Idaho City, ID

Address:Idaho City, Idaho

If you are looking for your own "Private Idaho", Idaho City may be your place. It is definitely not a "ghost town", since the town has its important institutions working. They have a mayor, a few churches, schools, a few hotels and a saloon or two (actually, a restaurant) and all that serves about 450 residents and many more visitors. But don't forget the reason you are taking a pretty nice detour to Idaho City. The town has tens of thousands of residents and was right at the epicenter of the mid-1860's gold rush. At that time, there were not enough days in the month to visit a different saloon every day. One of the most authentic attractions in the Northwest and one of the most popular Idaho places of interest, Idaho City has preserved much of its historical past. This is not a recreation, a la Williamsburg, Virginia. This is the real thing, just a bit dusty and worn around the edges. Walk the plank boardwalk, peek into the old courthouse and jail and admire the Old West architecture and the businesses that look like they just closed up and left 150 years ago. Check out the old church and the tombstones, if that's your kind of thing. Expect very friendly people to help you explore the Idaho City of the mid-1800's.

Idaho is a big place and if you find yourself in Boise you will see that it is a pretty far drive to go anywhere. For example, Sun Valley is a 3 hour drive and Idaho Falls is further, at four and a half. However, Idaho City is less than an hour from Boise, making it a great day trip or weekend getaway. The drive there is quite scenic as well and there are outdoor attractions along the way.