Old Idaho State Penitentiary

Tripadvisor (1,021) · History museum
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The Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historic Site was a functional prison from 1872 to 1973 in the western United States, east of Boise, Idaho.

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Feb 29, 2024
The Old Idaho Penitentiary is a historic attraction that, as the name suggests, is a throwback to a time of the past. The admission to the grounds cost $8. There is a guided tour offered as well whic… Full review by Nostalgiyeah
Feb 11, 2024
We had a Fantastic private tour with Kendra. She is so knowledgeable and you can really tell she enjoys her job and educating visitors on the property. She gave “fun facts” with a disclaimer that it … Full review by BeckyW1010
Dec 1, 2023
It’s unheated and I’m a very cold person so we tried our best to move from building to building without letting the cold effect the experience. We did warm up in the weapons museum that comes with t… Full review by 212sallys

Facts

Opened:1872
Architect:Inmates
Architectural style:Romanesque

Questions & answers

Q:
How long does it take to tour the Old Idaho Penitentiary?
A:
We generally recommend at least an hour and half.
A:
Answer by Jacey B · Jun 6, 2021
Q:
When do they do night tours of prison.
A:
Follow Big River Paranormal on Facebook or go to our website. We go investigate public investigations throughout the year actually, we don't just investigate during October.
Q:
Is there a parnormal tour. What r the hours and how much does it cost. My wife and i are come up for wknd trip from ohio …
Q:
Is there a parnormal tour. What r the hours and how much does it cost. My wife and i are come up for wknd trip from ohio going to spring game wanted to see this site. Thx
A:
The Paranormal Investigations are held 7-10 times per year from early spring to early fall. Tickets are $35 each and sold through Brown Paper Tickets. Check the Old Idaho …
A:
The Paranormal Investigations are held 7-10 times per year from early spring to early fall. Tickets are $35 each and sold through Brown Paper Tickets. Check the Old Idaho Penitentiary's website and Facebook page for upcoming events!
Q:
Is it wheel chair accessible?
A:
The grounds would be mostly accessible but many of the buildings have steps w/o ramps. even on the grounds, there are some minor steps and i'm not sure if there is a …
A:
The grounds would be mostly accessible but many of the buildings have steps w/o ramps. even on the grounds, there are some minor steps and i'm not sure if there is a workaround for them. you might want to contact the historical society that 'runs' the site and ask them directly. they have a good web site - travelocity doesn't allow me to post a web link but it should be very easy to find online.
Q:
How long does the tour take?
A:
We spent about 90 minutes self-touring the prison and arms museum. We did it without a tour guide and we did not watch their movie. It can be quicker but they have some …
A:
We spent about 90 minutes self-touring the prison and arms museum. We did it without a tour guide and we did not watch their movie. It can be quicker but they have some interesting prisoner Bios and history boards to read.
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Frequently asked questions

Q:
When is the Old Idaho Penitentiary open?
A:
The site is open seven days a week except for major state holidays.
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