Fun Things To Do While in Caldwell, Idaho
I'm sure if you're a long-time reader of my blog then you know that I both live and work in the beautiful City of Caldwell. I love this city, and know that given the opportunity, many would love it just as I do. Should you find yourself wandering around Caldwell for the day there are lots of things you could do!
1. The College of Idaho's Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History
As the only natural history museum in the region encompassing southwestern Idaho, southeastern Oregon and northern Nevada, The College of Idaho's Orma J. Smith Museum of Natural History is the premier resource for environmental and natural history education in the region. The Museum is listed in the "30 Most Amazing Higher Education Natural History Museums," compiled by Best College Reviews. (Source, The College of Idaho.)
Location:
The Museum is located in the basement of Boone Hall on the College's campus in Caldwell.
2112 Cleveland Blvd Caldwell, ID 83605
Hours:
Monday through Friday, 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
First Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
2. Rosenthal Gallery
The David and Blanche Rosenthal Gallery of Art was dedicated in 1984. Funded by a gift from Mrs. Rosenthal in memory of her late husband, the Gallery was the core of a quarter-million dollar restoration of Blatchley Hall. Today, Blatchley is one of the oldest buildings on campus and is on the National Register of Historic Buildings.
The Gallery hosts approximately five exhibitions a year. These have included shows by notable regional artists, faculty and staff from the College, and graduating art majors. Exhibitions of work from the College's valuable art and ethnographic collections have also been featured. The Gallery's mission is to expose the campus community to strong, thought provoking art, and to play a significant role in the education of art students.
Location:
2112 Cleveland Blvd Caldwell, ID 83605
Hours and cost:
Exhibitions are free and open to the public. Gallery hours are generally weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during an exhibition. Visitors also may schedule a private viewing by contacting the Gallery's director, Dr. Garth Claassen.
3. Our Memories Indian Creek Museum
Our Memories Indian Creek Museum is a facility made to learn about the history of Caldwell, Idaho and other surrounding areas in the Canyon County. This museum is a delightful tour back into the past with thousands of artifacts in over 30 rooms depicting various scenes from yesteryear.The museum building was once an original medical office of a local physician Dr. John Finck. Founded by Dr. Archie and Opal Gulley in the early 1990’s, the museum presently holds from 25 to 30 different exhibits that are housed in the many examination rooms. Exhibits are added and updated regularly to surprise our visitors. Tour guides will show the rooms to guests and share the history of Canyon County. Special tours are by appointment only with at least one week in advance. The museum also houses archives of Canyon County history with newspaper clippings and books.
Location:
1122 Main St, Caldwell, ID 83605
Hours and cost:
Members: FREE!
0 - 6: FREE!
7 - 11: $2.00
12 - 17: $3.00
18 - 64: $5.00
65 & Up: $4.00
Tue 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Fri 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sat 11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
4. Whittenberger Planetarium
The Whittenberger Planetarium has been serving primarily as a public outreach facility since 1970. It is the annual destination of thousands of people throughout the Treasure Valley and beyond. Programs are provided to school and home-school groups, scouts, the public, college classes and more. We extended our outreach in the early 1990s with the purchase of a portable planetarium that is rented by schools and organizations throughout southwestern Idaho, central Oregon and Nevada.
The projector sits under a 24-foot dome with seating for 50 people. The projector can show northern and limited southern constellations, all planets visible to the unaided eye, the sun, moon, a few deep space objects, and both nightly and annual motions of all of the above. The sky can be viewed from different locations and times on Earth with several specialized projectors helpful in demonstrating daily and seasonal changes visible in the night sky. A digital overlay and a large collection of images add to the educational opportunities and experiences offered during shows.
Location:
The Whittenberger Planetarium is located inside of Boone Hall on College of Idaho's campus.
2112 Cleveland Blvd Caldwell, ID 83605
Hours and cost:
Information about events can be viewed on their website here: https://www.collegeofidaho.edu/about/campus-facilities/planetarium/planetarium-schedule as they do not have specific hours.
