The Artsy University Town of Moscow
Moscow is best known as home to the University of Idaho. It’s a college town through and through, with the kinds of shops, restaurants and environment which cater to students and professors. With its tree-lined, pedestrian-friendly streets, youthful population and progressive, laid-back atmosphere, Moscow might fit better in New England than Idaho.
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 1 Moscow Idaho Drugs](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Hipster-In-Idaho.jpg)
We spent a couple days walking around Moscow, exploring its bookstores, parks, museums antique shops, art galleries and other stores which defy categorization. Everywhere, there were college students with books, backpacks, and that slightly obnoxious enthusiasm of youth. Moscow was more liberal than anywhere else we’d been in Idaho. It’s the seat of Latah County, which was one of only two in Idaho to go blue in the 2012 election.
Join us on a walk through town.
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 2 Espresso trailer](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Espresso-trailer.jpg)
Retro Espresso was our first stop of the day. A cute espresso trailer found on the southern entrance to downtown, you can either walk-up or drive-through to get your caffeine fix.
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 3 Old Theater Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Old-Theater-Idaho.jpg)
Main Street runs north/south parallel to Highway 95, and is a heavily pedestrian street featuring a neat old theater and fun shops. We browsed the selection at Book People and Howard Hughes Video, then enjoyed a great humus pita sandwich at Mikey’s Gyros.
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 4 Star Garnets](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Star-Garnets.jpg)
We spent half an hour in Gem State Crystals, on Main Street, learning about Idaho’s star garnets and other gems, and admiring the live rattlesnake kept in one of the display cases.
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 5 Old High School Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Old-High-School-Moscow.jpg)
The 1912 Center on Third Street, east of Main, is a grand building which used to be the high school and is now both a public gallery with photos depicting Moscow life in 1912 and a senior citizens center.
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 6 Art Gallery Moscow Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Art-Gallery-Moscow-Idaho.jpg)
In the city hall, we accidentally interrupted some sort of town council meeting, while attempting to find the Third Street Gallery on the second floor. This gallery was currently showing the results of a painting competition of scenes around Moscow and the Palouse Valley.
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 7 Cowgirl Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Cowgirl-Idaho.jpg)
Cowgirl Chocolates brings two of my favorite things together — cowgirls and chocolates! Well, those things are actually #43833 and #248 on MY list, but I’m sure they rank a lot higher for a lot of other people. The owner is an artist who decided to get into chocolates, and sells her (very spicy) creations here, along with cowgirl-themed memorabilia.
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 8 Idaho University Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Idaho-University-Idaho.jpg)
We’d be remiss not to mention the University with its massive Kibbie Activity Center and pretty campus. We didn’t spend a lot of time here, but only because we were in a hurry to get to…
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 9 Native American Horse](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Native-American-Horse.jpg)
The Appaloosa Museum, which focuses on the famous spotted horse bred by the Nez Perce. Appaloosas which has played a big role in the equestrian history of Idaho. Many of the exhibits were lost on us, but if you’re into horses, this is a fun place to check out (and it’s free).
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 10 Bucer Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Bucer-Moscow.jpg)
Toward the end of our day, we got a drink at Bucer’s — which was most notable for the fact that every single conversation going on around us was about God or Jesus. A lot of “we’ll pray for him”, and “well God bless you” and “This one time at Bible Camp, I stuck…” which is when I turned my brain off.
We finished our day with an excellent dinner at Nectar, a casually upscale joint that serves a meatloaf for the ages. Here, we met a group of locals and stayed around drinking wine until closing time. It was an unexpectedly fun night, and a great end to our busy stay in Moscow.
