Idaho Vacation: Nampa Train Depot Museum



Nampa Train Depot Museum,  Nampa, Idaho

While there are many old railroad depots that have been turned into museums, there are few, if any, that rival the beautiful Baroque revival architecture of the Nampa Train Depot Museum.  Make this scenic building and contents a quick Idaho vacation stop. 

Built by the Oregon Short Line Railroad in 1903, the depot was the 2nd in Nampa, replacing the original depot built in 1887.   The building now houses displays of the Canyon County Historical Society and Union Pacific Railroad. 

Old Railroad Sign, Nampa Train
Depot Museum

The museum was saved from demolition in 1972 and dedicated and opened  to the public on July 3, 1976.  Between 1972 and 1976, the building was partially restored and the beautiful woodwork was rebuilt and replaced.  The original woodwork had been removed while the depot served as offices and storage between 1925 and 1972. 

The museum has three main exhibit rooms plus offices for the Canyon County Historical Society and a museum store. 

Model of Dewey Palace Hotel,
Nampa Train Depot Museum

In what was originally the Women's and Children's Waiting Room, a feature exhibit is a replica of the Dewey Palace Hotel, once the largest and most stately in the region.  Another exhibit demonstrates the classy travel clothes that were typical of the period.  There are also several items from Thomas Edison's contributions including a gramophone and various light bulbs.  The "Bronco Billy" western classic starring Clint Eastwood was shot in several SW Idaho locations including Nampa.  Memorabilia and props from the movie are on exhibit.  Other items of interest are also located in this room.

Early Edison Phonograph,
Nampa Train Depot Museum

The original Station Office is now full of railroad items.  Try out the telegraph, or view one of the two working train sets and see if you can find the miniature animals, lookouts, and other fascinating features in the display.  Also on display are a huge collection of locks and keys, old lanterns and other antique office machines. 

Part of Model Train Exhibit,
Nampa Train Depot Museum

In the original Men's Waiting Room are beautiful hand crafted wooden train models made by a Nampa artist.  Also found here in another model train display with lots of detail area surrounding the tracks that depicts an Idaho mountain town. 

Part of Hand Crafted Wooden Train Models,
Nampa Train Depot Museum

Outdoors is a 1942 caboose that is open for inspection.  The museum has a large collection of books and photographs of the area.  Museum staff will help with research efforts if they are given some advance notice. 

The museum hosts many school and youth groups and is open to the public.  Museum hours are
Wednesday - Friday 11:00am to 5:00pm and Saturdays 10:00am  to 2:00pm (May-October) and 11:00am to 2:00pm November-April. 

Lock and Key Display,
Nampa Train Depot Museum

The Museum is located at 1200 Front Street, Nampa.  Access from I-84 is quite easy from either Exit 36 or 38.  You cannot miss the railroad tracks in downtown Nampa.

Need a suggestion for a place to eat?  Click here for details on a great Mexican meal or here for wonderful Chinese food.  Both are located close to the museum. 

Additional Information:

Canyon County Historical Society: http://www.canyoncountyhistory.com/about
City of Nampa: http://ci.nampa.id.us/pages/home.php
Nampa Chamber of Commerce: http://www.nampa.com/

Idaho Vacation: Sun Valley Film Festival

This post will be short and sweet.  The Sun Valley Film Festival would make a great late winter Idaho vacation.  Where better to spend a few days than the world famous Sun Valley area? 

Sun Valley boasts of being the first destination ski resort and continues to be one of the best today.
There are a multitude of lodging, and dining options, and unlimited indoor and outdoor activities.

Enjoy skiing, ice skating, and many other outdoor activities then relax at the theatre watching the "cutting edge independent films, premieres, exciting children's programming and previews of new television and web series." 

Film makers from around the world will be presenting their work in this festival which has a long tradition of excellence. 

The dates for 2012 are March 15-18.  Full information on the Film Festival can be found here.  

More Sun Valley information is here. 

Click here for information on Ketchum. 

The Ketchum/Sun Valley area is located about mid-way along the Sawtooth Scenic Byway which begins  at Shoshone, 55 miles to the south.  The northern end point of the byway is at Stanley, 61 miles farther north.  This US-93 highway route is beautiful any time of the year but is especially beautiful in the winter months.

Byway information is here and here.

Idaho Vacation: Twin Falls Centennial Waterfront Park

Twin Falls is a city with many very nice parks.  Centennial Park,just north of the city, ranks as one of the nicest in the area.  This makes a great place to take a quick Idaho vacation or just spend a few quiet hours enjoying the beauty of the Snake River canyon.

Sign at Entrance to Centennial
Waterfront Park

Centennial Waterfront Park is actually a Twin Falls County Park located less than a mile from the south end of Perrine Bridge which spans the Snake River Canyon.  Canyon Springs Road heads west along the canyon wall towards the park and Canyon Springs Golf Course. 

Centennial Park with Perrine Bridge
in Background

Picnic area at Centennial Waterfront Park

The park was developed in 1990 and boasts lots of grass, picnic areas, playground, hiking trails, waterfront activities, rock climbing and much more.  The scenery is fantastic with great views of Perrine Bridge, the Snake River, and waterfalls tumbling down the canyon walls.  When we visited in January, beautiful ice formations were bountiful along the canyon road. 

Small Waterfall and Icicles
Along Snake River Canyon
Wall, View From Centennial
Waterfront Park

Just down the road a bit from the park entrance is Canyon Springs Golf Course, an 18-hole public course. 

Some of the Playground Equipment
at Centennial Waterfront Park

Covered Pavillion at Centennial
Waterfront Park

Perrine Bridge Over Snake River, View From Centennial
Waterfront Park Hiking Trail

This area is close to the better known Shoshone Falls (blog post here).  While in the area, stop at the Perrine Bridge Visitors Center to get fantastic views of the Snake River Canyon and the famous Perrine Bridge (over 1500 feet long and about 500 feet above the Snake River).  This area is just four miles south of I-84 and very much worth the short detour.  The Magic Valley Mall is just across US-93 from the turnoff to the park.

Take a break and enjoy this part of your Idaho Vacation.

Additional Information:
Twin Falls Chamber of Commerce - http://twinfallschamber.com/
South Central Idaho Tourism - http://visitsouthidaho.com/cake/