Don’t you want to know the most beautiful things to do in Moscow (ID) before you go on your trip? So that you don’t miss out on anything?
Situated in the county seat of Latah County, the historic city of Moscow, Idaho, is home to the famous University of Idaho.
It has one of the most beautiful and productive landscapes of rolling hills that straddle the Idaho-Washington border, where agricultural products are grown and harvested in season.
Look out for the old brick buildings along the cozy downtown, dating back to the 20th century, with numerous community events such as busy art fairs in June and weekly farmers markets from spring to fall.
Playing important roles such as sports life, culture, society, and many others.
For premium fun in Moscow, check out this detailed list of things to do in Moscow (ID):
Fun Things to Do in Moscow (ID)
1. Experience the Light Up the Season Festival
This city is a winter wonderland at the annual Light Up The Season festival.
From mid-December, this colorful festive celebration lights up the center of Moscow in the evenings.
Visitors and locals flock to this event to view the city on illuminated floats that celebrate the season and surround themselves with a festive atmosphere on Friendship Square and Main Street.
The “Winter Wonderland Tree” in Friendship Square will light up after the countdown begins and will stay lit for about one week.
Also, the Christmas Night Parade features more than 30 carol-like floats that follow a tall, glittering tree decorated in the icy cold style of winter.
2. Go Ice Skating at Palouse Ice Rink
The look of the Palouse Ice Rink is a little that of an airplane hangar right now, but don’t let that put you off – the attractive shape it gives to anyone watching the game has proven to be popular with kids and adults alike.
They host special sessions for different age groups throughout the week and also make sure everyone gets a turn on the ice thanks to their flexible scheduling policy.
Just remember – dress warmly for a workout or a public session!
Hockey games tend to be pretty rowdy, so keep your head up and stick with your team no matter what.
3. Engage in Moscow Artwalk to Celebrate Moscow’s Creative Community
Every third Thursday of the month, the local community organizes an extravagant cultural event that excites people from all over the country and the world.
Moscow Artwalk is a great initiative raising much-needed attention to art across the region.
It supports artistic creation, public recognition, and artists’ collaboration.
Each month has different themed walks and other art-related activities such as music, performance, and food.
Since its inaugural celebration in 2004, regional artists have taken advantage of the various attractions that the celebration offers.
Things to Do in Moscow (ID) at Night
1. Don’t Miss a Thing at Rendezvous
The brains behind Rendezvous include volunteers who are united by a love of music and art combined with a desire to bring people together to share their ideas and creativity.
The music starts around late afternoon, but it’s worth getting there early enough to enjoy the open-air shows each night before.
The Moscow region has plenty of attractions for visitors to quickly fill their three-day stay before the festivities begin.
2. Participate in the Lionel Hampton International Jazz Festival
Lionel Hampton of blessed memories has been a driving force in shaping jazz worldwide for more than 60 years.
Now the prestigious University of Idaho keeps his spirit alive through the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, where students and professionals come together to celebrate this great music and honor one of its most influential legends.
In cooperation with the exceptional team from “I Love Jazz Radio,” you will enjoy more than 400 student performances over four days.
The festival also features competitions for high school bands, college ensembles, and nearly 100 workshops.
There are also clinics and special events, such as a parade through Moscow with an all-star cast of some of the world’s most talented young players paired with renowned instructors for a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
This annual music festival is the largest winter jazz festival west of the Mississippi. It takes place in February.
3. Grab a Beer at Moscow Brewing Company
An unassuming brewery called Moscow Brewing Company is located in the beautiful city of Moscow, Idaho.
Moscow is a picturesque village with origins dating back to the mid-19th century, nestled among gently rolling hills and lush fields of wheat and barley.
Refreshing beer and a warm atmosphere are what welcome you to the Moscow Brewing Company.
Visit the brewery for live entertainment on the terrace throughout the summer, or relax on weekends with one of the many beer events.
You can meet friends while enjoying the day in their cozy bar in northern Moscow.
Things to Do in Moscow (ID) For Couples
1. Go Shopping at Moscow Farmers’ Market
Moscow Farmers’ Market features fresh produce and live local music every Saturday from May to October.
The market is an essential part of the local community and cute addition to Moscow’s personality.
The farmers’ market draws its popularity not only from high-quality products but also from the warm and friendly interactions between vendors and customers.
Over 60 vendors offer everything from hand-picked herbs to freshly harvested produce every Saturday.
