8 Small Towns in Idaho with the Best Downtowns
Synonymous with outdoor adventuring and national parks, the entire state of Idaho is reminiscent of country living, and its downtowns are no different. Everyone feels it when they visit towns where historic events took place, like Salmon, the homeland of Sacajawea. You feel the excitement of the downtown area in Hailey at the Trailing of the Sheep Festival and in Driggs at the winter carnival. Moscow has a vibrant energy as a university town full of students and nightlife. With mountain backdrops and farming fields as far as the eye can see, the entire state is special. Here are 8 small towns with the best downtowns in Idaho.
Wallace
With a tiny population of under 1,000 people, Wallace is a breath of fresh air from big-city problems. It can be a romantic getaway or a place to create family memories. With its deep Western roots, the historic downtown is remarkable enough to be on the National Register of Historic Places. The architecture of the buildings with the mountain backdrop creates a stunning view. Buildings with windows that look like lookout points, and attached strips of shops that culminate roadside with big, wooden columns. The town looks like a set piece for a Clint Eastwood movie.
With events running throughout the year, like the Idaho Panhandle Film Festival, the Historic Craft Beer Pub Crawl, and the Wallace Indoor Expo Market (and that’s just in April), there is plenty to see and do. The Wallace Brewing Company, with its saloon-like interior design, is the perfect example of interior and exterior design working together to create a memorable stop on any vacation.
It’s a friendly town where every person has a story to tell. It’s like its own world— especially considering the much-visited Center of the Universe Manhole in the heart of downtown, which claims just that.
Sandpoint
Sandpoint has been called the Most Beautiful Small Town in America. Earning an accolade like that from anyone is an honor, and seeing the flowers, the nature, the architecture, the views of the majestic Lake Pend Oreille, and landmarks like the Schweitzer Castle in the mountains (which looks exceptionally medieval in the wintertime), you'll understand why.
Not only does it look gorgeous, but there are a ton of fun activities too. In the summer, there is beach fun, swimming, and boating. Visiting Public art galleries along 1st and 2nd Avenues, such as Art Works Gallery and Woods Wheatcroft Studio Gallery, can also be a treat. They add to the reputation of the downtown's artistic atmosphere, which features murals and arts and crafts fairs.
The Festival at Sandpoint is a concert series, with entertainment booked throughout the summer, and The Cedar Street Bridge Public Market is a shopper's delight. With all this fun and beauty packed into one little town, it’s no wonder tourists love this place.
Hailey
In central Idaho, there lies a town whose heart is brimming with art, with a downtown full of colorful murals, sheep sculptures, and art galleries. Hailey is also home to one of the Sun Valley Art Museum's locations (their biggest location is in neighboring Ketchum). The Hailey location operates out of the Homer Pound Home, birthplace of poet Ezra Pound. It is only fitting to commemorate the most famous artist to ever come from Hailey.
There are also nearby events year-round, like Brewfest, Wellness Fest, and the Sun Valley Film Festival. Unlike other neighbouring resort towns, Hailey has more permanent residents, and these events help build community spirit and a friendly atmosphere. It’s what separates Hailey from other towns in Idaho, with residents putting forth effort to make their downtown a beautiful place to be, with a friendly atmosphere. Local cafes, piping with the smell of fresh-brewed coffee, like Cafe Della and Black Owl Coffee, are gathering places for artists.
Lucky, the Blaine County Courthouse, built with an Italianate style in the 1880s, has never had to undergo reconstruction and still stands strongly as the central hub of the downtown.
Paris
With a population of roughly 550 people, Paris is a tiny, often overlooked town in Idaho, with a historic downtown. Preserved pioneer buildings from when worshippers of the Church of Jesus of Latter-day Saints first settled in the 1800s make up most of the downtown core. Unsurprisingly, in a town with a strong Mormon influence, the Paris Tabernacle church is the biggest and most beautiful structure in town.
Located a short drive away from Bear Lake, Paris is a quiet summertime escape. The downtown consisted of small family shops, including Bear Lake Hermitage and Paris Country Store, all of which have a friendly, welcoming feel.
Salmon
Once a mining and lumber town, Salmon has turned into a beautiful melange of art galleries, cafes, and shops. Many buildings are crafted from lumber, harking back to the town’s blue-collar roots, and still stand strong, mixing in with modern brick structures to give you a glimpse of past and present-day architecture at play. Located along the Salmon River, the town was the homeland of Sacajawea, who guided Lewis and Clark through the Lemhi Pass (just outside of the town) during their infamous expedition in the early 1800s. This event is immortalized in the Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Education Center.
Western-esque architecture is on display at establishments like Whiskey Willy and Lantern Bar. They are perfect examples of spots you can stop for a drink that will make you feel like you're in the wild west (except instead of rowdy cowboys, you can expect small-town hospitality).
Moscow
A university town with a population of roughly 27,000, Moscow has a laid-back small-town vibe, mixed among a younger population that likes to have fun. The local economy caters to college-age and young adults, so you can expect all the things that come with college: indie book stores, an active arts and music scene, and of course, beer. Book stores like BookPeople of Moscow and The Sword and the Shovel Coffeehouse and Bookstore are a gathering hub of students, as well as cafes like One World Cafe, which host open mics.
It’s not hard to find a good drink either, with an array of different microbreweries trying their hand at crafting something special. Hunga Dunga Brewing is just one of the many local spots where you can kick back and have some fun.
And what mixes better with beer than pizza? Grab a pie at Maialina Pizzeria Napoletana and feel like you’re in college again. Moscow is a great small town to visit if you want to feel young again.
McCall
A lakeside town that is just as beautiful in the winter as it is in the summer. Arguably, it’s even more picture-perfect for postcards during the winter because of the annual Winter Carnival. It features stunning ice sculptures, decorations, and happy families having fun and flooding the streets. The carnival brings exciting events, parades, and warm bonfires that light up the streets, making the backdrop even more mesmerizing at night.
Payette Lake is where the fun takes place during the summertime. Boating, swimming, or a simple lakeside walk to relax your mind and leave your troubles. There is also the McCall Fish hatchery and lots of golf courses, making it the ultimate getaway for any outdoorsman.
Local eats like the upscale steakhouse Steamers or Pueblo Linda with its Mexican/Latin cuisine, can be the perfect way to end the day.
Driggs
Located in eastern Idaho, Driggs is another small town known for its arts and culture. The Teton Range to the east adds to the peacefulness with its wonderful view that makes you feel small and one with nature. With wheat and potato-producing farmlands filling the space between the town and the mountains, you can literally taste the culture at the weekly Farmers Market and in the local food scene, which is full of bold beers and fantastic fries. The Grand Teton Distillery and Citizen 33 Brewery make use of the wheat, and The Royal Wolf cuts and fries delicious potatoes, serving them with burgers and other pub fare.
The downtown is buzzing with events throughout the year: it’s almost impossible not to have a good time. Events like the Plein Air Festival, Downtown Sounds, Shakespeare in the Park, and First Friday Art Walks are just a few of the fun things you can do. The town is a tourist destination, so people are naturally attracted to the lively culture.
Along with the Friday Art Walks, Teton Arts adds to the art scene. And for any history lover looking to learn more about the Teton Valley, the Teton Geotourism Center is an interactive museum that’s fun for the whole family.
Scenic trails and natural wonders attract a lot of tourists to Idaho. But besides nature, walkable, eye-appealing downtowns with great places to eat and have fun make vacationing more memorable. Whether you visit local galleries and First Friday Art Walks to experience the incredible local festivals, spending the day in a nice downtown can be the cherry on top of the sundae that makes your visit even better.
