7 Most Eccentric Towns In Idaho
As one of only a handful of states set within the USA’s Rocky Mountains region, Idaho is a favorite destination for travelers in search of spectacular scenery. In fact, nearly 70 percent of Idaho’s landscape is characterized by tall mountains broken up here and there by scenic valleys, with the remainder in the south consisting mainly of rolling countryside and farmland. And all of it is pretty.
Whether you head for the rugged wilderness of northern Idaho or the gentler topography in the south (or perhaps even a little of both), you’ll find some of the Gem State’s quirkiest small towns just waiting to be explored. These communities not only offer up some of the most unique travel experiences in the Pacific Northwest, but they do so with a distinctive local flair that can’t be found in larger urban areas like Boise, Meridian, or Idaho Falls. Find out more with these recommendations of the seven most eccentric towns in Idaho.
Wallace
When pulling together your Idaho travel itinerary, be sure to include the mountain town of Wallace on your list. The entirety of Wallace’s downtown is so historically significant that it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places with more than 450 buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of the best are the 1907 Wallace District Mining Museum which recounts the town’s legacy as a silver-mining hub, and the quirky Oasis Bordello Museum, set in a building from 1895 and left exactly as it was when it closed in 1988.
Another must-see sign of the town’s eccentricity is its infamous Center of the Universe manhole, dedicated by the then Mayor in 2004 with the claim that Wallace is indeed the center of the universe. Although a few minutes drive west of town, the Coeur d' Alene's Old Mission State Park is home to Idaho’s oldest building, a mission constructed between 1850 and 1853 by Catholic missionaries and members of the local Coeur d' Alene Tribe. A good time for fans of the eccentric to visit is during the Gyro Days Lead Creek Derby in June, where locals launch a massive ball down a creek in an unusual racing event.
Idaho City
Founded in 1862, Idaho City was once a thriving mining town and remains a fascinating slice of the Old West. The town’s Sarsaparilla Ice Cream Parlor and The Springs, a natural hot springs resort, are popular stops that blend rustic charm with a fun dose of indulgence. Another local landmark, Idaho City Hotel, was established in 1929 and invites you to experience old-time Western hospitality (it’s also a regular stop on Idaho City ghost tours). Another must-visit is the Boise Basin Museum, housed in a building dating from 1867 and crammed full of artifacts from the Gold Rush era, including rifles and pistols.
Also, on the eccentric side is taking a walk around the Idaho City Pioneer Cemetery. Established in 1863, some of the oldest headstones belong to the first settlers drawn here in the 1860s. The town has also restored many original structures worth visiting, including the Idaho City Historic Lodge, built by Freemasons in 1865.
Lava Hot Springs
Wondering what’s so quirky about Lava Hot Springs? Although only incorporated in 1915, this small community’s geothermal springs were relatively well-known at least a century earlier when locals and visitors would make use of the area’s natural mineral pools for their curative effects. Ranging in temperature from 102 to 112 degrees Fahrenheit, the “World Famous Hot Pools” remain a popular tourist destination year-round, with the annual Fire & Ice Winter Fest in February being especially fun with quirky events like polar plunges and a bar-stool ski race.
Lava Hot Springs also boasts an Olympic-sized swimming pool that’s open to the public and features a 10-meter diving platform for serious swimmers. For adventure seekers, the Portneuf River offers a unique tubing experience, with tubes and floats available for rent. Historic buildings like the Sunken Gardens, a botanical paradise developed in the 1930s, also add to the town’s mystique.
Driggs
Located close to the Wyoming border, Driggs is known for its thriving arts scene and unusual festivals like the Teton Valley Balloon Rally. A July 4th tradition since 1981, this colorful event sees the skies around Driggs filled with hot-air balloons, a spectacle that’s fun to watch and photograph. Driggs is also home to the iconic Spud Drive-In Theatre, a quirky local landmark established in 1953 that’s famous for its giant potato sculpture and classic movie screenings.
Be sure to spend time in Downtown Driggs, home to the Driggs City Center Building. A recent addition to the town, it’s here you’ll find City Hall and the Teton Arts Gallery, a hub for local artists and creative exhibits, as well as being a gathering place for live performances and other community events. Enjoy the great outdoors? Driggs provides access to Grand Targhee Resort where ski hills and hiking trails span hundreds of acres in the Teton Mountains.
Montpelier
Montpelier, situated in Bear Lake County in the southeast corner of the state close to the borders with Wyoming and Utah, is home to a number of attractions that focus on the town’s fascinating Old West past. The primary draw here is the Oregon Trail Center, where reenactments and exhibits provide a hands-on look at pioneer life in the 1800s. The Butch Cassidy Museum, located in the actual bank Cassidy robbed in 1896, is another must-see and features artifacts and exhibits related to his life of crime.
Also built at around the time of Cassidy’s crime spree is the Bear Lake County Courthouse, constructed in 1884 and an impressive example of Victorian-era architecture. A good time to visit? Spring and summer are awesome times to arrive as nearby Bear Lake State Park, covering 1,400 acres, offers boating, fishing, and hiking in a pristine natural setting.
Hailey
Hailey, set in the Wood River Valley two hours east of Boise, is home to one of the most unusual annual events in Idaho: the Trailing of the Sheep. This fun October festival celebrates the region’s 150-plus years of sheepherding with a parade of 1,500 sheep down Main Street as these woolly creatures are moved from their summer pastures to their winter pastures. The fun continues in Roberta McKercher Park with food trucks, arts and crafts vendors, and plenty of eccentric sheep-related souvenirs.
Established in 1881, the Liberty Theater is a historic landmark dedicated to independent films and live performances. Hailey is also home to the Blaine County Historical Museum with its exhibits on Native American and early pioneer life. Other fun things to do in Hailey include visiting Quigley Canyon, a 1,500-acre open space popular for its stunning scenery, its hiking and biking trails, and, when the snow flies, its first-rate skiing and cross-country skiing.
St. Anthony
Located near Snake River in eastern Idaho, St. Anthony combines outdoor adventure with a distinctly quirky charm. A major draw here is the St. Anthony Sand Dunes, spanning over 10,000 acres with dunes reaching up to 400 feet in height in places. These natural landmarks attract thrill-seekers who come for off-road adventures and sandboarding, as well as naturists here to study them.
In-town highlights include the St. Anthony Railroad Bridge, built in 1910 and a scenic viewing point over the river, and the historic Fremont County Courthouse, built in 1909 in the classical revival style. St. Anthony is also home to a fun Pioneer Days celebration held in late July, a local event celebrating the town’s early roots with a rodeo, a parade, and a pageant. Nearby Yellowstone Bear World, located just outside St. Anthony, adds to the town’s eclectic allure, offering a drive-through wildlife experience where visitors can observe grizzly and black bears, elk, and bison up close.
The Final Word
Exploring Idaho’s eccentric towns certainly offers a unique journey through the history of America’s 43rd state. Full of fascinating history, unique traditions, and quirky local culture, each of these destinations paints a vivid picture of Idaho’s unshakable community spirit. Towns like Wallace and Hailey have built identities around festivals and oddities that honor their past, while places like Driggs and Montpelier reflect the pride these towns hold for their unique attributes. So if you’re seeking an experience that’s unconventional and memorable, these seven most eccentric communities in Idaho present an authentic and downright quirky opportunity to explore the Gem State.
