Sponsored by Moscow Chamber

In Season, in Moscow

College towns always feel a little different. A little more “alive,” perhaps. But Moscow has a vibe that courses through the streets like cultural lifeblood – delivering dining, art, outdoor amenities and community spirit that is truly unique. You can feel the vibe anytime, but with spring and summer around the corner here are some seasonal happenings worth targeting.

If you’re in Moscow in April, or anywhere in the Gem State for that matter, you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy Idaho Craft Beer Month. In addition to some fine taprooms and bottle shops, Moscow has three stellar brewery/brewpub options. The Moscow Brewing Company has roots dating all the way back to 1882. And while some things like prohibition may have gotten in the way, today the small brewery and taproom is a haven for lovers of beer from Kolsch to kettle sours. The Rants & Raves Brewery is the consummate Northwest brewpub, offering good beer, good food, and great times. Hunga Dunga Brewing offers a lineup of classic craft beer stalwarts with an elevated, restaurant-worthy pub grub menu, all in a renovated grain warehouse heavy on ambiance.

The Moscow Farmers Market takes center stage in town May through October. 

The inaugural Moscow Comedy Festival will take place April 23 – 25. The three-day comedy event will start with 20 comedians, and end with one champion. And the Moscow Farmers Market will be in full swing Saturdays, May through October from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Since its inception in 1977, it has been a cornerstone for the community as well as one of the finer markets around.

Enjoy Anytime

If you miss out on Moscow in spring or summer, exceptional dining, lodging, and even outdoor activities are there whenever you can make it. The Monarch Motel was at one point one of those classic roadside inns. It has recently received a mid-century modern facelift that helps make it a prime downtown home base. Try an outstanding, scratch-made breakfast at Bloom. Enjoy a lunch of hearty and homemade fare with a seasonal focus at the Kitchen Counter. Across the street, the Colter’s Creek Winery Tasting Room pours a wide array of elegant reds, while a few doors down the Essential Art Gallery is the place to find inspiring local art of all mediums. For dinner, Maialina Pizzeria Napoletana covers all the bases of an authentic Italian meal. And the casual but refined Nectar Restaurant & Wine Bar provides the best after-dinner drinks in town.

Hunga Dunga Brewing offers top-notch grub among a selection of classic craft beers. 

For a dose of fresh air and exercise, the Idlers Rest Nature Preserve is a true community gem that somehow crams a ton of biodiversity into only 35 acres, and is open from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Which happens to be the same number of days in the calendar that visiting Moscow is a good idea.

Local bounty awaits at the Moscow Farmer’s Market, a neighborhood tradition since 1977.