Reviews of Idaho Museum of Mining and Geology (Museum)

Aria Dark

If you love rocks.... Great place to see Idaho rocks and geology maps. Rare specimens on display! Relatively small museum, information concentrated on gems often found in Idaho mountains, gem mining in Idaho history, and Idaho’s geological history. Look for Idaho Picture Jasper and Star Garnet— two beautiful gems. Learn where Star Garnet is found in Idaho... find “pictures” in pieces of Picture Jasper.

Mike Reinke

Small, but a nice coverage of material. If you like this, the Orma j Smith Museum in nearby caldwell is worthwhile too.

Isaac Radford

Very cool place to take the family. We did a tour here and the guide was wonderful. Very good with kids. Our family learned a lot and it sparked a new interest in geology for my kids!

Mardiray

This museum is packed into a building on the grounds of the Old Idaho Penitentiary. Don't let the small size fool you. There's a lot to see. From the scientific to the historic, the geology, mineralogy and mining history of Idaho can be found inside. There are maps showing the terrain types. There are samples of many types of rock and mineral. Many exhibits are hands-on. There are things for both adults and kids. The staff are knowledgeable and very friendly. The day we went, there was no entrance fee, but we left a small donation, the museum is that good. There is a small gift shop. Note for wheelchairs and those with a fall risk: due to the age of the building, the floors are not always even. The ramps and lips and steps are marked.

Siwel Anyer

Very interesting museum. The majority of the exhibits are those of crystal, mineral, & rock specimens. There were staff present to greet you at the door, but the exhibits are unguided & you're on your own. The entrance fee is free, but they do ask did a small donation. Though they have published opening hours at times they are closed, so call before attempting a visit.

Stephanie Lilly

Very cool this place is great for people who love learning about rocks and geology. They also have meteorites and information about a cool prehistoric shark. The volunteers were very nice and helpful

Grady Keeton

Nice displays and friendly staff

Jeff Wade

Very knowledgeable and friendly staff with cool displays

Lorie Spear

Great history there. Knowledgeable staff.

Natalie Purkey

I was excited to see that idaho has so many more gems stones then I knew about. What an amazing place to find, and I've lived here all my life!

Rich Morris

Great place! Many things to look at.

Lorenzo R Gonzales

Fun to visit and a great place with some hands on as well.

Debbie Wood

Cool place!

Sue K

History and gems combined. Also a seismology graph showing an earthquake today 8/29 in Boise! Really cool!

Brian & Karen Davis

Small museum but has meterorites, a seismograph display showing all the earthquakes that are happening around the world, lots of mining information and several rock displays. Great place for beginner rock hounder's and a real nifty black light display for florescent rocks.

Nora Carpenter

Awesome!

Cassie Roberts

So much fun! Great for kids!

Donald Coley

Just FANTASTIC !!! Incredible graphics in several different media*, they show the hills, Mountains, Valley's, plateaus and faults, in ways that reveal how Idaho came to be what it is today. Rich in history, there is information on the early miners (including women miners), the incredible Wealth taken from the Earth's crust, even Earthquakes and how crust "movements" have changed the surrounding areas. *In addition to a huge wall map that shows the state in bold 3D Relief, there is an Excellent touch-screen display that goes from an overview, down to incredible detail on each of the mining districts and individual mines (with great old pictures of the buildings, people and equipment they used). The docents were very knowledgeable and great at sharing their wealth of knowledge !!! All this and Free admission !!!!

Connie Schultz

Fun place to study rocks

Mary Claudine H Moorefield

Fun and very impressed with exhibits And knowledge of volunteers, staff

Natalya Besoushko

Great little museum with just enough artifacts to make it full and interesting! People are super nice and location is pretty!

J S

This place Rocks! I love this place. Everyone should visit!

Michael Wagner

Really cool.

Eddie Perez

We were pressed for time as another group of students were done with the outdoors portion of the tour due to the weather conditions. Children were upset about not getting any time to get hands on and explore the exhibits. I wanted more time but maybe another day.

Cristi Ady

Very informative and nice people

Velva Jones

Fairly small museum but they have a lot of information. Interesting for kids and adults alike. The people on duty try to be as helpful as possible.

Mrs Nonie

Fantastic pkace! Love the redo. Entertaining, engaging, gift shop, very educational, fun location!

jasmine berier

Dig!

emily brazenor

Great little museum

Jim Travis

What a "Gem" of a museum! Very good interactive displays. Very knowledgeable staff. If you are interested in Idaho beauty and history, local geology, and our rich history of mining, meteorites, and a member built seismometer, this place is a must see!

John Gordon

Very interesting exhibits. Nice learning about some of the geology of Idaho.

Yorowichi D

Kids loved it, I loved it! We all got our rocks identified and they were such nice people:)

Patsy Shimley

Awesome

tami walker

Interesting!!

Amy Barrett

Great museum! Such friendly staff and so knowledgeable! Especially Loretta Coleman she was fabulous!

B Juarez

Helicoprion = buzz saw shark. I had no idea that millions of years ago Idaho was home to this awesome looking creature. Seriously, it has a huge circular saw looking blade vertically in its mouth. Crazy vicious looking thing cut its prey clean in half!! See it here along with all kinds of geology and mining information. Did I mention FREE!!! And a great affordable gift shop. Really cool sliced meteor display. Lots of interesting stuff here.