Entry No. 10 — the Boise file — filed under: oddities
State Street Antiques
What looks like a tidy 25-vendor antique mall hides a surprising streak of the macabre: an entire set of rattlesnake vertebrae, rabbit skulls, skunk pelts, and two crocodile heads dressed up in little hats. There's a rack of flint knives with taxidermy handles, including one capped with a rattlesnake skull, plus a pufferfish wearing googly eyes and a tiny wicker hat. Tumble-polished stones and gemstone pendants fill out the natural-curiosities corner.
The story
You pull up to 4718 West State Street expecting a polite, predictable vintage mall. From the sidewalk, it gives every impression of an orderly antique stop filled with quiet booths and standard domestic hand-me-downs. But step past the front counter and you'll find that this 25-vendor collective quietly harbors a delightfully macabre streak.
Tucked among the conventional mid-century housewares and collectibles is a dedicated natural-curiosities corner. Here, traditional antique-mall nostalgia gives way to full sets of rattlesnake vertebrae, bleached rabbit skulls, skunk pelts, and two mounted crocodile heads dressed up in tiny hats.
Look closer at the display cases and the details get even weirder: a rack of hand-built flint knives fitted with taxidermy handles—including one capped with an intact rattlesnake skull—and a dried pufferfish wearing googly eyes and a miniature wicker hat. Tumble-polished stones and raw gemstone pendants fill out the rest of the alcove, making it one of the oddest corners of West State Street.
What it's like
Navigating the aisles feels like a classic antique hunt until you hit the oddities section. The vibe is low-key, the floor staff are notably friendly, and you can easily spend an hour bouncing between conventional vintage decor and taxidermy novelties. Prices stay grounded, but because vendor stock and opening times can vary, double-check their current schedule before driving out.
The move: Hunt the aisles together for the single strangest object in the store and buy whichever of you finds it first a coffee afterward.
- 📍 Boise
- 💸 $$
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Indoors
Where: 4718 W State St, Boise, ID 83703
Hours: Added 2026-06-24 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- SLVR 72 Permanent Jewelry & Silversmithing — Drive less than a mile down the road to Collister to pivot from inspecting taxidermy snake handles to fabricating your own sterling silver ring or bolo from scratch.
- Crone's Cupboard — Extend your search for unusual artifacts by heading south to Boise's oldest New Age shop for herbs, stones, and spiritual supplies.
- Treasure Valley Skate — Balance a slow crawl through vendor stalls with retro roller skating inside a converted bowling alley building right on State Street.
- Giant Garden Gnome at North End Organic Nursery — Head 1.7 miles into Garden City to inspect an oversized garden gnome standing among the nursery plant rows.
Good to know
What kind of natural curiosities and oddities are for sale here?
Inventory in the curiosities corner includes rattlesnake vertebrae, rabbit skulls, skunk pelts, crocodile heads wearing hats, a googly-eyed pufferfish, flint knives with taxidermy bone handles, and polished gemstone pendants.
Is State Street Antiques a single shop or a multi-vendor mall?
It operates as a multi-vendor antique marketplace housing approximately 25 individual vendor stalls under one roof.
Where is it located in Boise?
You'll find the store at 4718 W State St in Boise, Idaho, along the main West State Street commercial strip.
Do I need to check hours before visiting?
Yes, hours can occasionally shift, so it is best to confirm their current operating schedule before planning your visit.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: boisedev.com · boisehighlights.com · Yelp · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-24