Location of Moscow on our Idaho Map
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 11 Hipster Town Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Hipster-Town-Idaho.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 12 Ending Side Walk](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Ending-Side-Walk.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 13 South Gateway Park](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/South-Gateway-Park.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 14 Moscow Idaho Invention](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Idaho-Invention.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 15 Moscow Silo](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Silo.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 16 Espresso Bike](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Espresso-Bike.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 17 Girl From Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Girl-From-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 18 Moscow Heart](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Heart.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 19 Obama In Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Obama-In-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 20 Shopping In Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Shopping-In-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 21 50 Percent Off](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/50-Percent-Off.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 22 Powell Plumbing](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Powell-Plumbing.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 23 Bookpeople Moscow Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Bookpeople-Moscow-Idaho.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 24 Ballet Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Ballet-Idaho.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 25 Drunk Driving](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Drunk-Driving.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 26 K Theater Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/K-Theater-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 27 Glass Art Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Glass-Art-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 28 Darth Vader](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Darth-Vader.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 29 Mikeys Gyros Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Mikeys-Gyros-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 30 Lunch In Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Lunch-In-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 31 Moscow Clock](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Clock.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 32 Moscow Idaho Priest](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Idaho-Priest.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 33 Moscow Fire Department](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Fire-Department.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 34 Moscow Manor](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Manor.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 35 Moscow Winery](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Winery.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 36 Construction Worker Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Construction-Worker-Idaho.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 37 Moose Lodge Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moose-Lodge-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 38 Paradise Farm Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Paradise-Farm-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 39 Biking In The USA](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Biking-In-The-USA.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 40 Cornwall Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Cornwall-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 41 Moscow Idaho Photographer](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Idaho-Photographer.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 42 Birdhouse Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Birdhouse-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 43 Chinese Restaurant Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Chinese-Restaurant-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 44 Pick Up Truck](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Pick-Up-Truck.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 45 Shoe Brush DIY](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Shoe-Brush-DIY.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 46 USA FREEDOM](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/USA-FREEDOM.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 47 Moscow Dude](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Dude.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 48 Moscow Church](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Moscow-Church.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 49 Debbie Dome](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Debbie-Dome.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 50 Hyperstpud](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Hyperstpud.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 51 Antiques Moscow Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Antiques-Moscow-Idaho.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 52 Baby Punishment](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Baby-Punishment.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 53 Gem State Crystals](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Gem-State-Crystals.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 54 Garnet Master](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Garnet-Master.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 55 Polish Jewels](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Polish-Jewels.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 56 Idaho Rattle Snake](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Idaho-Rattle-Snake.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 57 Inside City Hall Moscow Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Inside-City-Hall-Moscow-Idaho.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 58 Mic Moscow](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Mic-Moscow.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 59 Idaho Candy](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Idaho-Candy.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 60 Candy Moscow Store](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Candy-Moscow-Store.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 61 Chocolate Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Chocolate-Idaho.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 62 Cowgirls In Idaho](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Cowgirls-In-Idaho.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 63 Me And My Horse](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Me-And-My-Horse.jpg)
![The Artsy University Town of Moscow 64 Mirror Horse](https://for91days.com/photos/Idaho/Moscow%20Idaho/Mirror-Horse.jpg)
Great photos! You took some of the same angles that I have over the years! Thank you for the kind words, let us know the next time you come through and we will personalize the visit. Huddy
Very fun! I was born there but spent most my life way. That Moose lodge sign has got to be the same place my dad would take us 🙂
Thanks for sharing this photos of my hometown. It’s been a while since I’ve been back.
Beautiful photos indeed! I did my undergrad in Moscow and loved the four years I spent there. It’s a wonderful town with a warm-hearted and fun community. It has a tremendous amount of diversity for a small town, and I mean diversity in terms of racial and geographic background, but also philosophy and politics too. I’m glad you hit Bucer’s. It’s one of my favorite coffeeshops in the world – and I hope you got to try one of their cuban coffees. It’s a favorite haunt for New Saint Andrews students, which is probably why you heard so many Christian-themed conversations. But it also attracts all manner of other community members, including leftists and atheists. Again, that great sense of diversity! It’s easy for people to assume that small towns are homogenous, boring places, but they’re clearly not. And your photo essay does a great job of reminds us of that. Thanks!
I really enjoyed your comments and wonderful photos. We have lived in the Palouse for 30 years and in Moscow for 10, and you captured a lot of the charm and spirit of this place. Happy travels!
I’m born and raised in Moscow and have to admit you have pictures of places I’ve never seen before. The shots you have here are beautiful and I had fun picking out where you were. I can’t say enough good things about Moscow, I love it.
This small college town reminds me of where I have recently settled…near the small New England college town of South Portland, ME. Maybe one day your journey will lead you in this direction. I’m enjoying your photos. Thanks.Brenda N-BPortland, ME
Great photos! I have loved visiting my sister-in-law there over the years. The perfect size and mix of people. A college town at its best.
I, too, spent my undergrad years in Moscow and enjoy doing a swing through when I get to the area. Some things are still the same from the 80s…The New Hong Kong Cafe, Gem-State Crystals, The Moose Lodge, Bookpeople, The Nuart, and Mikey’s Gyros. You made my heart ache for Idaho today.
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I liked your take on my hometown, some great photos, too. I now live in Boise, a dry, hot place, surrounded by an ugly dirt desert. I miss the greenery and hills of the Palouse. Regarding Bucers: It is owned and run by a huge fundamentalist church in Moscow, which also runs the tiny Christian college in town. Interesting place, but there are better venues, including One World Café and Two Sisters Brew. The campus is amazing, next time spend more time there. It’s one of the more beautiful campuses around.
Amazing insight into the heart of This little town.Personally have never been there but your photos made me want to drive there right now to visit it! EXCELLENT JOB!Tyvm