More than potatoes: Fun Facts About Idaho Falls
Think you really know Idaho Falls? I.F. is a city with a small town feel. The Snake River falls could photobomb every postcard, the Museum of Idaho brings in attractions you'll have to see to believe, and the LDS temple lights are a nightly halo over the water. Let's run through the facts, stats, and potato lore that showcase what makes Idaho Falls's small-town sparkle go nuclear.
Chandi, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Chandi is Idaho born, raised, and still deeply obsessed with the Gem State, even though she now splits her time between here and South Carolina. With a mind-boggling 30 moves under her belt, she's amassed a library's worth of moving tips and tricks. She believes Idaho rewards curiosity, from small town events to overlooked trailheads and restaurants that haven't yet been popularized. She loves dinner at XVIII in Idaho Falls, welding junk into sculptures, and getting a little too excited about spiders, beetles, and other types of arthropods. At Snappy Scout, she brings sharp local instincts and hard earned insight from three decades of Idaho living.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes Idaho Falls Idaho Falls?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for Idaho Falls
IF, I.F., The Falls, Gateway to Yellowstone
Local Reality Check
It's not only potatoes. I.F. has a thriving INL tech, river life, and legit foodie scene (The Snakebite and XVIII are local favorites).
You're most likely moving from
California, Utah, and Boise refugees seeking cheaper houses and bigger skies.
Strangely large concentration of
nuclear engineers, thanks to Idaho National Laboratory.
Music scene
Idaho Falls Symphony, Colonial Theater, and summer concerts along the Greenbelt.
You'll have to see it to believe it
LDS temple glowing beside the roaring falls on the Greenbelt.
Unique Geography
Snake River slicing through town, basalt lava plain, Tetons on the horizon on clear days.
Idaho Falls is home to
Idaho National Laboratory offices and the Museum of Idaho.
Well known for its
Riverfront Greenbelt and as a launchpad to Yellowstone and the Tetons.
Fun history fact
Eagle Rock officially renamed Idaho Falls in 1891.
Celebrity sightings
Touring headliners at Mountain America Center and Colonial Theater.
Noteworthy Census stat
Only Eastern Idaho city over 60,000 residents.
Most interesting sub-culture within Idaho Falls
War Bonnet Round Up rodeo diehards.
Population
4th largest city in ID, top 200 largest nationwide
Idaho Falls is roughly the same geographic size as
Boulder, Colorado
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
The Mountain Brewers Beer Fest! This event brings people from across the Northwest every June. Sample beers, ciders, and seltzers from over 100 breweries, enjoy live music, food vendors, raffles, and more, all while supporting local charities and scholarships. Mark your calendar!
July 4th, definitely check out the Melaleuca Freedom Celebration. This is home to one of the largest fireworks displays west of the Mississippi River.
— Chandi Lyn
Idaho Local Expert
Ready to See If Idaho Falls Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Idaho Falls guide for the bigger picture.