Idaho

Idaho is full of natural beauty, and it’s relatively uncommercialized. It’s a great place to escape the madding hordes and day-to-day stress. The Sawtooth Scenic Byway is a beautiful drive through the pines toward Galena Summit. From above, Galena Overlook offers views of the Sawtooth Mountains and Sawtooth Valley. Ketchum and Stanley offer a wealth of outdoor recreational activities like skiing, hiking, biking, and rafting. You can float down the Boise River in an inner tube, and Idaho’s rivers offer a wealth of fly-fishing opportunities. When it’s culture and history you want, you can see Boise’s sandstone neoclassical State Capitol building. The Basque Museum & Cultural Center offers deeper learning experiences than the bars on its street. It has cultural exhibits and Basque language lessons, and there are games of pelota on handball courts down the block. Sun Valley has art centers and theaters, and is ranked as one of the Top 12 Small Art Towns in the USA.

Burgers and pizza are standard fare in many of Idaho’s restaurants, but you can also find fresh seafood, organic Idaho black bean burgers, and top-of-the-line baked goods. As far as organic and vegetarian eating, in many towns there is a better selection of natural foods markets than restaurants with appropriate options. It isn’t too hard to get a fresh-pressed juice, and as one gets into bigger population centers there’s a larger selection of Asian restaurants with tasty dumplings and willingness to cater to special dietary needs. These days, there are Thai, Indian, and Japanese restaurants in Idaho. There are even cafes with local, organic, sustainable cuisine and cooking classes to take, and smoked jerk spaghetti squash next to barbecue. Local breweries and brewpubs are taking off, as this is after all the Northwest. After an active day outside, you can relax and be social with a few great beers.