14 Things to Do in Moscow Idaho

Moscow, Idaho, is located about 8 miles from Pullman, Washington (home of Washington State University) and home to one of the best colleges in Idaho, the University of Idaho. I’m a bit biased because I went to school here, but if you ever make it to Idaho, it’s worth a quick trip! You’ll find it easy to get to if you’re in Northern Idaho or close to Coeur d’Alene or Sandpoint.  The rolling hills of the Palouse surrounding Moscow are breathtaking, and the college campus, which makes up the majority of the town, is Idaho’s oldest school. The campus itself is charming, with brick buildings covered in ivy, large lawns, and massive fraternity and sorority houses.

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The town itself is granola/hippie in nature (different from other parts of Idaho) and has a wonderful farmer’s market, great breweries, cute shops, and fun art festivals all year round. It’s a great place to walk around and explore for a day or two in the summer or while school is in session!

The Best things to do in Moscow, Idaho

1. Visit Greek Row at the University of Idaho

University of Idaho’s Greek Row reminds me of the sororities from the movies, with all of the well-manicured lawns and huge houses all on the same street. I have some great memories in this house right here. I recommend taking a stroll down Greek Row (Elm Street) and checking out all of the incredible houses. Don’t forget New Greek Row (on Nez Perce Drive) as well!

2. Take a stroll down Hello Walk on the University of Idaho campus

This path is super famous with University of Idaho students as it’s one of the main walkways on campus. It runs from Greek Row to the Administration Building, and you can’t miss it! The large trees and steps leading up to the Admin building are beautiful in all seasons. This path was coined “Hello Walk” because you see everyone you know walking up and down it when you go to school here.

3. Eat some great college-town food

Some of my favorite places to eat when I go to Moscow are below. I still crave these places!

• Mikey’s Gyros is a divey, dark spot on Main St. with some of the best gyros and hummus I’ve ever had. Make sure to stop here for a cheap lunch and $1 PBRs. Who can resist that?
• The Bagel Shop is a late-night or morning/lunch spot where you can get any kind of bagel sandwich you can think of. My fave is the Sweaty Teddy. They even steam the bagels.
• Slice Taphouse is a great pizza place that also serves lots of beer on tap.
• Maialina Pizzeria Napoletana is another good pizza place that’s good for groups.
• Nectar is a little trendier/fancier spot with amazing cocktails and wonderful farm-to-table food.
• Mad Greek is a great sit-down greek restaurant with a patio.
• Lodgepole – This is an American fare restaurant with beautiful seasonal dishes. They are also a no-tipping restaurant!
• Black Cyprus – If you’re in Moscow on a busy weekend, you can always drive over to Pullman, WA, and go to some of their great spots like Black Cyprus!
• The Breakfast Club – This is an old classic and is always packed for Saturday and Sunday brunch. They don’t take reservations, so be prepped to wait. It’s great, though!
• Varsity Diner – This is a traditional diner feel with red booths and diner food!
• La Casa Lopez – The old-school Mexican restaurant we all know and love.
• Patty’s Kitchen – Another great Mexican restaurant that’s really small but great for a quick meal and sitting outside with a pitcher of beer.

4. Local Dive Bars, Breweries & Tap Houses

There are a lot of great places to drink in Moscow, how could it not? Be sure to try one of the below spots!

• The Corner Club – MY FAVORITE BAR. It has won a few awards for best college bar and historic bar. It’s literally a square gray box and with tubs of beer for $3. HOLLA.
• Check out Rants & Rave’s Brewery, Tapped, Hunga Dunga, & Ale House to grab a beer with friends and chill out!
• Other noteworthy college bars: The Garden, John’s Alley Tavern, The Dirty Goat Saloon
• Rather drink wine? Try the Vine Wine Bar

5. Visit the University of Idaho’s Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Technically there are two arboretums (we call it The Arb). One old and one new. One is more of a forest on U of I’s campus, and the other is an amazing park on campus with hidden lakes, trees, benches, views, and turtles.

The University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden is a major arboretum and botanical garden in the northwestern United States. These gardens will showcase different plants from different parts of the world. Explore the arboretum’s four geographical areas, including Asia, Europe, Eastern North America, and Western North America. 

Some rare finds will be the Dawn Redwood, Ginkgo or Maidenhair Trees, and ‘Camperdownii’ Weeping Elms. The Arboretum is open from dawn to dusk year-round with free admission.

6. Take a stroll through the Moscow Farmer’s Market

Moscow is located close to a lot of farms which makes this farmer’s market pretty robust. It’s got all kinds of great locally made/grown items like homemade bread, veggies, flowers, milk, beer, jewelry…you name it! Visit on a weekend and fill up your basket with cheap and fresh goodies.

7. Hike & bike your way through Moscow

Hike Moscow Mountain

Head up to Moscow Mountain if you want to hike a bit or get some mountain biking in on the many biking trails! There are some great trails up there, and it’s so nice to be in nature in Idaho.

