Sponsored by Moscow Chamber of Commerce

Summer is the perfect time to visit Moscow, Idaho. The rolling Palouse beckons to anyone looking for adventure, and the charming downtown district of Moscow offers delicious local food. Spend a weekend exploring local art galleries, the aquatic center, the City of Moscow Farmer’s Market and more. Check out our list of some of the best activities and events below.

Family Trip

Stay: The Best Western Plus University Inn meets the travel needs for the whole family with breakfast, its in-house restaurant Seasons, and of course, a pool and hot tub.

Play: Visit the Hamilton Lowe Aquatic Center and see your kids light up as they splash through this thrilling water park. Test out your aerodynamics at Planet3 Extreme Air Park—an indoor trampoline park complete with a foam pit and obstacle course. For an outdoor respite, visit the Palouse Clearwater Environmental Institute—a beautiful nature center with trails, wetlands and outdoor art. Younger kids will love the Bonkerz Indoor Play Center, with a farm play area that lets kids build with nuts and bolts, an indoor play structure and a virtual playground that turns the floor into a game. Don’t forget to swing by the kick off of the National Farmers Market week at the City of Moscow Farmer’s Market where kids can enjoy tasting local food and dancing don’t miss the veggie-themed dance party on August 3!

Eat: Kids will love the comfort food and friendly smiles when they start their day at The Breakfast Club. For lunch, try Humble Burger, where they can get locally sourced cheese burgers, chicken nuggets, and french fries. For dinner, treat the whole family to the large portions of sumptuous Italian food at Gambino’s. Don’t forget to stop for ice cream at Panhandle Cone and Coffee, which makes their craft right in Moscow.

Events: 
Smithsonian: Crossroads to Rural America Exhibit
August 23 – October 4
This exhibition from the Smithsonian, titled “Crossroads: Change in Rural America,” examines the evolving landscape of rural communities.

Latah County Fair
September 11 – 14
Celebrate “The Greatest Shows on the Palouse” at the 2019 fair at the Latah County Fairgrounds.

Romantic Getaway

Stay: Check in to the Monarch Motel in downtown Moscow, a locally-owned boutique hotel that is within walking distance to the Farmers Market, local restaurants, mueums and shops.

Play: Start your day by touring the Prichard Art Gallery located in downtown Moscow, where you can asorb the work of local and international artists. The University of Idaho’s nearby arboretum is the perfect spot for a romantic picnic among nature. Make your way downtown to pick up a bouquet at Little Shop of Florals, and treat your special someone to chocolate and jewelry from Essential Art Gallery.

Eat: Check out Bloom Café for breakfast, where the food is made from scratch with local ingredients daily. For lunch, Maialinia has Neapolitan-style brick oven pizza and other rustic Italian cuisine, featuring local seasonal ingredients. If you’re in the mood for some afternoon wine tasting, Colter’s Creek Tasting Room has been crafting wines from their estate vineyard since 2007. For a mind-blowing, delicious dinner, head to Nectar, which has one of the only full bars with hand-crafted cocktails in the downtown area. Finally, stop for dessert at Seasons Public House—be sure to try the huckleberry cobbler.

Outdoor Adventure

Stay: The newest hotel in Moscow, Fairfield Inn and Suites, is the perfect landing pad for an adventurous trip.

Play: Take a morning ride on the 7-mile Latah Trail through the rolling Palouse with bikes rented from Paradise Creek Bicycles. Hike Moscow Mountain and enjoy incredible wildflower views as well as a stunning vista of the Palouse at the summit view. Spend an evening exploring the 6,000 square feet of climbing area at the University of Idaho climbing wall. If you’re ready to relax, try a pub crawl through downtown Moscow. Moscow Brewing Company, Rants and Raves and Hunga Dunga are part of the local brewing district within a short jaunt of each other!

Eat: Enjoy a deli-style breakfast at the Moscow Food Co-op and a fresh, locally made fast casual lunch at Kitchen Counter. Check out Tapped for dinner—a gastropub in downtown that features 25 regional craft beers and 10 wines, all on tap. The rotating, seasonal menu draws from local purveyors, and the restaurant is family-friendly.

Events: 
Fondo on the Palouse
July 27
Grab your biking gear and choose from one of four different routes geared toward different skill levels. All bike routes begin in Moscow before traversing through local communities, which will all have their hometown spirit on display.

Late July Festival
July 27
This festival has free entry and features local music and beer at the Latah County Events Center.

For more information about visiting Moscow, click here.