Idaho
9 Towns in Idaho With the Best Downtown Areas in 2024
Idaho, known for its stunning landscapes and diverse recreational opportunities, is home to several small towns with distinctive and beautiful downtown areas. These towns offer a delightful blend of commercial and natural/historic landmarks, ensuring there is something for everyone. Whether you enjoy strolling through historic streets lined with unique boutiques, dining at charming local eateries, or exploring scenic parks and cultural sites, these towns have it all. From the picturesque shores of Payette Lake in McCall to the artistic flair of Ketchum, each town provides a unique experience. Here are nine towns in Idaho with the best downtown areas in 2024, each with its own unique charm and attractions.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint, located on the shores of Lake Pend Oreille, is renowned for its picturesque downtown area. The historic Panida Theater, built in 1927, is a cultural hub hosting films, plays, and concerts throughout the year. Visitors can also explore the Cedar Street Bridge Public Market, a unique shopping experience built over Sand Creek.
The town’s downtown area is pedestrian-friendly, with numerous boutique shops, art galleries, and cafes lining the streets. City Beach Park, a short walk from downtown, offers lake access, swimming, picnicking, and scenic views. Sandpoint’s downtown area blends historical charm with modern amenities, making it a must-visit destination.
Ketchum
Ketchum, nestled in the Wood River Valley, is known for its vibrant arts scene and outdoor activities. The Sun Valley Museum of Art, located in downtown Ketchum, hosts diverse art exhibitions and educational programs. Visitors can also walk through the town’s historic district, featuring a mix of unique shops, galleries, and restaurants.
Nearby, the Sawtooth National Recreation Area offers hiking, biking, and fishing, complementing the town’s cultural offerings. The Ketchum Farmers Market, held weekly during the summer months, is a popular gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Ketchum’s downtown area combines cultural richness with natural beauty, making it an ideal destination.
McCall
McCall, situated on the shores of Payette Lake, boasts a charming downtown area filled with attractions. The historic McCall Hotel and local shops give the town a quaint and welcoming feel. Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll through Legacy Park, which offers beautiful lake views and picnic spots.
Ponderosa State Park, located near downtown, provides numerous hiking and biking trails through scenic forests and along the lake shore. The McCall Winter Carnival, an annual event held downtown, features ice sculptures, parades, and live music. McCall’s downtown area is a delightful blend of historic charm and natural beauty, making it a perfect destination for visitors.
Hailey
Hailey, located in the Wood River Valley, has a vibrant downtown area with a strong sense of community. The Hailey Farmers Market, which is held downtown, is a popular gathering spot for locals and visitors to enjoy fresh produce and handmade goods. The town’s historic buildings and local shops create a welcoming atmosphere.
Nearby, the Draper Preserve and Hailey Greenway offer scenic walking and biking trails along the Big Wood River. The annual Northern Rockies Music Festival, held in the heart of downtown, showcases local and national musicians. Hailey’s downtown area combines cultural events and outdoor activities, making it a lively and engaging destination.
Wallace
Wallace, a historic mining town, has a downtown area that feels like stepping back in time. The entire town is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, with well-preserved buildings and fascinating museums. The Wallace District Mining Museum offers insights into the town’s rich mining history.
Downtown Wallace also features unique shops, antique stores, and local eateries. The nearby Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes, a scenic biking and walking trail, provides beautiful views of the surrounding mountains and rivers. Wallace’s downtown area is a perfect blend of history and natural beauty, making it a must-visit destination.
Moscow
Moscow, home to the University of Idaho, has a downtown area bustling with activity and cultural attractions. The Moscow Farmers Market, held downtown, is one of the largest in the state, offering fresh produce, handmade crafts, and live music. The Kenworthy Performing Arts Centre hosts live theater, concerts, and film screenings.
The downtown area is also home to numerous parks, including East City Park, which offers green spaces and walking paths. The Latah Trail, connecting Moscow to Troy, provides a scenic route for walking and biking. Moscow’s downtown area is a vibrant and welcoming place with a perfect mix of cultural and natural attractions.
Driggs
Driggs, located in the Teton Valley, has a charming downtown area with a mix of historic and modern attractions. The downtown streets are lined with local shops, art galleries, and restaurants. The Teton Geotourism Center offers information about the region’s unique geology and natural attractions.
Nearby, the Teton River provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. The Grand Targhee Resort, just a short drive from downtown, offers skiing in the winter and hiking and biking in the summer. Driggs’s downtown area is a delightful blend of cultural and natural attractions, making it a perfect destination for visitors.
Eagle
Eagle, located just west of Boise, has a downtown area that offers a small-town feel with modern amenities. The downtown area is home to a variety of shops, cafes, and restaurants, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere. The Eagle Saturday Market, held downtown, features local vendors and live music.
Nearby, the Eagle Island State Park provides opportunities for hiking, fishing, and picnicking in a beautiful natural setting. The Boise River Greenbelt, accessible from downtown, offers scenic walking and biking trails along the river. Eagle’s downtown area combines urban conveniences with natural beauty, making it a great place to visit.
Victor
Victor, nestled in the Teton Valley, has a vibrant downtown area that blends historic charm with modern amenities. Visitors can explore the local shops, cafes, and art galleries that line the streets. The town hosts various events throughout the year, including the Teton Valley Summer Festival, which features live music, food vendors, and craft booths.
The nearby Teton Pass provides stunning views and numerous outdoor activities, such as hiking and mountain biking. The Victor Emporium, a local landmark, is famous for its huckleberry milkshakes and serves as a gathering spot for locals and tourists alike. Victor’s downtown area offers a unique mix of cultural and natural attractions, making it an ideal destination.
