Visit a place where you can discover reverting natural and human history, breathtaking scenery and outdoor adventure, and exemplary Northwest food and drink in Moscow and the Lewis Clark Valley.

Moscow

Moscow is a vibrant college town with a palpable vibe. The downtown area is brimming with boutique shopping and eclectic dining options that showcase the bounty and seasonality of the region. Wine tasting rooms, brewpubs, and art galleries on par with those of considerably larger Northwest cities only add to the appeal.

Shop and Play

The Essential Art Gallery is a brick and mortar dream for lovers of art and gift-giving. Featuring a curated collection of exquisite glasswork and art spanning numerous mediums from producers across the country, it’s a must-visit.

The Moscow Farmers Market has been a tradition since 1976, and by summer the Saturday morning event is in full swing. Local farmers, artists, craftspeople, and musicians provide an inordinately robust array of fresh produce, meat, delicious baked goods, plants, flowers, handmade crafts, and live music.

For hikers, the Idlers Rest Nature Preserve is a true community gem that shoehorns a ton of biodiversity into only 35 acres and showcases it with 5-plus miles of hiking trails. Or get on your bike and explore the interconnected Palouse Recreation Trails. Between the Latah Trail, Paradise Path, and Chipman Palouse Trail, you’ve got more than 38 miles of smooth, paved pathways to enjoy.

Eat, Drink and Stay

For breakfast, try a scratch-made meal from the Breakfast club. Enjoy a lunch of homemade soups and sandwiches from Stax or fresh made tacos from Patty’s Kitchen on sixth street near campus. On Main Street, Colter’s Creek Winery Tasting Room pours a wide array of reliably elegant reds in a stunning and architecturally inviting space. And for dinner, Maialina Pizzeria Napoletana provides an authentic Italian meal, while the Nectar Restaurant & Wine Bar nails well-executed and inventive small plates and entrees alongside the town’s best hand-crafted cocktails. Beer lovers also have options. The Moscow Brewing Company is a small brewery and taproom with beers ranging from a Kolsch to kettle sours. With good beer, good food, and great times, The Moscow Alehouse is the consummate Northwest brewpub. At Hunga Dunga Brewing, you’ll find a full lineup of classic craft beer accompanied by an elevated, restaurant-worthy pub grub menu. And when it’s all said and done, the Monarch Motel, a classic roadside inn that received a mid-century modern facelift, is a prime downtown home away from home.

The In-Between

The drive from Moscow to the Lewis Clark Valley is only about a half an hour time-wise, but you’ll experience some dramatic scenery that belies the trip’s lack of distance. After miles of soothing terrain in the form of the rolling plains of the Palouse, Highway 95 dives down into the valley below, where the Clearwater River pours into the Snake. A few pullouts offer panoramic views of the whole affair.

The Lewis Clark Valley

This is where history, adventure, and the modern-day amenities of the Northwest exist in experiential harmony. Enjoy whitewater in the deepest canyon in America, explore several fascinating chapters of human history, and sample the wine being produced by one of the region’s newest and most exciting American Viticultural Areas – all in the Lewis Clark Valley.

History of the Land and those who Call it Home

According to legend, Nimiipuu, “the people,” were created in North Central Idaho at the dawn of time. French fur traders would later refer to them as the Nez Perce. By any moniker, the indigenous people who have called the land home for more than 12,000 years have a rich history and the Nez Perce National Historical Park Visitor Center details it. Take in a poignant and visually striking video that describes their relationship to the land and peruse the engrossing interpretive displays. In October of 1805, the Lewis & Clark Expedition made it to the valley. Located in the Hells Gate State Park, the Lewis & Clark Discovery Center provides insight into the entire expedition. The two-acre outdoor interpretive center on the banks of the Snake River sports educational displays, a gift shop and an original documentary about the Expedition’s visit to the area. The park also affords some excellent water-view hiking and a remarkable basalt rock formation known as the Devil’s Slide.

Vino Pairs Well with Adventure

The jaw-dropping scale of Hells Canyon is best experienced from the river. Try a fast and furious jet boat tour with Snake River Adventures in a half or full-day excursion. To get a little more intimate with the Snake or Middle Salmon Rivers, grab a paddle and take a whitewater rafting trip with Northwest River Adventures that lasts anywhere from a half-day to three days. The outfitter also offers bike rentals for those that prefer to stay dry while taking in the winding river on a paved path through town.

The Lewis-Clark Valley became an official AVA (American Viticultural Area) in 2016. For great insight, tastings, and a designated driver, book a tour with Twisted Vine Wine Tours. Whether on a tour or going it alone, stop in to enjoy a tasting at the Idaho Century Farm that is home to Clearwater Canyon Cellars, winners of Wine Press Northwest 2020 Pacific Northwest Winery of the Year. Or partake in chocolate and wine pairings at the sprawling estate of Lindsay Creek Vineyards. If you want to stay close in, head to any number of tasting rooms, including Jovinea Cellars in the thriving Morgan’s Alley section of downtown.