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BEST RATED BOISE, ID LANDMARKS

3 Best Landmarks in Boise, ID

Expert-recommended Top 3 Landmarks in Boise, Idaho. All of our landmarks actually face a rigorous 50-Point Inspection, which includes customer reviews, history, complaints, ratings, satisfaction, trust, cost and general excellence. You deserve only the best!

Old Idaho Penitentiary - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Outdoor Experience Image
Old Idaho Penitentiary - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Tourist Spot Image
Old Idaho Penitentiary - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Scenic View Image
Best Landmarks in Boise City ID - Old Idaho Penitentiary video
10+ YEARS IN TBR
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OLD IDAHO PENITENTIARY

(5.0 Score)
2445 Old Penitentiary Road,
Boise, ID 83712 Directions

Since 1872

Specialty:

✓Historic Franklin Properties and Buildings ✓Large Backpacks ✓Clothing Changes ✓Research ✓Preservation ✓Field Trips ✓Camera Bags ✓Shop ✓Families and School Groups ✓Lighting ✓Shade Covers ✓Rentable Facilities ✓Guided Tours ✓Exhibits ✓Permanent Galleries ✓Online and Traveling Displays ✓Temporary Shows ✓Digital Textile Collection

"Old Idaho Penitentiary houses an impressive collection of historic arms and military memorabilia dating back to 3500 BCE. Visitors, including families and school groups, can explore the Old Pen’s dramatic history of daring escapes, scandals, and executions. Guests can experience more than 100 years of Idaho’s prison history by touring the cell blocks, gallows, and solitary confinement areas. The museum showcases a diverse collection of historical artifacts, from the Bronze Age to modern-day items used in sport, law enforcement, and military contexts. Knowledgeable staff is available to answer questions and promote safe practices. Old Idaho Penitentiary offers free admission for its members and provides free parking. It is one of only four remaining territorial prisons in the U.S. open to the public today.

2026 Highlights: Old Idaho Penitentiary offers guided tours and several rentable facilities."

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License #74000729

Price:

Admission
Adults (13+) $9
Seniors (60+) $7
Children (6-12) $5
Members Free

Discount:

15% Off in agency stores and online for Ongoing Membership

Contact:

(208) 334-2844

Mon-Sun: 10am - 5pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Idaho State Museum - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Outdoor Experience Image
Idaho State Museum - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Entertainment Image
Idaho State Museum - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Visitor Experience Image
Best Landmarks in Boise City ID - Idaho State Museum video
9+ YEARS IN TBR
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IDAHO STATE MUSEUM

(4.9 Score)
610 Julia Davis Drive,
Boise, ID 83702 Directions

Since 1907

Specialty:

✓Educational Programs ✓Classrooms ✓Corporate and Special Events ✓Overnights ✓Conservation ✓Groups ✓Scouting ✓Field Trip ✓Guided Tours ✓Workshops ✓Research ✓Meeting Space and Facilities ✓Birthday Parties ✓Rental Facility ✓Historic Adventure ✓Merchandise ✓Activities ✓Agency Stores and Online ✓Cell Art Show ✓Print Magazine ✓Homeschool Day ✓Night Tours

"Idaho State Museum provides a fun, immersive environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn about the history of Idaho. The museum explores how Idaho's unique landscapes have shaped and continue to influence its inhabitants' experiences. It showcases the relationship between Idaho’s people and its land, which has always defined what it means to live there. The museum features over 514 artifacts on display, 800 photographs, and 46 multimedia exhibits that illustrate the evolving relationship between Idaho's land and its people. Through exhibitions, educational programming, and artifacts, the museum helps Idahoans and visitors understand their shared history.

2026 Highlights: Idaho State Museum conducts various programs that tie Idaho’s rich history into current events."

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Price:

Admission
Adults (18-59) $10
Active Military & Veterans $8
Seniors (60+) $8
College Students (Wid) $8
Children Youth (6-17) $5
Children 5 And Under Free
Members Free
Memberships Per Year
Individual $50
Dual $75
Family $100
Quartz $250
Garnet $500

Discount:

$1 Off for Groups of 10+ (must book two weeks in advance, excludes special programming)

$3 Off for EBT Cardholders (Up to 4 family members)

Contact:

(208) 334-2120 (208) 422-1146

Mon-Sat: 10am - 5pm
Sun: 12pm - 5pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

Idaho State Capitol - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Outdoor Experience Image
Idaho State Capitol - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Visitor Experience Image
Idaho State Capitol - Boise City, ID Landmarks - Scenic View Image
Best Landmarks in Boise City ID - Idaho State Capitol video
10+ YEARS IN TBR
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IDAHO STATE CAPITOL

(4.9 Score)
700 West Jefferson Street,
Boise, ID 83702 Directions

Since 1905

Specialty:

✓Artifacts and Historic Furnishings ✓Digitized Capitol Collection ✓Gift Shop ✓Auditorium ✓Ephemera ✓Rotunda Entrance ✓Temporary Exhibits ✓Statuary Hall ✓Collection of Photographs ✓Capitol Restoration Program ✓Legislative Portraits and Composites ✓Government Records ✓Permanent Exhibit ✓Exhibit Galleries ✓Committee Rooms and Legislative Spaces

"Idaho State Capitol Building is the most treasured building, with its gorgeous sandstone walls; laws have been passed, concerns debated, and citizen liberties safeguarded for nearly a century. Architects John E. Tourtellotte and Charles Hummel designed the Capitol, incorporating diverse materials and drawing inspiration from classical architectural styles. More than a century after its construction, the Capitol remains the seat of Idaho’s state government, housing both the executive and legislative branches. The Capitol encompasses approximately 190,000 square feet of functional space. Visitors can explore the Idaho State Capitol Building through an online tour. Admission to the Idaho State Capitol Building is free for all visitors.

