Yellowstone

Yellowstone is less than a two hour drive away and a beautiful National Park. Just take HWY 20 towards West Yellowstone and follow the signs, and you're there. This place is free for us because we have a year round pass. It's $25 for a pass to Yellowstone and Tetons, but just get a year round pass for $80 and visit all the National Parks within a two hour drive. (Tetons, Craters of the Moon) Yellowstone is exactly 100 miles away from the West Entrance and takes about 1 1/2 hours to drive there.

You can visit Old Faithful which is what the park is mostly known for, but I recommend the upper and lower falls:


Most of the roads are closed in the park from November to May, so go in the summer. Pack a lunch and make it a day trip. With a year round pass (free entrance into any National Park) and just a tank of gas, it's a great Saturday family activity.

Nature Park

Nature Park is the biggest park in Rexburg and also the nicest. It's not nearly as populated as Porter or Smith Park. There is a small trail with a lot of loops and if you walk all the loops, it's probably about a mile long. It's perfect for a Sunday walk and great for a picnic.


There's Frisbee Golf

Ice Skating Rink?

Trees to play Hide-n-go seek


Play place for small children.

There are 4 or 5 of these covered picnic tables for any type of gathering.

Also, feel free to bring old bread to feed the ducks. I'm sure they love it. Wait, there might be a sign that says, "Do not feed the ducks". I can't remember. I've done it before, but maybe I should check again.

Directions: From Main Street, turn North onto South 5th East and follow the road all the way down!

Skate Park

Here's a park where anyone can go to for free to skate, roller blade, or ride their bike. I have to warn you that when we went there, three men were topless. Other than that, if you don't skate, run up and down the cement ramps or eat lunch in the bowl. Something to do if you get extremely bored.




Directions:
From 2nd East, head West on Main Street. Run left on South 5th West, follow the road down to the end, and take the first left after the nature park. You can't miss it.

Rexburg Golf Course

I'm not a golfer, but this is something you can do. There is a gold course that is adjacent to the Nature Park in Rexburg. Here's a like to the golfing webpage if you want to go there. The only thing that I know is that it is free after 8:30 PM. Also keep in mind that it gets dark soon after, so maybe golfing won't be enjoyable after that. I don't know. I'm more of a mini golf person.

Garage/Yard Sale Saturdays

Today was my first garage/yard sale day. I went out with 2 specific things that I wanted to look for, so I'm not the kind of person that just hoards yard sale stuff. It's something to do and a good way to find use things that you may need.

Here's a craigslist link to find out where yard sales are.

However, although garage sales are fun sometimes, they're not the best in Rexburg. I went to about 7 or 8 today and I was very disappointed. I feel like here in Rexburg, people sell things that are too old and worn out, but charge way too much for what they're selling. I couldn't find anything at a garage sale price. In my mind, clothes should never be more than a buck and nothing should be more than ten bucks. I guess everyone is just too cheap and greedy here.

I know, I didn't sell the activity very well, but sometimes you find a treasure!

Madison County Library

I know, it sounds a little lame, but the County Library is actually fun. It's newly remodeled, doesn't smell that badly, and not many people go because campus is closer to most students. It's super quiet and plenty of placed to read.




Corner of Center Street and West 1st North behind the tabernacle.

Evergreen Kiwanis Park

This park is perfect if you want to have a family gathering. I've never actually seen people there, but there is a nice open space to play frisbee or flag football. Also there are some covered picnic tables and a play set for kids. Take a look.





Directions: From Main Street, just turn onto Pioneer then take the first left. Follow that through and you'll see it!

Park Street Park

This is one of my favorite parks mostly because hardly anyone ever goes there. It is one of the smallest and the equipment there is the oldest, but it's still fun. Here's the park:





This park is on the corner of Park Street and South 5th West kitty-corner from a landscaping company.

Cress Creek

25 minutes outside of Rexburg there is a short, mostly paved hike that is fun to do in under 2 hours round trip (including driving). If you want to make it an all day activity, you could do the Cress Creek hike, then go to the Heise Hot Springs just down the road. Then if there is any time left over, you could always walk along the river or raft down it.

