There are many things to do in Fruitland, Idaho. From Mesa Park to the Payette County Museum, you can’t miss a trip to this town. There’s also the Fruitlands Museum, and a superb public sports facility north of downtown. In addition to these places to visit, the area is home to the northern Paiute Tribe and a Native American internment camp.
Mesa Park
If you’re looking for a great place to play baseball, basketball, or tennis, Mesa Park is the perfect place to go. The park also features a playground and picnic shelter. The park is part of the Payette County Recreation District, which hosts a number of summer and spring programs. In addition, the park features a seasonal farm stand that sells fresh produce.
A short drive away is the Oregon Trail crossing, where the pioneers crossed the Snake River to reach Oregon. The area is filled with historical sites and wagon ruts from the 19th century. The Four Rivers Cultural Center, an art gallery, museum, and theatre, is also a short drive away. The center celebrates the city’s diverse heritage.
Payette County Museum
If you’re looking for a way to spend a day out of Fruitland, you may want to take advantage of the Payette County Museum. This historical museum is run by the Payette County Historical Society, and it offers free tours. You can also attend events at the museum and ask questions about the local history.
The museum’s predecessor, the Stone House, served as a rest stop on the Oregon Trail for travelers. It was built in 1873 of local sandstone and continued to welcome travelers until the early 1900s. Today, the museum contains interpretive exhibits about the Oregon Trail and 19th-century artifacts. The town is also home to the county fairgrounds, where events take place throughout the year. The annual fair is a local highlight.
Nearby attractions include the Four Rivers Cultural Center & Museum. This museum offers information about Native American history and other cultures. It also features a Japanese garden and commemorates the Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II. The museum’s exhibits are also complemented by a gallery and a theatre.
Another great place to visit is the Payette County Museum. This museum features historical artifacts, and features a film theater. There are also interactive exhibits for children. The museum also has picnic areas. There are numerous historical sites and museums in Fruitland.
There is an extensive history of the Payette area here, so visiting the museum is an excellent way to learn about the past. The museum is located in a former Methodist church. Its exhibits cover everything from geology to native tribes. The museum also features several historic buildings.
Visitors to the museum can also visit Kiwanis Park, which is an ideal destination for families. There are 6 miles of paved walking trails, playgrounds, and a low-cost recreation center with basketball and racquetball courts. There are also artifacts from the area’s early history.
If you’re looking for things to do in Fruitland, the Apple Blossom Festival is an excellent option. This event has been held in the same spot since 1903. Throughout the city, you can enjoy pony rides, carnival games, and petting zoos. You can even enjoy food vendors and other fun activities while you’re there.
Birding Islands
There are several ways to get to Birding Islands in Fruitland. There are four access points along the Snake River, and the area is home to three gravel ponds. In addition to offering great wildlife viewing, Birding Islands is also home to historical significance. The Oregon Trail once crossed the Snake River nearby, and followed the valley of the Snake into the rugged high desert of Oregon. In Fruitland, a segment of the trail is named for a pioneer, Jonathan Keeney.
Fruitlands Museum
The Fruitlands Museum and Farmhouse is a National Historic Landmark. It is home to over 100 Hudson River School landscape paintings and more than 230 nineteenth century vernacular portraits. Its collection is the second largest in the country. In addition to the museum, the Fruitlands also includes the Wayside Visitor Center, which features educational programs and classrooms. You can learn about the landscape of Fruitlands and its many flora and fauna.
The Fruitlands Museum was originally the site of an experimental society founded by Amos Bronson Alcott and Charles Lane. The group met for seven months before disbanding. In 1914, the group decided to open their grounds to the public. Today, the museum is a popular attraction for visitors. The museum has an excellent selection of historical photos, and the exhibits are engaging and well-designed.
The museum’s collections also include the Shaker Museum and the Fruitlands Farmhouse. In addition to the Shaker Museum, the Fruitlands Museum is home to the largest archive of Harvard Shaker documents in the country. The museum also has an important collection of Native American artifacts. Its mission is to honor the spiritual presence of first Americans and survey the cultures of the Plains and Southwest.
One of the most popular events at the Fruitlands Museum is the annual amateur cyclocross race. With its challenging terrain and muddy off-cambers, this race is a favorite among the New England cyclocross community. Elite men’s and women’s race winners include Curtis White, Kathleen Wanat, and Rebecca Wellons.
The museum offers a variety of experiences for visitors of all ages. Located on 210 acres, it features the original farmhouse of Mary Alcott, a Shaker Museum, and a Native American Museum. Visitors can also enjoy an art gallery with 19th century landscape paintings. It also includes a restaurant and 2.5 miles of walking trails.
