When families plan a day trip, there’s a pretty good chance that they might be heading north out of the Treasure Valley up Highway 55.

        It makes sense when you consider all the great destinations in that direction: Horseshoe Bend, to Banks, maybe heading northeast to Garden Valley or Lowman, or just staying north on 55 to the Donnelly and McCall area and other stops along the way.

        One town that you’ll go through as you continue north is the town of Cascade. But maybe you didn’t know that for the past three years there’s been an outdoor aquarium under construction along Highway 55. If you missed its opening earlier this summer, be sure to add it to your family’s fall day trip list!

        This outdoor viewing aquarium allows children and families the chance to see aquatic organisms in a natural-looking setting and fish habitat. Educational information about fish life cycles and fish species identification is also available in a fun, entertaining setting.

        One of the many groups who played a role in the funding and construction of the aquarium was the advanced biology class at Cascade High School. Together with the Fish America Foundation, the Idaho Department of Fish and Game, the city of Cascade, and other groups, the students’ grant writing, volunteer labor, and continued involvement over the years helped bring this day trip experience to Idaho families.  

        The aquarium is located at Fischer Park on the southeast side of Cascade, just north of the North Fork Payette River Bridge. From the parking lot, the aquarium can be accessed via a blacktop path connecting to a trail system. Both the viewing area and trail system are handicapped accessible.