Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Idaho Falls, Idaho

Formerly known as Eagle Rock in the 19th century, Idaho Falls derived its name from an artificial waterfall constructed for a hydroelectric facility on the Snake River during the 1890s.

The city takes great pride in its renowned river, which can be appreciated through paths along both banks, connecting several picturesque waterfront parks.

Idaho Falls serves as the commercial and cultural nucleus of Eastern Idaho, housing the region’s sole professional sports team and a variety of notable attractions, including the Museum of Idaho and Idaho Falls Zoo.

Downtown Idaho Falls is adorned with intriguing historical structures and brimming with vibrancy, featuring independent restaurants, unique boutiques, and museums.

1. Idaho Falls Greenbelt River Walk

The scenic Snake River traverses over 1,000 miles through the Pacific Northwest, constituting a key characteristic of the Idaho Falls skyline.

Significant efforts have been made to make this breathtaking feature accessible to the public, allowing visitors to walk, jog, or cycle along numerous miles of riverside paths on both banks.

Along the route, you will encounter art installations and informational signs, as well as a series of charming waterfront parks perfect for picnicking.

A notable landmark along the path is the waterfall that generates more than half of the city’s power.

Another prominent feature is the striking modern spire of the Idaho Falls Idaho Temple of the Church of Latter-Day Saints located on the eastern bank.

The Greenbelt project has been spearheaded by the Idaho Falls Rotary Club, which raises funds for expansion through annual events such as the Duck Race held in August.

2. Museum of Idaho

Established in 2003, the Museum of Idaho connects Idaho Falls’ historic Carnegie Library and Masonic Temple with a contemporary glass atrium.

The museum has accumulated significant collections encompassing fields such as paleontology, archaeology, geology, as well as the history of Idaho’s indigenous peoples and its 19th-century settlers.

These collections are exhibited in elegantly curated temporary exhibits, often combined with distinguished traveling displays.

Past exhibitions have explored a diverse array of topics, including dinosaur eggs, pirates, steampunk, bioluminescence, guitars, Egyptology, Ancient Rome, and artifacts from the Titanic.

The Museum of Idaho offers a wide range of educational programs for both children and adults, from archaeology tours to special “Nights at the Museum.”

3. Idaho Falls Zoo

This establishment is deeply committed to animal conservation, actively participating in over 40 Species Survival Plans. The zoo is organized into zones, including Patagonia, North America, Australia, Africa, Asia, Primates, and a Children’s Zoo.

Some of the animals featured include lions, lemurs, penguins, sloth bears, wallabies, kookaburras, snow leopards, golden eagles, and otters.

In the Children’s Zoo, youngsters have the opportunity to feed sheep, pet goats, and explore an interactive playground designed to replicate the experience of being a bird.

4. Japanese Friendship Garden

Nestled on a small rocky island adjacent to the man-made waterfall on the Snake River is an exquisite Japanese garden.

Established in 2011 to commemorate Idaho Falls’ 30-year relationship with its sister city, Tōkai-Mura in Japan’s Ibaraki Prefecture, this beautiful setting is historically significant as the location of the first bridge crossing the Snake River in the 19th century.

Much of the Japanese Friendship Garden was developed through volunteer efforts, featuring a viewing platform, a pond with a “Dragon’s Path,” a large lantern gifted by Tōkai-Mura, and several water features.

An outstanding addition is the authentic Japanese Pavilion, unveiled in 2016, which showcases ornamental tiles presented by Tōkai-Mura. A delegation from the Japanese sister city visits Idaho Falls every other July.

5. Downtown Idaho Falls

In a trend observed nationwide, Downtown Idaho Falls has undergone revitalization in the past few decades, becoming an inviting place for shopping, dining, entertainment, and cultural experiences.

Many locations highlighted in this article can be found downtown, along with a variety of independent shops offering apparel, unique gifts, furniture, antiques, flowers, jewelry, photography, musical instruments, toys, art, and specialty items.

On Saturdays, the vibrant Idaho Falls Farmers’ Market is held at Bonneville County Civil Court, featuring fresh seasonal produce, artisanal specialty foods, and delectable baked goods.

The dining scene is remarkably diverse, accommodating cravings for various cuisines, including Mexican (Pachangas), American classics (Snakebite), pizza (Lucy’s New York Style Pizzeria), Thai (Krung Thep), Chinese (Happy’s), and Indian (Cardamom), among others.

6. Art Museum of Eastern Idaho

Situated along the Idaho Falls River Walk, the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho stands as a local advocate for visual arts, established in 2002.

This venue hosts engaging and innovative temporary exhibitions across various media, complemented by a burgeoning permanent collection.

Visitors can explore five galleries, a gift shop with captivating works by local artists, and an interactive art educational area designed for children.

The Art Museum of Eastern Idaho is also deeply integrated into the community, facilitating workshops and classes across multiple disciplines in a designated classroom and workshop space.

7. Tautphaus Park

The zoo represents only one aspect of this extensive park, named after the entrepreneur and developer Charles C. Tautphaus (1841-1906).

Among the oldest in the city, the park was acquired in the 1930s, with the log hut serving as the zoo’s executive office being part of a WPA project from 1934.

During WWII, the park served as a German prisoner of war camp. Adjacent to the zoo, an entertainment venue named Funland has its origins in the 1940s. South of this area, you will find the popular Joe Marmo/Wayne Lehto Ice Area, which operates during winter.