All this while allowing local farmers and artisans to interact directly with visitors in a way that cultivates relationships that continue to evolve over time.
It welcomes the public to an open-air market where visitors can expect to find farmed and/or crafted (e.g., wine, produce, cheese, meat) foods, artisan pieces, and cuisine based on traditional recipes.
2. Bike With Fondo on the Palouse
This is a group of cycling enthusiasts who love to offer cyclists of all abilities fun and exciting routes through the hills of the Palouse.
The four different trails offer something for everyone and begin in Moscow, Idaho, before passing through local communities such as Deary, Troy, Princeton, Palouse, Colfax, and Potlatch.
If you choose to participate in any of Fondo’s four cycling events on any type of bike, be it mountain or road, you can enjoy a distance of up to 100 miles.
It is a great ride for the whole family, with a 15-mile route that goes through Moscow and Troy, Idaho.
At the same time, the Latah/Chipman Fondo offers an option for 50-mile bike rides that are traffic-free.
However, it offers views of some of the breathtaking scenery of Idaho’s rich agricultural landscape.
The Moscow Fondo is a 100-mile course that starts in Moscow, Idaho, then goes through Troy, then Deary, then Princeton, and then Potlatch, with the final leg going to Colfax, Washington, near Pullman, where you will return to Moscow.
3. See Some Fine Art Wort at Essential Art Gallery & Fine Gifts
Since its establishment in 1992, Essential Glass Works has participated in wholesale and art fairs to offer its products.
It took the opportunity to grow and transform into a studio and gallery as its studio grew in importance.
In recent years, Essential Glass Works has significantly increased the number of high-quality artists whose works were included in their collections.
After changing their name to Essential Art Gallery & Fine Gifts, you can expect to see frequently rotating window displays and weekly arrivals of new artwork from around the country.
Things to Do in Moscow (ID) For Kids
1. Let Them Play at Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center
Take a trip down to Moscow and visit the Hamilton-Lowe Aquatics Center, which is open almost year-round.
It is home to a 25-yard, six-lane pool, perfect for family members looking for a fun way to bond and get fit.
Follow the signs down N Mountain View Road and enjoy all that this cozy corner has in store for you – fair warning, you can never visit just once!
Kids and parents will love this activity center and its special toddler area that includes buckets, a small lazy river, a toddler-friendly slide, large kiddie slides, and interactive equipment.
This amazing facility offers free Wi-Fi, lounge chairs, picnic tables, grills, and a full concessions area.
2. Take The Kids to Ghormley Park
This fantastic 10.54-acre recreation area is located at the corner of 3rd Street in Moscow, Idaho, and Home Street.
This beautiful recreation area makes it easy for those with children or dogs to enjoy the family area of the park and for teens and young adults to play basketball, pickup, tennis, or softball.
Pitches are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and the mature trees make the area look exceptionally beautiful.
Neighbors gather at this park to cook on grills. It is also open for anyone who likes grilling food at their picnic spot.
If you’re new to the area or just want to relax with family and friends over some laid-back, friendly games, this gem won’t disappoint!
3. Visit DEFY
The famous event is one of the best places to visit in Moscow, Idaho, with many people coming to express their wishes regarding the city’s affairs and to interact with each other.
DEFY is a rallying cry and stance that promotes people’s freedom from norms and supports individualism in Moscow, Idaho.
The DEFY action affects all activities, from rules for social, educational, religious, health, and even sports activities.
Historic DEFY gives the community space for expression and freedom over specific policies.
The beautiful city of Moscow, Idaho, is limited by law in many ways, but DEFY provides everyone with a safe place for reasonable social expectations.
Indoor Activities to Do in Moscow (ID) For Adults
1. Don’t Miss a Show at the Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre
The Kenworthy Performing Arts Center hosts and produces high-quality dramatic and comedic live theater performances for the people of the Palouse and those who visit the region.
The Kenworthy Theater stands in the center of Moscow and dominates the view between the ornate facades of the buildings.
In 1908 it was opened as a cinema and music hall. Later, in 1926 it became a playhouse.
A stage full of vaudeville and dramatic performances, plays, operas, and silent films attracted the attention of many.
In 1928 the theater was remodeled to include more space, taking up twenty-four feet to the south.
Twenty years later, in 1949, came a renovation that included a larger marquee and an expanded terracotta tile facade.
2. Appreciate Art at Third Street Gallery
Third Street Gallery is an art gallery in the center of Moscow.
