Want riverside adventure, rich history, and small-town hospitality? Head to Lewiston, Idaho! Nestled at the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater Rivers, Lewiston offers outdoor fun, scenic views, and a walkable historic downtown. It’s a gateway to Hells Canyon and the perfect blend of recreation and relaxation.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Lewiston is in the spring (April–June) and fall (September–October), when the weather is pleasant and ideal for hiking, boating, and wine tasting. Summers can be hot, but perfect for river adventures and outdoor festivals.
How to Get There
- By Car: Lewiston is located at the junction of U.S. Routes 12 and 95, about 2 hours south of Spokane and 2.5 hours from Moscow, Idaho.
- By Plane: Lewiston-Nez Perce County Airport (LWS) has regional flights connecting through Boise and Salt Lake City.
- By Bus: Regional bus services connect Lewiston to surrounding towns and cities in Idaho and eastern Washington.
Where to Stay
- Hells Canyon Grand Hotel – Riverfront hotel with a pool, on-site dining, and easy access to outdoor adventures.
- Holiday Inn Express Lewiston – Comfortable and modern, with views overlooking the valley and a complimentary breakfast.
- Inn America Lewiston – Budget-friendly option with clean rooms and a convenient location near downtown.
Top Attractions
1. Visit Hells Canyon National Recreation Area
Hells Canyon National Recreation Area in Lewiston is home to its namesake Hells Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. The canyon spans across a remote and vast region in both Oregon and Idaho, featuring dramatic changes in climate, vegetation, terrain, and elevation. The Hells Canyon National Recreation Area provides several opportunities for outdoor recreation activities, such as fishing and whitewater boating. There are also a number of scenic vistas, remote wilderness, and mountain peaks to explore with the recreation area’s trail system. There are several major trailheads visitors can use to discover the area’s natural beauty.
2. Learn about local history at the Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum
The Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum is dedicated to the preservation of Nez Perce County and the surrounding area’s unique history, river navigation, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and the Nez Perce Indians. Operating primarily as a museum organization, the Nez Perce County Historical Society’s museum opened in the Heritage House in March of 1963, but moved to its current building in 1974. At the Nez Perce County Historical Museum, visitors can find out about stories of pioneering spirit, hardship, culture, innovation, courage, battle, friendship, and adventure of the region through several different exhibits and displays.
Address: Nez Perce County Historical Society & Museum, 306 3rd St, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208-743-2535
3. Go wine tasting at Lindsay Creek Vineyards
Established in 2007 in the city of Lewiston with a motto of “taste our commitment,” the Lindsay Creek Vineyards was founded with primarily two things in mind: “make great wine and have fun in the process.” The vineyard has since expanded to encompass more than fourteen acres of wine grape production in the Lewis-Clark Valley American Viticultural Area. The tasting room at Lindsay Creek treats visitors to excellent views of the surrounding Lewis-Clark Valley. Visitors can also do a wine tasting in the tasting room.
Address: Lindsay Creek Vineyards, 3107 Powers Ave, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208-746-9463
4. Taste award-winning wines at Clearwater Canyon Cellars
Clearwater Canyon Cellars offers visitors a laid back atmosphere in which to sample a variety of great wines in Leiston, Idaho. The tasting room of the company’s new winery is located in the Lewiston Orchards at the family’s Idaho Century Farm. Guests can experience the farm’s charm and history of a century-old farm at the vineyard Tuesday to Saturday from noon until 5:00pm, or by appointment. Named the 2015 Winery of the Year in Idaho, Clearwater Canyon Cellars offers wine tastings of the award-winning, ultra-premium wines they produce. The wines are made from grapes within a twenty-mile radius.
Address: Clearwater Canyon Cellars, 3143 10th St, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208-816-4679
5. View memorabilia at the Jack O'Connor Center
Opening to the Lewiston community in June of 2006, the Jack O'Connor Center showcases the wildlife collection as its permanent home, consisting of more than sixy mounted heads from all over the world, O’Connor memorabilia, and many photographs. Open daily, the center also has a complete collection of books about O’Connor and several outdoor magazine articles. Among the items on display at the Jack O’Connor Center are his famous Biesen stocked M-70 .270, as well as the 7x57 Mauser that belonged to Eleanor O’Connor. The two rifles have been written about more than any other rifles in history.
Address: Jack O'Connor Center, 5600 Hells Gate Rd, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208-743-5043
6. Stop by the Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History
The Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History is situated in the middle of historic Lewiston, Idaho and aims to offer a “common ground” for all art integration, providing opportunities for participation in and understanding of the arts through both traveling and permanent exhibits. Housed in a historic and beautifully restored building, the Lewis-Clark Center boasts the second largest exhibition space in the state of Idaho and is home to the Chinese Beuk Aie Temple, which includes an exhibit about the temple and the late 19th-century Chinese community’s history. Visitors can also see many Nez Perce tribal artifacts at the center.
