Reviews

We spent over 2 hours at the Penitentiary and found it very interesting. It is a self-guided tour. We were given a map of the buildings and found it very informative. Most of the buildings you are able to enter, which gives a good idea of what life was like in the penitentiary. Several of the buildings are not accessible due to prison riots in 1972 which did a lot of structural damage. Despite the damage you still can see from the outside of the structures into the interiors. Talk to the former guard who works at the Arms and Armaments Exhibit. He can provide additional, interesting detail about the Penitentiary not covered on the the map.

Had an afternoon after business was completed so I decided to check out this old penitentiary. The guide was knowledgeable and very interactive with our group. This tour really gave you a sense of what the life was there. I enjoyed it very much.

I cannot imagine there is a better, for interesting living monument of history in Boise. Seeing the inside of the prison cells, and how they changed over time is great. Reading about the history of the prison and the various inmates who lived (and died) there is equally fascinating. And to top it all off, the history of arms and armaments museum located within the prison grounds is utterly unbelievable. Every gun from every side of every war, along with swords, pole arms, and everything in between. How they amassed such a collection is beyond me. A great place to go for adults and children alike.

Wow! Very interesting place to visit. Self guided tour. The employees are extremely friendly and helpful. They enjoy talking about the place and about Idaho history. Lots to read and you can go into the cells. Photo opportunities all over.

We went with a large group of families with children ranging from 6-12. The adults and kids were both entertained. We did not do a tour, just the “self-guided” which consisted of a paper map and you can go anywhere you like. We only had an hour and a half before closing time and at least two hours would’ve been better. There are a lot of very informative posters and signs throughout all of the buildings and area. I hate “touristy” stops but I highly recommend this one.

I made my first of many visits to come to the lovely state of Idaho! Idaho's history as a US Territory is fascinating! Some of that history is housed in the Old Idaho Penitentiary. It's definitely worth the visit to learn about the local culture and history. The staff is very friendly!

Very family friendly! Cheap, and fun family outing. Great descriptions along the way. Amazing historical site. Took my 4 year old and she really enjoyed it. I was able to give her age appropriate explanations and she found it fascinating. It's very cold inside the buildings - makes it great for a hot summer day, but bring a jacket in spring!

interesting, Nice place to visit. good piece of history
One time was probably good for me. it is in good area in the town next to the Botanical Garden.

We really enjoyed going to this attraction. We were told to go by friends that live in the area, and we were glad we went. Very interesting and informative about the prison and inmates. I would recommend this attraction.

I went here with my whole family and thoroughly enjoyed the entire tour, but some family members got bored. In my opinion there’s nothing boring at all. I guess it depends on whether or not you like history...

The Old Idaho Penitentiary is a fascinating slice of life of Idaho (and America). The grounds have been kept in roughly the condition they were left in 50 years ago when the penitentiary was abandoned for the new state prison.

Be sure to take one of the guided tours (no extra charge) to learn the "behind the scenes" stories of the men and and women who spent time there.

Lol
The title says a ton. A great place to visit and look back at the past and yet so thankful to not be in... Penitentiary
This is a site that if you like historical information you came to the perfect place. You are that kind of person because your reading this post so come on in and enjoy.

We had a tour guide and it made the entire trip fascinating. The guide's insight into the little things really opened your eyes and ears. The signs don't cover the bits and pieces of information that are held by the guides. The starkness of the facility drives home the point that the place was not for comfort of rehabilitation, just hard labor and punishment.

I guess the Foreigner concert was a big deal for Boise because both the Old Idaho Penitentiary and the Botanical Garden were closed in preparation. We wandered around the outside of the prison. It and the houses across the street are made of locally sourced stone. The Penitentiary functioned as a prison from 1872 until 1973. There is still a correctional institution nearby.

This old penitentiary is well preserved. The exhibits give you an excellent idea of what life was like for the prisoners. There is also a weapons museum here that has a wide variety of weapons from around the world. I paid the senior admission rate of $4 & it was well worth it.

The Old State Penitentiary in Boise Idaho is a good stop. Built in the 1800’s, you see what prison was back then. There is a self guided tour but you really should wait for one of the guided tours. Most of the original buildings are still on site although some are in bad shape and you can not enter them. The site was closed in 1973 after a riot and a number of the buildings being burned. The entire area is listed on the National Historic Register. The tour takes you through the original building to the last used ones in the 1970’s including death row and the gallows room. There is also a Weapons Museum on the site. Tours cost $8 for adults and $4 for seniors. This may not be a good tour for children.

Interesting with lots of history nice tour. Thank you for the opportunity to visit. Easy parking. Easy to find.

A lot of information telling the history of the prison and its former occupants. A movie at the entrance is very informative and if you take a guided tour you get even more interesting facts.

This is a self guided tour. Be prepared to bundle up if you go during the cold months but they do provide umbrellas that you could borrow if it rains. Lots of great history to check out. I’d definitely recommend checking this place out especially if you’re visiting Boise!

We stopped by on a whim . Ended up being the best stop of our trip.

Great experience .

We loved walking thru the cell blocks , death row, and solitary confinement . The. History here is never ending .

The staff is highly knowledgeable and willing to share with anyone who asks a question .

I’ve been here numerous times and always find it very interesting. I first saw the Old Penitentiary in grade school, on a class field trip nearly 50 years ago. There could be no question; none of us wanted to end up in a place like this. Since then I’ve been back several times on photo walks. The old, tiny hot cells are sad and fascinating at the same time. The Old Penitentiary sits next to a quarry, where the prisoners would work in the blazing hot Idaho sun. The visit probably needs no more than 1-2 hours.

This was our second visit to the Old Idaho Penitentiary. It is such a cool place to visit. We’ve been to Alcatraz and I think this place is just as cool, maybe more because it’s not as crowded. You can be totally alone in one of the cell blocks which is pretty creepy. Great place for photo ops and you can either join a tour or wander around at your own pace.

Very educational and interesting. There is no air conditioning though, so try not to come on a hot day of you're susceptible to heat.

Was recommended for us to see and my husband was all about it. Not really my thing but was very interesting. We did the guided tour with Vanessa, she was very knowledgeable, and would suggest the tour as you learn so much more than if you were doing on your own.

I guess I wasn’t expecting much but was quite impressed. We were a litttle late for the last tour so remember to call to find out what time the tour is (I forgot). The tour guide told great stories. If I would have thought about it I wouldn’t have taken my 6 year old up to the death row level. Otherwise all appropriate for little kids. We were able to take our stroller most everywhere, it didn’t cause a problem. We had 4 adults and 7 kids ranging from 9-10 months.

Well worth a stop. The Penitentiary also has a female separate ward which was also very interesting, and lots of stories to go with it. The kicker is the gun museum, it also has more types of weapons and great displays. We spent a lot more time there then we thought we would and I want to go back and learn some more about the Old Penitentiary.

Really interesting self guided tour of the place. Would not want to have to serve time there and some of the buildings are just creepy!

This is a must see for any local or visitor.
Great tour and history.
Best for older kids and teens with family as little ones wouldn't necessarily find it interesting or fun.
Only a couple of miles East of Downtown Boise.
Penitentiary is right next to the Botanical Gardens.
Make it part of the plan to visit both on same day.

I have been to Alcatraz many times and found this penitentiary to be even more dehumanizing than it. The cell block without toilets was beyond civil and I imagine that the diseases passed around were horridness. You also wondered how often a cell mate or guard had the bucket thrown on them. The inmates of the penitentiary that they had information on were very interesting. They also had an indoor gallows which I couldn’t believe was in existence really was upsetting. It was an extremely hot day.

Had some spare time while in Boise. The tour of the Old Penitentiary looked interesting....was not disappointed. The ladies at the front desk were very nice and helpful. I especially loved the cells that had a little bio of the past inmate. Interesting to read about them throughout the history of the Pen. The weapons exhibit was am amazing bonus! Huge collection with great details about the items. Some might think this alone would be a reason to visit. Very interesting and enlightening visit!

