Idaho reaches beyond its rugged wilderness into hospitable towns built around lakes and old main streets. Sandpoint pairs Lake Pend Oreille with the Panida Theater. McCall brings Payette Lake, Brundage Mountain, and its Winter Carnival. Wallace keeps silver-mining history alive beside the Route of the Hiawatha. Driggs opens into Teton Valley, while Stanley sits beneath the Sawtooths near Redfish Lake. The towns ahead combine outdoor access with festivals and welcoming downtowns that make each trip feel easy.
Sandpoint
The main street of Sandpoint, Idaho. Image credit Kirk Fisher via Shutterstock.
Sandpoint serves as a premier example of Northern Idaho hospitality, balancing a tranquil lakeside atmosphere with a creative arts scene. The town sits on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille and provides a friendly environment for families. After spending a morning boating or swimming in the largest lake in the state, visitors often head to Schweitzer for skiing or mountain biking. This outdoor energy carries over into the local culture at the historic Panida Theatre, which acts as a hub for live performances. To round out the day, the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market includes boutique shops and cafes for those seeking community warmth and water-based recreation.
McCall
The marina at McCall, Idaho.
McCall is a mountain resort known for its friendly “lake life” culture and alpine scenery. The town remains a popular destination for those seeking nostalgia and modern recreation, starting with Ponderosa State Park. Here, travelers find diverse hiking trails and beaches for swimming in Payette Lake before attending the McCall Winter Carnival. This popular annual event showcases snow sculptures and festive parades that celebrate the season. Beyond the winter festivities, Brundage Mountain Resort is a favorite for its consistent powder. For a different perspective, McCall Lake Cruises gives a guided sightseeing tour that shares the history of the region while drifting across the water.
Driggs
Downtown street in Driggs, Idaho. Image credit NayaDadara via Shutterstock.com.
Driggs embodies the authentic Western spirit, serving as the commercial heart of the Teton Valley. It gives a relaxed, community-focused alternative to busier resort areas, particularly for guests visiting the nearby Grand Targhee Resort in Wyoming. Known for deep snow and a family-oriented vibe, the resort is a major draw, yet the local culture shines during the annual Driggs Plein Air Festival. This event invites artists to paint the landscape outdoors, while the nearby Teton Geo Center has interactive exhibits on regional history. To see the valley from above, the Teton Aviation Center allows enthusiasts to take scenic glider rides or visit the on-site museum to view historic aircraft.
Wallace
Bank Street in Wallace, Idaho.
Wallace is a historic silver mining town that prides itself on a quirky personality and well-preserved architecture. The entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, allowing guests to step back in time. On the Sierra Silver Mine Tour, visitors travel underground on a trolley to learn about mining heritage before cycling the Route of the Hiawatha. This rail-to-trail mountain bike path crosses the Bitterroot Mountains, leading back to a landmark manhole cover downtown that marks The Center of the Universe. To finish the historical journey, the Wallace District Mining Museum houses artifacts detailing the Silver Valley and the Great Fire of 1910.
Moscow
Friendship Square and Park along the historic Main Street of Moscow, Idaho. Image credit Kirk Fisher via Shutterstock.
Moscow offers a welcoming college-town ambiance, driven by the presence of the University of Idaho. It is frequently referred to as “Fest City” due to a calendar packed with community performances and events. The University of Idaho Arboretum and Botanical Garden has walking paths through diverse plant collections, which provide a bridge to the award-winning Moscow Farmers Market. Held every Saturday, this market features local produce, crafts, and live music. Musical heritage continues at the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, which brings performers to the area. Additionally, the Appaloosa Museum celebrates the history of the horse breed and its cultural ties to the Nez Perce people.
Bonners Ferry
Spectators at the Rod Benders Car Club annual June show in Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
Bonners Ferry is often cited as one of the friendliest towns in the state, with a calm environment near the Canadian border. Nature lovers typically begin at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, which gives exceptional opportunities for birdwatching and spotting moose. After exploring the refuge, the Boundary County Museum downtown displays artifacts from the Kootenai Tribe and early settlers. The town is also a key stop on the International Selkirk Loop, a scenic drive that displays the views of the Cabinet Mountains and Selkirk ranges. Nearby, the Kootenai River is a local focal point, popular for calm-water fishing and photography from the community’s many historic bridges.
Stanley
Buildings in Stanley, Idaho, in autumn.
