Idaho is one of the biggest states in the country, and yet also one of the least-populated. But that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t have its fair share of tourists!
With the rapidly growing Boise, the phenomenal outdoor recreation opportunities, and natural beauty, Idaho is called “The Gem State” for a reason!
So we’ve covered the outdoors and Boise, but what else does Idaho have to offer? What is Idaho famous for? What is Idaho known for?
Idaho is famous for its potatoes and millions of acres of wilderness. Idaho is known as the Gem State and is one of the only places in the world where you can find the star garnet. Idaho is also known for its trout fishing, whitewater, Craters of the Moon, Hells Canyon, and Shoshone Falls.
Yes, Idaho is known for its potatoes (and for good reason) but also, for so much more! Skiing and fishing, lava tubes and hot springs, gold-rush history and a long Native American tradition…Idaho has a lot to love.
Here are 19 things Idaho is known and famous for, aka 19 reasons to visit!
Table of Contents
1. Potatoes
Idaho’s license plate says two words: Famous Potatoes. Idaho’s climate, clean environment, and many sunny days all create the perfect storm…well, the perfect potato that is.
Idaho really embraces this potato theme: there’s a “potato drop” instead of a sparkly ball on New Year’s Eve; there are restaurants devoted to potatoes; you can stay in a Potato Hotel; and of course, you can buy local potatoes wherever you go!
2. French fries
Well, the French fry didn’t originate in Idaho (we can thank Belgium for that), but the first frozen commercial French fry did!
J.R. Simplot, an Idaho native, was a central figure in Idaho’s potato industry, and invented the frozen French fry in the 1960s. He also spearheaded Idaho’s partnership with McDonald’s, and to this day, most of the french fries served at Mickey D’s come from Idaho.
Move over, NYC! There’s a new ball drop in town…and it’s not a ball. It’s a potato! A GlowTato, to be exact.
Boise, the capital of Idaho, hosts a New Year’s Eve party that is centered around a giant potato (replica) dropping at midnight. The bedazzled spud gets its own countdown, along with a fireworks show.
4. The Gem State
Idaho is known as “The Gem State,” because it has the largest variety of gems in the world, second only to Africa. Opal, jade, sapphire, you name it, Idaho has it!
Idaho is also one of the only places in the world you can find the star garnet (more on that later).
Idaho’s name supposedly came from the Shoshone (a local tribe) word for “gem of the mountains.” Of course, later it was discovered that a white mine owner had fabricated the name, but the name “the Gem State” stuck—and so did “Idaho!”
5. Trout fishing
With over 107,000 miles of rivers, Idaho is certainly a gem when it comes to fishing! With dozens of blue-ribbon fishing rivers, along with the many lakes, reservoirs, ponds, and creeks, Idaho is bursting with trout.
Whether you want to try ice-fishing for rainbow trout in the winter or wrangle a Chinook in the height of summer, chances are good you’ll catch something while fishing in the Gem State.
6. Most whitewater miles in the US
All those wild rivers in Idaho also mean it has the most runnable whitewater miles in the United States!
Flowing from the many mountain ranges, there are over 3500 miles of whitewater that you can attempt to raft/kayak, earning Idaho the nickname “the white water state” in whitewater rafting circles.
7. Hells Canyon
The deepest river gorge in North America (yes, deeper than the Grand Canyon at nearly 8,000 feet!) runs along the border of Idaho, Oregon, and Washington.
Carved by the Snake River over thousands of years, Hells Canyon is remote and still remains mostly inaccessible via car. In fact, no bridges or roads cross the canyon.
Hells Canyon is also an important archaeological site, as the Nez Perce tribe settled there thousands of years ago. Relics from this time period can still be found in Nez Perce, with many cave paintings, arrowheads, and rock carvings.
8. Star garnet
Star garnets, Idaho’s state gem, are found in only two places in the world: India, and Idaho’s panhandle.
The star garnet is unique due to its property of asterism, which causes a star-shaped pattern of reflection within the gem. Four-pointed stars are common in a star garnet, but rarer six-pointed star garnets have been found, as well.
9. Lava Tubes & Craters of the Moon
Idaho has a lot going under its surface! Gems, mining, and…lava tubes! Volcanic eruptions many years ago left the landscape of Idaho riddled with lava tubes (which are essentially caves created by lava). Many of which you can visit!
Some of the most famous ones can be found at Craters of the Moon National Monument (one of Idaho’s most otherworldly landscapes), Mammoth Cave (the largest lava tube in the world open to the public), and Shoshone Indian Ice Cave (which is unique as a lava tube and an ice cave!).
