenery, abundant wildlife, sandy beaches and hot springs are samples of what this magnificent canyon has to offer. Guided family trips, inflatable kayaks and kayaks support trips.

Idaho Wine Country:
While a few of the 15 Idaho wineries are located in the beautiful northern Panhandle area, most are concentrated along the Snake River in south-western Idaho.

Rafting The Main Salmon:
This is the one families enjoy the most. The Salmon river canyon is one of the deepest in America and is famous for exhilarating rapids, abundant wildlife, big sandy beaches and numerous historical sites. June, July and August.

The Middle Fork of the Salmon:
To professional river guides and long time river runners, the Middle Fork is considered America's best wilderness river trip. Depending on your interests the best time to float the Middle Fork will vary. You'll find the most exciting rapids in June and and the best combination of whitewater and weather in July and August. Fishing gets better as water levels decline.

Highway 12

A narrow and winding road following the Clearwater and Lochsa Rivers. This road is not designed for the fast traveller. There are lots of pull-outs, to let traffic pass and to take in the breath-taking views of the country.

Idaho's Highway 12:
Tourism website promoting recreational activities along Highway 12 -- Clarkston, Lewiston, Lenore, Peck, Orofino, Greer, Kamiah, Kooskia, Lowell, Lolo -- with side trips to Pierce, Weippe, Asotin and Lapwai.

Idaho Municipalities