What QUIRKY ROADSIDE ATTRACTIONS are there in Idaho? (Boise, Pocatello: house, hotel)

[silvermountain]

I have some free time to travel anywhere around Idaho; and I enjoy seeing quirky roadside attractions (meeting locals, learning history, photography, etc.) I have about 4 weeks set aside to travel. I have already seen the big potato in Blackfoot; and I already know to see the Miner's Hat up North. I recently serviced the air conditioner in my car; so I am all set. Where should I go?

[pimit2]

Hey silvermountain,

Have you been to the Enaville Resort? This historic landmark (well over 100 years old) is about thirty miles from Coeur d'Alene. Take Interstate Route 90 east from Coeur d'Alene and turn north at Kingston on Forest Route 9. The "resort" is about a mile off I90 at the town of Enaville.

In earlier years it was a BIG attraction for miners and loggers. It was a bar, a hotel, a house of ill repute, and a railroad layover, with names like Josies and the Snakepit. It may be closed. I haven't been there for a few years, but remember it as like walking back into a time warp.

For strange and unusual attractions, check out Roadside America - Guide to Uniquely Odd Tourist Attractions and type Idaho into the search browser. For small town local events and visiting with the locals, check out YOUR BEST IDAHO INFORMATION SOURCE, THE IDAHO INSIDER.

If today is any indication (in the 90's here in Sandpoint), you'll need that air conditioner to be in tiptop shape. Have fun and have a safe trip.

pimit2 (bob)

[IdahoEagle]

The Snakepit is still there. It is a great place to go after a day of tubing on the North fork of the Coeur d'Alene River.

Order some "Idaho Nachos" ...

[Ruby]

Scenic Byways

I just found this site in the Idaho Statesman today. I don't know about quirky, but it shows some nice drives to take throughout the state.

[burdell]

I don't know that I'd call it quirky but I enjoyed the World Center for Birds of Prey in Boise when I visited.

[DESERTRYDER]

Be sure and go to Banbury Hot springs in Buhl and take the tour boat and see the Thousand Springs pouring out of the cliffs into the Snake river.
Leaves at 1pm daily

[Syringaloid]

I have heard of an old polygamist LDS ghost town in Eastern Idaho that is close to Pocatello. I cannot remember its name though, but have wanted to check it out.

[burdell]

Originally Posted by Syringaloid

I have heard of an old polygamist LDS ghost town in Eastern Idaho that is close to Pocatello. I cannot remember its name though, but have wanted to check it out.

Chesterfield?

[mlpslc]

Check out the City of Rocks south of Burley (and visit the town of Oakley...not much there but they do have interesting locals), and there's a spot in between American Falls and Pocatello where a bunch of pioneers signed a rock on the trek west. I'm going to go out on a limb here and say it's called "Signature Rock" but I may be way way off on that one :P

[pimit2]

City of Rocks National Reserve, operated by the National Park Service, is a remarkable attraction. The Reserve is located 83 miles northwest of Twin Falls, near the town of Almo. It is a popular site for hiking, rock climbing, horseback riding, biking and a great spot for a picnic. It includes a State Park which just completed and opened a new, additional campground.

Some of the City of Rocks monoliths are more than 60 stories high. These incredible granite rocks are 2.5 million years old.

The imigrants (pioneers on the California Trail in the mid-1800's) wrote on several rocks throughout the "city". These signature rocks have names like Camp Rock and Register Rock. This early graffiti was done using axle grease.

pimit2 (Bob)