Taking its name from the wide but short waterfall completely tamed to form a pleasant green lake at the center of town, Idaho Falls (pop. 50,730), at the junction of US-20 and I-15, is a busy, big city with a very attractive, Middle American downtown set along the banks of the Snake River. Grain elevators and stockyards stand along the railroad tracks, train whistles blow throughout the night, and all manner of neon signs line the highways, offering a concentrated dose of rural Americana, while its hotels, supermarkets, and restaurants make Idaho Falls a handy last stop before heading on to the diverse wilderness areas that rise to the north, east, and west. Apart from the chance to wander around a business district that’s hardly changed since 1956, you can stroll along the waterfront park, feeding the geese or just watching the waters tumble over the weirs.
Though it’s rich in small town Americana, Idaho Falls also has a few pockets of big-city sophistication, no doubt thanks to the well-paid engineers employed at INEL west of town, and the skiers bound for Grand Targhee in the mountains to the east. Cafés and bakeries crowd together around Park Avenue and A Street downtown, serving a wide enough range of pastries, coffees, and sandwiches to suit any palate. For a place to stay, try the well-placed Red Lion Inn (208/523-800 or 800/432-1005), overlooking the falls at 475 River Parkway.