The gallery presents a curatorial view accessible to all cultures and creative works, presenting works of art in various media.
The gallery highlights the creations of renowned and up-and-coming makers from the Palouse and the greater Inland Northwest, promoting the artistic quality of the region in a popular venue.
The Gallery primarily features artworks inside the third and second stories of Moscow City Hall.
As it brings works of art to the core of public life in Moscow, the Third Street Gallery is a key part of this structure.
3. See a Movie at Moscow Community Theatre
The historic Moscow Community Theater is located in the center of Moscow, making it one of the main attractions; the theater preserves essential city documents.
The Spectacular Moscow Community Theater is a non-profit theater organization that entertains the people of Moscow, Idaho, for free.
In addition, the Moscow Community Theater was founded to encourage and educate the younger generation about the importance of theater and not letting finances significantly disrupt people with low incomes.
Romantic Things to Do in Moscow (ID)
1. Go on a Winetasting Tour at Colter’s Creek Winery
This local attraction is at 215 S Main St #2807, Moscow, Idaho, and offers some of the finest wines.
As they say, they are here to exceed visitors’ expectations by combining quality wine and service, which is one of the reasons why people keep coming back to them again and again.
And the knowledgeable, wine-loving owners also provide great recommendations, a fun atmosphere, and good conversation throughout the night.
Colter Creek Winery also offers private bookings for classes, meetings, etc., to residents who want to work in a relaxing environment.
Additionally, next door is Intrigue, an urban lounge that features eclectic art and a locally-sourced vibe.
If you’re ever in Moscow, stop by Colter’s Creek for an afternoon of tasting and great food.
2. Visit the University of Idaho Golf Course
The University of Idaho Golf Course has a colorful past and breathtaking surroundings.
Various shots are available on the course’s complex holes, from difficult layups to steep greens.
The expansive views and the university’s greenhouse combine to create an environment that changes from green to gold with the passing weather.
Residents collectively referred to the last three challenging holes of the round as “Heartbreak Ridge.”
Three par-5 holes on the front nine, set on an open fairway, offer scoring opportunities.
3. Have Dinner at Maialina Pizzeria Napoletana
The opening of Pizzeria Maialina Napoletana in early 2013 resulted from a passion for wood-fired pizza made in the Neapolitan tradition.
The oven at Pizzeria Napoletana, which was shipped from Italy and is built with Cotto refractory bricks and produces pizzas at 900 degrees, is the centerpiece of their kitchen.
Their beautiful patio is in the shape of a square overflowing with basil, herbs, tomatoes, and corkscrew willows placed in wine barrels and delight guests during the summer.
Their eggs, beef, and several weekly hand trucks of vegetables come directly from farmland in the Moscow Region because they trust the history and heritage of local agriculture and the value of healthy eating and local produce.
Free Things to Do in Moscow (ID)
1. Take a Tour of the McConnell Mansion
Located in the heart of Moscow’s historic district is a magnificent mansion full of history and stories.
At the McConnell Mansion, you’ll experience the building’s most important highlights from different periods.
The mansion was built in 1886 by a prominent businessman and Republican Idaho Governor, William J. McConnell.
McConnell Mansion is open to the public as a museum where you can tour the historic rooms on the main floor.
It features the cleanest and most impeccably finished master bedroom you’ll ever see, restored to its original glory.
Demonstrations of practical activities related to local history are prepared for visitors.
McConnell Mansion has a garden where refreshments are served with notes designed by local artists in a wide variety of themed cards.
It also has a museum shop, which is also staffed by a team of enthusiastic volunteers.
2. Spend Some Time at Arboretum & Botanical Garden
Nestled in the lush landscape of the University of Idaho, the landscaped campus is a 63-acre arboretum full of perfectly pruned trees and shrubs, a stunning variety of flowers, and delicate grasses swaying in the warm breeze.
As this pristine garden is home to several species of birds, it could even be said to be a birdwatcher’s paradise.
This stretch of land that extends south of the President’s House on Nez Perce Drive can be somewhat of a hidden treasure for those who don’t regularly return to this part of campus.
However, it definitely stands out as one notable aspect among all the countless others that make up this amazing public land-grant research university.
The Arboretum and Botanical Garden is the perfect place for those who literally have “green thumbs.”
This outdoor museum collection is the best place to plant a garden, grow flowers, and study other native plant species.
Being an outdoor botanical institution, it will provide educational resources for students and other individuals involved in the field to learn more about plants, their differences, and, most importantly, their origins.
