funky monkey tours

Don't miss out, book your guided tour of St. Kitts or Nevis now (or both islands with our Combo Package )

Funky Monkey Tours

Start your a d v e n t u r e with the best tours on st. kitts & nevis.

F u n k y M o n k e y ‍ T o u r s has been thrilling customers since 2007 by providing once-in-a-lifetime adventure tours through some of the most scenic and wildest terrain on the Islands of St. Kitts & Nevis.

Learn more about our tours!

Explore Our F u n k y ‍ M o n k e y T o u r s & R e n t a l s ‍

You’ll go out as a “tourist” and come back as a “local” knowing everything about the islands

Gu i d e d Group T o urs

Our most popular tour to adventure Kitts, Nevis, or both! Offered everyday at 9 am & 1:30 pm.

Our tours give you a mix of on & off road, beaches & bush, resorts & ruins, and savannahs & rainforests.

You’ll go out as a “tourist” and come back as a “local” knowing everything about the islands. Small group size, big adventures, and lots of fun!

Pr i vate T o urs

Private tours are exactly as they sound.

Your family & friends will have your own tour guide(s) and 4×4(s) all to yourself to explore on & off road, beaches & bush, resorts & ruins, and savannahs & rainforests.

Traverse our traditional trail routes or customize it the way you want – you’re in charge!

R e ntals (Nevis Only)

Rentals are ideal for those feeling a little adventuresome and wanting to explore all on their own.

We’ll set you up with a 4x4 of your choice, get you a local driver’s license, and give you a road map.

Just remember when you go out...

Keep to the left! 

A Bunch of F u n k y ‍ M o n k e y Reviews

Rated #1 Outdoor Activity in St Kitts and Nevis with over 230 reviews on Tripadvisor!

Great tour with Waz!

Did this tour when me and my wife were there for our honeymoon. Waz was our driver/tour guide and was great. He was very personable and it felt like we were getting a tour from a close friend. He made us great drinks while he was showing us around the island. We felt safe the whole time and saw...

Read more...

Review of Funky Monkey Tours | via Tripadvisor

Fun Morning - Great way to explore the whole island

We did the tour yesterday on Nevis and would highly recommend it to anyone wanting to see round the island as these ATV’s can take you places other taxi tours can’t. We booked directly and were picked up from Montpelier hotel at the arranged time the company were very responsive to our enquiry...

mrs_Chungster

Best Way To See Nevis!

This is the way to see Nevis! We went off roading and saw lots of wildlife and the beautiful Sugar mills (Definitely visit Coconut Walk). We also loved seeing the Hermitage House. Neil, our guide, was phenomenal! He worked with us to plan a 1/2 day trip that took us to areas we hadn't seen on the...

Do this Funky thing!!!

We had a great time with Funky Monkey! Everything from beaches to the fort, grand vistas, goats, puppies in the surf. Neil (owner) and Waz(sp? Neil’s son) were terrific - fun, knowledgeable and safety focused. Totally great trip!

Highlight of our trip

Best way to see the island and learn the rich history of Nevis. Perfect for family activity - our children teens and 9 year old really enjoyed. Highly recommend!

So awesome, we did it twice.

So awesome, we did it twice. Review of Funky Monkey Tours Reviewed 4 days ago Outstanding! We loved it so much, we did it twice. The first time we saw the entire island with plenty of beverages. The second time (on a Friday) we did a local food and bar crawl. Neil and his son Wazz are amazing...

Why choose F u n k y ‍ M o n k e y T o u r s ?

We go where the others can’t – both on and off road. We are not confined to a closed loop, cookie cutter trail!

Our safe 4x4’s are automatic, non-tippy and easy to drive. They go anywhere and have roofs & cup holders! They’re great for couples, families and those wishing to stay together.

Licensed & insured

No helmets required

Infant seats are available

Vehicle sizes for parties of 2, 4, and 6

Accommodate private tours & rentals

15+ years experience, we're #1 on Tripadvisor

Bottomless on-board coolers & refreshments

Not confined to a closed loop, cookie cutter trail

Convenient office locations on both islands

No wasted bus time! 3+ hours of 4x4 driving

Fun, informative, and experienced guides

Easy to drive automatic vehicles

The F u n k y ‍ M o n k e y T o u r s Guarantee

"The fun begins where the pavement ends!"

