Idaho is overflowing with weird museums to satisfy the curious and ignite the imagination. There are historical museums, flood museums, bird museums, Native American museums, arts and science museums and everything in between. So grab the family, hop in the car and go for a drive. You might be surprised by what you discover as you road trip your way to these Idaho museums.
Eastern Idaho
Farnsworth TV & Pioneer Museum | Rigby
Learn about early photography and Philo T. Farnsworth (the inventor of television), and see Native American artifacts and ancient Egyptian artifacts from biblical days.
Museum of Clean | Pocatello
This weird museum is dedicated to the history and promotion of cleaning. It emphasizes hands-on fun, so kids get playing before they even realize they’re learning about the importance of a clean home, a clean community and a clean world.
Trip Tip: A quick tour will take you about 1.5 hours, but once you get in, you may be amazed at how long you actually want to stay and play.
Idaho Museum of Natural History | Pocatello
Home to collections in anthropology, earth sciences and life sciences, this museum cares for 500,000+ specimens that document the natural history of Idaho and the Intermountain West.
Trip Tip: The Idaho Museum of Natural History often features traveling exhibits, such as those from the Smithsonian.
Idaho Potato Museum | Blackfoot
From the original potato planted in Idaho to the largest potato crisp made by Pringles, you’ll be intrigued as you stroll through this museum built in 1912. Learn about potato history, the growing/harvesting process, trivia and educational potato facts.
Trip Tip: Don’t forget to take your picture with the giant potato that welcomes you to this weird museum.
Collector’s Corner Museum | Idaho Falls
This quirky museum exhibits more than 115 collections, including dolls, bears, antiques, trains, coins, stamps and military memorabilia.
Experimental Breeder Reactor-I (EBR-I) Atomic Museum | Arco
See where usable electricity was first generated from nuclear energy in 1951, along with four nuclear reactors, two aircraft nuclear propulsion prototypes, a reactor control room, radiation detection equipment and more.
Legacy Flight Museum | Rexburg
This museum is an operational hangar, and all aircraft are airworthy. See the machines that have served our country and provided us with the freedoms we currently enjoy.
Trip Tip: The aircraft at this museum are operational, which means a plane or two may be out flying at any given time.
Shoshone Bannock Tribal Museum | Fort Hall
The museum exhibits showcase Chief Pocatello, tribal history, photographs from 1985, artifacts from the old Fort Hall and unique beadwork.
Trip Tip: Check out the unusual and distinct style of the Shoshone–Bannock Tribe at The Clothes Horse.
Northern Idaho
Bird Aviation Museum and Invention Center | Sagle
Learn about the historic contributions of aviators and innovators who have helped create modern technology and celebrate these individuals who have forever changed the way we live.
Oasis Bordello Museum | Wallace
This weird history museum is housed in a former brothel that operated as recently as 1988. The final occupants left in a hurry, leaving their belongings behind in the upper rooms, perfectly preserving this era. There is still an old wine press in the basement.
Trip Tip: This museum stop may not be suitable for all members of the family.
Appaloosa Museum | Moscow
Located in the heart of Palouse Country, home of the Appaloosa breed, the museum illustrates the history of the Appaloosa horse and its region of origin. Get nutty at the super fun, hands-on Kid’s Area or visit the outdoor Appaloosa exhibit in the summer.
Trip Tip: This museum is free to explore, but a donation of $3 per adult, $1 per child or $5 per family is appreciated.
J. Howard Bradbury Logging Museum | Pierce
Housed in a 1928 log cabin, this Idaho museum preserves the local mining and logging history.
Trip Tip: The grounds are adjacent to a park with a picnic area and Idaho’s first public building, the 1862 Shoshone County Courthouse.
Southwestern/Central Idaho
Warhawk Air Museum | Nampa
This museum represents the American experience of World War I, World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War. Enter a world of sweetheart pillows, ration books and Victory puzzles, and see two of only a few remaining Curtiss P-40 Warhawk World War II fighter airplanes left in the world, a very rare World War II P-51C razorback Mustang fighter airplane and others.
