Idaho

9 Towns in Idaho With the Best Downtown Areas in 2024

Published

1 year ago

July 16, 2024

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

First Avenue through downtown Sandpoint, Idaho. Editorial credit: Kirk Fisher / Shutterstock.com

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.

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Idaho

Turkey Town Hall to be held at the end of January to discuss North End nuisance

Published

4 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Turkey Town Hall to be held at the end of January to discuss North End nuisance

BOISE, Idaho — At the end of January, Boise City Councilmember Jimmy Hallyburton will hold a town hall meeting to discuss the growing population of wild turkeys in the North End. The meeting, which is set to take place at Lowell Elementary School on January 29 at 7 p.m., will center around education and how to treat wildlife in an urban setting.

The public meeting will feature speakers from the Boise Parks and Recreation Department, Idaho Fish & Game, and Councilmember Hallyburton.

Hallyburton told Idaho News 6 over the phone that the meeting was prompted by damaging and, in some cases, violent behavior by wild turkeys in the North End. Residents in the area have reported turkeys scratching cars with their talons, ruining vegetable gardens, sparring with domesticated dogs & cats, and even becoming aggressive towards human beings.

A viewer in the North End recently shared a video with Idaho News 6 that shows a flock of turkeys accosting a postal service worker. Thankfully, a dog intervened and saved the USPS worker from further harm.

See the video of the attack below

Hallyburton said that the North End community needs to take a focused approach to how it deals with the turkeys. “We’re making it too easy for them to live in the North End,” Hallyburton said. “We need to make our urban areas less habitable for the turkeys.”

The North End councilmember goes on to explain that residents who are feeding or treating the turkeys as pets are creating an environment in which human vs. wildlife conflict is more likely. “You might think that you’re helping the turkeys, but you’re actually causing them harm over the long term,” said Hallyburton.

Hallyburton added that the population of turkeys in the area has ballooned from a single flock of around a dozen turkeys to multiple flocks and roughly 40 turkeys. They are mostly located in the residential area of the North End between 18th and 28th streets.

Idaho Fish & Game recommends “gentle hazing” to keep turkeys from roosting in urban areas. This can include squirting turkeys with water when they approach one’s property.

Since transplanting wildlife has become more difficult in recent years due to new laws, the only other option for the turkeys would be extermination, which Hallyburton said he would like to avoid at all costs.

WATCH: Wild turkeys take over Boise’s North End

Wild turkeys turn Boise’s North End into their new roost

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Idaho

Pocatello and Idaho Falls welcome new leadership – Local News 8

Published

16 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Pocatello and Idaho Falls welcome new leadership – Local News 8

IDAHO FALLS/POCATELLO, Idaho (KIFI) —The City of Pocatello officially welcomed new Mayor Mark Dahlquist and City Council Members Dakota Bates, Stacy Satterfield, and Ann Swanson during the City Council meeting on Jan. 8, 2026.

Mayor Dahlquist, a lifelong resident of Pocatello, brings extensive experience in leadership and management to the role. From 2007 until 2025, he served as Chief Executive Officer of NeighborWorks Pocatello, where he focused on housing, community development, and neighborhood revitalization. Before that, he spent 17 years in leadership and management positions with Farmers Insurance.

After the ceremony, Dahlquist said, “To make our community the very best it can be. Just remember to be involved. Volunteer being advocates for the community. We all together will make this community rise and be the very best it can be.”

The City also recognized the three City Council members who were sworn in following the November election.

In Idaho Falls Mayor-elect Lisa Burtenshaw officially began her term, taking the oath of office alongside elected City Council members during a ceremony at the City Council Chambers.

In addition to Burtenshaw, Brandon Lee was sworn in to City Council Seat 1. Jim Francis and Jim Freeman, who were reelected to Seats 4 and 6, also took the oath to begin their new terms.

Burtenshaw’s term begins following her election in December 2025. She succeeds outgoing Mayor Rebecca Casper, who served the city for 12 years and leaves a legacy of dedicated public service.

“I am honored to serve the residents of Idaho Falls and to begin this next chapter with such a dedicated City Council,” Burtenshaw said. “I look forward to engaging with our community, listening to their ideas, and working together to make Idaho Falls a great place to live, raise a family and grow a business.”

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Idaho

Water Outlook does not look promising in SW Idaho, but it could be worse without all the precipitation

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Water Outlook does not look promising in SW Idaho, but it could be worse without all the precipitation

BOISE, Idaho — It has been a dismal year for snow, but we’ve actually received more precipitation than normal in the Boise and Payette River basins. The difference has been the temperature, and we are trying to learn what the change in climate means for water users— both commercial and recreational.

“If you think about the lack of snow we have gotten in the Treasure Valley, it is unusual,” said hydrologist Troy Lindquist with the National Weather Service.

Click here to see the conditions and hear from the National Weather Service.

Water Outlook does not look promising, but it could be worse without all the precipitation

The mountains of western and central Idaho received some snow this week, and that bumped up the snow water equivalent to 83 percent of average in the Boise Basin, 81 percent in the Payette River Basin, and 69 percent in the Weiser River Basin.

The lack of snow is obvious at lower elevations, but we have also received 4.88 inches of rain at the Boise Airport since the beginning of October, a full inch above the average. I wanted to talk with Troy Linquist to learn more about this strange winter and what it means for the future.

“If we don’t have that mid and low elevation snowpack, that’s just overall going to decrease the spring run-off,” said Lindquist. “Instead of it holding as snow and holding in the mountains, that rain has increased the reservoir system.”

I’ve been out kayaking as the South Fork of the Payette River is flowing at normal summer levels and has been for several weeks.

Most of Idaho’s rivers are flowing higher than normal, including Mores Creek, which dumps into Lucky Peak Reservoir.

It’s good news, but not as good as if the precipitation was sticking around in the mountains in the form of a deep snowpack.

Mores Creek just above Lucky Peak Reservoir

“If we just don’t get the snow that is going to impact the water supply, it’s going to impact vegetation, spring flows, the health of the ecosystem, and stuff like that,” added Lindquist.

The team at the National Weather Service will continue to monitor the situation daily and Troy Lindquist told me the outlook for the next ten days doesn’t look good. However, the wet winter months are a marathon, not a sprint— with several months left to improve the outlook. That said, it could also get worse.

The reservoirs have added water from the rivers and streams

“We got the second half of January, February, and March where we can accumulate snowpack,” explained Lindquist. “We do have time to see that snowpack recover, and that’s what we are hoping for.”

The Boise system has pretty good carryover from last year between Anderson Ranch, Arrowrock, and Lucky Peak. The system is 58 percent full, and the Payette system is 71 percent full.

Snow water equivalent after this week's snow

Some of Idaho’s river basins are actually doing pretty well right now, but southern Idaho is doing the worst, as the Owyhee River Basin is sitting at 20 percent of its average snowpack.

ALSO READ | Lemons into lemonade: Kayakers get a unique, winter opportunity while snow conditions worsen

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