F u n k y ‍ M o n k e y T o u r s is not a mass market group tour operator where you’re given a number and get crammed into the back of a bus.  We specialize with small, intimate groups of like-minded guests, who share  a desire to get away from the maddening crowds and explore the islands on a unique, personal and 1st Class adventure.  We like to get to know all of our guests on a “one-to-one basis”, sharing stories and island insights while providing a unique, safe, and memorable experience.

Book Your A d v e n t u r e With Us!

Please contact us by phone or email so that we can help set up a booking for you

Business Hours

Monday to Sunday Open: 8:30am - 5:30pm

Nevis Location: Main Island Road, Cades Bay, Nevis

St. Kitts Location: The Retreat, Zenway Blvd, Frigate Bay

+1 (869) 665-6045 / 663-5306

[email protected]

© Funky Monkey Tours, All Rights Reserved

• Charlestown
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday homes
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Outstanding! - Funky Monkey Tours

• Caribbean    
• St. Kitts and Nevis    
• Nevis    
• Charlestown    
• Charlestown - Places to Visit    
• Funky Monkey Tours

My husband and I took this tour the first morning on Nevis and were lucky enough to have the... read more

We had a blast!! Our tour guy was the best and the places he took us and the knowledge he told us... read more

Outstanding!

Must do if you're on Nevis. Waz was a great guide - took us all over the island and answered any questions we had. Asked us if there was anything specific we wanted to see, and took us places we would never have gotten to see on our own. Awesome tour!

My mom and I had an incredible tour of the island! Neil was such an amazing driver and took us to all of the best off-road places with fantastic views. We saw many wild animals on our tour--pigs, monkeys, sheep, goats, donkeys, cows etc.-- among the beautiful nature and history. If you are in Nevis you have to 100% do this tour! Thanks Neil :)

Our Funky Monkey tour was amazing and a must-do activity on Nevis. We had less-than-spectacular weather on our 1st day which was perfect for the Tour. Neil was an amazing guide and bartender. We were a group of 8, so we took 2 ATVs (one driven by our group). We went all over the island seeing beautiful and historic sites and learning a great deal of interesting history from Neil. And, the many "Tings with a Sting" we downed just added to the overall experience. It was really the perfect way to see the entire island. Recommend early in your vacation so you get a sense of the island.

This was an incredible morning tour of Nevis, and Waz was the perfect guide! My wife, daughter, and I enjoyed running around the island in the ATV seeing different views of the island, different beaches, and a variety of historical and natural sites. Highly recommend! We also passed by numerous resorts and restaurants, so a great way to begin a trip to Nevis and get oriented.

Outstanding! We loved it so much, we did it twice. The first time we saw the entire island with plenty of beverages. The second time (on a Friday) we did a local food and bar crawl. Neil and his son Wazz are amazing ambassadors for Nevis. Kind, knowledgeable, safe and fun. A ton of fun. If you're in Nevis for a few days or longer and you don't saddle up with them for 3-4 hours you're really missing out. 100% worth it!!

This tour was so much fun! We were staying on St Kitts but wanted to go to Nevis for the day and thought this would be a fun way to explore for our first visit. We did the option where you rode in the ATV and the guide drove, but others in our group drove the ATVs themselves. Justin was a great guide and I felt very safe. There are taxis at the water taxi dock selling island tours but I feel you wouldn't get to see as much with them since so much of the really cool things we did involved off roading. The tour also included 2 stops at hotels to explore and to use restrooms or to purchase a snack. The staff kept you well hydrated with water, beer, and ting with a sting throughout our travels! We were staying at the Hyatt and it was easy to get over to Nevis via water taxi. Also, when I booked this tour Greg was very helpful answering my questions.

Funky Monkey Tours

  •   Latest News   •   Life on Nevis   •   Nevis Travel Guides   •  12 June 2016

Adventure awaits as you explore the forested interior and pristine shores of Nevis

We have teamed up with blogger and travel writer charli moore to provide you with an insider’s guide to our beautiful island’s activities and attractions. here she talks to greg slagon, the owner of funky monkey island tours..

