For some reason, out-of-towners always mix up the two states. They’re obviously nothing alike. Idaho is much better, duh.
There also seems to be a common misconception among out-of-towners that Idaho is somehow in the Midwest. Realistically, it’s almost as far from the Midwest as you can get, much closer to the West Coast. It tends to peeve locals when this mistake is made.
There’s so much hunting in Idaho, that it’s imbedded in the culture. It’s not uncommon to see people donning the camouflage pattern even if they don’t plan on shooting a gun that day as part of their simple “around the town” wear.
Hopefully you’re not allergic to the color blue if you’re in Boise. Out-of-towners headed to a Boise State Broncos football game might be surprised to discover that the gridiron is bright blue. It’s the only blue AstroTurf in the world, and even though there are occasionally talks of changing it, the smurf colored field remains.
While most places in the nation struggle to get butts in the seats at women’s basketball games, Idaho doesn’t have this problem as games often fill the stands with screaming fans.
Just because the winters get a bit chilly in Idaho, doesn’t mean people stop fishing. They simply drill a hole in the ice covering their favorite spot and plop their hook right into the water.
Idahoans are addicted to what they call “fry sauce.” It’s a mixture of mayonnaise and ketchup, a true match made in heaven.
Idahoans just eat sweet corn like it is. It’s everywhere and it’s awesome. A few days in Idaho will have you convinced that there’s no better corn in the nation.
Even though there isn’t a “z” in Boise, an out-of-towner will still act like there is. Let them know it’s pronounced “BOY-see” before too many people make fun of them.
While tons of potatoes come from Idaho, it’s not all the residents eat. There are several states that in which residents consume many more per year on average than those in the Gem State.
A fair favorite in certain parts of Idaho, potato ice cream is oddly more delicious than it might sound.
Boise State football gets a ton of hate in the BCS for some reason. Even though there team might go undefeated for a season, they still have a hard time earning the top stop in the nation, as many consider their schedule to be much easier than other great teams.
If an out-of-towner is offered a finger steak, they’ll probably be a bit taken aback. Have no fear, Idahoans aren’t cannibals, they just found a better way to make a chicken finger—use steak instead.
Idaho is a very vast and sparsely populated state. It takes a long time to get from one big town to another meaning the distance will probably be measured in how many hours it takes to get there rather than minutes or miles.
Home to some of the craziest white water rafting in the country, the Middle Fork of Salmon River gives thrill seekers over 100 miles of rapids. Starting at an elevation of 7,000 ft. and dropping down to goes down to 3,900 ft., it’s a pretty wild ride.
Back in the day, passing through Idaho was a key component of the infamous Oregon Trail. Every year in August, Glenns Ferry comes alive with the Three Island Crossing Celebration, celebrating the Oregon Trail pioneers’ crossing of Snake River. Idahoans here eat a bit better than their predecessors, with tons of awesome barbecue and a pancake breakfast.
Fishing is a big deal in Idaho, with over 70 percent of trout sold in the U.S. caught in the Hagerman Valley near Twin Falls. While it’s landlocked, Idaho has some of the best seafood around.
There’s a good chance that out-of-towners will be a bit shocked to discover that Idaho is much more textured than what they may have thought. It’s actually part of the Rocky Mountains with some awesome peaks and great skiing to match.
North America’s deepest gorge, at almost 8,000 feet, Hells Canyon is home to Snake River, a popular whitewater rafting spot.
One of the best lookout spots in the state, Heaven’s Gate Overlook, allows visitors to gaze upon four different states from an elevation of over 8,000 ft.
One of the most popular attractions in Idaho, the Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve is home to some of the largest lava fields around, most of which originated from a giant volcanic eruption many years ago.
Without any professional sports in the state to cheer for, some choose to root for the stars of the rodeo. One of the largest is the Snake River Stampede which draws close to 50,000 rodeo fans from around the state.
If someone isn’t cheering for the Boise State Broncos, there’s a good chance they’re rooting for the University of Idaho Vandals. While they don’t get as much attention at a national level, the fan base in state is huge.
Boise is home to one of the coolest art spots in America, Freak Alley. The walls of this alley are filled with works created by graffiti artists and muralists, with the city embracing their contributions.
Idahoans are super proud of anyone famous that comes from their small population, including Aaron Paul, famous for his performance as Jesse in “Breaking Bad.”
Without big cities lights and pollution to disrupt the view, the stars in Idaho are much brighter than anywhere else in the country, making for a spectacular starry night.
The word “crick” is commonly used in Idaho to describe a stream, brook, or creek. It’s not used as frequently as it used to be, but it still pops up.
The state fruit of Idaho, huckleberries can be found in everything from jams to pies to salads. They’re delicious and hard to find in the rest of the country. Make sure an out-of-towner gets their fill during their visit.
With over 72 different precious and semi-precious stones coming from the state, the nickname “Gem State” beats out the “Potato State” as the official state nickname of Idaho.
While the winters can get a bit chilly, Idaho comes alive in the summer. Idahoans love to stay active and fill their days with biking, hiking, and rafting. They’re some of the healthiest people around.
It’s hard to beat the way orange and blue seems to blend across the Idaho sky each night. There’s no other state in America quite like the Gem State, one of the most beautiful places in America. What have you had to explain to out-of-towners about Idaho? Tell us in the comments below!
