Up until recently, a city’s Main Street was its cultural and historical hub. Quaint, centralized, and full of character, these timeless stretches in the hearts of their respective towns were lined with old-fashioned shops, lush trees, and historic gathering places, making them major economic landmarks.
Today, the classic American Main Street image has shifted as cities have developed in unexpected directions. The traditional Main Street has given way to centralized downtown blocks that often intersect, mirror, or even build upon the original architecture and charm of their timeless predecessors. Fortunately, numerous historical and preservation societies have developed across the country to restore and revive historic downtown areas, while still retaining the beauty of the original Main Street. In no particular order, take a look at some of these “main” streets that show off how lovely our quintessential Idaho towns look.
- Malad City
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr This beautifully preserved bank is a throwback like no other in the heart of Malad City, but it is just one of dozens of historic buildings and churches scattered along Bannock and Main St., including the Co-Op and the Oneida Museum.
- Hailey
City of Hailey/Carol Waller Hailey is a beautifully picturesque town in Southern Idaho, and its main street is no different, boasting one of the most scenic and well-preserved downtown blocks in the state. Main Street revival projects are currently in progress to keep these landmarks in tip-top shape.
- McCall
McCall Chamber/Facebook
Visit Idaho/Flickr Quirky and nostalgic, McCall’s Lake St. and surrounding roads are packed with vintage mountain-retreat storefronts and cafés just a short jaunt from the Payette Lake shore.
- Idaho Falls
Historic Downtown Idaho Falls Primarily along Park, Constitution, and Shoup, historic downtown Idaho Falls features beautiful Renaissance Revival-style architecture, easy shopping access, and beautifully preserved Idaho craftsmanship.
- Lewiston
Beautiful Downtown Lewiston Downtown Lewiston is an unexpectedly nostalgic cultural corridor that features a wealth of local art and history along Main Street. Regular tours are offered for those who want to learn more about the history of Idaho’s original capital.
- Ketchum
Wikimedia Commons In a setting as lovely as the Sun Valley region, it makes sense that Ketchum’s iconic downtown be equally as stunning as the surrounding scenery. Here you’ll find quintessential charm in a vibrant dining and recreation hub brimming with vintage Idaho personality for residents and visitors alike.
- Wallace
Wallace Idaho Chamber of Commerce There’s a reason why downtown Wallace is featured so prominently in Idaho travel media. This former mining town is rich in natural and man-made beauty, and in many ways is the perfect Idaho main street. It also culminates in the Center of the Universe at the intersection of Bank and 6th.
- Kooskia
Kathy Zimmerman/Great Kooskia Chmaber of Commerce/Facebook The Kooskia area continues to impress with its rugged, small town charm, overwhelming natural beauty, and abundance of community spirit. Downtown reflects this with throwback shops, cafes, and a perfect rolling backdrop of the Clearwater National Forest rising up in the distance.
- Sandpoint
City of Sandpoint/Facebook While Main St. was Sandpoint’s original main street back in its early days, like so many other towns, today, Sandpoint’s downtown scene has expanded but still retains its character and charm. Whether strolling the shopfronts and enjoying the smells of the flower baskets hanging every few feet as the , or a snowy winter scene that highlights this northern town’s waterfront beauty. In fact, what’s truly unique about Sandpoint’s Main Street is how long it is; it travels nearly 2 miles straight to Sand Creek.
- Nampa
Allen/Flickr Historic downtown Nampa features beautiful brick storefronts, unique New England-style column details, and the gorgeous Train Depot.
- Coeur d’Alene
Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association/Facebook With over 125 shops all set in the heart of this scenic lakeside city, the tree-lined main street of historic downtown CDA can be explored again and again. Downtown Coeur d’Alene also features charming street fairs and vintage car shows, as well as a weekly farmers market.
What great reminders of and tributes to Idaho’s past! I absolutely adore all of the architectural detail and vibrant brick touches. What are your favorite small-town Idaho Main Streets? Are they still “main,” and where do they lead?
Jimmy Emerson, DVM/Flickr
This beautifully preserved bank is a throwback like no other in the heart of Malad City, but it is just one of dozens of historic buildings and churches scattered along Bannock and Main St., including the Co-Op and the Oneida Museum.
City of Hailey/Carol Waller
Hailey is a beautifully picturesque town in Southern Idaho, and its main street is no different, boasting one of the most scenic and well-preserved downtown blocks in the state. Main Street revival projects are currently in progress to keep these landmarks in tip-top shape.
McCall Chamber/Facebook
Visit Idaho/Flickr
Quirky and nostalgic, McCall’s Lake St. and surrounding roads are packed with vintage mountain-retreat storefronts and cafés just a short jaunt from the Payette Lake shore.
Historic Downtown Idaho Falls
Primarily along Park, Constitution, and Shoup, historic downtown Idaho Falls features beautiful Renaissance Revival-style architecture, easy shopping access, and beautifully preserved Idaho craftsmanship.
Beautiful Downtown Lewiston
Downtown Lewiston is an unexpectedly nostalgic cultural corridor that features a wealth of local art and history along Main Street. Regular tours are offered for those who want to learn more about the history of Idaho’s original capital.
Wikimedia Commons
In a setting as lovely as the Sun Valley region, it makes sense that Ketchum’s iconic downtown be equally as stunning as the surrounding scenery. Here you’ll find quintessential charm in a vibrant dining and recreation hub brimming with vintage Idaho personality for residents and visitors alike.
Wallace Idaho Chamber of Commerce
There’s a reason why downtown Wallace is featured so prominently in Idaho travel media. This former mining town is rich in natural and man-made beauty, and in many ways is the perfect Idaho main street. It also culminates in the Center of the Universe at the intersection of Bank and 6th.
Kathy Zimmerman/Great Kooskia Chmaber of Commerce/Facebook
The Kooskia area continues to impress with its rugged, small town charm, overwhelming natural beauty, and abundance of community spirit. Downtown reflects this with throwback shops, cafes, and a perfect rolling backdrop of the Clearwater National Forest rising up in the distance.
City of Sandpoint/Facebook
While Main St. was Sandpoint’s original main street back in its early days, like so many other towns, today, Sandpoint’s downtown scene has expanded but still retains its character and charm. Whether strolling the shopfronts and enjoying the smells of the flower baskets hanging every few feet as the , or a snowy winter scene that highlights this northern town’s waterfront beauty. In fact, what’s truly unique about Sandpoint’s Main Street is how long it is; it travels nearly 2 miles straight to Sand Creek.
Allen/Flickr
Historic downtown Nampa features beautiful brick storefronts, unique New England-style column details, and the gorgeous Train Depot.
Coeur d’Alene Downtown Association/Facebook
With over 125 shops all set in the heart of this scenic lakeside city, the tree-lined main street of historic downtown CDA can be explored again and again. Downtown Coeur d’Alene also features charming street fairs and vintage car shows, as well as a weekly farmers market.
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