Leaving the American Midwest and arriving on the shores of Nevis over seven years ago, keen pilot and adventurous traveler Greg Slagon has made waves on the island with his enthusiastic approach to business. Setting up Funky Monkey Tours (land and sea excursions across the Federation), alongside the already wildly popular beachfront hangout the Yachtsman Grill , Greg has imported good old-fashioned American hospitality onto Nevis for all to enjoy.

Offering small group adventures in open-air Polaris 4x4s and aboard sea-doo jet skis, the collection of excursions offered showcase Nevis’ best off-road sights and aquatic highlights; from beach and bush, to reefs and ruins. Try the Wacky Whale Tour and explore Nevis’ shores for the day; snorkel, swim, and hang out at the island’s coolest beach bars, or hop aboard a Polaris 4×4 and head off-road and up into the rain-forested slopes of Mount Nevis. Either way, adventure awaits!

Image Source: Charli Moore

Quick fire questions with Greg

Can you tell me more about your signature Funky Monkey Tour? Greg says, “It’s 3.5 hours long packed with on and off-road experiences, beaches, ruins, rain forests, and monkey sightings, plus an insight into the history of the island. We also serve refreshments throughout! What started as a family & friends tour years ago has now become a tourist favorite!”

Tell me something interesting about yourself: “I’m a really creative guy. I design and make a lot of graphic signage for companies all over the island. I’ve made all the signs that hang affront the Yachtsman Grill; have you seen the Thanksgiving Turkey and the Festive Santa Claus?!”

What do you love most about living on Nevis? “We love living on Nevis due to the predictable weather; it’s perfect every day. In addition, the very friendly people and happy tourists make each day a pleasure.”

Location: Nelson Spring Business Complex, Cades Bay, Nevis Distance from the Four Seasons Resort: 3 km North of Four Seasons Resort Nevis, 5 min by car Hours of Operation: Contact Greg to make a booking Owners: Greg and Evelyn Slagon Contact: +1 869 665-6045 or +1 869 665-6245 Website: www.funkymonkeytours.com

Search By Category

• Buying Real Estate on Nevis
• Latest News
• Life on Nevis
• Nevis History
• Nevis Travel Guides
• On-site News
• Restaurants

News Archive

• January 2024
• February 2023
• December 2022
• December 2021
• October 2020
• November 2019
• October 2018
• February 2017
• January 2017
• November 2016
• August 2016
• January 2016
• December 2015
• November 2015
• October 2015
• September 2015
• August 2015
• February 2015
• January 2015
• Real Estate Sales
• Resort Plan
• Four Seasons Resort
• Property Search

" * " indicates required fields

Section Break

Exploring Nevis with Funky Monkey Tours

• February 10, 2017
• Adventure Travel , Art & Culture , Beach Breaks , Nevis
• Comments Off on Exploring Nevis with Funky Monkey Tours

Scott and I are on-the-go travelers. We know it, and the people we travel with are always quick to identify it. When we’re in a new destination, our focus is often on understanding the history, culture and landscape; R&R usually takes a back seat. In Nevis, a tiny island about the size of Anguilla with a population to match, we opted to hit the road with Funky Monkey Tours to explore the island’s highlights that sit off the beaten path.

Nevis is easy to explore independently. We had a car for our entire stay, and minus the British driving component (drive on the left, wheel on the right), it’s a cinch for most visitors. The island has one primary ring road that circles its way around Mount Nevis, making it easy to find key sites dotted along the way (the owner of Funky Monkey Tours told us to think of Nevis as a clock, an analogy that works well for identifying positions on the island). Nevis has an incredibly rich history though and many fascinating ruins sit off the main thoroughfare. Without a tour guide or knowledge of the landscape, newbies to the island could easily miss secret swathes of sand, plantation ruins, and jaw-dropping views. With an afternoon dedicated to exploring with Neil from Funky Monkey, we hit the road in our Polaris to discover more of Nevis off the beaten path. What we uncovered gave us a newfound love for this tiny gem of an island.

Cottle Church

Nevisian history is altogether different from Anguillian history, which made this getaway particularly fascinating for us. It only takes a quick drive around the island and a glance at the island’s top hotels to realize that sugar plantations once dominated the island’s industry and landscape. Slavery is inextricably linked to the history of the island; during its peak, Nevis was the hub for the region’s slave trade. The Cottle Church, built by Thomas Cottle in 1824, was our first stop. We headed down a dirt road into brush before coming upon gated ruins for what was arguably the most moving stop of the day.

