Boise, Idaho: Old Idaho Penitentiary
Shut down by prison riots in the early 1970s. Highlights of the tour include Death Row, the gallows, and the solitary confinement cell called "Siberia."
Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historical Site
- Address:
- 2445 Old Penitentiary Rd., Boise, ID
- Directions:
- Old Idaho Penitentiary State Historical Site. From the intersection of Broadway and Warm Springs Ave. drive east on Warm Springs for about 1.5 miles then turn left onto Old Penitentiary Road.
- Hours:
- Summer daily 10 am - 4:30 pm; fewer hours off-season. (Call to verify)
- Phone:
- 208-334-2844
- RA Rates:
- Major Fun
Results 1 to 5 of 5...
Visitor Tips and News About Old Idaho Penitentiary
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This is a very interesting and creepy place. Bonus find at this venue: the Idaho Merci Train Boxcar on display in the Shirt Factory Building. That was a pleasant surprise.
[Luv2RV, 10/06/2024]
It never ceases to amaze me the amount of cool places I get to see thanks to the Roadside America app. A former penitentiary in the state of Idaho, how cool!
[Brian From Rockland County NY, 08/26/2019]Looks like they let you get very close to the gallows trap door and lever.
The weapons exhibit closes at 4:30 pm (or before, if it's a slow day). Also, the museum next door closes at 5 pm, so give yourself time for that too. We spent two hours at the prison and could easily have taken another couple hours.
[Lani, 07/28/2014]
Make sure you get there in plenty of time. Ghey close up at 4:15pm sharp, and will not deviate, it's the law. Arrive early anyway -- there is so much to see and so much history to absorb.
[L Peterson, 09/24/2013]
Guided tour of Old Idaho Penitentiary is well worth the $5.
[Robert, 05/29/2010]Shut down by prison riots since 1973, and revived as a tour of Idaho penal history. Highlights of the tour include Death Row, the gallows, and the solitary confinement cell called "Siberia."
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In the years after World War II every U.S. state was gifted a "Merci Boxcar" from France, filled with French goodies, in gratitude for America's help.