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Southern Idaho Restaurants, from Fine Dining to Local Hangouts
It's easy to sink your teeth into good food in Southern Idaho with so many fine dining and local restaurants to choose from. There are even two farmers markets in Twin Falls County. Here are some samplings of the Southern Idaho food scene.Southern Idaho: Fine Dining With a View
Canyon Crest Restaurant in Twin Falls is perched on the south rim of the Snake River Canyon, providing a beautiful backdrop for big events. Canyon Crest offers steak-and-seafood fine dining and seating for 100 customers... Read More »
Southern Idaho Recreation: Golf Courses, Skiing Resorts and More
Southern Idaho recreation ranges from great golf and auto racing to rock climbing and snowmobiling – almost always surrounded by beautiful views.
Snow Sports
Active types who embrace all seasons will be right at home in Southern Idaho's snowmobile trails and prominent ski resorts. The Albion Area Snowmobile Trails feature approximately 30 square miles of trails that vary in difficulty. The Gooding County Snow Park provides access to a snowmobile trail that covers 150 miles of land. ... Read More »
Twin Falls, ID: Evel Knievel Leapt Here
Editor's Note: The following story was the result of one of the last interviews granted by Evel Knievel prior to his death Nov. 30, 2007.
In his risk-taking heyday, nothing seemed to intimidate the notorious motorcycle daredevil Evel Knievel – not even the 500-foot-deep, quarter-mile-wide Snake River Canyon, which he famously attempted to jump on a steam-powered “skycycle” in September 1974.
But as the fearless Knievel thinks back on that jump that made news... Read More »
Coming Soon: Twin Falls Center for the Arts
The curtain will soon be raised on a brand new performing arts center in Twin Falls.
Twin Falls Center for the Arts, currently under construction, is scheduled to open in August 2010 inside The Pinnacle, which will house several business offices, a restaurant and space for the Magic Valley Arts Council-operated arts center.
The council’s current headquarters are in a rented building at 132 Main Ave. S. “We have needed to move for awhile and were initially looking at a couple of historic sites... Read More »
Preserving Pioneer Spirit
When many people think of the Oregon Trail, the only images that come to mind are pixilated covered wagons on the scroll-screen interface of an old computer.The iconic game created such strong impressions of fording the river and bouts of dysentery that it’s easy to forget that the Oregon Trail was a real route, traveled by real people.Monuments to the period still exist along the trail, though, bringing history to life for curious visitors. Rock Creek Station and the Stricker Home Site... Read More »
Symphonic Splendor for Half a Century
When Twin Falls celebrates the Magic Valley Symphony’s 50th anniversary during their 2009-2010 concert season, they won’t only be celebrating 50 years of music.They’ll also be celebrating 50 years of ingenuity, dedication and good old-fashioned hard work.“Twin Falls is a long way from anywhere,” says Paula Sinclair, a French horn player and publicist for the symphony. “From the very beginning, back when distance really was a huge factor, the people that... Read More »
Downtown Bound
The words of Petula Clark’s hit song “You Can Always Go Downtown” certainly ring true in Twin Falls. While historic downtowns across the nation struggle to attract business, downtown Twin Falls is thriving with an irresistible mix of charming shops, tantalizing restaurants and highly anticipated annual events.Main Avenue is the heart of downtown, home to galleries, antique shops, salons and specialty stores for everything from music to scrapbooking.Jensen Jewelers opened on... Read More »
Seeing Double at Canyon Rim
When the Magic Valley Arts Council set about obtaining the first piece of artwork for the new Canyon Rim Public Art Project, a two-for-one approach wasn’t the plan.After a national call for submissions, the council, whose project partners include the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce’s beautification committee and the Twin Falls Parks and Recreation Department, chose a submission from Coeur d’Alene artist David Clemons. His subject? Twins.“We were looking for a project... Read More »
Don't-Miss Destinations and Festivals in Southern Idaho
Attractions and events abound in the Magic Valley. Here's a sampling of Southern Idaho's don't-miss destinations and festivals.