The church was built as a place where Cottle’s family and slaves could worship together under one roof. On the wall within the church, there’s a plaque that recognizes the slaves that were involved in the building’s construction, with children as young as four years old contributing to the church’s foundation. Nearly 200 years later, the ruins are a favorite site for weddings for an extra special ceremony locale. On a side note, a visit to the Museum of Nevis History in Charlestown is a must during your trip for a better understanding of Nevis’ path. It gives great insight into the role of plantations, the history of slavery on the island, and the Abolitionist movement.

Beach Vibes in Nevis

One thing we weren’t banking on in Nevis was great beaches. We’d seen some pale brown sandy beaches reminiscent of California during our first day on the island, and figured the majority of the beaches would be dark volcanic sand. With the lush landscape, rich history and heritage, and great dining, we couldn’t hold the whole beach thing against them. Plus, coming from an island known for its white sand beaches, we were in search of contrast anyway.

Then Neil surprised us by leading us to Herbert’s Beach, a seemingly secret stretch of sand offset by brilliant turquoise water, vibrant palms, and the gorgeous contrast of neighboring islands in the distance. We stepped out of our Polaris and took in the views with a Rum & Ting in hand. We were the only people there at the time, a perfect pit stop for a dose of natural beauty amidst a day of manmade ruins and historical sites. One of the beauties of the tour was our downtime at each stop. We had enough time to enjoy the sights and chat with fellow travelers at each stop. Our guide’s vehicle was loaded with ice chests of water, rum, ting and beer to cool down at each stop around the island. Like Anguilla, the drinking and driving rule is largely based on the notion of knowing your own limits and using common sense.

Coconut Walk + New River

In Nevis, you can move from beach to ruins pretty quickly, and this is absolutely true at Coconut Walk Estates where you’ll glimpse the rugged seaside with views of Montserrat adjacent to a stone Lime Kiln where mortar was made for construction purposes. Nearby at New River Estates, the remnants of the last functioning commercial sugar mill are still remarkably intact, with a chimney that reaches for the sky. Unlike many of the ruins we saw previously, the machinery (a steam engine used to crush sugar cane) was still mostly in place, which made it a bit easier to visualize the actual production process.  A glimpse through the window offered up pretty views of the sea and neighboring islands in the distance. Again, the museum in Nevis provides a great primer on the role of sugar in Nevis and helps understand why its remains are ever-present on the island. Nevis was amongst many Caribbean islands that produced sugar, but it produced higher quality sugar than its neighbors. In the late 17th century, Nevis outranked much larger islands with sugar production and was the richest of the British Leeward Islands. Tourism has since taken over as the primary industry, but sugar cane production was the lifeblood of the island in the past.

Hamilton Estate

Alexander Hamilton has taken center stage with his namesake musical dominating headlines, and Nevis is the perfect place for a history lesson on his home turf. There’s an entire museum on the island that delves into his life and touches on his background as an immigrant born in Nevis, later moving to St. Croix and then finally New York City where he became one of the most influential figures in American history. We’d spent close to three hours visiting ruins at this point in our tour and I was still mesmerized with each dilapidated building that we came across.

The Hamilton Estate, owned by the Hamilton family, is one of the few intact sugar factories still remaining today in the Caribbean, and represented one of the largest and most successful estates up until its closure in the early 1950s. When we first spotted it at a distance, we were wowed. The estate is expansive and the remains give a little glimpse into the past. We’ve visited a number of nearby Caribbean islands over the years, but the history and ruins that we saw in Nevis are like nothing I’ve seen anywhere else in the region thus far. The relics hidden in the greenery felt more like a page out of Ireland than they did out of the Caribbean. Generally speaking, the idea of a Caribbean getaway conjures images of powdery beaches, crystalline water, rum cocktails and beach chair under a perfectly placed palapa. We’ve been to other islands that have challenged that – tiny Saba and lush Dominica with their hiking and adventure opportunities, for example – but our tour of Nevis brought to light a very different side of the Caribbean.

For first timers to the island, hopping on a tour with Funky Monkey Tours ($135 per person) early on in your trip will provide you with better context for the rest of your time exploring the island. Or, if you’re travelers that absolutely prefer relaxation to history and exploration, it may be an even better opportunity: a perfect primer in three short hours so you can return home well rested and  armed with a better knowledge of the island. We found three hours to be the perfect amount of time to keep us constantly going and learning without a chance to be bored. Plus with free-flowing rum & ting during our strolls in the Caribbean sun, what could be better?

