Twin Falls

Once in the heart of a stretch on the Oregon Trail best known for its inhospitable environment, Twin Falls was founded in 1904 as a planned community after irrigation projects on the Snake River made large-scale agriculture in the area practical for the first time. Twin Falls is the principal city of the Magic Valley region of Idaho, so named because said irrigation projects "magically" transformed the harsh landscape into productive farmland. While agriculture remains one of the city's primary industries, its proximity to outdoor activities as well as to casino gaming in nearby Nevada give it a regional tourist flair. Twin Falls is home to over 40,000 residents, making it one of Idaho's principal cities outside the Boise metro area.

Although English is the primary language in Twin Falls, a significant Hispanic community as well as refugees brought in by the local community college give the city an added multicultural element. It is not at all unusual to hear Spanish, Bosnian and Russian - among other languages - spoken in the city. That said, don't expect too much linguistic diversity; as in the rest of Idaho, English is still by far your best bet with Spanish a distant second.

Twin Falls offers a micro-transit system through RIDE TFT, which offers a citywide, point-to-point transportation. You can request or schedule a ride from the app or by calling 208-974-7433.

RIDE TFT Service Hours

• 🌍 Snake River Canyon. Located immediately north of Twin Falls, the Snake River Canyon is perhaps best known for Evel Knievel's failed 1974 attempt to jump it in a rocket-powered motorcycle. The canyon has become a destination for BASE jumpers, as Perrine Bridge spanning the canyon is the only man-made structure in the United States where BASE jumping is allowed year round without a permit (although bungee jumping is not; you will attract unwanted attention from local authorities if you attempt it). Golf is available on the canyon floor at the public Canyon Springs Golf Course and the private Blue Lakes Country Club. 
• 🌍 College of Southern Idaho, 315 Falls Ave, ☏ +1 208 733-9554, toll-free: +1-800-680-0274, fax: +1 208 736-4705, info@csi.edu. Known locally as CSI, the College of Southern Idaho in the northwestern part of the city often features many cultural performances. The school's nationally recognized community college men's basketball program is a big draw during the winter months. Home games are always well-attended. 
• 🌍 Shoshone Falls, 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade Rd, ☏ +1 208 736-2265. Dawn-dusk, daily (may close for poor road conditions). The self-proclaimed "Niagara of the West". Shoshone Falls is a waterfall on the Snake River east of the city. Indeed, the waterfall has a higher drop than its famed New York/Canada rival but is considerably narrower. Shoshone Falls is best viewed in the spring. By summer hydroelectric and irrigation demands on the Snake River often bring the flow down to a trickle, exposing the white bedrock underneath. Check website for current flow rates. $5/car (fee charged March-Sept). (updated Jul 2019)
• 🌍 Herrett Center for Arts and Science, 315 Falls Ave, ☏ +1 208 732-6655. (updated Nov 2020)
• 🌍 Twin Falls Public Library, 201 Fourth Avenue East, ☏ +1 208 733-2964, tfpl@twinfallspubliclibrary.org. Notable features include the statue "Flights of Learning" by Bryce Pettit and the Idaho and Pacific Northwest History Room, or the Idaho Room for short. (updated May 2019)
• 🌍 Minidoka National Historic Site, ☏ +1 208 825-4169. Site of a major Japanese-American internment camp during World War II. Most of the camp's buildings were removed after the war and can be found throughout the Magic Valley region. However, the site has remains of the guard entry station, waiting room, and rock gardens as well as a reconstructed guard tower. (updated Apr 2020)

• 🌍 Magic Valley Mall, 1485 Pole Line Rd E, ☏ +1 208 733-3000, fax: +1 208 733-3283, magicvalleymall@woodburycorp.com. Near the Snake River Canyon and Perrine Bridge, the Magic Valley Mall features pretty much everything one would expect from a smaller American mall. Anchor stores include JC Penney, Barnes & Noble, and Hobby Lobby. (updated Dec 2018)
• 🌍 Downtown Twin Falls. Located in the heart of the original 1904 townsite, Downtown Twin Falls features a plethora of eclectic businesses. 
• 🌍 ToyTown, 1236 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208 736-6728, toytownid@gmail.com. 10AM-7PM, closed on Sundays. Toy store. (updated Oct 2019)

Most other diversions in the Twin Falls area revolve around outdoor activities such as camping, hunting and fishing. Other activities include:

