It’s summertime in Idaho and you know that what means. It’s road trip season! Here at Only In Idaho, we’ve compiled quite a few scenic road trips for you to enjoy. These road trips show you the best of our state, from our most picturesque small towns to some of our most stunning waterfalls. But if you’re looking for a unique adventure that is full of quirks and oddities, you’ll want to take a look at the road trip we compiled here. This adventure will take you to some of our state’s weirdest spots and roadside attractions. Create some unforgettable memories by experiencing the bizarre side of our state.
As you can see from the map below, this road trip clocks in at a whopping 972 miles and takes you from the northern to the southern region of our state. You’ll definitely want to stretch this out over several days in order to appreciate each unique stop to the fullest. Alternatively, you can break up the trip however you please and accomplish it in bits and pieces. Click here to be taken to the Google Map for the trip.
Please note, Oasis Bordello Museum is temporarily closed.
Welcome to Idaho's most scandalous museum! The Oasis Bordello Museum perfectly preserves and showcases the town's infamous illegal brothel. The brothel was in business until 1988 when the occupants hastily abandoned the place to escape an FBI raid. They left in such a hurry that personal items, furniture, and even recently bought groceries were left behind. Today you can tour the bordello and see exactly how it was left. Despite the risque subject matter, the tour is appropriately presented for all ages.
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2. Miner's Hat Realty - 300 E Cameron Ave, Kellogg, ID 83837
One of Idaho's most uniquely shaped buildings can be found right off of Highway 10 near Kellogg. The circular building was constructed to look like a miner's hat back in 1939 and has been luring motorists from the highway ever since. The building spent some time as a roadside diner where you could grab a famous "Coney Island" hot dog. Today, the miner's hat acts as a real estate office. However, guests are still encouraged to stop by. You'll even find some cool historic artifacts inside.
If you've visited St. Maries during Labor Day weekend, you probably know about their iconic Paul Bunyan Days celebration. The charming event features logging competitions, water events, carnival rides, and much more. Well, the town's obsession with Paul Bunyan goes way back. Check out the giant Paul Bunyan statue at the local elementary school. It's stood proudly on the lawn since 1967. Sometimes he is painted in the school's colors of green and gold (shown above) and other times he is painted in traditional red and black.
4. Dog Bark Park Inn - 2421 Business Loop 95, Cottonwood, ID 83522
Did you know Idaho is home to the world's largest beagle? Oh, and you can spend the night in him! This dog-shaped bed and breakfast is located in Cottonwood and it is by far one of the weirdest sights you'll see. If you're looking for a unique place to stay for the night, consider this 35-foot high dog affectionately named "Sweet Willy".
The scenery can get to be kind of boring while you're driving down Highway 75 in southern Idaho. That is, until you come across the giant green dinosaur marking the location of the Shoshone Ice Caves. Take a tour of the biggest ice cave in all of Idaho. It's especially gratifying on a hot summer day. Don't forget to stop by the wacky gift shop before you leave.
Of course, Idaho is home to the world's largest potato. See it for yourself when you visit the Spud Drive-In Theater in Driggs. The beloved theater has had an extremely loyal following since it opened back in 1953. It almost closed in 2011, but arrangements were made to keep it open after a public uproar. Catch a movie and take a picture with the giant spud that sits on the back of a flatbed truck at the theater's entrance.
7. Museum of Clean - 711 S 2nd Ave, Pocatello, ID 83201
You probably never thought cleaning tools and products could be so fascinating. Hiding in Pocatello is one of the oddest museums you'll ever come across—the Museum of Clean. Opened in 2012 by a man named Don Aslett, the museum showcases historic cleaning techniques and items. Exhibits such as "The World's First Vacuum" and "Brooms Around The World" are actually incredibly fascinating, if not a little eccentric.
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8. Soda Springs Geyser - E 1st St S, Soda Springs, ID 83276
Soda Springs is a small and quiet town, but it's home to one particularly unique attraction. The Soda Springs Geyser is considered "The Largest Man-Tamed Geyser". It's scheduled to blast streams of water up to 150 feet in the air every hour on the hour.
9. Butch Cassidy Museum - 833 Washington St, Montpelier, ID 83254
One of Idaho's most infamous bank robberies occurred on August 13, 1896 when Butch Cassidy chose a small bank in Montpelier as his next victim. Of all the banks Cassidy robbed, this is the only one still standing and it's since been turned into a museum. Walk on top of the same floor Butch Cassidy did while perusing old artifacts and learning all about the infamous man himself.
