Boise, Idaho, welcomed a new education center in October: the Philip E. Batt Education Building. Named for former Governor Phil Batt in recognition of his work advancing human rights in the state, the facility houses offices for the Wassmuth Center for Human Rights and includes a classroom, meeting spaces, a catering kitchen, a research library, an exhibition room, a gift shop, and an art gallery focused on human rights and featuring works by Idaho artists. Visitors can engage with immersive experiences, such as a virtual reality tour of the Anne Frank House in Amsterdam and an AI-driven interactive display that shares recorded stories from Holocaust survivors.
© Visit Idaho
The education building sits next to the Idaho Anne Frank Human Rights Memorial, a contemplative site along the Boise River Greenbelt created to honor Anne Frank and promote education, discussion, and action on human rights. The memorial—unique in the United States—inserts excerpts from Anne Frank’s diary among inspirational quotes from global human rights leaders including Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr., Eleanor Roosevelt, Cesar Chavez, and Nelson Mandela. Open 24 hours a day, year-round, the memorial is free to the public and offers a self-guided tour.
Also in Boise during the holiday season, Winter Garden aGlow transforms the Idaho Botanical Garden into a festive walk-through experience running Wednesday through Sunday from Thanksgiving until New Year’s Eve. Guests wander through displays of twinkling lights and seasonal installations while enjoying nightly cookies and hot chocolate. Children can explore a family-friendly winter wonderland, while adults relax by fire pits and sample holiday beverages at the Snow Globe Bar.
© Coeur d’Alene Resort
Each year hundreds of bald eagles migrate to the Lake Coeur d’Alene area. Between November and January, visitors can join a two-hour eagle-watching cruise on the lake to observe these spectacular birds in their natural winter habitat. The cruises provide close-up viewing opportunities and knowledgeable commentary about the eagles and local ecology.
The Lake Coeur d’Alene Holiday Light Show is another winter highlight. The event’s Lighting Ceremony features the flip of a switch that illuminates more than 1.5 million lights across the lake, often accompanied by an impressive fireworks display. Family-friendly “North Pole” cruises are a popular attraction during the season, which typically launches around November 29 and continues into the first days after January 1.
© Coeur d’Alene Resort
A winter trip to Idaho is incomplete without outdoor recreation in snowy or icy surroundings. While the state offers many skiing opportunities, one distinctive natural attraction is Perrine Coulee Falls near Twin Falls in southern Idaho. The waterfall’s flow is strongest in summer, but in late fall and winter visitors are drawn to the canyon’s dramatic icicles and the frozen features that form along the 200-foot drop.
Most visitors view Perrine Coulee Falls from below, but the Canyon Rim Trail provides an elevated perspective of the falls, the canyon, and Perrine Bridge for those who continue on. Access options vary, and some nearby lodging makes it possible to plan a visit without urban conveniences. Many people park along the route near Centennial Waterfront Park and walk to the falls, taking care on snowy or icy shoulders. Whether seen in flowing water or frosted formations, Perrine Coulee Falls offers a memorable, four-season outdoor experience.