Fallon Decker
No Cost
Entertainment: Observing the Locals
Famous for its
picturesque farmland, Moscow, Idaho and the surrounding area is peopled
largely by the University of Idaho students, faculty, staff, and a large
number of permanent residents which allow this small-town city to
maintain a unique, vibrant energy. If you are looking for a no cost,
entertaining afternoon, pack a blanket and head to one of Moscow’s prime
people watching spots. Get a real feel for the diverse community and
laidback attitude of this charmingly distinct pocket of the Northwest.
An afternoon spent in Moscow will undoubtedly modify Idaho’s
stereotypical image that often includes potato eating, cowboy boot
wearing, small-town folk.
University of Idaho’s
Administration Lawn,
709 S. Deakin Ave, Moscow (208-884-3246; http://www.uidaho.edu/)
You never
really know a place until you know the people— or at least catch a
glimpse of them. Because of its close proximity to the University of
Idaho, Moscow has strong undercurrents that reflect the mainly younger
population. In fact, the University of Idaho’s Administration Lawn
is a hot spot to spend an afternoon taking in the local diversity,
though because the site is on campus, those spotted will be primarily
students and professors. Lone wanderers toting stacks of books, gaggles
of Ugg-wearing females and pea coat clad society types flood the campus
walkways on the 20th minute of each hour. Student athletes
with sweatpants slung around their hips, Indie musicians and classic
conservatives disperse and intermix as they make their way across
campus. A vast and expansive plot of grass, the Administration Lawn is a
historic icon on the University’s campus, entered by “Hello Walk,”
another noteworthy element of Idaho’s charm. Dozens of mature maple,
oak, cedar, and pine trees canopy the lush lawn that serves as a choice
picnic spot or somewhere to soak in a sunny afternoon. Barefooted
students can be easily spotted on warm days, tossing a football or a
Frisbee on the gentle sloping grass.
Main Street-Downtown,
City of Moscow, 206 East Third Street, Moscow (208-883-7019; http://www.ci.moscow.
id.us/index.asp; webmaster@ci.moscow.id.us.)
Just minutes away
from campus (10 minutes on foot, 3 minutes by bike), the historic Moscow
Main Street is an epicenter for the surrounding community,
hosting a variety of dining and entertainment options where you can
observe a greater array of inhabitants and visitors. Main Street
intersects with one of the city’s historic residential districts, so
passersby are often long-time local residents of the city. Lined by
classic brick buildings, Main Street is a pedestrian friendly and
local-oriented scene. Benches and café seating at a variety of locally
owned businesses offer a grand opportunity to observe the local crowd.
Birkenstock hippies and aimlessly wandering intellectuals are mixed
among old and new residents, visiting and semi-local academics, but as
is typical of the West, Moscow’s residents maintain their easygoing and
friendly nature. Friendship Square, located at the heart of Main
Street, is situated between the historic Moscow Hotel and the
posh French restaurant West of Paris. The square is best known
for the local Farmer’s Market that runs April-October. With a
fountain and playground, Friendship Square is a popular gathering spot
in the warmer months, especially for young families of the area and is
often used for small “rallies” and other public events hosted by local
and university groups throughout the year.
East City Park,
City of Moscow, 206 East Third Street, Moscow (208-883-7019; http://www.ci.moscow.
id.us/index.asp; webmaster@ci.moscow.id.us.)
A 15-20
minute walk from Main Street, East City Park rests within the
quiet confines of one of Moscow’s residential districts. Situated at the
intersection of Third Street and Hayes Street, the park’s amenities
include a covered picnic area, restrooms, volleyball and basketball
courts, horseshoe pits, and a playground. Nearly seven acres, the park
hosts various events throughout the year including Moscow’s annual
Renaissance Fair (http://www.moscowrenfair. org/), a two-day
celebration of spring. From world travelers to eighth generation
Idahoans, the city is home and host to peoples of Hispanic, American
Indian, Chinese, African American, Indian and Korean decent, not to
mention the hundreds of visitors hosted by the University of Idaho from
all over the world.
More than
a rural Idaho city, Moscow is home to a variety of cultures, races, and
interests. Whether you are just driving through or leisurely exploring
the West, adding Moscow to your itinerary will redefine the foreigner’s
often stereotyped notion of the state and give you a sense of a real
Western way of life.