Top 4 Steakhouses in Idaho

Restaurants that specialize in serving steaks have developed somewhat of a following over the years. People will travel for miles just to experience the memorable steak dinner that a certain steakhouse is serving.

While Texas and New York have some delicious steak dinners, Idaho also has several steakhouses that serve up a fantastic meal. Here’s a look at the top four steakhouses in Idaho.

Chandlers Steakhouse – Boise, Idaho

Located right in downtown Boise, Chandlers Steakhouse is known for serving some of the best steaks in the city. Chandlers Steakhouse is famous for serving prime corn-fed steaks, high quality Kobe Beef. All dinners come with side dishes made from ingredients local to the state of Idaho.

Wolf Lodge Steakhouse – Coeur D’Alene, Idaho

The Wolf Lodge is known for serving up some of the state’s best prime rib dinners, as well as a number of traditional steaks. Besides the great tasting steaks, the main attraction at The Wolf Lodge is the open grill where guests can watch their steaks being cooked right in front of their eyes.

The Copa – Hayden, Idaho

For a restaurant with a small town atmosphere, consider dining at The Copa. The Copa serves traditional prime rib eye and sirloin steaks in a restaurant that is built to encourage community development and allow you to sit back and relax a little.

Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse & Saloon – Boise, Idaho

Cool Hand Luke’s Steakhouse & Saloon is a little of everything from country saloon to traditional steakhouse. With great views of the city of Boise, this is one steakhouse you can’t miss on your trip to Idaho.

Check the local yellow pages or the Canada 411 for more information and directions to these or other tasty steakhouses in Idaho.

Boise Greenery, City Novelty

 

Idaho Botanical Garden

Image via Wikipedia

Cradled on the western curl of Idaho where plains and mountains meet is Boise. This massive city (which ranks among the Midwest’s most populated areas and features 64 square miles of easy conveniences) is famed throughout the country for its unique appeal. Defying the misconceptions of the state, it challenges visitors with an endless collection of attractions and downtown thrills. Its modern style is surpassed only by its natural beauty; and the result is one of a kind.

There can be no surprise therefore that settled within Boise is an urban oasis the Idaho Botanical Garden.

Those craving the diversity of the Midwest (with moving quotes helping to prove how easy it is to relocate there) are urged to visit the Idaho Botanical Garden. This stunning area spans 50 acres and boasts some of the states best views. Established in 1984, it began as a way to save land that had been abandoned, left to grow idly. It was claimed by a non-profit organization and was carefully cultivated, with gardens shaped in the wake of the weeds.

Guests can now explore 10 distinct areas within this attraction, many of which are unique. The Native Plant Garden proudly displays blooms of the state (like sagebrush and dogwood). The Meditation Garden offers a sense of history, with its original trees planted by inmates of the infamous Boise Penitentiary. And the English Garden is an unexpected delight, providing European flowers to enjoy. It is a sensory experience.

The Idaho Botanical Garden is one of the city and the state’s best attractions. New residents are urged to seek it out.

Mining in the Boise River Basin

The period from 1862 to 1864 saw a rush of prospectors and miners to the area of the Boise Basin, coming to search for gold. This was the largest in the history of the Pacific Northwest area. With the inrush of people searching for wealth, there was also additional problems of crime and conflict with local Native American populations. The United State Army was sent to the region, establishing Fort Boise on the fourth of July, 1863.

When the Army arrived, their first task after establishing the fort was the removal of the Shoshini people from the region. They were moved to Fort Hall in 1867, where a reservation area was established for them. The increasing population and the set up of the fort prompted quick settlement within the area, and Boise was born. In 1864, it was officially named the capitol of Idaho. The Oregon Trail, a major route west, was expanded with roads that led to the Owyhee mining area and into the Boise Basin. This helped to spurn the early growth of the city.

The city also had help growing due to its abundant and successful mining markets and the ready availability of rich farmland that was based in the western part of the area. Mining was the major industry in the region, and the agriculture that supported it helped to make Boise one of the largest cities on the Oregon trail route. Visitors can still visit the original United State Assay Office, which has been declared a National Historic Landmark.

Boise has an early history in the region, making its stamp on the drive west by settlers and gold seekers. Its early expansion and key role in mining, the gold rush and in settlement of the west should not soon be forgotten in the minds of future generations.

Visiting the Idaho State Historical Society Museum

Idaho State Capitol.
Image via Wikipedia

The Idaho State Historical Society Museum is located on North Julia Davis Drive in Boise, Idaho. It is open from Tuesday through Saturday from 9 AM to 5 PM, Sunday from 1 to 5 and is closed Mondays from May through September. From October through April, it has hours from 9 to 5 Tuesday through Friday and 11 to 5 on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays and Mondays during this time. You can check out both permanent and short term displays that the museum offers, including one coming up titled “Idaho Celebrates 50 Years of the Peace Corps Service.” The exhibit will give the history of the Corps in the region from the period of 1961 to 2011. You can learn individual stories and experiences that the volunteers in this program experienced.

