Over the course of 2016, we visited a lot of fantastic towns in Idaho - charming, welcoming, delightful, and over-the-top beautiful, Idaho's tiniest communities have a lot to offer! If you've checked out our 2017 Idaho Bucket List, you might notice that these towns are almost entirely as far away from those attractions as you can get. After all, peace and quiet and a noticeable lack of crowds is our favorite part of living in the Gem State!
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1. The Picture-Perfect Fall Town
If you plan on checking out Idaho's colorful fall foliage this year, this itty bitty waterfront town is an absolute must-see. From scenic overlooks and quaint ponds to the vibrant parks, there's a lot to love, here! Of course, this whole region is pretty spectacular... so just be sure to have your camera handy.
2. The Delightfully Unique Town
From accordion festivals and giant beach balls to quirky museums, tours, and endless history in all of its colorful forms, this tiny town has earned its designation for good reason.
Resting gently at the bottom of lakes and reservoirs, Idaho is home to multiple underwater towns that sit resting quietly in their watery graves. This town is a little extra special, however. From the prehistoric marvels found nearby to the fact that this rural town is still a thriving community even today, this is one place you'll want to photograph for yourself during the dry season!
While a tiny state secret itself, this charming community is also home to a few surprises of its own; namely, some fantastic overlooks, prismatic swimming holes, and delightful history.
Wyoming has Yellowstone, but the same geologic forces that shaped the country's first national park also spill over into Idaho, where they form quite the watery spectacle!
There are plenty of small towns in Idaho that are pretty spectacular when it comes to planning your next family vacation-- but this charming community should definitely be at the top of your list. Hot springs, beautiful mountains, a perfect lake, and hometown charm galore all comes together to make for the perfect weekend getaway.
Idaho has a reputation for being one of the safest states in the country, but according to the most recent reports, this Southern Idaho town is the most peaceful in the Gem State. Of course, even if you're not thinking about relocating, why not take a daytrip here to chat with the locals? Dine at the Cactus Grill, Tianna's Coffee House, or just enjoy the sweet freshness of the "best tasting water in Idaho."
8. The Most Beautiful Small Town
Quite possibly the most agonizing decision I've ever made, but you can check out the full list for yourself to see some of our other favorite photogenic small towns. But if you're like me, choosing which one to visit next will be next to impossible!
Don't believe everything you hear--Idaho has more ghost towns than any other state in the country, and boy are we proud of them. In every state of preservation and disrepair, these once-thriving communities are a trip back through time! But of the over 100 towns left over from Idaho's glory era of mining, Silver City is no doubt the best preserved and most diverse of them all; so much so in fact that it has recently started to come back to life.
10. The Most Charming Small Town
For this category, we focused on small town charm across the board, with a particular emphasis on scenic downtown areas. McCall seems to have it all when it comes to play, beauty, and easy access to quite possibly one of the best waterfront backyards in the state.
When it comes to history, sometimes it's best to start at the beginning. This little town is where it all started!
Let's be honest- there's no way that this list will ever be complete! There's far too much to explore in Idaho. To help you make the most of your visits, check out our 2017 Road Trip Bucket List as well!
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