Here are some picture of the hike. It is really easy. Less than a mile hike round trip, and most of it is paved. Anyone can do it even if you're super out of shape and the view at the top is pretty. This was the first time I've done the hike in the daytime. I think it is prettier at night, but both are enjoyable.


The beginning: it's paved like this about halfway up, then the trail is pretty clear.

Along the trail:

View from the top (prettier at night)


Directions:
1. From the BYU-I center, follow that road (Yellowstone Highways, parallel to the freeway) towards Idaho Falls.
2. Take the first left after the traffic light towards Archer (Big Judds)
3. Drive about 15 minutes, then turn left on 10000 South
4. Drive to the very end of the road and turn right
5. About 5 minutes later, you will see a cross where someone died, then immediately after, Cress Creek is on the left.

I don't feel safe driving the road in the winter because it isn't plowed (and someone died). It's a great summer hike and if you do do it in the winter, drive slowly and safely.

$3 Movie Theater

I don't know how much it cost to go to the real movie theaters anymore. I only go to the cheap theaters now. However, I almost never go to the theater unless I get a good deal. It costs $3 for a movie except Tuesdays is 2 bucks, Wednesday is free popcorn day, and if you have a starving student card, you get 2 tickets, 2 drinks, and a large popcorn for $10. I think you end up only saving like 50 cents, but it's fun anyway.

Here's the link to the website to check out what movies they have.

The theater is North of the Spori building on Center Street. Then after you go to the theater, go to Paradise Doughnuts right next door! Great doughnuts for a good price. Plus the guy that opened it up is very nice and they sometimes have deals of getting free doughnuts if you see a movie.

Have fun!

Off-Roading

Not much to say about this one. Off-roading is just a fun activity to do if you own a Jeep. I love going to the dirt paths, but not so much in a truck. I use to go all the time when I had friends with Jeeps, but not anymore.

You can go off-roading almost anywhere. Just drive down HWY 33 or follow 2nd East past the sand dunes and turn off anywhere!

Legacy Flight Museum

Free Activity! This Saturday, free admission to the Legacy Flight Museum. I've never been before, but it sounds like a lot of fun. There is going to be food and you get to watch airplanes fly. Also, there is a raffle at 1:00PM for a free helicopter flight. I don't have any report on how cool it is since I haven't gone, but check it out!

Here's the website. The museum is right off of Main Street by the entrance to HWY 20. I'll give you an update when I go.

UPDATE: We didn't have time to go the the Flight Museum, but we did see the planes fly while we were busy doing other things on Saturday. I think we are going to wait until the next free day, or wait until winter since it's an indoor activity.

Ice Caves

Going to the Ice Caves was one of the coolest things that I have ever done. If you live in or around Rexburg, you have to go!

I went when I was 3 months pregnant. I wasn't sticking out, so it was fine, but the ride there wasn't fun. I get really car sick and morning sickness didn't help. To get to the cave, you have to go in an off-roading vehicle or large truck. There is no way a car can get through, but hiking to the cave is very do-able. It's only 3 miles in.

Directions:
Head North on 2nd East.
Drive about 30 miles and turn right at the 2nd cattle crossing. (I don't know what it's called. It's the thing in the middle of the road so cattle don't cross it)
It's not a real road, but you can park right there and walk in 3 miles. That's your best bet if you get really car sick or you don't have a Jeep.

Here's a couple of pictures, but it doesn't do it justice.




Dress warmly and in waterproof clothes. You will get wet and there are parts where you lay down, slide on your back, and kick your feet on the ceiling. I wouldn't take any kids under 4. Other than that, pack a lunch and make it a whole day activity!

Hidden Valley Park

There are tons of parks in Rexburg, but here is one with a huge mound, perfect for sledding, or just taking out a book and reading in the summer sun. It's large enough to play field games and there is a playground for small children. I've never seen this park crowded because it is in a small residential neighborhood. It's perfect for some alone time.

Park sign at the entrance and the children's play set.


The large, perfectly shaped dome.