MSN Travel calls Trailing of the Sheep Festival one of the top 10 fall festivals in the world.The event takes place in Harvey and Ketchum every October, with a weekend full of Basque food, culture, dancing and many sheep. Activities include wool shearing, spinning, weaving, herding sheep demonstrations and a Trailing of the Sheep Parade that features hundreds of the... Read More »
Twin Falls Area Food Festivals Take The Cake
Food is serious business around here, from farming it and processing it to preparing and serving it. Fittingly, many local organizations have found a way to blend Southern Idaho’s rich resources and culinary talents with fundraising opportunities for community organizations. Rotary’s Death By ChocolateTake Death By Chocolate, a production of the Rotary Club of Twin Falls usually held at the end of January. Local chefs square off in five categories: chocolate cake, brownie... Read More »
Tandem Jumping Operation Brings Tourists, Locals to Perrine Bridge
Usually if someone is about to jump off a bridge, law enforcement is called to talk them out of it. In the Magic Valley, sometimes those officials are the ones doing the jumping.
Since opening Tandem BASE, a parachuting operation that sends instructors paired with students off the Perrine Bridge, owner Mark Kissner and his team have seen a steady stream of locals and visitors lining up to hop off the side of a perfectly good structure and soar to the ground below.
The bridge has long been a... Read More »
Southern Idaho Residents Enjoy Area's 'Tourism Destinations'
Ever bird watch or play disc golf at Lake Walcott State Park? There are also hiking opportunities at Craters of the Moon along with snow sledding at Gooding County Snow Park, plus hunting in Jerome and at other top-notch hunting areas.
Oh, and City of Rocks National Reserve offers rock climbing in the warmer weather and cross country skiing when cold.
Residents of the Magic Valley and Southern Idaho are lucky to have daily access to an abundance of recreational amenities that are normally... Read More »
Magic Valley Arts Scene Enhanced by Group, Facilities Devoted to Visual Presentation
In a place where breathtaking backyard landscapes are everywhere, it stands to reason that an inspired arts scene thrives.Twin Falls Center for the ArtsThe newest addition to the local arts community is the Twin Falls Center for the Arts, opened in late 2010 within the River Vista development on the Snake River Canyon rim. The facility provides a space where art aficionados can gather to celebrate life and art in the Magic Valley. With an outdoor plaza, a two-story atrium, an auditorium... Read More »
Southern Idaho Cuisine: More Than a Meal
From family-owned cafés to sophisticated restaurants where nationally known chefs hold court, something delicious is cooking in the Magic Valley.Breakfast is BigReady for bacon and eggs before heading to work, or looking for a special Sunday brunch? Try the Buffalo Café in Twin Falls, where the house specialty, the Buffalo Chip Skillet, is a plate of fried potatos, chiles, tomato, bacon, sour cream and Cheddar cheese.And don’t miss the Train Wreck at the landmark Depot Grill in Twin Falls... Read More »
BASE jumpers Flock to Twin Falls, Idaho's Perrine Bridge
In the space between the Perrine Bridge and the scenic Snake River Canyon below, time stands still – if you’re in freefall after leaping from atop the 486-foot-tall bridge.
“From that point until you see a canopy open over your head is almost impossible to describe, that short period of time,” says Mark Kissner, a local BASE jumper and one of the sport’s rare veterans. “That’s usually the time that people like most about it: It takes short little... Read More »
Fun Things To Do in Southern Idaho
1. Browse the exhibits at the Herrett Center for Arts and Science, located on the main campus of the College of Southern Idaho.
2. Picnic at Balanced Rock Park, home to a unique natural wonder.
3. Submerge yourself in one of Southern Idaho's numerous hot springs.
4. Hike through the lava caves and scenic formations of Craters of the Moon National Monument.
5. Stroll through Historic Downtown Twin Falls to discover shopping and dining hotspots.
6. Head to Magic Valley Speedway for... Read More »
Twin Falls Offers Quality Golf and the Beauty of the Snake River Canyon
The most famous towering drive in the Twin Falls area will always belong to Evel Knievel, whose unsuccessful 1974 attempt to leap the Snake River Canyon on a specially engineered rocket motorcycle is still recognized in the city with a granite monument that marks the occasion.