The Arboretum is open daily, with free entry, ample parking, and the perfect place to work on homework with beautiful natural scenery flooding through your windows.
3. Go Hiking Along the Latah Trail
This wonderful bike-friendly trail in Idaho provides cyclists with a quiet and recreational route.
Although this trail is officially marked and built by the city, it is not limited to residents: everyone can enjoy the Latah Trail!
Bicyclists, runners, and skaters, among other pioneers, use this 22-mile stretch of paved path that awaits you at the west end to begin your journey.
Also, along Highway 8 to the east lies the Palouse River and its valleys, offering a less hostile view of the surrounding landscape.
The trail parallels an abandoned railway line and accompanies it as it crosses numerous tributaries.
Farmland and forests give way to waterfalls and cliffs that provide stunning panoramas along the way.
This is why so many people seek out this hiking trail every year!
Cheap Things to Do in Moscow (ID)
1. Visit the Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center
This museum is dedicated to preserving Appaloosa heritage through education and exhibits.
The Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center highlight all things related to Appaloosas, from their spotted history to their many distinctive coat patterns and even the pivotal role they once played among the Nez Perce people.
Display cases display interesting items such as saddles, Native American artifacts, and black and white photographs, and showcase a hands-on exhibit that engages children. At the same time, they learn, along with theater performances and an extensive library as well.
The center also offers many great features, including a gift shop, a picnic area, and the Davis-Gillman Activity Center.
2. Grab Some Spicy Food at Seasons Public House
Seasons Public House boasts unique exhibits like the Cougar Gold brioche bun, making it a top attraction in Moscow, Idaho.
The historic Seasons Public House is known to serve some of the best meals in town; lunches and dinners are well provided in the public facility.
Seasons Public House makes rare items like a moose burger mixed with Cougar Gold caramel cheesecake and espresso ice cream.
In addition, the center is open to any individual and serves only lunch and dinner on weekdays and a special menu on Sundays.
3. Have Coffee at Bucer’s Coffeehouse & Pub
Historic Bucer’s Coffeehouse & Pub boasts delicious roasted quality coffee and fresh wines for the city of Moscow, Idaho, to enjoy and spend some time outdoors.
They also make excellent espresso with a unique local draft beer, bake delicate pastries and grill sandwiches, and display many tasty products.
It is one of the best places around town to enjoy great food and drink and caters to smaller events, parties, and social gatherings.
In addition, the live center offers live music from local and invited artists worldwide, making it one of the most crowded centers in the city.
Cool Places to Visit in Moscow (ID)
1. Bill Chipman Palouse Trail
The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail is located west of Moscow along the right-of-way of the old Union Pacific Railroad.
The historic Bill Chipman Palouse Trail has a shallow grade with many interpretive signs along the route, making it a fun area and scenario for great photography.
The center is located near Pullman, Washington, home to Washington State University’s flagship campus.
The Bill Chipman Palouse Trail offers beautiful scenery and a long-distance motorcycle route between two university campuses.
2. Prichard Art Gallery
The Prichard Art Gallery offers a beautiful overview of exhibitions, educational programs, and events.
The gallery allows about 17,000 visitors a year with lots of fun things to do and see, such as beautiful art walks, fine art, sculptures, and much more.
It features many creative members from the Idaho College of Arts and Architecture with local and regional exhibits and a full spectrum of national and international media.
In addition, the beautiful exhibits on display rotate at short intervals, so there is always something new to see with local artisans and unique gift shops at each interval.
3. BookPeople of Moscow
This is a famous center for independent bookstores, so it’s the perfect addition to your list of great things to do in Moscow, Idaho.
BookPeople of Moscow is located in the city center and provides a place to browse and research interesting topics and buy new and used books.
The wonderful BookPeople of Moscow is curated, operated, and owned by members of the Moscow, Idaho, community for scholarly research and historical fiction.
The famous BookPeople of Moscow store features fiction and non-fiction for visitors and interested individuals across the states.
In addition, you can explore many items such as puzzles, journals, gift cards, greeting cards, new books, and other great gift items.
Conclusion
Being in the city of Moscow, Idaho is one of the best fun and worthwhile experiences for your vacations you’d ever make.
Moscow is ideal for visitors who want to explore the many beautiful areas and scenes for film productions, events, and public gatherings.
With our list of fun things to do in Moscow (ID), you can be sure to enjoy your visit. Happy traveling!
