Twin Falls is one of Idaho’s hidden gems that never seems to be a destination, but a place to pass by on the way to another place. This city boasts a population of 60,000 people, an interesting history, and scenes and events that will have kids gasping for breath.
Twin Falls located in south central Idaho, a few miles south of Interstate 80. It is about a two hour drive east of the capital city Boise is a city that makes day trips legendary for Boise residents.
Perrine Bridge
Visitors to the Twin Falls City enter across the Snake River by way of the Perrin Bridge. The bridge is about 1500 feet long and 486 feet high. When it was built in 1927, it was considered one of the tallest bridges in the world. Doing the bridge just doesn’t do it justice. To view the show, head south to the Visitor Center. From the middle of the visitor’s lot, you and your family can see the canyon and the bridge from a well-protected overlook.
From this perspective, you and your kids could catch a glimpse of the BASE jumpers. Instead of bungee jumping, sports enthusiasts wear a parachute and land somewhere in the canyon below. The Perrine Bridge has become the only structure in the United States where BASE jumping is allowed without a permit, which makes it a huge a popular destination.
The conditions must be just right for BASE jumping, which means visitors are a “hit or miss” event. We visited Twin Falls four times this year, only once did we see the base jumping, and it was quite a spectacle to behold!
If there’s no base jumping going on during your visit to Perrine Bridge, don’t worry. fun things There is still something for the kids to see around the bridge. Walking along the southern edge of the canyon towards the east, you will find a dirt embankment from the act of motorcyclist Evel Knievel back in 1974 when he unsuccessfully tried to jump the canyon it is. There is also a label to mention the place.
The west bridge is the Centennial-park Trail where your family can hike through the canyon for a stunning view of the coast and wildlife.
Shoshone Falls
About 15 minutes east of Twin Falls are Shoshone Falls, which is breathtakingly beautiful. Shoshone Falls are 12 feet higher than Niagara Falls and in springspring with water are the highest degrees. Adjacent to the Falls is a lovely park, topped with picnic tables and various viewing platforms. Visitors to the park can choose from two trails that ascend from the park to the edge of the Canyon. There is a nominal fee to enter the park.
For younger kids, there is some playground equipment and a snack stand to keep them entertained. Older kids will enjoy running around the trails and ignore them.
Deirkes lake
To begin Shoshone Falls leave, you will see a small sign pointing left to Dierkes Lake. This small lake is surrounded by large canyon walls, and is equipped with floating docks and lifeguards so that kids can swim. One of the outstanding features of this place are the high canyon walls that surround the lake and the silence that has survived.
Dierkes Lake has other rooms, a snack bar, picnic tables, and even a small playground.
The Herritt Museum and Faulkner Planetarium
Located on the campus of the College of Southern Idaho is the Herritt Museum and Faulkner Planetarium which are house in the same building. For kids, one of the most notable features of the museum is the exhibition halls to the right of the entrance. These rooms feature Amazonian Rain Forests complete with field stations, computers, temple ruins, and lots of hands on “young explorers” activities “to know Some activities include collecting archaeological finds, looking at butterflies and insects under a microscope, and “What’s this?” type of games The room looks like a scene out of Indiana Jones movie and it’s totally fun.
A new addition to the fossil room is a full-scale replica of a Mammoth fossil. The critter can be about 12-15 feet in height and will leave your kids in awe. Admission to the Herritt Museum is free.
At certain times of the day, the Faulkner Planetarium puts on several shows. The shows are affordable at $9 per family for the first show, and half price (or $4.50) for the remaining days points out The best estimate seems to be on Saturday when the Planetarium shows four different shows. Some shows are more suitable for younger kids (such as The Mystery of the Missing Season) while others are more interesting for kids 12 and up.
At least twice a month, there is a public observatory looking at the night stars through a huge telescope. Our kids always get a kick out of walking inside the observatory and seeing the telescope in action. As my youngest child once said, “It feels like I work at NASA.”
For a fun day trip, Twin Falls is definitely a place worth visiting. For more things to see and do in Twin, visit www.twinfallschamber.com.