Directions:
1. From campus, head north on 2nd East towards Walmart
2. Turn right on 1st North (Adam Elementary)
3. Drive past the old Madison High and turn right on Dell Drive
4. Turn right on Mill Race
5. Drive down to the end and the park is on the corner of Mill Race and Palmer Circle

Hidden Valley Loop Hike

There is a small trail behind the hospital that is less than a 2 mile round trip hike. My husband calls it a walk because it is really easy, but I call it a hike since the road isn't paved. We just found this recently walking around Rexburg. It's just fun walking around the loop because it feels like we're not trapped in little Rexburg. Here are some pictures:

This trail is actually a loop, so you can start from either end, but I recommend this side first. We took our baby in a jogging stroller. Some parts were harder than others, but it was fun. We'll take her again. I do not recommend taking a regular stroller though.

This is the entrance. If you are heading away from the BYUI campus and head north on 2nd East, turn right on 1st North (Adams Elementary). Go past the old Madison High School until the road makes a sharp left turn. Instead of going left, turn right onto Hidden Valley Road. Go all the way to the end and that is where the trail starts. Here's the sign at the entrance:



The trail:


View from the top:


Towards the end, there is a small fort. Someone actually took time putting steps up to it.


The other end of the trail.


The trail ends at the corner or Centennial Loop and Starview Drive. If you just follow Starview Drive all the way down, it dead ends into Hidden Valley Road. Turn right and you will be back where you started!

This isn't a real hiking trail, but it is fun to walk through!

Hot Springs

There are two hot springs that are really close to Rexburg that I know about. One is Heise Hot Springs, which is the closest, and the other Green Canyon Hot Springs. To both places you can either get a day pass with multiple entry, or just a one time pass. I took my little baby girl and she loved it!

Heise is closer, but the only down side is that it smells really bad. I went there last year and once was enough for me. However, if you do want to go to Heise, there is a small hike (Cress Creek) on the way there that takes 15 minutes to the top and is paved almost the entire way.

Also these are more expensive than Green Canyon. It's $9 for adults and $5 for children for one time entrance.

Here's their website where you can get directions and see what else they have to offer. I think they have golf and camping, but I have not done either of those there.

We went to Green Canyon Hot Springs yesterday and it is a lot better than heise. It's only $5.50 for adults and $2 for children under 2 which includes a swim diaper. If you bring your own swim diapers, then it's only $1. Also, if you have a starving student card, there is a buy one get one free admission.

Directions:
Head on HWY 20 away from Idaho Falls
Take Exit 339 and turn right
Drive 16 miles and there is a sign that says "Green Canyon Hot Springs:
Go 4 miles and the hot springs are on the left.

Here's the website if you have more questions.

Here are some pictures of Green Canyon!
Historical info:


Inside there is a big place for parties or large gatherings. Or if you are a parent and don't want to get wet, you can sit here and watch your kids swim.


Here's the 96 Degree pool. There is also a 115 degree pool, but I didn't take a picture because when I had my camera, only one man was in there and I didn't want him thinking I was taking pictures of just him. Sorry to disappoint you.


I'll update this again if I see another!

Rexburg Farmer's Market

Every Friday here in Rexburg there is a farmers market! It's from 4-8PM every Friday afternoon South of the Tabernacle. A bunch of small business owners sell their goods there and tons of people go. Granted, it's the smallest farmers market I've ever seen, but it's fun to check out.

There were only a few people that were actually selling vegetables, what I usually pictures at farmers markets. Actually, the veggies looked a little overpriced, but people have to make a living somehow.

Here are actually my top three pics for reasons why people would go there. Keep in mind that there are a lot of other things that are really interesting there and worth taking a look.


Some college students sold corn on the cob that was coated in something. It wasn't my thing, but according to how many females that were walking around eating the corn stuff, it seems like they get a lot of their sales from flirting with the ladies. Despite that, my friend said that they were really good and worth mentioning.


This was just really interesting to me because I have a little baby girl and I love putting bows in her hair. Katrina Tibbitts makes hair bands, clips, and pony tail bands. Here's her website: http://www.katrinashairdoodles.com/ She doesn't have very many things up compared to what she had at the market. She said you can also e-mail her at katrinaclogirl@hotmail.com and she can special make any type of hair-doodle that you want!


This guy, I think, was the most talented out of everyone there. I thought that he bought them somewhere overseas and sold them here because all of his merchandise looked perfect. He made everything himself. He is moving soon and will no longer be selling, so it's time to go there and get something from him.

Check out the farmers market. If you don't want to spend money, just don't bring any money. It's just fun to see everything.