• Twin Falls County Fair, ☏ +1 208 326-4396. Held the week before Labor Day in nearby Filer, the Twin Falls County Fair is one of the largest in the state. 
• 🌍 Dierkes Lake Park, 4155 Shoshone Falls Grade. An oxbow lake near Shoshone Falls, Dierkes Lake is a well-known summer recreation destination among locals. 
• 🌍 Beckmon's Gaming Paradise, 1037 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208 733-3901. Noon-midnight. (updated Oct 2019)
• 🌍 Team Bowladrome, 220 Eastland Drive (North of Kimberley Road), ☏ +1 208 733-0369, teambowladrome@yahoo.com. Always opens at 11AM. (updated Oct 2019)
• Viki Le Fevre Mountain Bike Skills Park. A mountain biking park at the Auger Falls Wetland Preserve. (updated Jun 2022)

Twin Falls isn't exactly a destination for foodies. Apart from the expected assortment of chain restaurants (i.e. Chili's, Outback, the usual complement of fast-food joints, et al.) the fare is a bit lacking. That said, Twin Falls does feature several Thai restaurants and family-oriented establishments.

Mexican cuisine is your best bet in the city. Try:

• 🌍 Garibaldi's, 645 Filer Ave, ☏ +1 208 736-7408. 
• 🌍 La Fiesta, 1288 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208 734-0685. 

Approximately 45 minutes away in Hagerman, the Snake River Grill comes highly recommended by the locals, who often say it's worth the drive. Be sure to try the alligator. ☏ +1 208 837-6227.

Bars in Twin Falls close at 1AM sharp, no excuses.

Twin Falls has experienced something of a hotel building boom. Many of the hotels along Blue Lakes Boulevard and Pole Line Road were constructed after 2007, so there are plenty of new and comfortable rooms to choose from.

• 🌍 La Quinta Inn & Suites Twin Falls, 539 Pole Line Rd, ☏ +1 208 736-9600. 
• 🌍 Quality Inn & Suites, 1910 Fillmore Ave N, ☏ +1 208 734-7494, fax: +1 208 735-9428. 
• 🌍 Hampton Inn Twin Falls, 1658 Fillmore Ave N, ☏ +1 208-734-2233, fax: +1 208 734-2244. 
• 🌍 Hilton Garden Inn - Twin Falls, 1741 Harrison St N, ☏ +1 208 733-8500. 
• 🌍 Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites, 1554 Fillmore St, ☏ +1 208 732-6001, fax: +1 208 732-5974. 
• 🌍 Motel 6, 1472 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208 734-3993, fax: +1 208 736-7368. 
• 🌍 Red Lion Hotel Canyon Springs, 1357 Blue Lakes Blvd N, ☏ +1 208 734-5000, fax: +1 208 733-3813. 
• 🌍 Blue Lakes Inn, 952 Blue Lakes Blvd N (Near Falls Avenue), ☏ +1 208 933-2123, stay@bluelakesinn.com. Check-in: 3PM – 11PM, check-out: 11AM. Designated rooms for dogs are offered based on availability, with a $35 Pet Fee applied at check in; only two dogs per room. (updated Oct 2019)
• 🌍 The Fillmore Inn, 102 Fillmore Street (Near Addison Avenue), thefillmoreinn@gmail.com. A bricken Tudor bed and breakfast. Only guests age ten and over are allowed, and pets are not. (updated Oct 2019)

Cell phone service is consistent and reliable in Twin Falls proper as well as in the surrounding communities. However, if you travel further south than Jackpot, Nevada, on US Highway 93, expect to have an intermittent signal at best until you approach Wells or Ely.

Public WiFi access is available at most larger hotels, as well as at some coffee shops.

Given that much of the city's commercial and tourist infrastructure is concentrated around the intersection of Blue Lakes Boulevard and Poleline Road, as well as the fact nearby Perrine Bridge is effectively the only way in and out of Twin Falls from the north, traffic in the immediate area can be as heavy as anywhere in a much larger population center such as Boise. Stay alert if driving or walking through here.

• Twin Falls is approximately halfway between Boise and Pocatello, about a two-hour drive from each. Salt Lake City is approximately three hours away by car, or a 45 minutes by air.
• Jackpot - Approximately 45 miles (75 km) south of Twin Falls just over the Nevada border, the small town of Jackpot offers casino gaming and routinely draws crowds from all over the area. Collectively the Jackpot casinos employ more people from Twin Falls than any employer in Twin Falls.
• Sun Valley - As in most of Idaho, the first day of ski season in November is eagerly anticipated in the Magic Valley. If the highbrow atmosphere (and corresponding prices) of Sun Valley aren't for you, try the more wallet-friendly Pomerelle resort south of Declo. Both locations are approximately an hour's drive from Twin Falls.