Stanley is a remote mountain town that offers a warm welcome to travelers passing through the rugged Sawtooth Mountains. Redfish Lake has a historic lodge and white-sand beaches with views of Mount Heyburn, serving as a gateway to the Sawtooth National Recreation Area. This paradise for backcountry travel has over 700 miles of hiking trails for every skill level. Between hikes, the Stanley Baking Company and Cafe is a local institution where residents mingle over homemade pastries. For a different experience, Boat Box Hot Springs has a riverside soaking tub made from a repurposed mining cauldron, giving a viewpoint to admire the wide river views.
Sun Valley
Overlooking Sun Valley, Idaho, with fall colors.
Sun Valley is a world-renowned destination that maintains a tight-knit, walkable feel. The Sun Valley Resort, site of the world’s first chairlift in 1936, offers skiing and summer golf, but the local culture reaches far beyond the slopes. Fans of literature can visit the Ernest Hemingway Memorial near Sun Valley Lodge and Hemingway’s grave at Ketchum Cemetery to pay their respects. For music lovers, the Sun Valley Pavilion is an outdoor venue that hosts free orchestral concerts during the summer months. To conclude a trip, a visit to Bald Mountain, known locally as “Baldy,” offers challenging ski runs and panoramic views of the skyline, making it a primary cultural destination.
Priest River
The view of downtown Priest River, Idaho. Image credit Kirk Fisher via Shutterstock.com.
Priest River is a scenic timber town situated where the Priest River meets the Pend Oreille River. Logging history built this community, and the Priest River Museum and Timber Education Center provides a deep dive into that heritage. After learning about the local industry, residents and visitors alike gather at The Mudhole for an afternoon of picnicking and swimming. Just a short drive north, Hill’s Resort on Priest Lake is a primary destination for those visiting the area for its traditional lodge feel. The nearby Selkirk Mountains have extensive forest service roads and trails for off-roading, hiking, and seasonal huckleberry picking in a largely undeveloped environment.
Preston
The Veterans Memorial in Preston, Idaho. Image credit davidrh via Shutterstock.com.
Preston is a thriving agricultural community in Southeast Idaho that rose to fame through the film Napoleon Dynamite. Visitors can follow a tour map to see filming locations, including the local high school, before shifting focus to the Preston Night Rodeo. This major highlight of the summer calendar provides entertainment for all ages. For those interested in regional history, the Bear River Massacre National Historic Landmark gives an educational look at a significant event in the West. Finally, Bear River Hot Springs, formerly Riverdale Resort, has hot spring pools and waterslides five miles north of Preston in the Riverdale Valley, providing a friendly atmosphere for families and road trippers.
The Heart Of Idaho Communities
The hospitable towns of Idaho demonstrate that the state is more than just a wilderness destination; it is a collection of welcoming communities. Lakeside retreats like Sandpoint and McCall illustrate how residents embrace their natural surroundings to create an inviting environment for families and outdoor enthusiasts. Meanwhile, historic centers such as Wallace and Moscow highlight a commitment to preserving local heritage and fostering a community spirit. These destinations show a blend of traditional values and modern amenities, proving that Idaho’s best assets are its people and their enduring spirit of neighborly kindness.
An Idaho woman who said her toddler twins died last year after being vaccinated faces murder charges connected to their deaths, authorities said.
A grand jury indicted Andrea Shaw, who is accused of suffocating her 18-month-old twins in May 2025, on two counts of first-degree murder on June 29, according to court records and a statement from the Payette Police Department.
While appearing last year on an internet show produced by Children’s Health Defense — an anti-vaccine group founded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Shaw said her twins died after getting vaccinated. Kennedy has not been affiliated with the group since December 2024, when he formally resigned as chairman to join President Donald Trump’s administration.
Advertisement
Shaw, 23, was arrested by Boise police officers Tuesday and arraigned Thursday. She is being held on a $2 million bond and could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted or if she pleads guilty to first-degree murder. Her next court appearance is July 14.
Joe Filicetti, an attorney representing Shaw, wrote in a text message that she “denies anything and everything” and that the state “cannot prove” the criminal charges.
“We will defend her with wholeheartedness,” Filicetti added.
The Payette Police Department and the Payette County prosecutor’s office declined to comment Monday.
During her May 2025 appearance on the Children’s Health Defense show, Shaw said she found her twins dead in their room days after they got vaccinated for the flu and other diseases.
Advertisement
“They had got their shots at the same time by two nurses at the same time,” Shaw said. “And they got sick.”
