Best History Museum in Nampa

"Once home to a number of notorious Idaho criminals, the Old Idaho Penitentiary dates back to the 1870s. For those who enjoy learning more about criminal history and the history of the prison system, this is a must see attraction as it provides a wealth of information as well as a fascinating experience. You can take a tour of the penitentiary and take a look at the cells and the solitary confinement area amongst other things."

"You can’t come to Boise without visiting the infamous Old Idaho Penitentiary!. I went to this penitentiary long ago when I was in grade school, and it was as spooky then as it was this time around. You can take one of the daily guided tours or do the self-guided tour to explore the grounds that once held some of the West’s most desperate criminals from 1872 to 1973."

"The Old Idaho Penitentiary opened in 1872 and held some of the West’s worst criminals. It was a functioning prison for 101 years and received over 13,000 inmates. The Penitentiary was closed in December of 1973."

"If you want to learn more about the history of Boise and Idaho, the best place to start is the Idaho State Museum. The museum is run by the Idaho State Historical Society, and will give you a great overview of the history of the state for the past thousands of years, including Native American history, geological history, and everything up until today."

"I recommend starting your adventures at the Idaho State Museum. This newly remodeled museum is a great mix of informative and interactive exhibits. Learn about Idaho’s landscapes, how and why people settled here, and Idaho’s story in a regional and national context."

"Also nearby are the Boise Art Museum, Idaho Black History Museum, Zoo Boise and the free Idaho Fish and Game MK Nature Center, which features an interpretive StreamWalk, wildlife talks, and underwater fish and animal viewing areas. Beat afternoon heat floating down the Boise River on inner tubes from Boise River Raft and Tube Rentals. The outfitter provides trolley service to the put-in point. The two-hour, six-mile leisurely float ends downtown just beyond Baybrook Cook Bridge’s sandy beach, a popular swimming and sunbathing spot."

"The Idaho Black History Museum is located in Julia Davis Park in Boise in the St. Paul Baptist Church building. According to the museum, they present “exhibits and provides educational and community outreach programs including lectures, films, workshops, literacy programs, and musical performances.”. The Idaho Black History Museum holds multiple events throughout the year to represent past and present history, in both Idaho and the country."

"The Idaho Black History Museum opened in 1995 and has been an incredible resource for learning about the importance of African Americans in Idaho. Housed in a renovated chapel near Julia Davis Park, the Idaho Black History has a deceptively modest look. When you step inside and see the power of these exhibits, the museum can seem twice as big."

"A post shared by Heidi Egerman (@hegerman) on Apr 9, 2018 at 6:29pm PDT. A fun and well-developed museum in Boise, Yanke Motor Museum offers a wonderful journey to the past. It exhibits different kinds of vehicles—from old wagons to present-day cars, trucks, and motorcycles."

"The Idaho State Archives is one of the coolest places to visit in Boise, but it’s not somewhere you want to visit just as a tourist. This is because the Archives is what it sounds like — a research library for past events in Idaho. When visiting the Idaho State Archives, you will want to do some research in advance and know what you are looking for before your visit."

"Located in the Riverside Hotel, The Sapphire Room is one of Boise’s most popular music venues, mainly featuring and supporting local musicians, who keep nearly all of the ticket profits. The music bar was remodelled in October 2012 to enhance the experience of both guests and performers, with the installation of state of the art lighting and speakers. The main seating area, doused in soft purple light, is laid back and welcoming."