Additional facilities include baseball/softball fields, tennis and volleyball courts, a skatepark, horseshoe pits, picnic shelters, and a children’s playground featuring musical instruments.

8. Melaleuca Field

Idaho Falls hosts the only professional sports team in Eastern Idaho, the Minor League Baseball team, the Idaho Falls Chukars, whose history dates back to the 1920s when they were known as the “Idaho Falls Spuds.”

Throughout the past century, the Chukars have been associated with several Major League teams, but currently operate independently.

Their home ground is the charming Melaleuca Field, constructed in 2007, which accommodates up to 3,500 spectators and features extensive brickwork, an impressive grandstand, eight luxury boxes, and a sponsored hot tub.

Local residents and businesses contributed significantly to this project, with their names displayed on plaques and bricks within the stadium.

9. ARTitorium on Broadway

Designed to engage children aged 12 and under, the ARTitorium on Broadway is an educational art-themed destination located in downtown Idaho Falls.

ARTitorium features numerous interactive exhibits that encourage children to express creativity in a fun and experiential manner using technology at various stations, including computer Creation Stations, a stop-motion animation studio, a green screen, a motion wall, and a touchscreen Virtual Gallery.

The facility also includes a 136-seat theater and a recording studio equipped with surround sound and advanced recording technology.

Activities offered include weekly Family Fun Art Nights, scavenger hunts, and age-specific art sessions.

10. East Idaho Aquarium

Established in 2013 on the northern side of Idaho Falls, this well-maintained aquarium continues to expand each year.

The East Idaho Aquarium features immersive decor, including tropical vegetation, replica caves, and ancient ruins.

Visitors can encounter marine animals, such as sharks, vibrant tropical fish, stingrays, and touchable starfish, alongside eels, octopuses, jellyfish, and various fish species from Idaho’s lakes and rivers.

Additionally, there is an aviary showcasing colorful parakeets, an albino boa constrictor, turtles, bearded dragons, and iguanas.

11. Freeman Park

As part of a series of green spaces along the Snake River, Freeman Park is situated on the eastern bank, just south of the Idaho State University campus.

Within this expansive green space, visitors can find a perfect spot for picnicking or take a leisurely detour along the river walk.

Paved trails for walking, jogging, and cycling meander through Freeman Park, lined with mature trees.

This park features an 18-hole disc golf course, a children’s playground with newly updated equipment, an outdoor shelter, and picnic tables.

Perhaps the most tranquil area is adjacent to the Snake River, where numerous benches invite you to take a moment and enjoy the flowing water.

12. Collectors Corner Museum

This unique museum showcases an array of collectibles, reflecting the interests of its owners, Jim and Nida Gyorfy, who have been collecting for over 60 years.

Visitors can explore over 125 distinct collections, encompassing items such as stuffed animal toys, hubcaps, coins, Precious Moments figurines, commemorative plates, Barbies, stamps, model trains, Ron Lee clowns, and wind-up monkeys.

Every item in the collection has been manually sourced, as the couple refrains from using computers, ensuring a treasure trove of rarities within the display cases.

13. Idaho Brewing Company

Located in a warehouse by the Snake River, Idaho Brewing Company has been operational since 2009, gaining recognition across Eastern Idaho for its award-winning ales and lagers.

The brewery features a selection of eight year-round brews, including What a Pear (Fruit Lager), Idaho Pale Ale, Red Warrior (India Red Ale), Deep Creek Ale (Blond Ale), Maggie’s Dog Slobber (Brown Ale), Black Lager (Schwarzbier), Highland Scotch Ale, and Wolf’s Oatmeal Stout.

Both Black Lager and Wolf’s Oatmeal Stout have earned accolades at the North American Beer Awards.

The core offerings are complemented by a variety of seasonal beers, and the tasting room, open from Monday to Saturday, boasts 12 beers on tap, ensuring there is always something new to sample.

14. Eagle Rock Fountain

Located just off the west bank of the Snake River and downstream from the falls, the Eagle Rock Fountain serves as an impressive modern landmark in Idaho Falls.

This centerpiece of a housing development is situated in the middle of a roundabout.

The fountain draws its name from Eagle Rock, an earlier moniker for Idaho Falls used in the 1860s, which was subsequently replaced by “Idaho Falls” in the 1890s for marketing purposes. Eagle Rock Fountain is recognized as the world’s largest eagle monument, completed in 2006.

The base comprises local quarried rocks, rising to 26 feet and featuring cascading water. Sculptor Vic Payne was commissioned to create the bronze eagles, which include a mother and father eagle, each three times life size, with a wingspan of 21 feet. The mother eagle tends to her two eaglets, which stand 4.5 feet tall.

15. Hell’s Half-Acre Lava Field

Idaho Falls serves as the gateway to a remarkable basaltic lava plain that stretches across approximately 155 square miles, located about 25 miles to the west of the city.

Designated as a National Natural Landmark, Hell’s Half-Acre is believed to have been formed around 5,000 years ago by the Lava Ridge-Hell’s Half-Acre fissure vent.

Molten rock was forced upward from a depth reaching up to 50 miles before solidifying on the surface.

The dramatic name was first given by fur traders in the 19th century, and greatly resonates when observing the profound chasms in the terrain created by immense subterranean pressure.

Over five millennia later, vegetation remains sparse at Hell’s Half-Acre, though nature is gradually reclaiming the area.