I visit plenty of old prisons, and this was one of the best and most extensive. Lots of buildings were open, and informative placards told the story of both the history of the penitentiary itself and how it changed with changes in prison philosophy, but also personal stories of those who spent some or all of their lives there. Tours were suspended due to heat, but we caught the informative and moving talk at the Shirt Factory. The Weapons Museum is also well worth it. Overall, this was a treasure and not to be missed.

Great tour of prison. Lesley the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable. She was very pleasant and informative answered all of my questions

We enjoyed our trip to the penitentiary. I was interesting to learn the history behind it and to see the inner workings. Those were some small cells...and solitary...geez. They are currently doing construction on the road going up to it, but otherwise easy to get to as well. Worth the trip.

If you love history you will love this tour. I am here travel writing and this was such a fun part of working. The guides are very informative!

You would not think touring an old prison would be very exciting, especially on a very hot day in August. But yet it really was! This tour is very cool (even my two teens thought so). Great exhibit info and the setting was just interesting. You go inside and outside to see the prison buildings, and learn a lot about the justice system especially from way back. There is a lot of history to be learned through visiting this site. Staff were friendly and super knowledgeable. Great stories! Masks required inside for a couple of the buildings. OIP is at the end of what I'd call a cultural row. There is a gem museum, botanical garden and a couple of other sites you could tour near this place. There are also live talks given every hour or so about the history of the OIP. From the parking lot, is the trailhead for a great hike. Worth your time to explore this while visiting Boise. I would say not for very young kids. Admission fee is reasonable. We really enjoyed our visit here.

Went on a self-guided tour. Toured the cellblocks and grounds and there was a lot of information about the history of the prison and it's prisoners. Lots of flowers around the property.

I did a self-guided walk through, late in the day. I was fascinated every step of the way not knowing what I would walk into or encounter next. There are history placards to read. Yes, it is a penitentiary but it is more than just cold steel and concrete. I felt very much like I was in jail without the fear one might have.

I hope that additional money is spent keeping it up / resorting some of the damages buildings.

We had guests from out of town, and we were looking for something fun to do in Boise. We are new to the area and were curious as well, especially after all the great reviews. We definitely enjoyed our time and I could have easily spent more time there. I loved the gorgeous rose gardens juxtaposed with the prison itself. A very interesting and informative day.

Self guided tour and interesting exhibits all around. I'd like the maps to have some more detail such as what the buildings were used for instead of just their names. The weapons/war exhibit was well done. Be sure to see the women's section before you leave too as it is separate.

A great little piece of Idaho criminal justice history. The prison offers guided tours with knowledgeable staff. The facilities are in excellent condition. You get stories about prisoners and the old execution room. Well worth the visit, which will take a couple of hours. Located east of Boise.

This was an eye opening experience to learn about how our prisons were run throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. I learned about inhumane conditions in this prison and it was probably similar to most prisons in the U.S.

There is a gun museum on the premises that is available for no extra charge. I have never seen a more comprehensive museum of firearms and items of warfare from the middle ages to the second world war. This museum should be moved to a more accessible location as it far outshines the penitentiary museum and it can be appreciated as a stand alone entity in its own right.

The architecture is fascinating and interesting to photograph. The guided tour is the only way to go to really understand what went on here. Jack was an excellent guide.

Terrible road. Rough. Not a road for a rv or low vehicle. See photos. Please slow down lots of dust.

This was a territorial prison, meaning that it was a prison before Idaho was a state. It closed in 1973 after prison riots destroyed a couple of buildings. Sobering to see the gallows. Good exhibits. Only negative was we had to buy tickets online, even when we were standing right there!

We spent at least an hour wandering through the buildings and reading the history of so many inmates. Harsh is a good word. The buildings are pretty well preserved and we learned quite a bit from the visit. It is a part of history that is unique.

A worthwhile place to visit, lots of interesting history, is well preserved. And the gardens are beautiful!

Enjoyed our self guided tour of this old state penitentiary. Lots of well placed placards to help you understand what you are seeing and history of prison, it’s inmates. And some of the staff that had been there. Don’t miss the opportunity to step into solitary confinement. There is some kind of guided tout as well at certain times. Also located on-site is an interesting weapons museum.

Enjoyed our visit very much. Our tour guide was informative and enthusiastic and enhanced our understanding of the history of this old prison.

The venue was rented for a private party for tourism businesses from NV State Don’t recall caterers name but food was excellent. The cells were used for a backdrop for each business which was clever however, they are in the same condition as when the penitentiary closed in late 60’s. They are dirty, dusty and paint peeling from all directions. Interesting location. Wish I had time for a tour.

Very interesting the tours are great guides very knowledgeable about history. Really cool to see how they did capital punishment back in early days of this penitentiary.

Visiting this prison was an interesting experience. We did the self guided tour. There were moments of fun, but it also was sobering realizing what actually took place behind those walls. There is ample information given to visitors about the facilities. Glad we were able to visit.

The energy here is really amazing. You can almost feel yourself being dawn back in time. It was quite an eye opener to see how the prisoners were treated back in the day and how young quite a few of them were. They also had a weapons display while we were there which had weapons from as far back as WWI. Very neat to see.

The Old Pen is a site every established Boisean has visited. Though many visit in their childhood on school fieldtrips, this historic site offers adult activities as well. Tours are offered on a frequent basis by knowledgeable guides (I think one may also have been a former inmate) who do more than offer a standard history lesson. Though it's worth a visit any time of year, it's most entertaining to visit in October when Halloween festivities abound. Ghost tours sell out quickly, so definitely book the Frights & Felons tour ASAP if interested. The local historical society also shows films here (eg House on Haunted Hill, Silence of the Lambs), with food trucks and local booze on site for purchase.

I wanted to visit older and historical sites, while I was on a quick trip to Boise... a friend took me to this place, and it was really interesting, but super spooky. I wasn't expecting this place at all.
They have some of the inmates history in the one of the older buildings, which was very sad. They also had a military exhibit which was also a small but amazing collection of various weaponry. You can walk through the buildings with the inmates cells, the laundry facility with old equipment still on display, and the "drop room" where they actually hanged people. The property isn't that large, so it doesn't take you much time to walk through. It is all really fascinating, but be prepared for a different type of adventure.

Love to share our great Treasure Valley with visiting guest. This is a hot spot, eveyone we have brought here has thoroughly enjoyed their time here as we enjoy every time we go. Highly recommend.

it was cheap. it was also really cool to see. dress warm if you gok in wintertime. i didnt take the tour but will next time.

Fantastic tour - very informative - our guide provided us real life stories and made the tour a great way to spend a couple of hours. I highly recommend the tour - it is quite a bit of walking so wear comfortable shows. You can also spend time spending time in each building reading and experiencing the Penitentiary.

Tours are offered on less than a complete posted schedule (much less often in winter, mostly weekends then), but I highly recommend you check their website and make sure you go when a tour is offered. The historical society has done a good job of preparing exhibits and making signs and interpretive displays, but you only get the stories and insight (plus the ability to ask questions) if you get a tour. BTW, tours are not extra cost. Our guide, Said, clearly loved his work and had done a tremendous amount of research, and he knew how to convey it in an interesting, compact and light-hearted way. Since the facility is open in the winter note that there are very limited portions that are in heated areas, so dress warmly. Very little walking though and you can always duck in out of the wind or into a heated area for a bit, so don't let weather deter you. If you take the tour, about an hour and a quarter, the rest of your time commitment is up to you. I saw what I could in two and a half hours, but given my interest in reading everything I could have used another half hour. There is ample description of some of the criminal lives and their crimes, so I would not recommend this for youngsters (age left to your discretion). You can stay parked in the same location and see the Botanical Society, the Idaho Archives, the Idaho Mining Museum, and hike the Table Top Trail. All would make a full day (Botanical Society less so in cold months, Mining limited hours, Archives small exhibit area), or fill as much of it as you wish. The parking is free. Not five stars because the lighting is difficult in some areas, some signs need to be replaced, and the grounds could use some benches or comfortable areas for seniors or people with reduced mobility.