For those that prefer to not do a group tour, look at renting a 4×4 in Nevis for the ultimate off-road adventure! For adventure travelers and tourists on-the-go, there’s absolutely no better way to explore the island.

Have you been to Nevis before? What were your highlights?

A big thank you to  Funky Monkey Tours  for allowing us to experience Nevis with your team! As always, all thoughts and photos are my own and are genuine. 

More about Shannon Kircher

Shannon Kircher is the founder and editor of The Wanderlust Effect. Founded in 2009, she has continued to document her international escapes as an expat in Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, Shannon is the founder of Compass & Vine, a luxury boutique travel design firm, and is the Director of Marketing for the Frangipani Beach Resort. Shannon holds an MSc in Social Policy and Development from the London School of Economics and is a current candidate for WSET Level 3 in Wines & Spirits.

Related Posts

One Month in Southeast Asia: Itinerary + Planning Insights

August 22, 2019

Aboard The Blue Train in South Africa

October 21, 2016

HOTEL INSIDER: The Birkenhead House, South Africa

October 15, 2017

Seeing Nevis with Funky Monkey Tours

The West Indies island of Nevis has rich history and plenty of great sites to see on its thirty-six square miles but I don’t recommend doing it alone. The roads are tiny and poorly marked. The best way to see the historical sites is with a tour guide. Here’s an in-depth look at my afternoon with Funky Monkey Tours .

The adorable Waz was my tour guide for the half-day excursion in a 4×4 Crew Ranger. When he told me to buckle up, I laughed. He was not kidding! Flying through the island in the 4×4 reminded me a lot of the Indiana Jones ride at Disneyland. If you’ve ever ridden it, you’ll know what I mean. I was enchanted by how many wild donkeys, goats, and monkeys we saw during the tour, even on our way to the very first site! Waz was extremely knowledgeable about each and every site, explaining the historical significance of each place as we went along.

Hamilton Estate

This was the top historical site I wanted to see on Nevis. Alexander Hamilton was born on Nevis before moving to St. Croix (I’m going there next!) and of course ending up in America. The Hamilton family continued operating the Nevis sugar mill until the sugar business crashed in the 1950s. It’s now in ruins but considering Hamilton was born in 1755, the Hamilton sugar business had a good run! Monkeys hopped around the ruins, which still boast fantastic sea views.

St. Thomas Anglican Church

This is the oldest continuously operating church in the Caribbean. Built in the 1600s, the tombstones alone are worth the visit. If walls could talk, St. Thomas Anglican Church would have a lot to say. I bet a service here would be incredible!

Lovers Beach

This secluded beach has a great view of nearby St. Kitts. The water looked lovely but it’s on the north side of the island where the waves are rougher. I would much rather swim at Montpelier Plantation ‘s private beach club on the south side of the island.

Cottle Church

Cottle Church was the first non-segregrated church in the Caribbean. The master was said to be noble and kind. Now you can actually get married here, right under the arches! The goat nicely modeled a wedding portrait for us.</div.

Nisbet Plantation

Having driven around most of the island, it was nice to take a break and enjoy a beach at Nisbet Plantation! We drank rum punch (perfectly spiked by bartender Akeem) at Coconuts Bar on the beach as we swapped stories about island life versus American life while waves crashed into the shore. I was in a damn good mood by the time I left.

New River Plantation

The last stop on the tour was rather epic sugar mill ruins that had so much industrial equipment intact. Built in the 18th century when the island’s sugar industry was booming, the New River Plantation still has the sugar cellar where barrels used to go. I really haven’t seen ruins this cool since Greece.

I definitely recommend booking a Funky Monkey Tour for your first full day on the island, as it really helps you get the lay of the land. I saw all of the famous sights without having to find them and I got to have rum along the way. You can’t beat that!

Watch my Funky Monkey Tours video:

Don’t forget to follow/like The Rose Table on  Facebook ,  Twitter , and  Instagram ! Sign up for The Rose Table’s emails  here .

