Discover Idaho Falls

Idaho Falls offers a varied blend of riverside scenery, culture, and family-friendly experiences. The Idaho Falls River Walk stretches for five miles along both banks of the Snake River and can be used for walking or cycling. This allows you to shape your stay in the city in different ways: with exercise by the water, a museum visit, historical impressions, or a trip to a special event.

Exploring the Snake River

A one-mile section of the River Walk is designated around Freeman Park. Anyone looking for a specific orientation for a walk can include this area in their day's itinerary. The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho is located along the Greenbelt trail overlooking the Snake River and combines the riverside landscape with a cultural visit.

A special stop is the Japanese Friendship Garden on a rocky island in the Snake River in the center of Idaho Falls. The island marks the site of the first bridge over the Snake River in eastern Idaho. The garden features a traditional Japanese garden gate and numerous water features. It was created to mark 30 years of ties with the Japanese partner city of Tokai-Mura. Those who want to combine nature motifs, local history, and international connections during their trip will find a distinct focal point here.

Culture, history, and special experiences

The history of Idaho Falls is also reflected in the city's name: on August 26, 1891, the community was renamed from Eagle Rock to Idaho Falls. An important regional tradition is the War Bonnet Round Up. The PRCA-sanctioned rodeo takes place every year on the first weekend of August in Idaho Falls. Through its connection to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall, Idaho, it is considered an important part of the culture and tradition of eastern Idaho. The first officially designated War Bonnet Round Up took place in 1912 at Reno Park in Idaho Falls.

Families and travel groups with different interests have additional options. The Idaho Falls Zoo in Tautphaus Park is home to around 130 animal species and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. The Wes Deist Aquatic Center features a heated 25-yard indoor pool, eight swimming lanes, three slides, and a hot tub. At the Museum of Idaho, six unique adventure backpacks with themes such as Time Traveler or Storyteller help visitors explore the Way Out West exhibit.

Idaho Falls as a starting point for regional destinations

The location for longer day-trip plans is also part of the travel decision. Yellowstone National Park is two hours from Idaho Falls; Highway 20 North leads to the west entrance. Grand Teton National Park is also two hours away. Possible routes lead via Highway 26 through Alpine in Wyoming or via Highway 22 through Victor in Idaho to Jackson, followed by Highway 89 north.

For further travel planning, you can also consider Swan Valley as an additional destination. This makes it possible to compare whether your stay should be shaped primarily by the experiences in Idaho Falls, by culture and riverside scenery, or by regional national park destinations.

Finding the right accommodation for your trip

When looking for a vacation rental in Idaho Falls, it is worth using your preferred daily rhythm as a guide. If walks and cycling along the Snake River are the focus, the River Walk and the Greenbelt trail will be defining themes of your trip. For culturally oriented days, the Japanese Friendship Garden, the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho, and the Museum of Idaho offer different discoveries. The rodeo on the first weekend of August, by contrast, sets a clear date for anyone who wants to experience tradition and regional culture.

Those who want to combine several interests can view Idaho Falls as a versatile city for riverside trails, museums, animal experiences, swimming pool visits, and regional excursions.

For the overall travel overview: Bonneville.