8 things to do on an Idaho road trip

When the Old Idaho Penitentiary first opened its doors in 1872, it was home to some of the worst criminals in the West. It went on to hold convicted women (who eventually got their own unit) and children as young as 10 simply because there was nowhere else to house them. Virtually the entire prison is now on display, from cell blocks to gallows, and much of it has been preserved to look similar to how it did decades ago. The women’s ward tells the story of some of the country’s first known female serial killers. The men’s cell blocks dive into the crimes committed as well as anecdotes about talented prisoners who helped design the dining hall and paint the chapel. Be sure to check the penitentiary’s calendar for special events such as documentary film screenings and yoga classes.

St. Maries’ Heyburn Elementary School’s mascot, the largest in the state, has an interesting backstory. Standing 22 feet tall in front of the school, the lumberjack is a former oil company marketing ploy turned mascot. Half a century ago, the Texaco Oil Company produced these so-called “Big Friend” statues to promote their “Big Friend Service,” which included windshield cleaning and oil, radiator, and battery checks. Three hundred of the fiberglass statues were erected across the country, but after only a few months, service stations complained about how difficult it was to move the statues—not to mention the fact that they were also falling over during bad weather. It’s unclear how the statue arrived at the Heyburn Elementary (some say it was supposed to be installed at the Texaco station across from the school but was rejected since it was missing its feet, others say it was simply found in a field in 1967). Either way, the service man was transformed into a lumberjack by local artists, and has since become a beloved symbol of the city.

About 2 hours north of Boise is the town of McCall. Its population of 4,000 swells each summer and winter as visitors from all over the state come for boating, hiking, biking, skiing, and snowmobiling. Many attractions are walking or biking distance from downtown and the city operates a free shuttle so you don’t have to deal with parking. Ponderosa State Park, located near the main drag, has enough hiking and biking trails to keep you busy for a few days, but it’s also a great place to get out and just stretch your legs for an hour. Before jumping back in the car, stop at Ice Cream Alley, a shop known for “mountain size scoops,” unique flavors (try anything made with huckleberries), and long lines (get there early).