Beautiful roses on the grounds. It is very interesting to tour the facility and see the cells were up to four served time for their crimes. Interesting stories about many of the inmates can be read on the tour. I found the death row and gallows interesting. They hung a total of 10 inmates over the years.

Very interesting location to visit and look at the cells. Learned many facts about the Penitentiary.

We were looking for things to do and decided to visit the old Idaho Penitentiary. The guided tour was very good with stories about individuals as well as history of the buildings. We learned a lot.

This was a eye opening experience to see how bad prison conditions were when this facility was open. We started out on the tour and got about half way through and did the rest on our own. We didn't want to spend half a day at the prison. It was sad to see how small the cells and how primitive the punishment rooms which were used. It was also interesting that they actually had an 11 year old prisoner and many young teenagers. I couldn't imagine it.

This is a very cool place to visit. The old pen is now a museum of sorts and rumored to be haunted (though we were disappointed not to see a ghost!). Heard they just filmed some paranormal prison movie there as well. Definately makes you glad you weren't in prison there during that time! They even have stories posted and a beautiful botanical garden next door!

Didn't understand how deep and rich the history of this place was until I took the tour! Had an amazing docent for the men's (main) prison (10:30am was the tour time) and a self tour of the women's prison. There's also a large gun exhibit, a history of prison tattoos, and lots of clear signage throughout.

Gift shop has shot glasses and postcards. They sell cold water from a refrigerator under the counter.

There are several buildings to explore. A few of them were closed to entry for safety reasons but most were open and had many had helpful posters explaining what the building was used for or in some cases who was incarcerated there and why.

Jack, our guide, made this visit so very worthwhile. He was incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, helpful and funny. All you want in a guide!!! Just wandering this place with no information would be a bit boring, but with Jack's expertise, it certainly came alive! Thank you,Jack, for taking the time to make this a very enjoyable experience!

It's scary to see how we kept prisoners up until 1973, when this finally closed. Were their at noonish and it was a very hot walking tour. We did get to find out a lot about the prison. If your interested in prisons or ghost stories it's worth a stop - about 2 hours for us which included the tour time.

This prison was a shocking example of territorial prison conditions in the old west. Unfortunately, it was open until 1973. Unbelievable!

We stopped here our first day in Boise. There is not a whole lot to see, but depending on your interest in things like this you could spend 1 - 2 hours here. Some good history on Idaho prison system.

Interesting self guided tour. Great guns museum. Through in a little hike into the foothills afterwards.

Some of the West's most desperate criminals were imprisoned here beginning in 1872 and for over a hundred years the inmates suffered through long, hot summers and cold, cold winters. To walk through the halls and cells is a weird feeling knowing so many once were there. They say this place is haunted, maybe it is because one can feel a chill in many places. Tour historic buildings and exhibitions. It is also next to the botanical gardens another great place to spend a few hours. There is a fee, but it is worth the price.

This is such an incredible place to visit and is so well preserved. We were most impressed by the reverence the staff has for the facility - it was very apparent that they all really enjoyed the history and being able to share it. I highly recommend doing one of the free guided tours; we learned so much and got to go into areas that are usually not open to everyone. I think the historical significance of the prison is neat for the entire family but please make sure kids are respectful of the facility as well - especially on the tour when the tour guide is trying to speak and patrons are trying to listen. We’re very excited to go back now having done the guided tour and explore the prison ourselves!

Excellent tour, very informative and a great insight to how life would have been whilst the prison was in use. Highly recommend but you must do the tour to get the most out of it. Thanks Lesley!

You can go into all the old buildings; right now they have no tours it is all self guided. Gives you an idea of the conditions of the place. It closed in 1973, which is quite a while ago but the current prison is not far away.

Far more interesting than I expected. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and I loved reading the accounts of the inmates. Highly recommended!

We brought out-of-town guests to the penitentiary, so our party had people from ages 5 to 70. The grounds are very well kept, the signage was helpful and educational, and we all enjoyed the experience. We were especially amazed at the cells that looked like they were still being used. The little rock and gem museum adjacent was fascinating too.

This has been a favorite since childhood. Halloween is especially spooky and fun. Haunted fun indeed

This was an impromptu stop as we didn’t quite feel ready to end our vacation, and wanted one last thing to see. We are both history lovers and this type of thing is right up our alley.
We were given a map of the grounds and left to explore on our own (as most places only have self-guided tours right now). We opted not to watch the video, although we probably would have enjoyed the extra history and story telling that was probably included.
The staff are all very friendly, especially a docent we met in the yard a couple of times, making sure all of our questions were answered.
It was really interesting to see what a real prison was like inside, as my only experience has been via TV shows and movies. It was fascinating to read about what the inmates had done to earn them hard time, especially seeing what kinds of things women were put in prison for in those days (most were there for murdering their husbands, but a few were put in prison for things we don’t consider crimes anymore, e.g. sleeping with a married man).
The most interesting part was seeing the “Cooler” and “Siberia” (solitary confinement rooms) and imagining being put in one of those very small, very dark rooms for weeks or months at a time. I think I’d have gone insane, and I’m sure some of them did.
There is a museum-quality weapons collection on display in an air conditioned room (admittance was included with the prison tour entrance fee). I was going to skip this, but my husband was interested, so we spent a few minutes looking around. He liked seeing the variety of guns in real life that he uses in the video games he plays with our son. I didn't care about the weapons, but there were a couple of neat displays of battlefield scenarios that I enjoyed.

Good Historic Architecture. Also, lots of trails from here heading up to the Hills. Take one of these trails to see inside of old prison walls.

Very scary for halloween. some of the buildings are still standing. I feel more could be done to bring out the character of the site.

Visiting friends in Meridian. We decided to take the Old Pen tour as none of us had ever been there. It was a cold, windy day and none of the buildings were heated except for the Arms Collection Bldg. For some reason this building is not a part of the free tour, but it should not be missed. As a gun collector I found it amazing. The tour was both fascinating and depressing at the same time. To imagine two people confined to such a small space with no windows, hardly able to stand straight up or to stretch out fully. The history was very interesting. Not really appropriate, in my opinion, for small children. Lot of walking.

Had a little extra time on a recent trip to Boise and decided to go here. It's a little spooky and creepy, we went in the dead of winter so it was snowy and gray, adding to the bleak atmosphere. We learned alot about the penal system during the last century of America, it was not pleasant for sure...Some of the themes might be a little gruesome for young kids, ie gallows, but maybe it's a detorant from a life of crime!!

Very interesting visit to the time gone by. Well signed and organised. Takes at least an hour to visit all the buildings. Kid friendly and almost all buildings also stroller friendly. A lot of interesting stories and history of Idaho prison system.

Not a bad way to spend a couple hours on the cheap. COVID not allowing guided tours which certainly would make a visit here 2-3x better than the self wandering around you have to do now.

Wish we could’ve visited here on a guided tour & would recommend waiting for when they offer them again if possible.

Interesting place to see to compare the then and now. This place makes prison today look like a 5 star experience. Worth seeing.

The Old Idaho Penitentiary is an interesting historical site in Boise. It is a good place for a picnic and offers access to a trail that leads to Table Rock overlook above the Boise Valley. It is a good place for a family picnic. If a tour of the Penitentiary is on your agenda be sure to check when tours are scheduled. I do not recommend the hike to Table Rock in wet weather. The hike is a good workout.

We had never visited a prison so this was neat. You get to see the cells through various time periods and death row, even the tombstone of Dennis the cat.

Really enjoyed, little creepy but informative and fun place to visit if you havent been there. It does get extremely hot and not as much fun in summer.

