Experience a Weekend of Small-Town Charm and Outdoor Adventure in Idaho Falls, Idaho

From easy-access hiking to natural hot springs, Idaho Falls, Idaho, offers ample outdoor pleasures. For a dose of civilization, don’t miss the lively waterfront and greenway along the Snake River, which boasts cultural attractions like the Museum of Idaho and the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho.

You’ll also enjoy top-notch restaurants, a waterfall and a peaceful Japanese garden in the heart of the city. For a quieter scene, explore Hell’s Half Acre, a lava field that feels thousands of miles — and even centuries —away.

As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.

Friday: Take In the Idaho Falls Zoo and Snake River Waterfront

Begin your visit in downtown Idaho Falls at the Villa Coffeehouse. The outpost offers single-origin coffee beans roasted at nearby Steve & Harry’s, which are delivered fresh to the café every week. Enjoy a cappuccino or cortado with one of the eatery’s hearty breakfast dishes, from a croissant stuffed with egg, bacon and maple syrup to a cinnamon-raisin bagel made sweet with peanut butter and banana.

Just south of downtown is Tautphaus Park, one of the oldest and largest parks in the city. Enjoy a morning stroll through the park until you arrive at its main showpiece: the Idaho Falls Zoo, which boasts a wide range of exotic animals as well as an aviary and petting zoo.

After exploring, head toward South Tourist Park to begin your stroll up the east side of the Idaho Falls River Walk & Greenbelt Trail.

Take your time with the contemporary exhibits at the Art Museum of Eastern Idaho before stopping to enjoy the Japanese Friendship Garden, an urban oasis with a peaceful pagoda and waterfall tucked inside. Lunch calls for Asian-inspired plates, including seafood and sushi, at nearby Smokin Fins.

After lunch, continue your stroll past the striking Idaho Falls Idaho Temple to Russ Freeman Park, which features an 18-hole disc golf course, the city’s Vietnam Memorial, baseball fields, horseshoe pit and hiking trails. Try your hand at a round of golf followed by a nature walk before the sun goes down.

Finish your day at the crowd-pleasing Pitmaster BBQ. If there’s a home game happening, check out the Minor League Baseball team in action at the nearby Melaleuca Field.

Saturday: Discover the Arts and Go for a Soak

Back in the historic center of Idaho Falls, you’ll begin your day at City Bagels & Bakery. Try one or two of the house specials: a bagel with cream cheese and smoked salmon or a Spanish-style café bombón. Vegan and gluten-free options are also available. From here, check out the Willard Arts Center, which features both local and regional artists.

Continue your tour of the arts at the nearby ARTitorium on Broadway, an interactive arts center that’s fun for all ages. Get your hands dirty making your own masterpiece at the creation station — that goes for the adults, too! — or put on a performance in front of a green screen.

Pay a visit to the nearby Museum of Idaho for immersive exhibits on the social and environmental history of the region.

Then it’s time for a soak in the nearby Heise Hot Springs. East of the city, yet still on the Snake River, Heise Hot Springs has its own pizza parlor and an outdoor pool and waterslide. It’s also host to a healing natural mineral pool that’s 104 degrees Fahrenheit.

Before heading back downtown for dinner, stop at the eccentric Collectors’ Corner Museum, a space full of 115 collections spanning model airplanes, kitchenware, toy cars and more. There’s even a special Barbie Room, showcasing the long history of the doll.

Dinner will be served at the Snow Eagle Brewing & Grill, a brick-lined microbrewery situated on the river parkway. You’ve got a choice of sushi or Western classics like Idaho rainbow trout, rib-eye steak or a hickory-bacon burger.

After dinner, enjoy an evening stroll along the west side of the riverwalk. Be sure to stop and see the Giant Eagle Waterfall Nest, an enormous statue with two larger-than-life eagles tending to their roost atop native Idaho rock, while a mountain lion lurks below.

Sunday: Hike Hell’s Half Acre, Explore Local Parks and Dine Downtown

Smitty’s Pancakes & Steak House has been a downtown staple for breakfast, lunch and dinner since 1972. Order a plate of old-fashioned sourdough pancakes made from a secret 100-year-old family recipe. Or if you prefer an even heartier breakfast, go for the classic steak-and-eggs platter. Grab something to go for a picnic lunch — you’ll thank yourself later.

After breakfast, take the 35-minute drive to Hell’s Half Acre, an area known for epic lava fields and — in the summertime — a colorful array of native wildflowers. Just 25 miles out of town, this is one of Idaho’s top natural wonders.

Hike all the way to the primary volcanic vent, where lava erupted more than 5,000 years ago — creating a scene that’s reminiscent of Hawaii or Iceland. There are a handful of hiking trails in the region, from a super-quick 0.1-mile out-and-back path to a mile-long southbound loop through the lava fields.

On your way back to town, grab a much-deserved treat: ice cream from Reed’s Dairy, a family-run, farm-to-table spot selling cheese curds, caramels and 49 flavors of yummy small-batch ice cream. Next, head to Ryder Park, a great spot for a picnic and afternoon fishing at Becker Pond. If you’re big on biking, rent some wheels and be sure to check out the paths and skills trail at the Ryder Bike Park.

Tonight’s evening meal is at a fine-dining spot called d’Railed Gastropub. Enjoy coconut shrimp, lobster tail and Miyazaki filet mignon in a repurposed railroad bunkhouse, alongside a wide selection of bourbon, scotch and whiskey. After dinner, save time for a nightcap at the nearby Celt Pub, a lively local hub offering late-night cocktails and local craft brews.