Here’s Our Best & Worst Things From Idaho

We recently finished up 3.5 weeks in Idaho. It feels like Idaho is a state that generally doesn’t get much attention unless you ask someone about potatoes, so we weren’t quite sure what to expect.

As it turns out, Idaho ended up being a more enjoyable state to visit than we might’ve imagined. There are some incredibly scenic parts, there are some very good breweries, Boise was much more modern and walkable than anticipated, etc.

Whenever we finish up in a state we share our favorite and not-so-favorite things from there, so here’s the latest edition for Idaho.

Favorite Accommodation We Stayed At

Stephen – This would have to be the Residence Inn Boise Downtown. A nice new hotel, great location, friendly staff and more. A quick mention deserves to go to the guy at the front desk at the Super 8 McCall where we stayed overnight on our way from Boise to Coeur d’Alene – he was one of the friendliest front desk agents we’ve had.

Shae – Despite the nice view at the Candlewood Suites in Idaho Falls, I think my favorite accommodation was the Residence Inn in Boise.

Favorite Meal

Stephen – Probably the burger and fries we got at Boise Fry Company.

Shae – It wasn’t a whole meal, but I loved the Tater Dollars from the Potato Station Café at the Idaho Potato Museum in Blackfoot, ID.

Most Disappointing Meal

Stephen – I don’t think I had a disappointing meal in Idaho, although we didn’t eat out much.

Shae – Again, it wasn’t a whole meal, but the most disappointing thing I ate in Idaho was the Spud candy bar which is only shaped like a potato, it doesn’t have any potato in it!

Favorite Free Activity

Stephen – The drive from Boise to Coeur d’Alene. I guess strictly speaking it wasn’t free as there’s the cost of gas, but it was a stunning drive.

Shae – My favorite free activity isn’t something everyone can do, but playing board games with our friends in Idaho Falls was my favorite. I love board games and being able to do a “regular life” thing like play board games several nights during our stay in Idaho Falls was a real treat.

Favorite Paid Activity

Stephen – The Peregrine Fund’s World Center For Birds of Prey

Shae – I loved The Peregrine Fund’s World Center For Birds of Prey

Favorite Pet-Friendly Activity

Stephen – In theory some of our hikes and breweries we visited could go here, but I’m going to award this to the Idaho Potato Museum as it’s not often dogs can join us at museums.

Shae – I loved that Truffles was able to join us at the Idaho Potato Museum.

Least Favorite Activity

Stephen – The lakefront in downtown Coeur d’Alene as they don’t allow dogs to be walked there.

Shae – I didn’t really have anything that I didn’t enjoy but of everything we did, probably walking around the falls at Idaho Falls was my least favorite. Only because it was nice enough but overall underwhelming compared to other downtown waterfalls we’ve seen.

Favorite Hike

Stephen – I enjoyed the Camels Back trail in Boise, but my favorite hike was at Tubbs Hill in Coeur d’Alene.

Shae – I’d hoped we’d have more hikes to choose from once we hit the Pacific North West area but it would have to be the Tubbs Hill walk/hike we did.

Favorite Quirky Thing We Did

Stephen – It’s a tossup between the Idaho Potato Museum and Freak Alley Gallery in Boise.

Shae – It’s pretty quirky to try a candy that has both huckleberries AND mashed potato in it! So I say the potato candy treat we tried at The Candy Jar in Blackfoot, ID.

Favorite Memory

Stephen – Hanging out with friends in Idaho Falls.

Shae – My fondest memories of Idaho are spending time with my sweet friend Greer and her husband, Billy and their friend Artea. It was just so renewing to my soul to have a local friend for the week to do all the fun, regular stuff like getting our nails done, wandering Sam’s Club and playing board games.

Funniest Moment

Stephen – Truffles in her bunny ears at Easter and seeing people’s reactions to her.

Shae – I think the funniest memory I have from Idaho is Truffles undying love for Artea. She laid in his spot on the couch, played with him almost exclusively after dinner and generally was ready to move in with him in Idaho Falls.

Thing We Most Regretted

Stephen – Not visiting later in the year and having more time there.

Shae – I regret not getting out more in Coeur d’Alene, but the weather just wasn’t conducive to hanging out a lot. We knew that by trying to speed up and finish the road trip in 7 years instead of 8 meant we’d not have the the very best weather/experiences in some states and Idaho was one of those. We heard how beautiful it was and I think it would’ve been a much better experience overall a month or two later in the year.

Something We Missed And Want To See

Stephen – Sandpoint. Airstream Dog went there a few years ago and it looks like a stunning place with beautiful hiking and great breweries.

Shae – I really was interested in seeing Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, but we were snowed out from the main road.

Our Biggest Surprise

Stephen – How enjoyable Boise was to visit.

Shae – How much I enjoyed Idaho. I knew it was supposed to be pretty but there was more to it – especially Boise – than I’d have expected going into the state.

My Idaho Drinking Game Would Be…

Stephen – Take a drink every time you see an open-sided salt storage area – they’re all over Idaho due to how much snow and ice they get.

Shae – Have a drink every time you see a little drive-through coffee hut. They LOVE them in Idaho.

Summary Of Idaho In 10 Words Or Less

Stephen – Nicer than expected, would return for hiking and beer.

Shae – Pretty state, would come back in better weather.

Idaho Cities We Visited In Order From Favorite To Least Favorite

Stephen – Boise, Coeur d’Alene, Idaho Falls.

Shae – Boise, Idaho Falls and Coeur D’Alene – although Boise and Idaho Falls are really close for different reasons, both were really enjoyable. But if we didn’t know people in Idaho Falls then Boise would’ve run away with it.