2026 Highlights: Idaho State Capitol Building manages a collection of over 1,000 artifacts and historic furnishings."

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Price:

Admission Free

Contact:

(208) 332-1012

Mon-Sun: 7am - 7pm

TBR® Inspection Report:

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OLD IDAHO PENITENTIARY REVIEWS

While visiting my niece in Boise this is the ONE place I really wanted to visit. We went on one of the guided tours, and our guide Leslie was so full of knowledge and lore of the prison. She was fantastic! She had terrific stories and insight. I highly recommend paying the extra $2.00 for the guided tour (and ask for Leslie!) because you get to visit a couple places that are off limits to regular guests. The admission price is very reasonable, even with the added price for the guided tour. Plan to spend at least two hours there, and dress warmly in the winter. There is a lot of walking outside (wear good shoes) and the buildings are not heated, with the exception of the Weapons Exhibit. I would love to go back because there were a few things I missed, like the headstone of Dennis, the prison cat. The Botanical Gardens were also closed, which is where the cemetery is, so we were not able to see the grave of Raymond Snowden. (Notorious prisoner, and last one to be executed there.) Don’t miss this place! It is on the National Registry of Historic Places for good reason.

My husband and I visited on Saturday October 12th. We took a tour of the penitentiary and our guide Eric, was amazing! We learned so much from him and especially enjoyed his stories about some of the prisoners that were there. They even had a resident cat named Dennis. There is parking near the entrance but not a lot so you can park down below by the trails and walk up to the entrance. There is a fee but it’s worth it. All the employees we encountered were polite and friendly.

This place is an eerie place to get to tour it. Some people it is hunted and D that does not surprise me at all as this is a very old place that housed done very evil and sick in the minds. It is a big difference to today’s place to hold such people today. The ground are well kept and if your up for creepy then go here for a tour.

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IDAHO STATE MUSEUM REVIEWS

This was an amazing experience. I was a bit iffy because I have a toddler but this museums is interactive and everything is up high or in a case so it is very difficult to get to what is being exposed. My family had so much fun. We ran around, we learned so much about the division of the state of Idaho. There is a playground in the basement with a train and a mine that make noises. There is a place for kids to build a town. If I lived in Boise I would become a member so my child could run around down there in the winter as much as possible. There is also a beautiful garden outside. It was too cold to walk around but well worth the coming back for it.

My husband and visited the museum on Sunday, October 13th. We throughly enjoyed the museum and learned a lot of history about Idaho. It wasn’t a busy day which was nice so you could see all the exhibits. We enjoyed the interactive exhibits as well. The staff was polite, friendly and professional. The museum was very clean too.

10/10 Museum, exceeded my expectations. Spent 2 hours but easily could have stayed longer. It is a very good size 3 floors of very well-thought-out exhibits with a lot of interaction and interesting reading/several fantastic videos.

IDAHO STATE CAPITOL REVIEWS

Absolutely stunning and beautiful! The Capitol carries such a mighty presence and stature. We were greeted with a warm welcome that felt inviting and proud to showcase this majestic building and what it represents. On the contrary we had a bad experience with the gift shop person the way she treated us. Many of us come from long distance and effort to be proud so that was a bit off putting. The grounds and building were maintained well with purposeful care. You will very likely walk away with healthy patriot pride when you take a moment to reflect why this building, people, and services are rendered for the benefit of all. Thank you to all who came before, currently in service, and our future. Everyone there represents the voice of the people.

We had the opportunity/honor to visit the Idaho State Capitol in JUN_FY2024 and it was an amazing experience, a great opportunity to learn more about Idaho's history and legacy. We did a plant tour and for sure it's a remarkable building. Definitely, it's a place that deserves my respect. It was a privilege.

Very nice State Capitol Building. Open to the public and you can do a walk through. Probably takes 30 minutes to see everything.

TBR® Inspection Score Report

OLD IDAHO PENITENTIARY Total Inspection Points: 119/120
Current Evaluation: 9
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Reviews Accuracy of 7.2K: 10
Video: 10
Website Source: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

IDAHO STATE MUSEUM Total Inspection Points: 118/120
Current Evaluation: 8
Acknowledgments: 10
Business Images: 10
Complete Info: 10
Contact Info: 10
Copyright & License: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Pricing: 10
Video: 10

TBR® Inspection Score Report

IDAHO STATE CAPITOL Total Inspection Points: 117/120
Current Evaluation: 8
Complete Info: 9
Business Images: 10
Contact Info: 10
Copyright & License: 10
Exact Services: 10
Experience: 10
Legitimate Ratings: 10
Location Proximity: 10
Reviews Accuracy of 1.2K: 10
Video: 10
Website Standard: 10