These days, the primary objects seen rising and falling in Twin Falls are the golf balls being struck at the area courses. And while hitting a towering drive off a tee might not be quite as thrilling as a canyon jump, it... Read More »
Twin Falls Area Pet Activities Are Wild
The diverse natural beauty of Idaho's Magic Valley has long been a draw for human tourists, but a rich abundance of trails makes the area perfect for outdoorsy dogs.
Spring to fall, Twin Falls has free Movies in the Park in the city park's bandshell, where leashed dogs are welcome.
Don't mind that wet-dog smell? Balanced Rock Park in Castleford and Auger Falls in Twin Falls have waterfronts where well-behaved dogs can splash around. Since the areas aren't officially off-leash, courtesy is... Read More »
Snake River Grill is Twin Falls Foodie Destination
When it comes to cooking, you might say Chef Kirt Martin likes to walk on the wild side. And his passion for unusual foods is evident on the menu of his Hagerman restaurant, Snake River Grill, which has become a destination for folks in the Twin Falls region.
“Most of our products are produced here in Idaho, whether it’s Kurobuta pork, Kobe beef, sturgeon or trout. And we get our seasonal fruits and vegetables from the local farmers’ market,” says Martin, a graduate of... Read More »
Gambling in Jackpot, NV, is a Short Drive From Twin Falls
Feel like gambling? Jackpot, NV, is only a 45-minute drive from Twin Falls.
The Nevada gaming destination is less than a mile from the Idaho border on U.S. Route 93 and is popular among residents of Idaho and other neighboring states.
The destination got its start when Idaho outlawed all forms of casino gaming in 1954. "Cactus Pete" Piersanti and Don French moved their slot machine operations from Idaho to the Jackpot townsite. Piersanti is credited for founding Jackpot as well as for naming... Read More »
Shoshone Indian Ice Caves Are Cool Attraction
Even when the temperature outdoors is 90 degrees, the Shoshone Ice Caves remain a cold 28-33 degrees Fahrenheit.
For that reason, "courtesy coats" hang on hooks outside the gift shop for visitors to borrow as they enter the singular attraction.
Visitors are first met at the entrance by a dinosaur statue ridden by a hairy caveman. From there, the caves include a rocky trail and several hundred yards of wooden walkways that are a few inches above the ice.
The caves, located 16 miles north of... Read More »
Outdoor Adventures in Southern Idaho, From the Mild to the Wild
Whether you're a thrill seeker or happy to be just a sightseer, outdoor recreational opportunities abound in Southern Idaho. Here are some great options for three different speeds. Mild For those seeking a laid back experience, bird watching is a favorite pastime in Southern Idaho. And few places provide a more diverse viewing experience than Lake Walcott State Park. Located on the edge of Idaho’s high desert, the park draws in bird experts from all over the country thanks to... Read More »
Twin Falls Dining – From the Farm to the Table
Agriculture has long served as the defining business of Southern Idaho, but recent farming trends are reshaping how the area produces its food and what local foodies are seeing on their menus. Twin Falls hasn’t eaten fresher and closer to the source in a long time.You couldn’t find a better example than Cloverleaf Creamery, a small farm in Buhl, only about 20 minutes outside Twin Falls. If you want to get a taste of the old days when men in trucks delivered milk straight from the... Read More »
Performance Art Makes a Home in Southern Idaho
Southern Idaho is known for its breathtaking scenery and outdoor recreation spots, but also tucked away in the areas surrounding Twin Cities is a burgeoning performing arts scene. With the Magic Valley Symphony, the College of Southern Idaho’s Fine Arts Center and Howells Opera House all boasting more than 50 years of history, Southern Idaho has a vibrant arts scene that attracts performance art buffs from all over.Southern Idaho Symphonies If you’re looking for a classic cultural... Read More »
Sawtooth National Recreation Area Known for Camping, Scenic Drives
Southern Idaho's Sawtooth National Recreation Area is a favorite place for locals and visitors alike to play outdoors and be amazed by the region's vast natural beauty.The 770,000-acre area is one of the largest and most magnificent National Recreation Areas in the United States, located at the northernmost end of the Sawtooth National Forest and adjacent to the Sawtooth Wilderness Area, which was protected from development by Act of Congress in 1972.Outdoor Activities In the summer and... Read More »
Shoshone Falls is the 'Niagara of the West'
Located just east of the city of Twin Falls, Shoshone Falls is known as the Niagara Falls of the West.