Medical experts point out that the childhood vaccines at issue — hepatitis A, influenza and DTaP — are safe and effective for kids and recommended by various medical groups.
Shaw is also a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit brought by Children’s Health Defense and others against the American Academy of Pediatrics. The lawsuit, which was filed in January in federal court in Washington, accuses the American Academy of Pediatrics of racketeering for its “central role in an enterprise that has defrauded American families about the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule for several decades.” In the lawsuit, Shaw is described as a mother “whose children died following routine vaccinations administered according to AAP guidelines.”
The American Academy of Pediatrics has asked the court to dismiss the suit, asserting in an April court filing that it is the “latest missive in a campaign targeting” the academy and its “use of science-backed evidence in vaccine policy.”
In January, pediatricians and other experts became alarmed when US health officials made broad changes to childhood vaccine guidance, dropping several universal recommendations. Kennedy, who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years, said the changes better align the US with peer nations “while strengthening transparency and informed consent.”
Advertisement
In March, a federal judge blocked the changes and said Kennedy likely violated federal procedures in revamping a key vaccine advisory committee. But the judge’s order is not the final word; the blocks are temporary, pending either a trial or a decision for summary judgment.
An Idaho woman who said her toddler twins died last year after being vaccinated faces murder charges connected to their deaths, authorities said.
A grand jury indicted Andrea Shaw, who is accused of suffocating her 18-month-old twins in May 2025, on two counts of first-degree murder on June 29, according to court records and a news release from the Payette Police Department.
While appearing last year on an internet show produced by Children’s Health Defense — an anti-vaccine group founded by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. — Shaw said her twins died after getting vaccinated. Kennedy has not been affiliated with the group since December 2024, when he formally resigned as chairman to join President Donald Trump’s administration.
Shaw, 23, was arrested by Boise police officers Tuesday and arraigned Thursday. She is being held on a $2 million bond and could face life in prison or the death penalty if convicted or if she pleads guilty to first-degree murder. Her next court appearance is July 14.
Advertisement
An attorney representing Shaw did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Payette Police Department and the Payette County prosecutor declined to comment Monday.
During her May 2025 appearance on the Children’s Health Defense show, Shaw said she found her twins dead in their room days after they got vaccinated for the flu and other diseases.
“They had got their shots at the same time by two nurses at the same time,” Shaw said. “And they got sick.”
Medical experts point out that the childhood vaccines at issue — hepatitis A, influenza and DTaP — are safe and effective for kids and recommended by various medical groups.
Shaw is also a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit brought by Children’s Health Defense and others against the American Academy of Pediatrics. The lawsuit, which was filed in January in federal court in Washington, accuses the American Academy of Pediatrics of racketeering for its “central role in an enterprise that has defrauded American families about the safety of the childhood vaccine schedule for several decades.” In the lawsuit, Shaw is described as a mother “whose children died following routine vaccinations administered according to AAP guidelines.”
Advertisement
The American Academy of Pediatrics has asked the court to dismiss the suit, asserting in an April court filing that it is the “latest missive in a campaign targeting” the academy and its “use of science-backed evidence in vaccine policy.”
In January, pediatricians and other experts became alarmed when U.S. health officials made broad changes to childhood vaccine guidance, dropping several universal recommendations. Kennedy, who helped lead the anti-vaccine movement for years, said the changes better align the U.S. with peer nations “while strengthening transparency and informed consent.”
In March, a federal judge blocked the changes and said Kennedy likely violated federal procedures in revamping a key vaccine advisory committee. But the judge’s order is not the final word; the blocks are temporary, pending either a trial or a decision for summary judgment.
A Gooding man is dead after an ATV crash in Elmore County. Idaho State Police say it happened near Pine on Friday night and not long after 10:00. There were three people riding the vehicle, and all were wearing their straps. Somehow, the ATV went off the road at the intersection of Bombs Away Lane and Lester Creek Road. The vehicle left the shoulder and smacked into a tree. The 47-year-old driver died on the spot. The two passengers were airlifted to hospitals. Troopers say the crash remains under investigation.
The intersection was closed for four hours as evidence was collected and the area was cleared of debris. Pine is a popular spot for Independence Day celebrations and camping.
State Police had an all-hands-on-deck response. Elmore County Deputies, Mountain Home EMS, Mountain Home Rescue, Pine EMS, and Pine Rescue assisted troopers.
Idaho State Police Save Horned Owl
Idaho State Police saved an adorable owl on I-84 in Nampa just a few weeks ago!