Trip Tip: Special events abound at the Warhawk. Check the events calendar to find out what might inspire your trip.
Discovery Center of Idaho | Boise
See, touch and hear more than 130 hands-on science exhibits. Blow a 3-foot bubble, build an arch and capture your shadow.
Trip Tip: The fun isn’t just for kids. The Discovery Center hosts a variety of events celebrating weird history with food trucks and local beer and wine. It’s a cool way to experience the center with an adult twist.
Basque Museum and Cultural Center | Boise
This museum provides a glimpse into the heritage of the Basque communities of Idaho and surrounding areas. It displays the Basques’ rich and colorful history, their origins and their new life in America.
Trip Tip: The Basque Museum and Cultural Center is in the heart of Boise’s Basque Block. After a tour, make sure to stop at Bar Gernika or The Basque Market to try some delicious traditional Basque dishes. Your tummy will thank you.
Old Idaho Penitentiary | Boise
This weird museum opened in 1872 to some of the West’s most notorious criminals. Today, visitors can experience more than 100 years of Idaho’s unique prison history with a visit to solitary confinement, cell blocks and the Gallows at the Old Pen.
Trip Tip: Guided tours are available most days for an additional fee.
Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology | Boise
Located next to the Old Penitentiary, the IMMG offers exhibits and educational programs about Idaho’s fascinating geologic history and rich mining heritage. See minerals, gems, meteorites, fossils and fluorescent rocks, and check the seismic station for earthquakes.
Trip Tip: Free Admission! How could you say no?
Idaho Black History Museum | Boise
Learn about the history and culture of African Americans, with special emphasis on African Americans in Idaho. The museum displays permanent and traveling exhibits.
Idaho Military History Museum | Boise
Enjoy displays that interpret military history and artifacts that have a geographical tie to the history of the people and state of Idaho. A broad display of photos and artifacts shows Gowen Field as it was during World War II as well as Idahoans in the Philippine Insurrection through Operation Iraqi Freedom/Enduring Freedom.
J. Curtis Earl Memorial Exhibit: Arms and Armament Through the Ages | Boise
Located inside the Old Idaho Penitentiary, the wide-ranging collection and dramatic settings illustrate the development of weapons throughout history. The collection includes ancient Luristan bronzes, medieval arms and armor, Revolutionary War firearms and swords, Civil War artifacts, an 1883 Gatling gun in its original carriage and much more.
Trip Tip: Entrance to this exhibit is included with the Old Pen admission fee.
Lincoln Legacy Exhibition | Boise
Explore the chronological and topical depiction of Abraham Lincoln’s life, achievements, and relations with the West. Books, letters, photographs, publications, cartoons, relics and Lincoln family items are now part of the collection, which is arguably the most significant grouping of contemporary artifacts ever assembled relating to Abraham Lincoln’s relationship with the Rocky Mountain West.
Trip Tip: This gem is free to explore and located at the Idaho State Archives.
World Center for Birds of Prey | Boise
Explore and discover the amazing world of raptors eye to eye. Outside, see native and non-native birds and the California condor exhibit, then continue your experience indoors with daily raptor presentations, interactive exhibits and tours of the Archives of Falconry.
Trip Tip: During the fall season, you can catch flight demonstrations on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Herrett Center for Arts and Science | Twin Falls
The center features six galleries, fossils, ancient stone tools and Native American cultural items along with a planetarium, observatory and gallery of public art.
Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural & Educational Center | Salmon
See interpretive exhibits and artifacts that focus on Sacajawea and enjoy the Heritage Community Gardens, Kid’s Garden and scenic walking trails.
Trip Tip: Share the experience with your four-legged family members. You and your dog can explore the Seaman’s Dog Walk and Play Area, where the bronze statue of Seaman, Captain Meriwether Lewis’ Newfoundland, stands watch.
You’re now ready to start exploring Idaho’s weird museums! It’s never too early to ignite a love of unique, diverse and odd Idaho history.
Updated on May 20, 2024
Published on October 23, 2015
View My Itinerary