Best $6 I spent on my trip! The architecture is beautiful. The roses were still blooming. All the staff were very pleasant and informative, though the tour is self guided at this time due to COVID. There happened to be a large art exhibit on one of the buildings that was quite interesting and an unexpected treat. A good way to spend 90-120 minutes.

I was not so sure about visiting this penitentiary but it was not so bad after all. The map you receive and the signs on the grounds are great guides to tour this on your own. They do guided tours as well. We would have learned even more if we had taken the tour I am certain. The road is torn up right now and it was somewhat confusing when we arrived, but we saw other cars and were able to discover where to go. Parking is free, and the fees to see the penitentiary are reasonable. It is close to Table Rock and close to the Idaho Botanical Gardens as well. If you have been to any of the old forts, this is somewhat like that. ...walls down, remnants of former buildings, etc. , However, the inmate cells were interesting to see because they were built in different years and you can see the differences. The death row area was quite sobering as well. There is a nice weapons display in a heated building on the grounds donated by a veteran. There is a very small gift shop that has some cute gift items, stickers, and some postcards. It was interesting to see and informative and I could recommend it based on our visit, but I realize this is not for everybody. There were children there when we were there, though. See the website and decide for yourself, but it is an interesting stop if you are in Boise.

On our way to Sun Valley we had a day's stay in Boise. We decided to go and see the Old Idaho Penitentiary. It was a cold and dreary day and it snowed a little. We took an Uber and got dropped off at the front door. The admission was reasonable and we were asked if we wanted a tour or to self tour. We said we wanted a tour and our guide met our group about 5 minutes later. This was the way to go, because she was very knowledgeable and made it interesting. We realized how awful the living conditions of the penitentiary were and that it would have been torture to have been sent there. Our guide let us go in a couple cells and take pictures and showed us the gallows which was super creepy. She explained the history of the place and by the end of the tour I was ready to get out of there. All in all very worth it. Wasn't super pleasant, but great for the teenagers to understand that prison isn't the way to go.

I recently visited the Old Idaho Penitentiary while visiting Boise. It was interesting. They have done a great job of preserving the history of the place and all of the displays were very informative. I did learn a lot about prisons during the era that it was opened. However, while I found the place to be interesting, I also felt sad walking through there thinking about humans being in such a place (the solitary confinement wing in particular). I am glad that I went and would recommend a visit.

Inexpensive and nice to walk around. We watched the video they had going and then walked around on our own. It was nice to have a little info and perspective before walking around. I would especially recommend it if you're not doing a guided tour. I went with friends who had a young child, and they enjoyed it as well. We spent about an hour there, on a weekday afternoon. Hardly anyone there at that time. You walk outdoors around the site and between buildings (as well as inside them), so it can get hot. The building housing weapons from various times throughout history was really interesting.

Gives insight into how penitentiary was many decades ago and how some of those things evolved....taking a guided tour is highly recommended for getting right piece of information instead of assuming things wrongly or may be just wondering certain aspects of the place. Wearing a good sport shoes would help as it is a bit of walk and climb up and down the stairs

Visited this site on a recent trip to Boise. It was a little hard to find the entrance and the signage could have been better but we finally figured it out. We were able to wander the premises at our leisure and found it to be really an interesting part of Idaho's history. Wasn't able to make it for the docent tour but it was fine regardless. Loved that I was able to take photos without restriction; the laundry room reminded me of a scene straight out of The Shawshank Redemption. The staff also recommended a visit to the onsite museum which, while it isn't specifically related to the prison, housed a great exhibit of weapons and artifacts. Very worthwhile.

Very interesting and informative. I like being able to see things at my own pace. The grounds are well kept. Some of the buildings and stories hold quite a creepy feeling. Loved it!

This experience was great! The only reason I gave it 4 stars instead of 5 is that Covid did not allow us to have guided tours throughout the location.
Driving up to the penitentiary was immediately emotionally intimidating. The giant stone walls, guard towers and bars on the windows laid a foundation for haunting experience. While on the on the subject of haunted, it was rumored to be so. Alas I did not see or hear anything suspicious.
The staff were lovely, very helpful and knowledgeable. The grounds were very well kept and the rose garden was beautiful!
Highly recommended

I was prepared to learn a lot, but I wasn't prepared for how photogenic this place was. I really was getting Provençal vibes with the sandstone and roses in the gardens. So needless to say, I enjoyed taking photos here. I particularly enjoyed the exhibit that attempted to portray the diversity of the inmates (sadly, the present issue with higher rates of incarceration for P.O.C. is clearly nothing new, especially with regard to Natives--highly disproportionate number of Native inmates). I also enjoyed the women's prison...that's separate and apart from the main complex, so don't miss that.

Interesting tour of the old penitentiary led by Jack who is an amazing storyteller-we felt like we had gone back in history. Our visit lasted two hours. It is right next door to the spectacular Idaho Botanical Gardens which we did first and ate a tremendous lunch at The Trolley. All in all a fantastic enjoyable day!

The Idaho Penitentiary was amazing! There is so much to learn and see! Very educational. The old prison was used for almost 100 years and much of the old structures are still there. There are still the 'gallows' where prisoners were actually hung. There is a very small women's ward. Lots and lots of educational displays, explaining the history and what took place there. There are lots of personal stories as well. It's actually scary to be inside some of the buildings imaging how terrible it must be to be incarcerated. A good reminder to be a good person!! Nearby are hikes and the Botanical gardens and a beautiful home (the Bishop's house) that was moved there several years ago. There is free parking. The day we went it was very hot and the parking wasn't very shady. There is a minimal cost to go into the penitentiary, but I highly recommend it! You can walk around the Bishop's house and take pictures. It's very beautiful.

Historical significance. Free to roam. Unique opportunity. Don't pass up the opportunity to visit, seriously!!!!! Too much to list here. For me, it was a jaw dropper!! I have never been inside a prison. Wow! To have this "Old Pen" preserved as well as it has been provides an opportunity you won't forget.

I was surprised by how well I liked the prison. Not to stay of course. By taking the tour we got access to some areas that just walking around I would not have known about. Our guide was very informative and had a sense of humor. The tour ended in the gallows room, which was very sobering.

After the tour you can take in the Botanical Gardens which are right next door. The trail to Table Rock starts in the parking lot. You get a grand biew of the Treasure Valley and Boise from the top.

This prison and the included weapons museum is extremely well done and well taken care of. Very interesting for adults and young adults.

Take you spirit guides with you and enter yesteryear. Guided tours available but there is good signage and pamphlets to fill you in as you move at your own pace through tha past and back into the NOW. The Arms museum is an added bonus but don't miss the chance to imagine working the 'good job' in the Laundry on a sweltering summer day or chattering in your cell in the Idaho winters. History under your feet that you can reach out and touch.

The Old State Pen is fascinating just by itself, but the museum also offers a separate gem and weapons display, and then there's the women's prison, a stand-alone unit which really illustrates what life was like for female inmates. There are even some old hand-woven rag rugs in there that were left behind after the prison closed.

Take your time and soak it all in.

This prison was in use until the early 1970s. Admission is reasonable. They didn’t have guided tours the day we went. We did a self-guided tour, which was okay. You visit 3-4 cell blocks, including the old gallows and solitary confinement. Some buildings are closed for safety reasons, but you can peak in. They have story boards along the way, including information about inmates. One of the most surprising things were the beautiful flowers, mostly roses, in bloom on the grounds inside the prison walls. Outside the main prison is the women’s block. We spent about 1 to 1-1/2 hours wandering around. There are restrooms, a small museum and small gift shop area. I’m not sure there is a formal parking lot; we parked along the street.

I found this experience very interesting. I liked the personal experiences that were shared both through the video and written articles it made the inmates seem very relatable and made it easy to be empathetic while walking through the facility. This place was much larger than I thought.

This is a self-guided tour but the "pen" is amazing. The construction was many, many years ago for the most part. Interesting history behind this attraction. We have seen another "pen" in Montana and this one is more interesting and documented.