Disclaimer:  This article is intended to be a general resource. Any recommendations are based on personal opinion. A portion of this trip may have been compensated but opinions are my own, always. I’m not a fan of negativity so if I don’t like something, I don’t write about it.

Share this:

2 responses to “seeing nevis with funky monkey tours”.

[…] Book your stay at Montpelier Plantation and Beach here. Don’t forget to mention that you heard about them right here on The Rose Table! Want more Nevis? Read about seeing historical sites around the island with Funky Monkey Tours here. […]

[…] to relax or go on an adventure. I highly suggest a massage at Montpelier’s garden spa, exploring the island with Funky Monkey tours, and a visit to the Botanical Gardens of […]

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Discover more from the rose table.

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Type your email…

Continue reading

Funky Monkey Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Funky Monkey Tours - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

MONKEY is a private night club located in the Tverskoy district of Moscow, in the famous "Depo" area.

Getting into, you find yourself in a real jungle - lots of greenery, trees and animal statues. Among these soft comfortable zones are spaced: both in the midst of the action in front of the DJ and more private and secluded. The heart of the hall is a DJ booth made of natural onyx, specially created for your most precious shoes.

Friday - Saturday from 22:00 to 06:00

Virtual Tour

Experience University of Idaho with a virtual tour. Explore now

• Discover a Career
• Find a Major
• Experience U of I Life

More Resources

• Admitted Students
• International Students

Take Action

• Find Financial Aid
• View Deadlines
• Find Your Rep

Helping to ensure U of I is a safe and engaging place for students to learn and be successful. Read about Title IX.

Get Involved

• Clubs & Volunteer Opportunities
• Recreation and Wellbeing
• Student Government
• Student Sustainability Cooperative
• Academic Assistance
• Safety & Security
• Career Services
• Health & Wellness Services
• Register for Classes
• Dates & Deadlines
• Financial Aid
• Sustainable Solutions
• U of I Library

• Upcoming Events

Review the events calendar.

Stay Connected

• Vandal Family Newsletter
• Here We Have Idaho Magazine
• Living on Campus
• Campus Safety
• About Moscow

The largest Vandal Family reunion of the year. Check dates.

Benefits and Services

• Vandal Voyagers Program
• Vandal License Plate
• Submit Class Notes
• Make a Gift
• View Events
• Alumni Chapters
• University Magazine
• Alumni Newsletter

U of I's web-based retention and advising tool provides an efficient way to guide and support students on their road to graduation. Login to VandalStar.

Common Tools

• Administrative Procedures Manual (APM)
• Class Schedule
• OIT Tech Support
• Academic Dates & Deadlines
• U of I Retirees Association
• Faculty Senate
• Staff Council

About U of I

Campus locations.

Physical Address: Bruce M. Pitman Center 875 Perimeter Drive MS 4264 Moscow, ID 83844-4264 [email protected] uidaho.edu

Phone: 208-885-6111

Fax: 208-885-9119

U of I Locations: Moscow (Main Campus)

From the moment you step on campus, you’ll understand why the University of Idaho has been named the most beautiful college in the state . Iconic buildings are connected by tree-filled green spaces, walkable paths and welcoming plazas. Don’t be surprised if you’re greeted with a friendly smile and wave from a peer or professor, especially on the historic Hello Walk.

Our community extends way beyond campus. Moscow is a tight-knit town of about 25,000 people, full of vibrant activities, businesses and events that love to welcome college students. You’ll find incredible opportunities for recreation and exploration in the surrounding area, too.

Want to see it all for yourself? Plan your campus visit today .

Life on Campus

Whether you live in the residence halls , a fraternity or sorority or off-campus, you’ll be minutes away from your classes and places to study and play.

There’s always something to do: grab a snack in the Idaho Student Union Building , check out a book from the U of I Library 's more than 2 million holdings, take in the beauty of nature in the Arboretum and Botanical Garden , watch a play in the Hartung Theater  or a game in the ICCU Arena , take a fitness class in the Student Recreation Center , catch a Vandal Entertainment -sponsored concert and so much more.

A True College Town

Venture only a few minutes off campus and you’ll be in downtown Moscow. It’s no wonder Seattle Magazine called it “a college town with a soul that shines through year-round” — the calendar is packed with festivals, cultural events and community gatherings like our award-winning farmers’ market on Main Street.

