8 Of The Friendliest Towns In Idaho

Idaho’s farming heritage has shaped a state where working the land goes hand in hand with looking out for one another and creating communities where neighbors truly matter. Today, these community connections matter more than ever. Whether you are a resident of one of these small towns or are just visiting for a weekend, you will quickly feel at home in these nine towns, where farmers' markets, county fairs, cafes, and live theater performances bring the community together.

Bonners Ferry

Bonners Ferry has amazing summers each year, hosting a season full of festivals that unite the community and attract plenty of visitors. The Borders Jamboree Car Show takes place in June, held downtown, bringing in cars from all around the Northwest. August brings the Boundary County Fair, a magical fair with local vendors, exhibits, attractions, and booths. Year-round, meanwhile, you can enjoy events like the Bonners Ferry Farmers Market, which is one of the state’s oldest, consisting of nearly 30 vendors each market day selling spices, produce, handmade soaps, yarn, and more.

Driggs

Although Idaho can get pretty cold in the winter, Driggs keeps a warm spirit going. In January each year, for example, the town hosts the Annual Driggs Snowscapes, a free snow sculpting festival where attendees can admire incredible snow sculptures downtown. After the festival, grab a bite at The Royal Wolf, a friendly cafe that serves burgers, tacos, sandwiches, draft beers, and more. Every Sunday, visitors can also drop by Rise Coffee House to enjoy a hot cup of joe and some live music from 10 am until noon.

Stanley

Home to just a little over 100 residents, Stanley has a notably friendly community that is eager to share its hospitality with visitors. During the high season, you will find some welcoming restaurants to dine at, including Stanley Baking Co. & Cafe, which serves breakfast, lunch and an assortment of baked goods. Mystic Saddle Ranch is another beloved local business that has been receiving horseback riders with open arms since 1969. Trail rides vary from an hour to full-day expeditions. In July, visitors should make sure to attend the Sawtooth Festival, a two-day event that brings in over 75 regional vendors and lots of live music.

Moscow

Affectionately known as “Fest City,” Moscow has a calendar of unique festivals that you are unlikely to find anywhere else. The Pour Company Rare Beer Fest, held in April, gathers unique beers from around the world, complete with music and food. The Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival typically occurs around the same date, one of the oldest jazz festivals in the world, featuring hundreds of student performances, evening concerts with famed musicians, and nearly 100 workshops. Even in the winter, the community has quirky festivals going on! Moscow Winterfest occurs in February, an eccentric 80s-themed après ski block party.

Idaho City

Established in 1862 amid the gold rush, Idaho City thrived with over 200 local businesses at its peak in the mid-1860s. Now home to around 500 residents, the town still shines through the warmth of its community. Travelers wanting to learn about the town’s fascinating history can sign up for a tour with Simply Fun Historic Walking Tours, run by an Idaho City local who has been giving tours for 20 years! The Gold Mine Hotel is a hospitable place to spend the night, a restored hotel dating back to the 1860s that has worked to preserve its original character. If you’ll be in town in October, consider attending the Idaho City Days, a festival offering lots of local vendors, food, and live music.

Wallace

Surrounded by the Bitterroot Mountains, Wallace has earned its reputation as an outdoor paradise. However, it also has an underrated festival calendar and microbrewery scene! Each December, the town jumps into the holiday spirit with the annual Christmas in Wallace event, with a few of the festivities including a tree lighting, trolley tours, a Christmas parade, breakfast with Santa, and more. A few months later, in April, the Idaho Panhandle Film Festival occurs, which features screenings of a variety of short films. Even if you can’t attend one of the festivals, you can always drop by Wallace Brewing for a craft beer, a friendly 15-barrel microbrewery that has been selling beer since 2009.

Priest River

Priest River is a neighborly logging and agricultural community that loves to share its heritage with visitors. At TerBest Alpacas Farm, travelers can have the chance to feed and touch an alpaca, all while learning about the farm from the knowledgeable farmers! Priest River Timber Days is another classic cultural activity that takes place in town each year, celebrating its logging heritage through lumberjack competitions, a parade, a vendor market, and more. Several restaurants can be found in the heart of town for a good meal, including The Settlement Kitchen + Craft Tavern, a cozy establishment serving tacos, sandwiches, and mac n cheese, among other homestyle dishes.

Sandpoint

Just 60 miles from the Canadian border, travelers will find Sandpoint, a town that seems to have picked up a bit of that famous Canadian warmth! From May through October, the community comes together twice a week at the Sandpoint Farmers' Market. This year, a winter market is being added on select Saturdays from November through February. The arts community is also active in Sandpoint, seen in attractions like the Panida Theater, which opened in 1927 and hosts all kinds of live performances, comedy shows, and film screenings. Travelers looking for a friendly face and craft beer can stop by MickDuff's Brewing Co., which serves blond ales, red ales, and IPAs, among other varieties.

If you are looking for a bit of neighborly spirit in your getaway, you will most certainly find it in these nine towns. Not only do they have some of the state’s most beloved festivals, but they are also filled with community gathering spaces, such as breweries, cafes, and markets. You can also learn the ropes from some of the locals on a historic walking tour, horseback riding excursion, or alpaca farm tour! So get ready to have your spirits lifted on your next visit to one of these towns.