I can imagine this place would not be that interesting without a tour as few areas have much in the way of visitor guidance. A tour brings the grimness of this place to life and it was included in our entry price. Our guide was excellent and very personable.

It was an interesting visit and the cells are very small. The women’s section was very interesting. Landscaping is beautiful

The Penitentiary is amongst a whole lot of active government, detention centers and other sites. The signage for this Landmark is poor, muddled and confusing. Finding the entrance was a task. The site itself is great with very helpful staff, a great guide and very clear and informative info boards.

Took self guided tour. Was nice to see the history of this site. Also a fun teasure hunt. Staff was friendly and knowledgeable.

Take the penitentiary tour, it's spooky and fun! During October they have evening tours that are extra creepy! The botanical gardens are just next door so you could make it an all day gig!

Upon my recent visit to the Old Penitentiary, I found myself drawn to the prisoner biographies. I found their stories to be very interesting. I imagined what life was like to live within the tiny cells that housed up to four inmates. Walking through the prison I felt a heaviness of negative energy. I became very uneasy and began to feel the grounds were haunted. I was anxious to leave, and don’t feel any desire to return.

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit to this site. Suzanne was our guide and she was exceptional. We weren’t sure what to expect on the tour but we all learned so much about the history of the West as well as the history of the penal system in Idaho. It was fascinating to actually go into the jail cells and see how the inmates lived. The tour was an hour and a half and definitely worth the fee for the tour. Highly recommend!

This old pen is best visited in Spring or Fall. Summer mornings get hot fast and the penitentiary’s location invites overheating. It is not Alcatraz, but it gives one idea of doing hard time.

Our tour guide Jack made the visit a great experience! I would highly recommend taking a guided tour rather than the self-guided tour. Don't miss paying your respects to the grave of Dennis the cat. 😻

Went to see as we had a few hours to explore something while our son was working. Me and my husband enjoy history and historical locations and this was unique and offered a unusual perspective on our prison systems. We did a self guided tour, but there are guided tours several times a day. They did a quality job in presenting this penitentiary Nd those who were jailed within the walls.

Interesting look at what prison life was in Idaho until 1973. This old penitentiary dates back to the late 1800's and is very much intact. Gave me a good sense of what it must have been like to serve time there. There are posters of some of the more notorious prisoners who served at the pen, which gave some of their details and background stories. Extremely creepy look at the gallows where a hanging took place as recently as the 1950s including the "drop room" (yikes!!!) - Go visit the botanical gardens next to the prison, in the far corner of the gardens you'll find an old graveyard where several of the prisoners who died in prison were buried.

I finally got to visit the “old pen” and was left in complete awe. I love old, abandoned places...especially old prisons. It is just so fascinating to learn about who was locked up. It is interesting to learn how each prison differs from the next. Visiting Alcatraz is on my bucket list!

The “old pen” is just such a cool place to visit! It is just such a cool piece of Idaho history. Being in the solidarity confinement cell block just gave me such grief and anger. I could just feel the energy of those who had to live in there.

Overall, the Old Idaho Pen is must see tourist attraction!

An interesting tour of historic prisons, especially the gallows room. Wish more cells were open but still lots to see. The weapons display was very good if not kind of out of place. Ww1 to Vietnam in machine guns - many rifles but odd in a prison museum

Highly recommend, huge variety of activities, very nice people, tremendous fun! Come very soon or very late, for hunted house it gets crowded...

Mixed feelings about this - but one thing for sure, if you do decide to go to the penitentiary, be sure to go to the old war / gun museum on the property. We found that more interesting seeing and reading about the Civil War and wars to present. Our guide was mediocre and tended to ramble a bit. It was a hot day and made for uncomfortable surroundings when you're in such a small space with a lot of people (the heat is certainly not a reflection of our guide's efforts). Super small cells (must have been miserable back in the day - but it's not supposed to be a wonderful experience I suppose).

My wife and I came from San Jose to visit Boise for a few days, and we did the usual (Table Rock, downtown, etc) - but the Old Penitentiary was special - a fascinating piece of history from the days of the Idaho Territory to almost the 70s, with a collection of buildings dating from the first sandstone one built by the inmates and trustees themselves, to the refectory designed by an inmate architect, to the solitaries, and so on. It did help that we had an amazing guide, Said, who was not just extremely knowledgeable, but obviously very passionate about the OP's history. Kudos!

Interesting things to see. I went on a tour and the tour guide was loaded with informative information. Back when it was active the prisoners toilet was a hole in the floor. Solitary confinement cells were enough to make anyone straighten up. Highly recommended.

I had so much fun. I got the history of the penn but then was able to roam into most of the area's by myself. It lasted a long enough time to be fun. Definitely feel like I got my moneys worth.

I happened to visit the Old Idaho Penitentiary the first day of its COVID-19 reopening. And I’m glad I made the trip!! The penitentiary is amazingly well-restored, keeping nearly all its historic feel (not necessarily “charm”, lol), and presenting an insightful glimpse into the extensive history of inmates and conditions in the facility. As COVID-19 obviously remains a large risk, I was relieved to see all employees wearing masks and trying to advocate for social distancing. I do wish visitors would wear masks though, as the majority of them were unmasked—oh well. I consider those people reckless, so they’ll face the consequences and hopefully not me (with my mask on)!

As someone in a power wheelchair, I was so so impressed with the site’s accessibility. 90% of the penitentiary rooms and grounds are accessible to most chairs; maybe not ADA-accessible due to tightness, but very doable for my chair. There is an upper floor in one of the jail cell rooms that is not accessible, but do reach out to the front desk staff to view images of this upper level space. Bravo with accessibility here!

Admission is 6 dollars per adult, and for anyone visiting Boise for various lengths of time, I can’t recommend the Old Idaho Penitentiary enough. I highly suggest reserving admission and carving an hour or two to explore the place. Its location is very close to the Boise River Greenbelt trails and other main attractions in the city. Great job on the reopening, and keep up the good work!

My husband and I found this a very interesting self tour. It is reasonable in price and definitely makes us want to obey the law. People in today's prisons have it made compared to those that were incarcerated here.

This was an interesting and worthwhile visit. In addition to the penitentiary features, there is a firearms museum within the penitentiary I thought was very good. There is also a geology store/museum outside of the entrance. The blacklight display of the florescent minerals was small but interesting.

Our kids are 8, 13, and 18 and they all enjoyed this more then i expected! Go during the day that it won’t be so hot... it’s more enjoyable when you can take your time. Tons to read... very interesting stories and information! We loved visiting!!

I have visited this place multiple times. Lots of history here! My kids loved it and were fascinated by the whole experience. Highly recommend.

We drove up from Mountain Home for a day trip to Boise. The Old Idaho Penitentiary was such a great visit! So reasonably priced and to be able to walk into a cell and see so much even though it was creepy at times! Really glad we came but wished we had the tour but easily informative even when doing self tour. The roses and their fragrance was so unexpected and lovely!

One might think it odd to visit a prison, but there may be some history you might find fascinating. From prison tattoo culture to inside a cell block visitors will get a feel for the stark life of an insider. Built from locally quarried stone, this historic site inside Boise city limits is worth the time it takes to walk the grounds, saunter in and out of the buildings and don't forget to visit the wardon's house. If you're looking for your next party spot this unique setting can be rented.

Due to Covid there weren't guides available but the self guided tour was still very informative. Well preserved history of Idaho's penal system and worth the visit!

My sister and I decided to tour the Old Penitentiary after hiking the Table Rock trail, which starts nearby. It’s only $6 admission.

The tour is very interesting and the setting for the old pen is gorgeous.

It’s also a little unsettling. The living conditions at this prison were horrible. There is a death row and an indoor gallows room. I wouldn’t recommend the tour for children less than 12/13.