No matter what you like to do, you’ll find an activity to fall in love with . Experience a local art museum or theater production, dance to a live band at a street fair or a local coffee shop, dress in period garb for the Moscow Renaissance Fair or enter a local 5K run or bike race. Volunteer opportunities abound with local nonprofits that support the arts, sustainability, youth and children, the LGBTQ community, health care and more.

And did we mention food? You’ll find a huge co-op with natural and organic options, cozy pubs and coffee shops with Pacific Northwest vibes, locally owned restaurants with cuisines from around the world, and funky hole-in-the-wall spots for affordable college-town snacks.

A Hub For Outdoor Adventure

Moscow sits at the heart of the Palouse, a one-of-a-kind landscape of rolling hills and scenic vistas. We’re surrounded by mountains, lakes and rivers full of opportunities for adventure , whether you love hiking, biking, camping, fishing or just taking in a gorgeous sunset. You’ll experience all four seasons in North Idaho, too — so bring your sunscreen for a late-summer rafting trip and your parka for skiing, snowboarding or ice skating in the winter.

Gain outdoor skills and connect with other adventurous students through the U of I Outdoor Program . Want to take your own excursion? Rent equipment through the Outdoor Rental Center .

Moscow Bike Tours

• See all photos

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Moscow Bike Tours - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Funky Monkey Tours

• See all photos

Similar Experiences

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

FUNKY MONKEY TOURS (Charlestown) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang on ‘SNL’ Milestones, Controversial Hosts and Making Comedy in the ‘Most Scrutinized Time’ Ever

Photographs by Dan Doperalski

Kenan Thompson and Bowen Yang have had very different “ Saturday Night Live ” trajectories. And yet, they both have made history. Thompson, who joined the show in 2003, is the longest-tenured cast member in the show’s history. When Yang joined, first as a writer in 2018 then moving to the cast the following year, he became the first Chinese American “SNL” player.

Despite joining the show 15 years apart, they adapted in a similar way: by listening.

Related Stories

Summer movie season testing 3d cinema’s recoverability, hungary production boom builds on 'special film dna' in magyar industry: 'there is a huge tradition' of cinema in the central european country, popular on variety.

Right now, everyone’s focused on “SNL’s” upcoming 50th season. But Yang and Thompson agree 49 is just as important — “if not more,” says Thompson. The season started off strong, with former cast member Pete Davidson returning to host.

Thompson can’t help but gush over how “proud” he is of Davidson, especially since his personal life is always in the media. “It’s not easy to be in all that scrutiny all the time. I feel like this is the most scrutinized time on the planet,” he says. “Everybody’s watching everything and commenting about everything.”

Of course, this is especially true in the world of comedy. With cancel culture at an all-time high, “you can’t just be a dumbass grabbing the mic,” says Thompson. “You actually need to read, and you need to be aware. You can’t just be stuck on stupid.”

This season of “SNL” included a few of those conversations. First, in Episode 10. At the end of the episode, Dave Chappelle, who has made headlines for transphobic and anti-LGBTQ+ jokes, jumped up on stage during the goodnights. Eagle-eyed viewers saw that Yang, who is gay, was standing on the opposite end of the stage with his arms crossed.

That night, Yang popped up in headlines for “distancing” himself from Chappelle, with one story claiming he “appeared unimpressed.”

For the first time, Yang clears the air. “I stand where I always stand on good nights. It was not a physical distance that anyone was creating,” he says. “It had to do with so many things that were completely internal.”

If anything, the headlines were a reminder that everyone was watching every moment.

I press a little harder, asking whether or not he was unhappy with Chappelle’s appearance.

“It was about other people’s response in the show. I was just confused, that was it,” he says. Thompson chimes in, too, noting that the fact that people made it a story is a bit “jarring,” but that everyone was confused because Chappelle wasn’t part of that episode, which was hosted by Dakota Johnson.

The next two weeks, choices made at “SNL” also raised eyebrows; in Episode 11, Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley appeared . Then Episode 12 featured host Shane Gillis , the comedian who was cast in 2019 but fired for making racist, homophobic, Islamophobic and misogynistic jokes on his podcast.

“Controversy,” Thompson laughs when I bring up the three episodes. Yang adds, “I’m going to give Lorne Michaels some credit to that meta-narrative. There’s a story around the show now, and it’s his show. He gets to do whatever he wants.”