The “Story of Idaho” is a permanent exhibition at the museum that takes on the history of the local area and region. You can take in a number of artifcats that trace Ohio and Boise area’s history. These come from various residents of the area, fur traders and missionaries that came into the area. There is also information and displays that recount the gold rush era, the pioneers that came to settle in Idaho and various industries that were in the city. When you travel to the second floor, you can look through the “Lewis and Clark: The Journey in Idaho” as you trace the journey of the explorers through the region on the way to the Pacific Ocean.

The Pioneer Village near the museum features pioneer cabins from the 1860′s, along with the Thomas Logan House and the Adelman House. You can learn about building techniques of the time take part in educational programming. The Idaho State Historical Society Museum is a fantastic walk into the past, where you can take in all of Idaho, Boise and its fascinating history. There is no better way to spend a day out with your family.

Boise Man’s Disappearance is Given a Nationwide Stage

The disappearance of 33-year-old Jeramy Burt in 2007 left his family startled and authorities puzzled. Recently, the Investigation Discovery Channel featured his story on television, giving it a nationwide stage in the proper attention that it deserves. The show, Disappeared, gives the family hope that someone will come forward with information regarding his present whereabouts or what happened to him. The case has remained open since 2007, and authorities have not ruled out foul play in the case. You can see the show on Mondays on the Discovery Channel at 8 PM and 10 PM, along with Sunday afternoon.

Burt mysteriously disappeared in February of 2007 into thin air, leaving behind his four-year-old daughter, family and his home. His father, Van Burt, was one of the last few people to see him before he vanished. He stated that he believes in his heart that his son is no longer alive. The only clue that authorities have is the burned-out wreckage of his car that was found in the Idaho southern desert. It was discovered several months after he vanished. There was no other sign of items or clues to be helpful to authorities at the scene of the car. There were also no signs that anyone had been in the vehicle. There have been no suspects named and any new developments have not been made recently.

According to his family, Jeramy was not the type to walk away from his family, especially his daughter, whom he loved deeply. He was a dedicated father and his family states that he would never leave his family and disappear. Authorities are urging anyone with information, regardless of how small it may be, to contact them with any information that they may have. It may be one thing that helps to bring Jeramy home to his family.

Skiers Flock to Tamarack Resort

Tamarack Resort recently made skiers and snowboarders happy by opening its doors to them. The resort has spent the last year closed and idle, leaving a hole in the hearts of winter outdoor sports enthusiasts. This Monday it opened its doors again as snow covered the area and approximately 900 individuals headed in and then out to the slopes. The general manager of winter time operations at the resort, Tim Flaherty, told reporters that working to reopen Tamarack took an extended process and hard work.

The resort property has been in the middle of bankruptcy proceedings in the courts as the financial tangle was being worked out. The homeowner association of Tamarack was determined to get it up and going again, so they pooled $80,000 of members’ dues to get it open again for the ski season. The group worked together to find a quick solution and succeeded, bringing people back to Tamarack for winter fun in the outdoors. The association has also offered the Idaho Land Board a $1.5 million dollar plan for the business, also showing it to the Idaho bankruptcy court and Credit Suisse. The last group also offers contributions to the association.

The resort has sold a total of 700 season passes up to this point, and are confident as more are being purchased. Many feel this is a great sign for the economy of the area, and the local homeowners are sure that someone will purchase the property before the next year. The resort also provides employment for local area residents, as it has 100 staff members needed in order to run it. Its reopening has also brought hope back to the area, as people see it as a sign of better times to come. This is crucial as the area has struggled some in the present economy.

A Day at the Idaho Black History Museum

The Idaho Historical Museum
Image via Wikipedia

The Idaho Black History is located on Julia Davis Drive in Boise, Idaho. There is a fee to enter the facility, but children aged 6 or younger can come in free of charge. Adults have to pay an entrance fee of two dollars, where children, students and senior citizens only have to pay a dollar. From June to September, the museum is open from 10 AM to 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday, and from October to May it is open from 11 AM to 4 PM Wednesday through Saturday. The museum is open year round for visitors to enjoy, and should be added to your list of stops.

The museum offers a number of exhibits from African American history nationwide, but gives its primary focus to the history of those residing within Idaho’s borders. It was originally opened in 1995, and also displays the history of African American culture as well. The building housing the museum can be found in the historical St. Paul Baptist Church. There are also a wide array of educational programs and various community outreach events that bring the history of this race to the general public. For example, you can attend one of their many public lectures, different films or workshops that are help. Other programming includes literacy classes and musical performances that bring African Americans’ musical past to life.

One famous individual given attention at the museum is York, who was William Clark’s slave during the great expedition west. The Idaho Black History Museum is a wonderful stop to make on an afternoon through Boise, Idaho and learn more about African American history in the state. You will get a bird’s eye view into the many experiences and challenges these people faced in obtaining equality and freedom within the United States throughout its history.