10. Shoshone Falls
On the mighty Snake River lies one of North America’s greatest attractions: The Niagara of the West.
Shoshone Falls, right outside of Twin Falls, Idaho, is actually taller than Niagara Falls, at a whopping 212 feet high. The best time to visit is during snowmelt, late spring, and early summer.
11. Geothermal activity: over 100 hot springs
Idaho is a hotbed for geothermal activity. This is evidenced by over 100 (!) hot springs to explore, and Idaho’s use of geothermal energy. Boise’s Capitol building, in fact, is the only U.S. Capitol that is heated by geothermal energy.
The geothermal system in Boise is one of the oldest and biggest in the country, and in the world. The closed-loop system is a model for sustainable energy.
12. Oregon Trail
Once upon a time, wagon trains headed towards California and Oregon spent 500 miles of their 2,000-mile-long journey in what is now Idaho. There are many relics and commemorations of the Oregon Trail still scattered across Idaho, including visible wagon ruts.
Visit a former ferry crossing at Three Island Crossing State Park, walk along the ruts at the Oregon Trail Preserve, or visit a replica of a trading post along the route at Fort Hall Replica Museum.
13. Basque Block
You’ve probably heard of Basque Country, which lies on the border of France and Spain and is home to the Basque ethnic group, who have their own language, genetic ancestry, and common culture.
But do you know where the largest population of Basques resides outside of Basque Country? You guessed it: Idaho!
Specifically, Boise. The Boise Basque population numbers around 15,000 people, and have brought many of their traditions to Boise.
The area called “Boise Block” has the Basque Museum & Cultural Center, the Basque Market, and tons of Basque-inspired cafes and restaurants (if you go, make sure to try any and all of the paellas on the menu!).
14. Blue turf
Boise State University, home of the Broncos (not the Denver Broncos that play for the NFL, although they are both football teams and have the same orange and blue colors…but I digress) is unique for one major thing: its blue turf field! Known as “THE BLUE,” for many years it was the only non-green turf in North America.
15. Neutral accent
Many people claim that Idaho has one of the most “neutral” accents in North America.
Idaho is considered to have such a neutral dialect that phone companies use it as a testing site for solicitors.
This is based on a study of how people talk across the country, although many Idahoans insist they have a unique accent! (They definitely do when they say the word “Boise,” if you ask me).
16. 4.7 million acres of wilderness
Yep, Idaho has over 4.7 million acres of wilderness. That’s more than the total area of the entire state of Connecticut! If you want to go remote, off-grid, or even just for a little jaunt outdoors, Idaho most definitely has the wilderness area for you.
With names like River of No Return Wilderness or Gospel Hump Wilderness and everything from sand dunes and geysers to rivers and forests, mountains and lakes, beaches, and adventure opportunities galore, Idaho is a land of adventure and wild beauty.
17. Ice Cream Potato
Editorial credit: melissamn / Shutterstock.com
Stay with me here: you must get an Ice Cream Potato when in Boise. This doesn’t actually taste like a potato, but it does look like one (like, exactly like one).
Created by the Westside Drive-In, and often available at fairs and other events, the Ice Cream Potato is vanilla ice cream shaped like a potato and dusted with cocoa powder for the “skin,” topped with whipped cream and toppings that mimic the look of a baked potato. It’s an optical illusion/delicious sundae!
18. Steak fingers
Another food that started in Idaho: steak fingers! The story goes that steak fingers were invented in Boise in the 1950s.
Many restaurants around Idaho nowadays have their own twists on this classic, but most start with a base of cube steak cut into strips, battered, then fried in oil.
The sauce is essential, as they’re perfectly cut for dipping, but that varies by region!
19. Sun Valley Resort
Although Sun Valley isn’t the first ski resort in the United States, it’s the first destination ski town, and therefore the inspiration for many others like Big Sky, Aspen, Park City, Jackson Hole, and so on.
Sun Valley Resort is still a hot spot for celebrities, but even if you aren’t so famous, it’s still a postcard-worthy stop with some of the best skiing in America.
Conclusion
When you’re planning your big trip to the American West, don’t forget to stop in Idaho! A whole lot of potatoes, a whole lot of trout, a whole lot of wilderness, and a completely neutral accent…I mean, what else could you what?
What’s the most interesting thing Idaho is known for? Would you rather try an Ice Cream Potato or steak fingers? Share in the comments below!
Amy has been teaching and traveling all over the world for the past ten years, telling stories along the way. She writes about travel, motherhood, teaching, and sustainability. When she's not traveling or writing, you can find her chasing her two young kids, reading everything she can get her hands on, attempting to bake, or exploring the great outdoors.