So, how did they feel about Gillis being brought back? Yang is used to their names being mentioned together, since they joined the same year. (Gillis never actually appeared, as he was fired before the premiere.)

“Anytime our names are in the same sentence, at least in a journalistic way, it always feels deleterious. It feels like one person is trying to undo the other. I was just really curious about what that show would be like and if it would be an opportunity to really move past it,” Yang says. “I think he and I have done enough things in our careers now to really not [have] that be the definitive beginning or the thing that casts a pall over everything else that we do going forward.”

Thompson can relate to the feeling. His past roles come up often, especially as of late with the new allegations of abuse against “All That” producer and “Good Burger” writer Dan Schneider in the docuseries “Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV.”

“Those guys know the cadence of those characters just as well, without having tarnished careers,” says Thompson. “It’s about us, as opposed to who had the first idea years ago. It’s just sad that that has to be our conversation… The separation of the artist and the man conversation didn’t come into my life at all until recently. There was no need to do that. A guy was a pig, and we knew he was a pig, but it wasn’t like the deviousness since, like, [Bill] Cosby and [Harvey] Weinstein. All that shit is just way out of bounds. If people were like that, it’s coming to the light, and that’s great.”

He continues, “That whole thing has just been such a burden for recent times — the conversation of, ‘Do we still listen to Michael [Jackson]?’ ‘Do we still listen to R. Kelly?’ What do we do with ‘The Cosby Show’? I think we’re all still figuring it out and navigating. Because the trauma is real, the victims are very real. I don’t want to gloss over that. We also don’t want to just throw really solid, creative things in the trash either.”

Thompson previously said that he has positive memories of his time at Nickelodeon — something that’s difficult to feel now.

“I feel so guilty saying that. All those things started happening after our tenure, because, I guess, no one would even dare. It wasn’t that kind of environment. There was no dictatorship about it all,” he says. “We were all building something and, when you’re building something, I don’t think anybody’s cocky enough to be pulling things behind the curtain.”

Controversies or not, Season 49 of “SNL” has been a hit. The episode hosted by Ryan Gosling earned the best seven-day viewership numbers since 2021 and became the most-watched episode to date on Peacock.

Yang and Thompson are partially to thank for those numbers, but they’d never say that. For them, it’s all about the writers, who have been able to keep stories so relevant. “The show’s doing an incredible job, in my opinion, just allowing for the times to dictate what is appropriate, what’s funny and what’s not,” says Thompson. “It feels like the New York dinner table.”

The fact that Thompson is the longest-running cast member and a Black man is not lost on him. It feels great, he says, “until I get into a group of Black people and they’re like, ‘We don’t watch ‘SNL.’ I’m like, ‘You know I’m representing for you all!’”

Yang gets the same reaction: “This is what I run into too, with queer people and with Asian people. ‘Oh, we don’t watch.’”

While the comedians don’t feel pressured to represent their communities, Thompson notes that one sketch raised eyebrows — and questions were then directed at him. In 2023, he portrayed “ Funky Kong ,” a Mario-inspired character that, he says, everyone at “SNL” found hilarious.

While Yang says he’s not necessarily the right person to comment on it, “SNL” is the right place: “I feel like if Kenan is talking about advancing something out of one very rigid stereotype, or one rigid portrayal, then isn’t ‘SNL’ the perfect place to be the front line for that? Doesn’t that character kind of transcend a lot of those things if it works through it, around it and doesn’t actually dwell on anything ethnic? A sketch show should be the perfect arena for that.”

Bowen/Thompson’s Styling: Michael Fisher

More from variety, warner bros. tv boss channing dungey would consider rebooting ‘the west wing’ one day — but not ‘friends’, with queen catalog deal, sony would rule cooled music publishing market, matthew perry’s death from acute ketamine effects investigated by dea, lapd, ‘blue angels’ tests imax’s new ‘documentary blockbuster’ plan, more from our brands, watch jon stewart slam target, skittles, oreos for corporate exploitation of pride month, meghan trainor’s spare l.a. home hits the market for $12 million, messi’s mls jersey sales soar as his business empire expands, the best loofahs and body scrubbers, according to dermatologists, david e. kelley: presumed innocent series has ‘twists and turns,’ yes — but maybe not the ones you expect, verify it's you, please log in.