Cost is event specific and does depend on group size, though seems to be under $10.
Experience Caldwell’s past at this old restored train depot building. The brick walls of this historic place have been standing since that city was established, and the depot was a crucial development for the growth of the larger Boise area. Now a museum, the Caldwell Train Depot is home to a vast collection of memorabilia and antiques where visitors can get a sense of what life used to be like in the Treasure Valley.
Location:
701 Main Street
Hours and cost:
Please contact the city for more information: https://www.cityofcaldwell.org/live/historic-caldwell/caldwell-train-depot
6. Lake Lowell
Originally built as part of a major irrigation project, Lake Lowell is one of the largest reservoirs in Idaho. Visit Southwest Idaho calls it one of the best fishing spots near Caldwell. It's part of the Deer Flat Wildlife Refuge, and home to many different wildlife species. It's perfect for bird watching, fishing, boating, swimming and so much more!
Location:
Orchard Street entrances, as well as Riverside Drive, Caldwell
Hours and cost:
Open April 15 – September 30, dawn until dusk and there is no fee to enter.
7. Indian Creek Plaza
The Indian Creek Plaza is the development of an urban square in downtown Caldwell, Idaho. The site is located adjacent to the newly restored Indian Creek to be built at the corner of Kimball and Arthur Streets, which, according to several websites and locals alike, is also referred to as King's Corner. Caldwell is home to Indian Creek Park which is one of the most stunning city-center parks in the Western United States according to Destination Caldwell. Having 200+ days of programmed events each year Indian Creek Plaza is set to be a year round attraction for community festivals, events and family enjoyment.
Location:
120 S. Kimball, Caldwell, Idaho 83605
Hours and cost:
Plaza is without cost, though some events come with their fees. Each event holds it's own hours.
Nestled in the scenic Snake River Valley of west Canyon County, the Sunnyslope Wine Trail features15 wineries and vineyards, award-winning wines, and intimate tastings and dining experiences, all while wooing you with panoramic views.
Location:
Because Sunnyslope Wine Trail includes 15+ wineries it has no specific beginning and end. To find a map of the trail please visit the website -- https://sunnyslopewinetrail.com/
or visit:
Destination Caldwell & Sunnyslope Welcome Center
106 S. Kimball Avenue, CaldwellHours and Cost:
Vary
9. Steunenberg Residential Historic District
Caldwell is a city with rich history. It's only fitting that it would have it's own Historic District filled with over 300 homes original to the city. The Steunenberg Residential Historic District is an area of town that houses more than 330 historic homes, many of which are on the National Register of Historic Places. The City of Caldwell lists the District's borders as The College of Idaho on 20th Avenue, Blaine Street, Fillmore Street to Sixteenth Avenue South, then over to Everett Street, up to Twelfth Avenue South, to Blaine Street though it does exclude the block of East Cleveland from Thirteenth Avenue to Twelfth Avenue. To read more about it here please visit -- https://www.stephanieknowsidaho.com/2019/11/steunenberg-residential-historic.html or the city's website here https://www.cityofcaldwell.org/live/historic-caldwell/steunenberg.
Location:
Several homes within Caldwell's downtown area following the original streets Caldwell was founded with. Please see city website for more information. https://www.cityofcaldwell.org/live/historic-caldwell/steunenberg
Hours and cost:
Any hour you'd like to go see historical homes and the cost is free. A self-guided walking tour is provided on the city website with lots of fun facts and information regarding this historical area.
Still not enough of this great city for you? That's OK, because the city hosts hundreds of events each year to keep you and your family smiling while you're in this town. Here's a link to the event calendar so that you may fully appreciate all that Caldwell has to offer.
Caldwell is a little city with big, big personality. Things to do for all, small town charm, and all 4 seasons. When you fall in love with Caldwell, remember to contact your favorite Realtor so that I can find you the house of your dreams, in the city of Caldwell.
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