Address: Lewis-Clark Center for Arts & History, 415 Main St, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208-792-2243
Attractions for Couples
7. Tour the historic Heritage House
The Heritage House, which formerly housed the Nez Perce County Historical Society and its museum, was originally a two-story block structure featuring an outdoor staircase and upstairs bedrooms. It is now a two-story frame bungalow-style historic house with a low gable roof, multiplane windows, and exposed rafters. Formerly the home of the Nutting family, the home was named the Nutting House when it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. The Heritage House is now operated as a house museum and visitors may be able to take a tour of the Heritage House, depending on staff availability.
Address: Heritage House, 310 Third Street, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208-743-2535
8. Camp along the river at Hell’s Gate State Park
Located in a river bed left by ice-age floods many thousands of years ago, Hell’s Gate State Park is full of interesting geological and historic features. There are many attractions to entice visitors to come and explore including one of North America’s deepest canyons, which can be explored by jet-boat. There are fun activities for all ages including walking, hiking, biking, bird-watching, fishing, boating and paddling. The water activities are centered on the Hell’s Gate Marina and there are tent and RV campsites located along the river. The park offers Junior Ranger programs for younger visitors and horse-back riding is also available.
Address: Hell’s Gate State Park, 5100 Hell’s Gate Road, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208 799 5015
9. Taste innovative wines at Jovinea Cellars
Jovinea Cellars is located in the heart of the Lewis-Clark Valley where husband and wife team Michael and Liza Grigg strive to produce hands-on, small batch wines with character and flair. Since this is a newly-launched winery, the grapes are currently brought in from Idaho and Washington vineyards, while the on-site Jovinea vineyards are being established. The winemaking team enjoys producing innovative blends using lesser-known varietals to achieve unique flavor combinations. Wine lovers are invited to visit their Tasting Room and enjoy trying their range of delicious red and pink cultivars and blends, which include a 2018 Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and their 2018 Handyman blend.
Address: Jovinea Cellars, 301 Main Street, Suite 106, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208 718 8650
10. Take the kids to Orchard Lanes
Offering hours and hours of family fun since 1959, Orchard Lanes is your go-to venue for bowling and much more. The venue offers a family-friendly smoke-free environment where the 16 well-maintained lanes await you. Bumper bowling is available for younger bowlers and the pro-shop will take care of all your bowling requirements. If you are new to bowling and would like some mentoring you can book a lesson or two with a bowling instructor. The center offers a full party service (including unlimited bowling for 90 minutes, shoe rental, food and everything else you need for a great birthday party). There are both adult and junior leagues and fun Thunder Alley Night Bowling sessions.
Address: Orchard Lanes, 244 Thain Road, Lewiston, ID 83501, Phone: 208 743 7822
Where to Eat
- The Blue Lantern Coffee House – Cozy café known for espresso, pastries, and a relaxed atmosphere downtown.
- Roosters Waterfront Restaurant – Classic American fare and local favorites with views overlooking the Snake River.
- Effie’s Tavern – Local dive with great burgers, cold beer, and a quirky, laid-back vibe.
Local Events
- Lewiston Hot August Nights (August) – Classic car cruise and show with food vendors, music, and family fun.
- Art Under the Elms (April) – Regional art festival featuring handmade crafts, live performances, and food trucks.
- Lewis-Clark Valley Wine Festival (October) – Celebrate the region’s growing wine scene with tastings, tours, and vineyard events.
Day Trips Within 30 Minutes of Lewiston, Idaho
- Clarkston, Washington (5–10 min) – Just across the river, offering more dining, parks, and riverfront access.
- Lewiston Hill Scenic Overlook (15 min) – Drive the Old Spiral Highway for panoramic views of the valley below.
- Asotin, Washington (20 min) – Quaint riverside town with peaceful views and access to Hells Canyon tours.
- Lapwai (25–30 min) – Visit the Nez Perce National Historical Park for a deeper look into tribal heritage.
- Tammany Creek Trail (15–20 min) – Hike or mountain bike this local favorite with views of the surrounding hills and canyonlands.
FAQ
- When was Lewiston founded?
- Lewiston was founded in 1862 during the early years of the Gold Rush.
- What was Lewiston’s role in Idaho’s history?
- Lewiston was the first capital of the Idaho Territory.
- Why is Boise the capital instead of Lewiston?
- The capital was moved to Boise in 1864, just two years after Lewiston became the first capital.
- You can view a historical image of the capital for more details.
- Where is Lewiston located?
- Lewiston is in the north-central region of Idaho.
- The area is surrounded by rolling farmland hills and offers breathtaking views of Hells Canyon.
- What outdoor activities are available in Lewiston?
- The region is known for its abundance of outdoor activities, including hiking, fishing, and scenic explorations.
- Does Lewiston have any historical attractions?
- Yes! The city is home to the Nez Perce County Historical Society and Museum, which showcases the region’s rich history.
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