Final Thoughts on Idaho’s Best Downtown Areas
Idaho’s small towns offer a unique blend of distinctive downtown areas, historical landmarks, and natural beauty. Each of these nine towns provides a perfect setting for visitors to explore and enjoy. Whether you are strolling through historic streets, visiting local museums, or enjoying the natural scenery, these towns offer something for everyone. With their welcoming atmospheres and diverse attractions, these nine towns in Idaho are must-visit destinations in 2024.
PAYETTE — A Payette mom’s bond was revoked Tuesday after she was charged with suffocating her twin children earlier this month and is believed to pose a danger to the life of her newborn child.
The case, which has drawn national headlines, concerns Andrea Renee Shaw, a 23-year-old Payette mother who in May 2025 said her 18-month-old fraternal twins died the same day, after receiving routine childhood vaccinations. In January, Shaw joined as a plaintiff in a federal lawsuit filed by Children’s Health Defense, an anti-vaccine organization founded by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., with several other plaintiffs claiming vaccine injury or death.
Kennedy, who now serves as secretary of Health and Human Services, is no longer part of the group after taking on the cabinet position, as was reported by the Associated Press.
In Idaho, the twins’ deaths prompted a 14-month investigation by the Payette County Sheriff’s Department. On June 29, the investigation yielded a grand jury indictment of Shaw on two counts of first-degree murder by suffocation. If convicted, Shaw can be punished by up to life in prison or the death penalty, and the court would have the ability to order the penalties be served consecutively, or back to back.
Tuesday’s arraignment at the Payette County Courthouse was primarily attended by Shaw’s relatives and members of the media. Payette County Judge Kiley Stuchlik, who serves Idaho’s Third Judicial District, presided.
A key consideration for Stuchlik on Tuesday was a request from Joseph Filicetti, the legal counsel for Shaw, to have her bond reduced from $2 million to $100,000. Filicetti said this would allow for Shaw to care for a newborn girl, who, according to court documents, was born by caesarean section on June 25, four days prior to Shaw’s grand jury indictment.
State prosecutors objected to the motion for bond reduction, noting at hand was a potential death penalty case and asserting, unlike her husband, Shaw’s story repeatedly changed during questioning. Prosecuting Attorney Mike Duke said releasing Shaw would ultimately put the newborn’s safety at risk.
“That child is the most at risk. We do not think she should be allowed to be anywhere near any children, let alone her own children,” Duke said.
Stuchlik decided to revoke bond entirely, stating Shaw posed a “risk of safety” to the newborn child that was not known to Stuchlik or prosecutors when the $2 million bond was initially set.
Also for consideration Tuesday was a request to have grand jury transcripts of witness testimony provided to prosecutors and defense counsel to prepare their respective cases.
Idaho
Idaho is home to the nation's first DarkSky Reserve. Now it's home to the nations first DarkSky Certified Resort
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) – A controversy is brewing as the City of Idaho Falls reviews its alcohol ordinance.
The goal is to consolidate four existing ordinances for beer, wine and liquor into a single law and ensure compliance with state code.
However, at its meeting last Thursday, the Idaho Falls City Council unanimously voted to remove the proposed ordinance from its agenda, in order to receive and consider additional public comment.
The proposed ordinance would:
1. Require commercial establishments selling, dispensing or permitting consumption of alcohol – including beer, wine or liquor – to have an alcohol license, alcohol catering permit or a charitable event permit.
2. Business events with 20 or less employees consuming alcohol at the business would be allowed.
3. Require alcohol servers to complete training every three years.
4. Individuals who violate the law could be charged with a misdemeanor.
Idaho Falls City Council President Jim Francis said the changes were the culmination of months of collaboration between law enforcement, business owners and city attorneys.
“We wanted to provide a safe environment – the primary point here – for public gatherings,” Francis said. “We recognize that certain antiquated elements of the current code are overly restrictive and needed to be addressed. We wanted to make the code more accessible to the public. We needed to address over-pouring issues. We wanted to reduce penalties where possible for violations, particularly the first offenses, and yet make the code clear enough to be enforceable consistently by law enforcement.”
But City Council Member John Radford said the changes represent an overreach by city government.
“I believe it’s a bad policy. What problem are we solving in the name of trying to solve a non-problem?” Radford said. “We’re becoming big brother around alcohol in your private property. I’m concerned that landlords will be at risk of being charged with a misdemeanor if they knowingly, which I made sure that was in there, because that is what we’ve been talking about, allowed people to drink in our business. We will be outside the norm of Idaho cities. This is a big step, and I don’t think the public has weighed in on this.”
At a City Council Work Session on June 1, Idaho Falls Chief of Police Bryce Johnson cited an increase in alcohol-related crime – particularly downtown – as a reason for the changes.
“DUI is there, but this would include sexual assaults, assaults, batteries, disturbances, urination, public vandalism, shooting – all sorts of crimes,” Johnson said.
But business owners are concerned about the potential impact on commercial enterprises.
“The ordinance doesn’t address the real problem – which is people drinking … at one event and then showing up in a bar or restaurant already hammered and causing problems anyway,” ” said Terri Ireland, representing the Idaho Falls Downtown Merchants Association. “The industry is really well-regulated by state and local laws already.”
The City of Idaho Falls began the process of updating its alcohol ordinance in January 2026, seeking input from community stakeholders.
Multiple community members spoke out about the ordinance.
For more in-depth information, you can read the full 39-page proposed alcohol ordinance here.
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