I moved to Idaho only 18 months ago so I don’t know all the ins and outs of the interactions between residents of Pocatello and Idaho Falls. However, I have picked up on a few things. One of the first things I learned when I moved to Pocatello is that if I wanted to buy things from Target I either had to shop online or drive to Idaho Falls. Later, I learned that those of you in Idaho Falls come down to Pocatello to shop at Costco.  

Gradually, I realized that Costco is about the only place that comes to mind when most people in Idaho Falls think about places they want to visit in Pocatello.  

That doesn’t mean there aren’t great things to see and do in Pocatello, it just means that Idaho Falls residents may not be aware of them. I want to change that.  I’m sharing 5 places in Pocatello that are worth making the 45-minute drive down from Idaho Falls.  

I’ve picked places that offer experiences you can’t find in Idaho Falls. Pocatello does have its share of charming parks, historic buildings, and fun indoor amusement centers, but since Idaho Falls has all those things too I haven’t included those places on this list.

5 Places to Visit in Pocatello

Museum of Clean

Chances are you’ve heard of the Museum of Clean.  It’s founder, Don Aslet, is something of a local celebrity, and the museum has been promoted on billboards as far away as North Ogden.  If you are like me you probably thought, “A museum about cleaning? That has got to be the most boring museum EVER!”

My family and I went on a tour of the Museum of Clean about two years ago and discovered that it’s actually a really cool place. Every visitor is taken on a tour by museum staff – sometimes even Don Aslet himself. The tour is humorous and interactive. My kids loved doing activities like hopping into old wash tubs, wringing out laundry, and dressing like chimney sweeps.

You can let your children play before and after the tour. The lobby area of the first floor has a whole children’s area with toys such as a dollhouse and a kitchen. The third floor has a lot of interactive cleaning themed games. Children can practice their cleaning skills by playing with these toys.

Location: 711 South 2nd Avenue

Hours: Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm

Cost: $6 for adults, $5 for children 3-11. They offer a family deal of $20 for a family of 2 adults and 3 children

Phone Number: (208) 236-6906

Website: http://museumofclean.com

Pocatello Model Railroad and Historical Society

Pocatello has a rich railroad history. It’s a shame the city doesn’t have a large scale railroad museum yet, but we do have a dedicated model railroad society that opens its doors to the public once a month free of charge.

The Pocatello Model Railroad and Historical Society has four different train layouts in five scales ranging from N to G. There is even a toy train track that children can operate. The middle room has memorabilia from Pocatello’s railroad history lining the walls. The large layout in the display room is especially impressive.  I’ve paid to visit model train museums that don’t have a layout this large or detailed.

If you love watching real trains in action, just step outside the building. The club is next to the busy rail yard.  You’re almost guaranteed to see a train go past. You can also take a short walk onto the Benton Street Overpass and watch the trains down below.

Location: B59 S Harrison Avenue (just North of the Benton Street Overpass)

Hours: Open Monthly on the Third Saturday from 10:00 to 2:00.

Cost: Free – though donations are always accepted

Websites: https://pocatellomodelrailroad.weebly.com and https://www.facebook.com/PMRHS/

The City Creek Trails

I love the mountains that surround Pocatello. Trails into the mountains are easily accessible all around the city.  There are a lot of trails in Pocatello, and I’ll mention the City Creek Trail System in particular. This is a popular place for both hikers and mountain bikers.

City Creek Trail System is an area on the west side of the city. The main trail stays close to City Creek, but there are other trails that branch off. There are approximately 50 miles of trails in this area. Don’t get intimidated by that large trail system.  Even if you just stay on the main trail you’ll have an enjoyable time hiking. The trail crosses over City Creek on multiple bridges. My kids love counting the bridges as we get higher up the trail.

Directions: The Lower City Creek Trailhead Parking Lot is located off of South Grant Avenue just north of an LDS Church. The approximate address is 800 S Grant.  That parking lot is often full so you may want to park at Centennial Park and then cross Grant Ave to reach the trailhead.

The Upper City Creek Trailhead is on a bench above the city at the end of City Creek Road .  You reach City Creek Road by following South Lincoln Ave up the hill to a small subdivision. Turn left onto City Creek Road and follow that for about a mile. The road ends in a parking circle. During the summer months the gate across a dirt road is open. You can drive on the dirt road to reach some small parking pullouts closer to City Creek.  The dirt road leads to some fun places to go for a drive – but be aware that 4 wheel drive is recommended.

Cost: Free

Hours: Daylight hours only – no overnight camping

Phone Number: (208) 234-6237

Website: https://www.pocatello.us/348/City-Creek-Trail-System

Zoo Idaho (The Pocatello Zoo)

I know what you are saying to yourself right now, “Idaho Falls has a great zoo.  Why would I travel to Pocatello to see that little zoo?”

And for the most part, I agree with you.  The Idaho Falls Zoo at Tautfaus Park has more exotic animals than the zoo in Pocatallo. But there are a few things that make Zoo Idaho worth visiting.  1. The price is slightly lower than the Idaho Falls Zoo. And 2. Zoo Idaho has more local wildlife.

Zoo Idaho is full of animals that are native to Idaho. They have coyotes, bison, black bears, grizzly bears, deer, elk, eagles and so on. This is a great place to bring your kids to learn about animals that are found in Idaho.

I’m also a huge fan of the zoo’s location. The zoo is built into the side of one of the lava cliffs on the south end of town. Part of the zoo is located on the plateau above the cliff. That area feels very open. You can’t see the signs of civilization that surround the base of the plateau. Instead, you feel like you are in the middle of a wide open valley. I’ve never been to a zoo that felt as open as Zoo Idaho feels.   

Location: 2900 South 2nd Avenue

Hours: From May 1- Labor Day the zoo is open daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.  The zoo is open on weekends only during April and September from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.

Cost: $6 for adults and teenagers, $4 for children ages 3 to 11.  

Phone Number: (208) 705-3718

Website:  https://zooidaho.org/

Rock Climbing on the South Cliffs

The Lava Cliffs south of town are an excellent place to go rock climbing. These basalt cliffs are about 25 feet high. That makes them the perfect place for beginning climbers to learn how to climb or for experienced climbers to keep their skills sharp.

The cliffs are very wide so there are multiple places to choose to climb. The sides of the cliffs are designated as Sunny Side and Shady Side.  Sunny Side is the west side near 2nd Ave and is part of Ross Park. Shady Side is the east side by 5th Ave and is part of Terrell Ifft Park.

Pocatello Parks and Recreation Department offers Rock climbing classes taught at the cliffs.  Last summer my husband took a rock climbing class and loved learning how to be a better climber.  It was only $45 for three 2.5 hour classes which is an amazing deal. Contact the Parks and Rec department for information about rock climbing classes.  They offer classes for children and adults.

Location: Sunny Side at Ross Park – 3460 S 2nd Ave and

Shady Side at Terrell and Ifft Park – 2900 S 5th Avenue

Hours: Daylight Hours

Cost: Free

Phone Number (208) 234-6232

Website: https://www.pocatello.us/278/Parks-Recreation

I hope this list inspires you to drive down to Pocatello for something other than Costco. I’d love to hear your feedback on these places.  I’m also interested in what places you like to visit in Pocatello.