This is a great place to learn about the history of incarceration. The whole museum is very well put together with a lot of information. It gives you pause for thought when you see what people went to prison for, or that one guy who spent 48 years there. Some really sobering exhibits but you'll learn a lot.

The weapons museum was also very well put together.

This is a sad, haunted place. Well preserved. A tour is good, depending on the guide. Good history for kids.

If you like prisons and history you will love this place. Full of history and ghosts this is an interesting place for you. Excellent tour guides. In the historical East End of Boise and close to downtown. Parking is excellent. Child friendly unless they are afraid of ghosts!

This is a great place to visit when in Boise - allow a couple of hours to have a good look around by yourself or you can join a tour for free.

Plenty to see here - no food or drinks or large backpacks allowed inside.

There are picnic tables just outside where you can sit and eat.

I loved looking at the old jail cells and reading about the history of the penitentiary. The jail is very well preserved and the information will be hold the attention of people of all ages. It seemed like a campus of different types of cells where different inmate would be held. I definitely suggest coming here for a brief yet engaging historical tour.

If you have time, well worth visiting. Surprising aspect was discovering the site was used to test roses!

We took our grandchildren (teenagers) and they loved it. I was surprised at how interested they were in the "histories" given in posters on the walls. Besides seeing cells, there was a room full of weapons (from old to modern times), a life size trench (war time) and many other things. It was a very hot day and only the weapons room is air-conditioned. My advice: go in the morning on hot days!! The gift shop has really cool items and there is a film showing the history of the penitentiary. It was an educational and fun adventure!! (I was unable to upload pictures)

We went on the guided tour and it was really interesting. In one of the buildings it listed some of the inmates and how old they were. One of the youngest inmates (age 11) shot his mother because she asked him to help with the laundry.

Interesting to see the history of this place! I recommend visiting.

We wanted to tour this penitentiary after seeing it several times on ghost-related shows and was excited to see it in person and learn more. The price was very reasonable - I believe it was $6 for adults - and included a self-tour and a presentation about the history put on by a local high school history teacher.

I was surprised to hear that this penitentiary was built at the time of the Civil War and it closed in 1973 when prisoners burned two of the buildings. The displays talking about death row inmates was interesting as well. We spent about two hours looking at all of the displays, including a weapons display from the Civil War thru WW II in one of the buildings.

Several friends had recommended the visit and the guided tour, and we weren't disappointed! Our guide Said was excellent—obviously passionate about local history and had done a lot of personal study to be able to share interesting stories about the prison and its inmates. The visit includes several different styles of cellblocks for the general population, a couple of solitary confinement sites, and death row with its permanent gallows. This visit made me think a lot about crime and punishment, justice and injustice. Very reasonable price. Many well-labeled exhibits and displays.

This old out of commission penitentiary was interesting as well as the stories behind it. Be sure to sit through the 30 min. presentation about the prison.

Was interesting the history of how the state ran this prison. The conditions were very basic, and life was hard if you were an inmate.

Jack, our guide was fantastic. His stories added to the incredible history. We were shocked to know that it was still open while we were in high school. Don’t miss the chance to visit.

Forgive for the terrible pun. I've travelled all over the US, and when you do, you start to see a repeating pattern of the same things in each town. The Penitentiary was an incredibly unique experience... felt like walking around Shawshank Prison. The prison grounds were beautiful in their austere, orderly sort of way. Even the ruins looked cool. The cell block buildings and solitary confinement helped tell the story of these men - some of whom made dumb mistakes, some of whom were truly wicked, and some of whom paid the ultimate price to be "square with the house again," to borrow the phrase from Green Mile. There was another sub-museum in the Penitentiary as a bonus - I don't know precisely why it was there, but it was a ton of weapons and other martial curiosities that helped break up the prison tour and keep you from misery overload. Neat place!

I love history and this place did not disappoint. We started off with the tour but had a difficult time hearing her so we went off for the self guided tour. This prison was active until 1973 which seems inhumane. There was housing for a children's unit. The youngest prisoner was age 11. There was a seperate area for women. One building held the gallows. Another building presented the history on weapons around the world. There was a fun room where you can wear a prisoner's jacket and take pictures. You can get up close and personal with the individual cells and the living arrangements. My only complaint: we could not find the main building once we parked. More signage on the property would be good.

I only saw the penitentiary from the hike. It's a lovely 3.75 mile round trip hike from the parking lot. We went up for sunrise and had the trail to ourselves. It was beautiful.

They have done such a great job with this place!! The history is fabulous, the maintenance is terrific, the exhibits are interesting, definitely a great way to spend a few hours in Boise!! I have been to Alcatraz and this is every bit as good.

I am glad timing allowed us to visit this site on our travel through Boise. It is easy to reach and well maintained. Visitors can tour the site on their own, or join a guided tour (at no extra cost). Allow at least 2 hrs if interested in reading the signs and info, and arrive no later than 3. But could also do quick walk through if available time is limited.

Old state penitentiary is a good example of an old jail , there is a lot of building to explore and there is an excellent gun exhibit, well worth the entrance fee.

Having lived in Boise for 38 years I've visited the old Penitentiary several times. The deserted cells and darkened hallways create a haunting atmosphere. The informative story boards and shadow boxes with old artifacts, add understanding to the history of what it was like during operation. The gallows and death row are sad and powerful. You can step into the Solitary confinement cells and get a feel for the extremely dark and claustrophobic exspirence that was. There is an informative movie in the main building that I would reccomend watching especially if it's your first time through. The women's ward building is not to be over looked. Also included in admissions is a FANTASTIC war musuem that is located in a large building in the back of the grounds. Look for special events one their website such as ghost tours and their very popular Halloween event! Tickets to those sell out fast so if you see tickets available don't wait to purchase them.

This was a great way to spend a few hours in Boise. There is quite a bit to see and be prepared to read about many prisoners which are very interesting. It would have been great to have a tour guide and have someone paint a picture for you as you walk around.

Seemingly small we walked around for about 3.5 hours. The main draw is all of the exhibits talking about various inmates. It really brings the place to life.

Also worth a look is the weapons exhibit. It's kind of out of place, but the content is fascinating.

The prison(s) have so much history. The bonus is there's also an adjacent women's prison and an extensive gun museum located on-site. I've visited twice. Once on my own and once with a docent that gave a tour. Both are great ways to learn the history. The more I read the placards the more I wanted to know. The women's prison has unique stories you won't want to miss. And the gun museum is one of the best I've seen.

There are several buildings open, and you can read about number of the prisoners, which is very interesting, but there is no tour nor even a written guided tour as to more of the history of the place. It seems as though it is a visit in need of more direction.

We had a great time visiting. My favorite part. Was along some of the cells, they had names of some of the inmates, their crimes, and some back story. The staff told us about some areas of the prison that were supposedly haunted. It was a fun time!

My wife and I are Ghost Adventure fans. We go to as many of places the have gone. This was a good visit. We toured the prison and enjoyed its history. It wasnt crowded and it was interesting to see how the way it was for criminals back in the day. If you enjoy historical places go visit. Volunteers have great knowledge to share. We spent around 2 hours touring and enjoyed it.

Interesting place about the history of this prison and stories of those that paid their dues during the time they spent there.
I’m not big on places like this but it was very interesting to roam through the buildings and see how they lived and to hear stories from the tour guide.

If you like history, and possibly haunted places, you will like visiting the Old Idaho Penitentiary. You can go on a guided tour or self guided. You can go in about every building and see the cells some men called home for the better part of their lives.

Awesome presentation which I would recommend hearing first. Probably like 20 minutes and was a nice history of the place. Plenty of different buildings to check out with some placards for reading. The weapons exhibit that also exists here was pretty cool. Definitely worth the $6.

We visited the Old Idaho Penitentiary several years ago and it was nice to return. The visitor's center was informative and we proceeded on our self-guided tour. Its a "must see" especially if traveling with kids!