Onlookers invariably stand amazed by the majesty of Shoshone Falls, which spans 1,500 feet across the Snake River and tumbles 212 feet in a straight drop – more than 30 feet farther than Niagara's famous falls.
The falls are best viewed in the spring, when the Snake River swells with snowmelt, creating an awesome display at the waterfall. Swirling mist, swooping birds, and rainbows rise from... Read More »
Seeing Stars and Much More at Twin Falls' Herrett Center
For a hands-on learning experience about everything from ancient history to outer space, visit the Herrett Center for Arts... Read More »
Family-Friendly Activities Abound in Southern Idaho
For Marilyn Tarkalson, mother of three boys, ages 6, 4 and 2, Southern Idaho is an even better place to live the second time around. The stay-at-home mom, who has another baby on the way, was raised in nearby Kimberly and lived in Twin Falls, but moved away 15 years ago with her family. They resided in North Carolina and Nebraska, but they recently returned home for good.
“We have family in the area, and it’s just beautiful here,” Tarkalson says. “It’s a well-kept, growing city and so close... Read More »
Outdoor Recreation Proliferates in the Magic Valley
Few places can lay claim to as many diverse natural attractions as the Magic Valley. In addition to offering top-notch recreation, this adventure playground is stunning to behold, with views ranging from vast, eerie moonscapes and miles of jutting rock formations to thundering waterfalls, snow-capped mountain peaks, meandering rivers, wooded wilderness trails and idyllic fields of wildflowers.
“We have the variety,” says Debbie Dane, executive director of Southern Idaho Tourism. “Trails to ride... Read More »
Magic Valley Embraces Its Creative Side by Supporting the Arts
When the Magic Valley Arts Council set about obtaining the first piece of artwork for the new Canyon Rim Public Art Project, a two-for-one approach wasn’t the plan.After a national call for submissions, the council, whose project partners include the Twin Falls Area Chamber of Commerce’s beautification committee and the Twin Falls Parks and Recreation Department, chose a submission from Coeur d’Alene artist David Clemons. His subject? Twins.Located at the Perrine Bridge Trail... Read More »
Wonderful Wines of Southern Idaho
Move over, Napa Valley; vineyards in the Magic Valley are producing some of the greatest grapes around. Southern Idaho is home to two outstanding wineries, including Holesinsky Vineyard, the only certified organic and biodynamic vineyard in the state, and Snyder Winery, formerly known as Blue Rock.
“It was just a dirty old farm when we purchased it 10 years ago,” owner Claudia Snyder says of the sprawling hilltop space in Buhl near the bottom of the Snake River Valley. “We transformed it into... Read More »
Twin Falls is a Treat for Wine Enthusiasts
p { margin-bottom: 0.08in; }a:link { }Southern Idaho's Magic Valley certainly has the magic touch when it comes to wine. Situated at the end of the “banana belt,” the region is ripe for wine-making due to its rocky soil and winters mild enough that grapes won't freeze. Just outside of Twin Falls, the city of Buhl is home to both Holesinky Vineyard and Snyder Winery. Holesinky's began in 2001 as Idaho's first organic vineyard and winery. It started with chardonnay, grew into syrah,... Read More »
Century-Old Howells Opera House Still Stages Plays
Cassia County Judge B.P. Howells constructed the Howells Opera House in Oakley in 1907, but as far as anyone can figure, the first opera didn’t actually take place there until 80 years later in 1986.
Howells built the impressive building because there were no movies, television or radios in the early 1900s. Traveling troupes of actors were the only sources of outside entertainment available to small-town residents.
However, theaters and playhouses in those days were considered risqué because... Read More »
Shopping in Twin Falls, ID
The shopping scene in Twin Falls, Idaho is friendly and inviting with three major districts in the area providing history and a warm welcome for the area's consumers. With a major mall, smaller shops in the downtown area and a center in between, Twin Falls gives you convenient shopping wherever you are.
Magic Valley Mall
Get inspired to find that perfect item at the 413,000-square-foot Magic Valley Mall. More than 50 stores and restaurants provide an ideal indoor shopping venue for... Read More »
