The Crown Jewel of the Continent is certainly one for your bucket list, so you may as well explore it. And the good news is, Glacier National Park itself is open all year round, and you can visit anytime. One of our favorite things to do when we pay a visit to this national park is Montana is hike. The hiking in Glacier National Park is absolutely extraordinary; there’s really nowhere else in the country quite like it! Below are some of our favorite trails in Glacier National Park, all of which belong on your Montana hiking bucket list!
This is an easy 2.8-mile hiking trail with some stunning scenery. The hike begins from the South Shore Trailhead at Two Medicine Lake, ending at Aster Falls, a 20-foot waterfall. If you have the energy after checking out the falls, climb another 500 feet to the Aster Park Overlook for some of the most sublime views in the park. You’ll feel as though you’re on top of the world! Read more about this epic hike on AllTrails.
Idaho has dozens of odd, unique, and artistic residential houses, but few are able to be enjoyed or appreciated up close and personal without the term “trespassing” being tossed around. But this radical, eclectic shop/home in Idaho City has been a landmark and tourist favorite for decades, and has a heartwarming story to go with it. Check it out!
Most Americans harbor a nostalgic dream to “see the country,” and the romanticized notion of exploring even our own scenic state by rail would be a wish come true for many Idahoans. While passenger trains in Idaho are no more – save for a lone Amtrak stop in our Panhandle – railfans and nostalgic train-lovers alike can indulge in railroad whimsy with this easy road trip to some of Idaho’s most unique train depots, train restaurants, and train-themed businesses.
As part of the Old West, the Oregon Short Line, Union Pacific, Pacific Idaho Northern, and many other railroad lines had stops in Idaho. These trains would bring in miners and loggers searching for new ways to make a living, along with new settlers hoping for a place to call home. Together, they give Idaho quite the railroad history! Many of the train stations remaining today have been converted into museums, which means this trip is educational and perfect for the whole family as well – and it’ll take you all the way from Southern Idaho to the top of the Panhandle.
Whether for the history, the architectural beauty, or the unforgettable memories, this is sure to be an unforgettable road trip! Check out the Google Map here.
To start your road trip, it makes sense to begin in our capital’s most prominent landmark: the Boise Union Pacific Train Depot. Situated on the rim just off of Capitol Boulevard, the panoramic view from the Depot patio is a stunning glimpse of the city skyline and the foothills. By night, the 96-foot bell tower lights up and is seen for miles. Weddings, events, and picnics are held here in the beautifully landscaped garden, and the city backdrop makes it a prime spot for family photos. Uniquely, the depot itself is impeccably restored, winding staircases included, with the treasured Engine 407 sitting just outside as a photo op for visitors.
Address: 2603 West Eastover Terrace, Boise, ID 83706
While you’re here, stop at the Trolley House for breakfast.
Idaho sure is a beautiful state. With vast mountain ranges, idyllic lakes, lush forests, and breathtaking high desert, there’s truly no end to the amount of natural beauty that the Gem State has to offer. This makes Idaho a true nature lover’s paradise, with a new adventure to be had around every corner. Below is our definitive guide to Idaho’s natural beauty. It includes some of the state’s most gorgeous landscapes, so be sure to use it to your advantage the next time you feel like escaping into nature.