Saw this place on Ghost Adventures and decided to check it out while we were passing through Idaho. Only $6 per person. Mostly outdoors and has a air conditioned weapon museum. You can walk around the jail and see the cells, gallows, laundry room, solitary-confinement cells, etc.

We tried to visit , but no dogs allowed, so ended up just walking around the outside. Not sure why we could not walk around this area in the courtyard and such..but so be it. We saved admission price. in the Nice hiking trails near the parking lot.

Lots of walking so make sure the weather is good! Did the self-guided tour and walked around the whole facility (which was incredibly well kept) and loved every second of it. Guided tours are available as well.

Was not sure what to expect from this old penitentiary. It is worth the visit. Most of the building are as is from when the penitentiary closed in the 1978. It is hard to imagine people living in this place. It is so glum. The women's area is small but interesting. Some of the buildings are gone due to a fire in the 1970"s

They did not have any guided tours when we were there, but we enjoyed looking anyway. what a great piece of history. they have a done a great job telling you about the prisoners that lived there.

The Pen is certainly a place that you wouldn't want to spend more time that a quick visit. Life was very hard there. But we learned that some people we able to make the most of a tough situation. Said was our tour guide, and he was very full of information, and would spend additional time after the tour for anyone that wanted other stories or info.

I was going to take the tour but got there at a time when there wasn't a tour. I was able to walk around and things were labeled so, for me a tour was not really necessary. There is a film you can sit and watch and that gives you a good brief overview which is really all you need to get a feel for things. I really took my time when I walked by the cells and pictured in my mind what it would have been like to have been a prisoner there during that time. Looking at the cells and seeing the 'wall art', gave me a feel for how they spent their time. Don't miss out on the Restrooms because that was the original waiting area. If I had not needed to use the ladies room before leaving, I would have missed out on that feature. Definitely worth seeing.

I found the penitentiary fascinating and somewhat sobering. You can see the earliest buildings and watch the progression of how inmates were treated as newer buildings were built. You can also view death row. One building has stories of the inmates housed there which adds to the experience. If you are a history buff, don't miss checking it out!

My daughter is a history buff and loves to take our out of town guest here for a tour! Lots to learn and see!

I had recently visited the former penitentiary in Philadelphia, and I was pleasantly impressed that Boise’s penitentiary was not a carbon copy experience; they complemented each other. Standing in the former cells was sobering: 2 people in a cell 24/7. Only one person could stand at a time; most of the day had to be spent in bed! Interesting how the inmates made toilet seats to give them a place to sit without crouching on a lower bunk or laying down. The staff were great and circulated. Be sure to see everything. I thought I had seen ‘Siberia’ (see other entries) but I had not ventured far enough behind the ‘cooler.’ I am glad I retraced my steps. The gift shop has additional information and posters. The prisoner personal histories are riveting. Many historically and socially relevant displays. There is an aspect of this restricted, unfamiliar lifestyle that will intrigue everyone: young or old, male or female.

We took our grandchildren, ages 10 and 12, to see the prison. Yes, they wanted to go. We had seen it first on Ghost Adventures. It was a beautiful sunny day, but we were all still were very affected by the experience. The inhumanity of the whole thing is very striking, and just created a sense of sorrow that we have to have such places. the history seems well presented, and there were a couple lighter moments (the lady who went to prison for adultery?). Overall, I recommend visiting, but I have no wish to repeat the visit.

Took a 2 hour tour thru the Penitentiary. It was so interesting! Was able to walk thru many of the buildings built in the 1800's. Our tour guide gave us many interesting facts about some of the prisoners as well as the facility itself. The grounds were very well maintained. I would return for another tour. The parking lot is extremely small so I would suggest you get there early. Go and have fun!!

We stopped on Boise on the way home from a trip to Washington state. We had heard this was a must see in Boise so made sure we visited before left. Like the title says it does not disappoint. Our tour guide was great and it was a very interesting hour plus. We saw some interesting places as well as heard some great stories of its past. The most interesting was about Raymond Allen Snowden, Idahos Jack the Ripper. You will also get to see the specially constructed gallows where he was put to death in 1957. Get there early as we only had six in our tour, another one started after that had I'm guessing 20+. There are bathrooms on site as well as they gave me a veterans discount as well as another woman a senior discount. The parking is a little ways away so it seemed confusing at first but easy to find the prison. Very nice staff members who want you to have a great time as well as some merchandise. Great value you need to stop!

We visited with our kids, ages 10 & 12. We enjoyed the self guided tour and learned more than we expected. It took us just under 2 hours to see the whole penitentiary.

What an amazing attraction. I felt very sad for the prisoners that had been housed there but it was the place you where placed if you were in trouble with the law.

Even housed women. The dungeon was not available To see. Thank god. I can’t imagine. There is a great weapons exhibit that’s got heat, and in a snow storm tour it was great.

There is no access for heat during the tour. Which they tell you up front. So dress accordingly.

Amazing piece of history.

It was sort of interesting but I’ve seen better. Many of the buildings were so worn and empty. The cells that were in tact were interesting to see.

We enjoyed learning about and wondering the grounds and buildings. There are some hikes close by too.

The old Penitentiary in Boise was hardly a spa for the inmates who were housed there. It was bare bones and meant to keep people there. With Halloween coming, it's a good time to visit the ghosts who are said to still haunt it, and it won't be as brutally hot as it was in the summer.

We travel with our dogs and they weren’t allowed in. We were able to see the women’s ward and walk around the outside but that was it. Staff was not very friendly. Other people did seem to enjoy the tour. Definitely interesting, even for the outside.

Great place to visit. Many buildings, most able to be accessed. Lots of descriptive signage. Lots of stories to read about. Gallo’s still in one of the buildings, that was a little “heavy”. Tour guide very helpful.

Good to know and understand details of this history place. People are nice, impressive to see how it was on those days.

Did not realize this prison was in use up until the 70's ... some interesting history. Great guide. Beautiful roses. Not into prisons but I did learn quite a bit here.

Chillingly sobering. Can imagine the anguish and suffering of those incarcerated there. The drop room was fascinating; why did we stop hanging people?

Pay extra for the guided tour the first time. The tour guides are full of great information. You can also walk through without the tour, they have plenty of information about each building. Very interesting part of Idaho history.

I would highly recommend that you take all, or at least some, of the guided tour. Our very competent guide provided lots of background information about the prison's history, its construction and several expansions, its staff and its inmates. We learned about the day-to-day life in the prison, and about the escapes and executions. Visitors are allowed to enter into several of the cell blocks, and even go into individual cells, including the solitary confinement area and death row and the gallows room. Different from your typical tourist attraction, to be sure.

Great look at history. A must visit for everyone. Staff is friendly and professional. Guided tours and late night tours on certain days.

Nice tour. Guide we had was knowledgeable, and good speaking skills. Told some interesting stories. Not too many stops indoors during tour, so keep that in mind.

We were in Boise for a few days and wanted to check out some of the local attractions. I would put this as your primary must do if you are in the area. It’s $6.00 per adult, and well worth it. The cell blocks we toured ranged from the late 1800s up until the 1930s if memory serves me...and the prison was in use until the early 1970s. It’s a much grittier prison walkthrough then Alcatraz and as a result I think I liked it better than Alcatraz. The gallo and drop room were particularly ghoulish but super interesting. The sandstone walls were very intriguing. Don’t forget the women’s ward outside of the main complex. If you like history this is a great stop. And they also have an amazing military and gun exhibit inside the prison. It has nothing to do with the prison, but is an exquisite collection of weapons from hundreds of years ago up through modern stuff. As it’s included in the admission fee you have no reason to miss it!

If you were locked up here, you would never break the law again and return. It was a hard life, as prisons should be. This prison was certainly a deterrent and motivation to lead a clean life.maybe prison life today is too soft.

this is just one of those old cool places that are not duplicated everywhere one of which makes Boise unique..

