Idaho Falls, ID

The county seat of Bonneville County, Idaho Falls is nestled along the Snake River at the western edge of the Rocky Mountains. As a town of approximately 53,000 residents (2007 estimate), it is one of the larger cities in Idaho. Idaho Falls prides itself on being the perfect mix of big city amenities and small town charm.

Idaho Falls enjoys a climate that is ideal for outdoor activities year-round. The city sees more than 200 days of sun each year. With 82 days of measurable precipitation, Idaho Falls can expect to get around 12 inches of rain and 29 inches of snow per calendar year. Summers are mild, with highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s. Winters are cold but not severe, with lows ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Fahrenheit.

ECONOMY AND INDUSTRIES

For many decades Idaho Falls was among the top agricultural producers in the United States, but after the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission opened the National Reactor Testing Station (now called the Idaho National Laboratory) nearby, it became one of the city's major employers. The NRTS was the main economic booster in the city until federal cutbacks were made in the 1990s. In order to remain economically stable, the city actively sought to develop other industries, such as customer-service, retail, and health care. This shift in industry has kept the economy of Idaho Falls bustling.

NEIGHBORHOODS AND DISTRICTS

• Historic Downtown Idaho Falls: Late 19th/early 20th-century buildings have been preserved in this riverfront downtown, the place to find art galleries, museums, coffee houses and restaurants and generally get away from chain-store culture.
• Numbered Streets: A mix of well preserved housing from the 1920s and 1930s that's now a desireable neighborhood near downtown.

Other neighborhoods include:

• Osgood/Payne: This is a quiet, remote area of Idaho Falls that is home to mostly farmers and their children.
• First Street/S Boulevard: This urban area is home to mostly young singles. Its small, historic homes were primarily built before 1940. Elm Street Park is located in this neighborhood.
• Woodruff Avenue/First Street: A walkable, urban area with mostly families and their children. The houses here are primarily medium-size, single-family homes. A major area shopping area, Grand Teton Mall, is located here.
• City Center: This is a suburban area with a number of farms. The midsize homes are occupied mostly by families with children.
• Iona: A suburban area populated with mostly families with children. These medium-size homes are in a quiet part of town. The Tautphaus Park and Zoo, including several sports fields and facilities, can be found in this family-friendly part of town.
• I-15 (Bus)/17th Street: The single-family homes in this area were mostly built from 1940 through 1969. This quiet, artsy area is home to people of several different age groups.

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Museum of Idaho: The museum offers year-round events and speakers. Its permanent exhibits include Eagle Rock and Race for Atomic Power! It also hosts a number of visiting exhibits each year in addition to special events and educational programs.
• Willard Arts Center/The Colonial Theatre: Both facilities are owned and operated by The Idaho Falls Arts Council. Combined, they offer performing arts, visual arts, a summer youth program, and a community arts promotion.
• Tautphaus Park Zoo: More than 600 animals from six continents reside at the Tautphaus Park Zoo. Popular exhibits include wallaby, African penguins, lemurs, tamarins, and snow leopards, and amur tigers. This zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan that helps to preserve the futures of 14 different endangered species through a captive breeding program.
• Melaleuca Field: The Idaho Falls Chukars, a minor-league affiliate of the Kansas City Royals, plays at this 3,400-seat field, built in 2007. The venue is also used for American Legion and some high school games.

EVENTS

• Mountain Brewers Beer Festival: Held the first Saturday in June, this festival features more than 80 breweries as well as live music, food, and a silent auction.
• Taste of Idaho: Held on the third Thursday in June, this event showcases the state's dining, arts, and entertainment.
• EIRMC Summer River Concert Series: Sponsored by the Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center from June through August, this popular weekly series draws a large crowd each year.
• Liberty Festival on the Falls: Held on the 4th of July, this festival features live music, food, and children's activities.
• Idaho Falls Sidewalk Art Show: Held the last weekend in July, the Idaho Falls Sidewalk Art Show features works by local artists.
• Snake River Roaring Youth Jam: Held the second weekend in August, the Snake River Roaring Youth Jam is the biggest family arts festival in Idaho Falls.
• Great Snake River Greenbelt Duck Race: Held on the second weekend in August, this family-friendly event draws a large crowd every year.
• Harvest Fest: During the second weekend in October, Idaho Falls celebrates the harvest with food, kids' activities, and pumpkin carving contests.

EDUCATION

Eastern Idaho Technical College, a two-year state college, is located in Idaho Falls. EITC provides 42 technical programs that are rooted in industry training, skills instruction, and workforce and community education. Idaho Falls is also home to University Place, which offers a unique opportunity for students to enroll in either Idaho State College or the University of Idaho all on one campus. The schools have been in collaboration for more than a decade.