Idaho Gem: Idaho Potato Museum

I’m back with my second post in a series highlighting what I like to call Idaho Gems—places around the state that I personally love and feel are worth visiting! Idaho is full of natural beauty and fun attractions, and I wanted to showcase those in case you ever find yourself planning a trip.

There are so many gems to be found in the Gem State! (Sorry—I had to!)

A Museum Featuring My Favorite Food

Hands down, potatoes are my favorite food out of all foods. I might be the biggest fan of potatoes you’ll ever meet, and I absolutely love that my home state is known as the potato state. It’s a giant cliche and I am HERE! FOR! IT! Haha. Yes, we do have amazing potatoes. (And yes, there is so much more to Idaho than potatoes, but I gotta dedicate at least one blog post to Idaho potatoes!)

I love all varieties of potatoes—Russet, yellow/gold, red, purple, fingerling—except for sweet potatoes/yams, and I love them in any form: fries, tater tots, hash browns, mashed potatoes, baked potatoes, you name it, I’ll eat it. I’ve been known to order mashed potatoes and fries in the same meal, haha. I could honestly eat some variety of potato in every meal and be happy. We always have at least one potato product in the house!

So, you can imagine my excitement when I learned we had a potato museum in Idaho, and I could not believe I had never been to it in 30 years of my life. I mean, of course Idaho has a potato museum! I was disappointed to see that it landed on a list of the worst attractions in every state and was determined to visit anyway, mostly because I love potatoes and partially because I love cheesy attractions like this! I also want the record to show that this is NOT the worst attraction in Idaho.

Idaho Potato Museum: the Best “Worst Attraction” in Idaho

I can’t think of a more on-brand place for me than the Idaho Potato Museum! Located in Blackfoot about halfway between Pocatello and Idaho Falls, the Idaho Potato Museum is home to all things Idaho potato.

The museum features a relatively extensive history of the potato, why Idaho offers ideal growing conditions, information on the different potato varieties, potato agriculture, and more! I loved all the random fun facts like the one above: “The average American eats approximately 110 pounds of potatoes each year!” It’s safe to say that I’m well above average in how many potatoes I eat! (There’s another stat in a photo below saying the average American eats 142.7 pounds of potatoes per year. That’s probably more like it, ha!)

Did you know that the majority of potatoes grown in Idaho are grown in southern and southeast Idaho within the Snake River Plain? You won’t see many potato farms (if any) if you stay on the interstate—the vast majority are located in the southern Magic Valley and east of Idaho Falls. If you’re ever driving between Idaho Falls and Driggs/Jackson, WY, you’ll pass by a bunch of potato farms and their telltale potato cellars (A-frame dirt structures). There’s also a potato processing center along the highway to Driggs!

You’ll also find a lot of older agricultural equipment used to farm potatoes and a whole wall of potato mashers. There’s also a fun area for the kids to make their own potato batteries (remember those?!) and take part in other potato-related activities! There is so much information to take in, and it’s easy to kill an hour at the museum on your way north or south. A café offers a variety of potato-themed snacks! (Unfortunately it was closed when we stopped by.) Don’t forget to pick up your taters for out-of-staters at the gift shop on your way out!

VISIT THE IDAHO POTATO MUSEUM!

Location:
130 NW Main St
Blackfoot, ID 83221

Hours (September through May):
Monday—Saturday, 9:30 AM—5 PM MT
Closed Sunday

Hours (June through August):
Daily, 9:30 AM—7 PM MT

The Idaho Potato Museum is conveniently located on the main road in Blackfoot about halfway between Pocatello and Idaho Falls. If you’re en route to eastern Idaho, Montana, and/or Grand Teton/Yellowstone National Parks from Salt Lake City via I-15, stop by for a quick visit and potato snack at the café! Parking is free and right next to train tracks for the locomotive enthusiasts!

Check out all of the gems in the Idaho Gem series!