Bridge Jumping

I've been really excited to post activities on here about things to do in Rexburg. So far, nobody knows about this blog anyway, so it's just for my information. I really want to write about a ton of things that we have already done, but we are going to do a few of them again this summer, so I have to wait until we do them. However, this is one activity I don't think I'll do again.

Before I even started school here, I came up to visit a friend and she took me bridge jumping. It was fun; I liked it, but once was enough for me. I don't really like getting wet, dirty water, swimming against a current, and getting a wedge-E when I hit the water. However, I'm glad I did it at least once.

Before I reveal the locations, just a heads up that several people have died from swimming around these places. Just don't be dumb about it. Go when the weather is good and make sure you know how to swim.

I'm sure you really want to go now.

The first place is just some bridge in St Anthony. All I remember is that if you stay on HWY 33, you turn left on a street somewhere and you're there. Considering I don't really remember where this place is, here is another place that students go to:

Monkey Rock. Here's a blog that talks about monkey rock. They give tips on what to bring and safety tips. I'll just copy and paste their directions though:

Monkey Rock is a quick drive from Rexburg, taking about 15 minutes. Follow these directions:
Take Hwy 20 going North
Turn right on 300 North
Turn right on 300 North
Drive over the railroad tracks and continue on 300 North
The road will bank to the left
Turn right at the "T" in the road
Follow the road a little ways and Monkey Rock will be on the right

It's free!

Bodies Museum in Idaho Falls

A few weeks ago, we went to the bodies museum and it was one of the coolest things I have ever seen. I could have spend hours in there, but with a small child, we limited it to one hour. It's only $10 for adults in Idaho falls whereas in other cities, it is way more expensive.



Here's the link to the website to check for prices, location, and hours.

My favorite part was the blood vessels room and the baby room. Go and see what I'm talking about. It's worth the money.

Free Fishing Day

Every year on the 2nd Saturday in June is Free Fishing Day in Idaho! My husband and I had both fished in the past, but we would never had labeled ourselves as fishers. We went last year, bought a pole and even had experienced fishers come with us. We woke up a little too late, chose the worst spot ever, and it was super cold. In the end, after spending a little over an hour fishing, we decided it wasn't for us, so we went home. Now we have a cheap WalMart fishing pole just sitting in our house. We may use it again, but fishing this year just sounds boring to us.

But for all you fishers out there, this Saturday (June 11) is your day to fish without a license. You can fish anywhere in Idaho. I think there are restrictions to the size of your fish and stuff. I have no idea and I don't want to look it up. Just passing along the info!

Good luck fishing!

Idaho Falls Zoo

Can you believe there is a zoo in Idaho Falls? I couldn't believe it either, but there is. We went the first weekend that it wasn't snowing and freezing cold and it was a lot of fun. It's $6 for Adults, $3 for children 4-12, and free for smaller ones. The zoo is open from 9Am-7PM until labor day, then it closes at 4. Don't try to go to the zoo between October and March because it's closed as it should be in below freezing temps. Here are some pictures of our favorite animals!








Directions from Rexburg:
1. Take 20 towards Idaho Falls
2. Take Lewisville/Idaho Falls exit and turn left
3. Continue onto N Holmes Ave
4. Turn Right onto Hartert Drive
5. Turn left onto South Blvd
6. Turn Right onto Rogers Street
7. Take 2nd right onto Carnival Way
Then you can see the Zoo from there. Have fun!

Cheap People Doing Cheap Things

My husband and I are very frugal people. Some people call us cheap, but I say frugal because it sounds more responsible than selfish. So, let's face it: we love to do stuff, but don't like spending money. Every weekend, we try to do something other than staying in the house cleaning, doing homework, or watching netflix.

Just a little about us: my husband and I are married (obviously) and have a small child that we take on these activites, so most of these things can be done with small children.

So, the real purpose for this blog is to help me remember that there really are things to do in or around Rexburg. I usually make a list and write down things that we can do, but I'm not very organized, so I like everything digital and on my computer.

For just the cost of gas, there's a ton of things to do even though Rexburg seems kinda lame at times. Now I'm super excited to blog about it. (I'm still going through my extream blogging phase.)

Well, let me stop rambling and start posting some activities.