Bike The Latah Trail

Spend some time outdoors by walking or biking The Latah Trail. The trail is 12 miles between Moscow and Troy. The path is a 10-foot-wide paved path that eventually goes through the forest to Troy’s City Park. You can rent a bike from Paradise Creek Bicycles before taking it on the long path. It is a great way to get out and about while exploring Latah county. 

Stroll Through Ghormley Park

For an easier option, walk through the gorgeous Ghormley Park located next to Moscow. It is one of the town’s oldest parks and also one of the most visited. There are picnic tables, walking paths, a playground, and more. Grab your morning coffee before taking a relaxing stroll through the vibrant green park. 

Take a stroll downtown Moscow

Moscow has a cute downtown main street. Walk around to the different shops and restaurants lining the street! I recommend stopping at Intrigue or The Storm Cellar or hitting up a cozy coffee shop full of students like One World Cafe or Bucer’s.

8. Tour the University of Idaho Campus or Washington State Campus next door. 

It’s pretty rare that there are two schools next to one another only 8 miles apart in different states! Get a tour or just walk around U of I’s gorgeous campus and then take a drive over to WSU and check it out (grab some Cougar Gold cheese while you’re there). Also, you can’t beat a U of I football game at the Kibbie Dome as well! I highly recommend going to one if you’re there during a football or basketball game.

9. Visit Moscow’s Museums

Moscow has plenty of museums for you to visit! Here are a few to try.

Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center

You have to check out the Appaloosa Museum and Heritage Center. The museum is dedicated to the Appaloosa horse breed, and you can learn all about them. Take a self-guided tour of the exhibits, which even includes a theater. Try out one of their hands-on activities or read for a while at the library. The museum is free and open to all! You can always give a donation to help support them too. 

McConnell Mansion

Next stop by the McConnell Mansion, which is a Landmark home from 1886 built by a former governor. This home is a mixture of Queen Anne and Eastlake architectural styles, both characteristic of the late 1800s. It is quite stunning to see, and you can marvel at it from the back patio that is open during the summer months. When it is colder out, explore the second floor, which contains the restored master bedroom and exhibits, including hands-on activities.

10. Go wine tasting in Moscow

Did you know the Moscow area has a charming wine region? They do! You can visit one of their eight wineries which are located throughout the town or a quick drive away. Colter’s Creek is a town favorite. This family-owned winery has been operating since 2007. They grow, produce and bottle each of their wines right on their estates in the Lewis-Clark Valley. It is the perfect place to grab a relaxing wine tasting when visiting Moscow, Idaho.

11. Moscow Artwalk

If you are an art lover, then stroll down the Moscow Artwalk. Created in 2004, the Moscow Artwalk has become one of the many arts and cultural activities. It is held on the 3rd Thursday of each month from October – May. The art walk will bring you to different murals and galleries throughout the town. You can even grab a delicious lunch while enjoying live music. 

12. Visit the Palouse Ice Rink

Visit the “Happiest Place on the Palouse”, also known as Palouse Ice Rink. Take advantage of their public skating nights. You can even visit during the holidays when there are events for Christmas. This includes the famous Christmas figure skating show. It is a fun place to visit any time of the year. 

13. Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre

See a show at The Kenworthy, which is the premier art-house cinema in Moscow. This historic center hosts film festivals. They even do live shows combined with comic theaters. You can check out their event calendar to plan your trip to Moscow, ID in advance.

12. Hamilton Lowe Aquatics Center

If you are visiting Moscow during the summer months, you can spend your day at Hamilton Lowe Aquatics Center. It is a great place to spend your day soaking up the Idaho sun. Flat around in the lazy river or get adventurous on the thrilling tube slides. If you are looking for exercise, swim some laps in their 25-yard lap loop. You can even grill up some lunch at one of their barbecues next to the picnic tables. 

Where to Stay in Moscow, Idaho

If you’re going to be in Moscow on a busy weekend, EVERYTHING sells out, so you’ll want to make sure to book your hotels in advance. Unfortunately, there aren’t a ton of options, but here are the best ones!

The Monarch Motel – This would be my #1 recommendation because they’ve completely remodeled an old gross hotel to make an amazing new hotel! It’s also owned by the same people that own the Nectar restaurants in town.  See Current Prices.

Colter’s Creek Hattanbaugh Hotel – This is a fun hotel part of the Colter’s Creek Winery and right above their tasting room!

University Inn – This is an old staple of Moscow and is all University of Idaho-themed. It definitely could use a refresh, but it’s still one of the better places to stay in Moscow.

Airbnb – This is always a great idea because there are a lot of cute homes in Moscow to rent! Here’s a code for $$ off your first stay with them!

Hotel McCoy – This is a cute option if you can’t find anything in Moscow, but it’s located in Pullman, Washington, just 8 miles from Moscow.

Alrighty, I think that’s all for now! If you ever find yourself in Northern Idaho, I highly recommend visiting this cute little college town! And I hope this post gives you a sense of things to do in Moscow, Idaho!

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