8 Old-World Towns to Visit in Idaho
There is a lot more to Idaho than just potatoes! With rocky mountains, clear lakes, and rolling meadows, it is a treasure trove of discovery. Peppered throughout the countryside are hamlets that feel like stepping back in time. Once a destination along the Oregon trail, it’s dotted with old-world towns that have a laid-back vibe and slower pace of life. Explore a real-life ghost town in Warren or traverse through mining shafts in Wallace. No matter where you decide to visit, the air is a little bit cleaner in these old-world towns.
Wallace
As they say in Wallace, every day is a historic adventure! A weekend in Wallace feels like traveling back to the days of the Old West. In its heyday, Wallace was a thriving mining town, and many of its original buildings are still standing today. In fact, the entire historic district of Wallace is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Before you start to explore the wonder of the surrounding Silver Valley and Bitterroot Mountains, learn more about Wallace’s past at the Wallace District Mining Museum. There, you’ll find relics of Wallace’s mining history, as well as a replica of a mining shaft.
One of the most popular attractions for visitors is the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, which takes you through a real silver mine on a classic trolley. While the old mining relics are a treat, the views of the mountains are just as spectacular. And if you love old buildings, the Coeur d'Alene Old Mission State Park is home to one of the oldest (and prettiest) buildings in the entire state. The Pulaski Tunnel Trail is another top spot for those interested in history, which ends at the Nicholson mine adit, which earned a reputation around Wallace as the heroic spot where firefighter "Big Ed" Pulaski saved all his men from a fire. From beautiful views to a rich mining history, Wallace seamlessly blends history with adventure.
Sandpoint
Think Idaho is nothing but potato fields? Think again! Once the home of the Kalispel Tribe of Native Americans, Sandpoint is an old village with a rich history as deep as the waters of the Lake Pend Oreille. Established first as a fur trading community and then a railroad settlement, today it’s an amazing spot to relax, unwind, and potentially hit up the slopes in the winter. Yes, there is amazing skiing in Idaho!
Most notably, Schweitzer Village is a nationally recognized ski resort. With over 2,900 acres of hilly terrain, it’s a fantastic winter retreat. The trails also convert to hiking trails with alpine views in the summer, so it’s a great place to visit all year! When not hitting the slopes, the historic downtown Sandpoint shopping district offers eclectic shops, restaurants, and galleries to take in an afternoon in a lovely rustic setting with tree-lined streets and uncrowded sidewalks. The Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, nestled along the scenic banks of the Sand Creek River, is a popular destination among residents and tourists. You can find one-of-a-kind treasures to take back home after your trip! With beautiful water and mountain views, the old-timey town of Sandpoint is Idaho at its finest!
Idaho City
As a former gold rush community, Idaho City is flush with historical sites, cozy city streets, and plenty of outdoor adventure. Only in Idaho City can you spend the day panning for gold like the early settlers and then finish the day off with a scoop of ice cream at the Sarsaparilla Ice Cream Parlor or hike the challenging Charcoal Gulch in the Boise National Forest. If you really want to know what life was like for the early settlers of Idaho City, the Boise Basin Museum makes that dream a reality. The museum displays old-timey relics of time passed and surrounding brick buildings dating back to the 19th century.
What makes Idaho City so special is it really packs in those Old West vibes in such a small package. One of the most interesting spots is the Idaho Territorial Penitentiary, which was in operation during the Wild West era of Idaho for over 100 years. Today, the old prison offers guided (or self-guided) tours or spooky season events like Squawky and Spirits. Other notable historical sites in town include the pest house, county jail, and the firehouse. So much love and care went into restoring Idaho City’s Wild West roots, making it a very memorable trip.
Bonners Ferry
If you’re convinced that Idaho is nothing but farmland, then you’ve never been to Bonners Ferry! Situated in Northern Idaho, it’s a breathtakingly beautiful town of mountain ranges and water views and some of the friendliest locals in the state. In its early days, Bonners Ferry was a humble fur trading hub until the gold rush boom of the late 1800s. Established by Edwin Bonner (hence the city’s name), the area saw a flush of prospectors looking to strike it rich. Today, it’s a thriving community home to breathtaking views and a rich history.
