Highest-rated free things to do in Idaho, according to Tripadvisor
Highest-rated free things to do in Idaho, according to Tripadvisor
It is incredibly expensive to be an American. While workers in the United States have seen an 80% increase in wages over the past 50 years, those gains haven't caught up with the ever-growing cost of living, according to a 2024 report from Consumer Affairs. Between 1970 and 2022, the national consumer price index increased by over 500%, while wages only grew by 80%.
That imbalance has put a huge strain on the average American. The number of cost-burdened households in the U.S. reached an 11-year record in 2022, according to an analysis of Census Bureau data by the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In June 2024, Redfin reported that the median U.S. home sale price hit an all-time high of $394,000.
It's no wonder that maintaining savings, paying down debts and mortgages, and regular expenses are taking precedence over vacations. But not everything that's enjoyable has to come at a high price. In fact, there's a roster of completely free things to do in Idaho.
Think about the most common items on a vacation getaway itinerary: sightseeing, touring landmarks, or completing a nature walk. Or, maybe you're just aiming to relax and want some peace and quiet. Whether you're a history buff or aching to dip your toes in some cool water, you can find all this and more without swiping your credit card or crossing state lines.
To help you find your next free activity, Stacker compiled a list of the highest-rated free things to do in Idaho using data from Tripadvisor. Tripadvisor ranks places using a combination of metrics, including overall rating, reviews, and number of page views. As a result, an activity with a 5 out of 5 overall rating might rank lower than one with a 4 out of 5. Data is as of June 12, 2024.
Read on to start planning a weekend of free fun near you!
#30. Camel's Back Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (143 reviews)
- Address: 1200 Heron St. Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#29. Giant Eagle Waterfall Nest
- Rating: 4.5/5 (129 reviews)
- Address: 1075 South Utah Ave. Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#28. Pulaski Tunnel Trail
- Rating: 5/5 (98 reviews)
- Address: Nf-456 Wallace, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#27. The Village at Meridian
- Rating: 4.5/5 (126 reviews)
- Address: 3597 East Monarch Sky Lane Meridian, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#26. Johnny Sack Cabin
- Rating: 4.5/5 (103 reviews)
- Address: Big Springs Park Island Park, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#25. Japanese Pavilion
- Rating: 5/5 (91 reviews)
- Address: Island in river at Broadway Sportsmans Park; the Friendship Garden Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#24. Experimental Breeder Reactor No. 1 (EBR-I) Atomic Museum
- Rating: 4.5/5 (236 reviews)
- Address: Arco, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#23. Sawtooth Wilderness Area
- Rating: 5/5 (182 reviews)
- Address: Ketchum, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#22. City Of Rocks National Reserve
- Rating: 4.5/5 (203 reviews)
- Address: 3035 Elba Almo Road Almo, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#21. Coeur d'Alene City Park and Independence Point
- Rating: 4.5/5 (260 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#20. Falls Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (124 reviews)
- Address: 305 West 4th Ave. Post Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#19. Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial
- Rating: 4.5/5 (293 reviews)
- Address: 777 South 8th St. Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#18. Julia Davis Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (259 reviews)
- Address: 700 S. Capitol Boulevard Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#17. Freak Alley Gallery
- Rating: 4.5/5 (251 reviews)
- Address: 210 North 9th St. Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#16. North Idaho Centennial Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (185 reviews)
- Address: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#15. Snake River Greenbelt
- Rating: 4.5/5 (524 reviews)
- Address: Snake River Greenbelt - Idaho Falls City Center Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#14. Snake River Canyon Trail
- Rating: 4.5/5 (235 reviews)
- Address: Perrine Bridge Twin Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#13. Kathryn Albertson Park
- Rating: 4.5/5 (284 reviews)
- Address: 1001 North Americana Boulevard Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#12. Hell's Half Acre
- Rating: 4.5/5 (142 reviews)
- Address: Interstate 15 Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#11. Morrison-Knudsen Nature Center
- Rating: 4.5/5 (157 reviews)
- Address: 600 South Walnut St. Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#10. Idaho State Capitol Building
- Rating: 4.5/5 (758 reviews)
- Address: 700 West Jefferson St. 8th Street, and State St. Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#9. Boise Art Glass
- Rating: 5/5 (103 reviews)
- Address: 1124 West Front St. Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#8. Payette Lake
- Rating: 5/5 (311 reviews)
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#7. Perrine Bridge
- Rating: 4.5/5 (889 reviews)
- Address: Us-93 Twin Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#6. Redfish Lake
- Rating: 4.5/5 (376 reviews)
- Address: Redfish Lake Road Stanley, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#5. Idaho Falls Temple & Visitors' Center
- Rating: 5/5 (936 reviews)
- Address: 1000 Memorial Drive Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#4. Tubbs Hill Nature Trails
- Rating: 4.5/5 (840 reviews)
- Address: 210 S. 3rd St. South Western Cornen of McEun Park Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#3. Idaho Falls River Walk
- Rating: 4.5/5 (331 reviews)
- Address: 525 River Pkwy Idaho Falls, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#2. Boise River Greenbelt
- Rating: 5/5 (1,478 reviews)
- Address: Boise, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
#1. Coeur d'Alene Lake
- Rating: 5/5 (1,425 reviews)
- Address: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho
- Read more on Tripadvisor
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Zuri White-Gibson, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states and Washington D.C.