Did not take guided tour but opted for self guided. Did not feel we missed much other than back stories but there is a nice guidebook for purchase that could fill in gaps. Most areas accessible to us including cell blocks, dining hall, solitary, and special exhibits on weapons and prison music. Road under construction so a little rough getting to entry. Enjoyed this place a lot.

This was a great tour. Being as cheap as it was, I wasn't sure what it would entail. But the tour guide was great and very knowledgeable. The history of the place was extremely interesting. Definitely a must do when in the area.

So interesting. Lots of facts. Prison operated from the mid 1800s to 1973. Women’s prison on grounds as well. Lots of stuff to read and see.

My son and I visited the Old Pen on a recent father/son road trip. He had been before but it was my first time. We got a free guided tour by a docent, and it was super! My son said he had a better time with the guide than he did as a self-guided visitor.

Interesting history and beautiful grounds! A joy to visit, and we look forward to every trip. Wish we could have been here for the Halloween event.

Definitely worth checking out! Everyone in our group loved this place. You can learn about it the prisoners who stayed there and experience the really old cells. They even offer overnight stays on some occasions!

In town visiting family and being a tourist. This is a hidden gem with regional history. Self guided tour. Be sure to allow plenty of time.

Really cool to look around and see how old prisons worked. The history of people who were held there was really fascinating as well. You will learn quite a bit about Idaho history.

I took a couple of apprehensive teenagers to this old prison. In fact, one of the kids was really annoyed that I was taking them there and I got the silent treatment from the walk to the prison from the parking lot. Once inside, their tune changed and they found it really interesting. I've been to Alcatraz an old Prison in Ottawa and this is as good as either of those. It is certainly worth an hour or two if you are ever in Boise.

The front desk clerk at our hotel recommended this place. Definitely not your usual tourist stop. The history of the place was interesting. The rose gardens were pretty. Definitely worth the visit.

We had been to the old pen several times before, but they were doing cemetery tours that they don't normally do. It was pretty interesting learning about inmates who died or were executed at the old pen and then going out to the cemetery that is normally off limits.

Sean, our tour guide, led our group to some of the prison’s most eerie places, like the punishment rooms, “Siberia” and the “Cooler”, and an execution room. I got chills when we stood inside the hanging room and he told us a detailed account of how the hanging process unfolds. He was happy to answer questions and I enjoyed the manner in which he told stories. During the summer they have a special ticket that allows you to visit the botanical garden next door.

I am impressed. The tour guide knows about it so much that I thought he could have worked their. I have fun and learn about it. It's was recommended by my sister who came and visit.

Very informative tour! There are numerous buildings to visit so you will be spending the majority of your time outdoors -- dress appropriately. My guide, David, was very knowledgeable and he had many stories to share with the group. This tour will definitely open your eyes and you may be shocked to learn what went on in the penitentiary.

I really enjoyed my tour. Our tour guide knew all of the history of the prison and made it interesting. It is worth the visit!

Interesting seeing how it used to be. Mostly old dilapidated buildings. Grounds were pretty. Hiking nearby.

very interesting, a must do for first time visitors. I like that it was a go at your own pace. the store was cool. full of history.

How interesting is this place!! The history is amazing and the photo ops are unlimited. You get to walk through the place and learn of the prisoners daily activities (what there was of it). I was shocked to find out how many hours a day they were locked in the cells..this was prison..not like today. Then they didn't worry about hurting someone's feelings that killed or raped etc. There is even a section they had to start for women. You get to try on a black and white stripe shirt, pick a sign and get your picture taken. No time limit here, walk at your own pace.

A really unique site — the original penitentiary built for Idaho and occupied for more than 100 years. Pretty vivid view of why folks wouldn’t have wanted to spend time here. See the actual gallows used, the isolation cells known as Siberia and a huge display of weapons from ancient times to modern day. Even our kids liked checking out this place.

going here was an eye opening experience and enjoyed the whole day coming here and seeing this place along with the Idaho Gem Museum. spemd the day just enjoying each others company

As a former prison employee, I found this tour very enjoyable, interesting and informative. What a great way to spend an afternoon

Great history of the penitentiary. You are free to wander in and out of the buildings and learn about the people who served time there. They also offer guided tours and the one we went on was given by a gentleman who was a guard there when it was in operation.

We drove by to check it out and ended up coming back for a tour. Such an interesting facility, so much history. Has an amazing museum of old weapons and military items. A look into the past and very educational.

We came for the botanical gardens, and headed to the penitentiary on a whim when we noticed it shared a parking lot. I found it fascinating, although pretty morbid. Most of the buildings are in decent condition, some of the cells are maintained to look as they would have, and the gardens inbetween the walls were almost as impressive as the ones next door. A tour was included with admission, and the guide was great. Engaging, she touched all the obvious facts one would care to know, and threw in several true stories. It’s not a fun, happy place, and I wouldn’t bring children. However, if the darker side of history holds any interest for you, this is a fantastic stop.
We visited on a cool, end of summer day, but I can see how this place would be uncomfortable on hot days.

There was snow on the ground and on a Monday afternoon, so there were only a handful of visitors. The staff was pleasant and provided a map for a self-guided tour.
The buildings were built over time so there was a slight difference in architecture, but the whole penitentiary was hauntingly beautiful. In many of the exhibits, stories of inmates made this place come alive.

I like to tour old Prison museums I found this one to be very fascinating the tour guide was very informational.

A lot more than just a historical prison. The Idaho transportation museum is there with lots of old wagons and other vehicles. The prison contains a huge display of firearms from different eras and wars. The State Geological Society museum is also located in the old prison. Excellent use of an old prison facility for many different facets of Idaho history. And don't forget the Botanical Gardens next door.

This place is very interesting and slightly creepy. We didn't arrive in time for a guided tour, but the map given at the entrance and the signage around the site were both very helpful. It's hard to imagine that this prison was in use until 1973 - hopefully prison conditions have improved over time! There is a lot of history offered at this site and we came away interested to know more.

We had about 5-6 hours to kill before our flight home, so we decided to explore Boise a bit more. The Old Idaho Penitentiary was one of our stops. We spent about 3 hours exploring the various buildings at the prison. It was indeed quite fascinating! The penitentiary housed men, teenage boys (as young as 15), and women prisoners. The men and teens were housed in the main prison, but the women were housed in a separate building outside of the main prison walls. The grounds are uneven in certain areas, so tread carefully. They are open 7 Days/week. Hours: 12:00pm-5:00pm (last admission 4:15). Admission (on 8/20/18): $6/adult, $4/senio (60+), $3/child (6-12) and children 5 and younger are free. If you love history, it's definitely worth your time visiting.

Take the tour. Ask questions. It’s creepy, scary, wild and it’s real. It is a good source of information.

Very strange to see an old prison and most of it's buildings in tact for viewing. See the old cells and the solitary confinement area as well as photos of teens sent to prison and their crimes posted. One 15 y.o. for theft sentenced to 5-10 yrs.. Curious sentence.

Pretty cool old prison to check out. I wish there was a few more placards and stuff to read around the grounds, but overall still interesting. They also have a history presentation they give in the shirt factory that was very informative.

You can see this former penitentiary in an hour or two, as a self-guided tour or with a guide. It's interesting and reminds me that I'd never want to end up in a place like this. It's frightening to imagine how people actually survived here. If you are in decent shape and the weather is good, take time to do the Table Rock hiking trail, which starts in the penitentiary parking lot. Bring a bottle of water. It's a steep 1.7 miles up and the view of the city, the mountains and the valley is spectacular. Coming down may feel less strenuous, but it's tougher on the knees. Wouldn't want to do this hike in icy or wet conditions due to the footing, unless you are a real pro. Very enjoyable area to spend several hours.

Visited this place in October. Not crowded and excellent weather to see the old buildings and displays. Very interesting.

Visited the botanical gardens for Gardens aGlow and the Bishops House. Interesting history and beautiful grounds. Easily accessible with convenient parking.