Nestled along the calming banks of the Kootenay River, the downtown district is a hub of 19th-century history and modern amenities. In the heart of Bonners Ferry is the stunning Boundary County Museum, which details the life of the early settlers of the area. Bonners Ferry earned a reputation as a thriving community, partially thanks to the lush scenery. The Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge is a popular spot among the locals and provides sensational vistas of the iconic Selkirk Mountains of northern Idaho. If you love history and beautiful views, you’ll fall in love with Bonners Ferry.
Warren
Are you ready to check out a real-life ghost town? Warren isn’t exactly a well-known tourist attraction but an off-the-beaten-path village locked away in time. Those 19th-century buildings in Warren weren’t converted to modern bookstores or coffee shops. They stand dusty and forgotten along the rarely-traveled dirt roads. Once a thriving gold mining town, many of the residents moved to more populated areas, leaving Warren almost forgotten. Bad news for business, good news for history buffs and explorers!
The Warren Historic Walking Tour takes you through the remains of old Warren to places like the Green House, the Warren School House, and the Business District. After exploring the ruins, visitors can grab a bite to eat at the rustic Baum Shelter in the heart of Warren. Nestled in the Payette National Forest, the drive to Warren is well worth the trip for the stunning views. If you are a big history buff who wants to explore a real-life ghost town, Warren makes for a wonderful day trip!
Ketchum
In the heart of the Rocky Mountains of Idaho is the historic hamlet of Ketchum. Originally, Ketchum was a lead and silver processing hub and evolved into a sheep-shipping city after the mining boom. Today, Ketchum is a tight-knit community and resort destination with so much to see and discover, all while maintaining its rich Old West roots! The biggest example of Ketchum’s hometown pride is the Wagon Days parade held every Labor Day weekend. You can catch a glimpse of iconic Lewis Ore Wagons, listen to cowboy poetry, or engage in other family-friendly activities. If you miss the parade, don’t worry! The Lewis Ore Wagons are on display full-time at the Ore Wagon Museum.
Aside from its charming downtown district dotted with quant shops like the Huck and Paddle, Ketchum is a great place to unwind. The nearby Sawtooth National Forest is home to the United States' very first recognized International Dark Sky Reserve, which limits light pollution so you can get one of the best views of the stars in Idaho. Whether shopping, hiking, or stargazing, Ketchum is a lovely area to relax and unwind over a long weekend.
Murray
As a former Gold Rush hub, Murray has a rich history that is ripe for exploration. The rustic streets shaded in lush pines of the Coeur d'Alene National Forest call back to simpler times. And since Since Murray is nestled in the heart of the Coeur d'Alene National Forest, you do not have to travel to breathe in the fresh, piney air. Unwind, relax, and blend in with the locals at events such as the Goldrush Days festival.
Downtown, you’ll find wood shingle roofs, dirt sidewalks, and unchanged storefronts from the Gold Rush Era, which feels like walking back in time. The Sprag Pole Steak and Rib House, for instance, is part museum and part Old West Saloon, with some of the best Midwest cooking in the state! Another iconic building is the Bedroom Gold Mine Bar. While it serves as the community’s local watering hole, the owner dug a hole in a room in the back mining for gold. The small town of Murray proves that some of the best surprises come in small packages.
Franklin
If you’re looking for old villages, look no further than Franklin. It is one of the oldest cities in the entire state, founded in the 1800s by Mormon settlers. Surprisingly, many of the original structures that existed during Murray’s founding still stand to this very day. Popular historical sites in Franklin’s historic district include the Relic Hall, the Hatch House, and the old ZCMI store. The original structures serve as a museum of Franklin’s early days, and visitors can explore the buildings and learn a little more about the rich past of the area.
Situated on the southern border of Idaho and Utah, the landscape is as wide open as the air is clean and fresh. However, there is more to the idyllic town of Franklin than you may expect. The area near Frankin was also the filming location for the movie Napoleon Dynamite. With a rustic history and amazing views, Franklin is a must-see for history buffs.
There’s no denying that Idaho played a pivotal part in America’s expansion out west. From its mining heritage to the Gold Rush boom, you can still catch a glimpse of the charm of the Old West in these old-timey towns. In larger cities, many of the relics of the past are washed away and replaced with new buildings, but not in these small hamlets! These tight-knit communities work hard to preserve their history so you can experience life like your ancestors who came before you.
