Idaho Car Rental

Guide to Idaho

Geography

Idaho is in the Pacific Northwest area of the US. It is bordered by six states – Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, Utah, Washington, and Oregon. Geographers divide it into three regions: the Rocky Mountains, Columbia Plateau, and the Basin and Ridge.

About 40% of the state is covered by federally protected forests. Human habitation is concentrated in the Snake River Plain.

Climate in Idaho

In summers (June-August), Idaho experiences a continental climate, while in winters (November-February), its climate is maritime. The rainfall here varies greatly: the east gets most of its rain in the summer, and the rest of the state gets it in winter. Try and visit in April, when spring attracts a large number of migratory birds.

Culture

Most Idahoers have either British or German ancestry. The state also has the largest Basque population outside Spain.

Things to do in Idaho

Explore the wilderness

If you’re in Idaho, you must visit Yellowstone National Park! Yellowstone is best known for its natural geysers, the most famous of which is Old Faithful (which erupts every 90 minutes or so). The park also has a number of colorful pools which, you’ll be surprised to know, get their hue from heat-loving microbes.

The animals you can find here include bears, wolves, pronghorns, and cougars. It isn’t uncommon for bison to block the roads, so be prepared for some unconventional traffic.

Look at contemporary art

The Boise Art Museum displays a whole host of realist pieces, some of which date back to the 18th century. Its permanent collection, a total of about 4000 exhibits, includes works by Pat Steir, Kenneth Callahan, and Jane Hammond. The museum also has a lot of pieces by contemporary Native American artists and east Asian artists from the 1600s. Feel free to visit on any day except Monday.

Ski near Sun Valley

The resort town of Sun Valley is located next to two mountains, both of which are excellent for skiing on. Bald Mountain is popular among moderately experienced skiers, while Dollar Mountain is better for new skiers since that’s where most instructors take their classes. If you’re not into skiing, you can go fishing at Lost River or Salmon River instead.

Eating out in Idaho

Mai Thai is a Boise restaurant that has won the Best Thai Food title for nine years in a row. You’ll understand why when you taste its soy-sauce duck and sushi rolls. For a taste of the Basque countryside, eat at Epi’s Basque Restaurant in Meridian, which makes excellent lamb stew and pork chops. Sandpiper Restaurant, in Idaho Falls, is very well known for its seafood and prime ribs. Some of the best ravioli and homemade rigatoni in the state can be found at Alavita, an Italian restaurant in Boise.

Idaho Transport

Airport

The most important airport in Idaho is Boise Airport (BOI). It is a regional airport serviced by five airlines, and it serves more passengers than all the other Idaho airports combined.

Getting around in Idaho

Public transport in Idaho is only reliable in Boise, Moscow, and Idaho Falls, so if you intend to travel to other parts of the state, you’d best hire a car. The most commonly chosen car rental agencies in Idaho are Budget, Enterprise, and Thrifty.